When Can I Travel Again After Giving Birth? - BabyCenter

Maybe getting on a plane or taking an 8-hour road trip is the last thing on your mind after giving birth, or maybe you can't wait to introduce long-distance friends and family to your new (so adorable!) travel companion.

Either way, if you didn't have any major childbirth complications and you're recovering well, a little low-key traveling a few weeks after a vaginal delivery or a C-section is probably fine as long as your healthcare provider gives you the okay.

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That said, many providers and pediatricians may recommend that you try to avoid any non-essential travel (especially air travel) with your baby until they're at least 3 months old.

Key Takeaways

• Moms without any major birth complications can typically start traveling a few weeks after delivery.
• You may want to wait longer to travel with your baby, since they're more vulnerable to illness and won't have received vaccinations for flu, RSV, and other childhood illnesses.
• Beyond your physical readiness, there are factors like breastfeeding, hormonal changes, and sleep deprivation to consider.
• No matter when and how you travel postpartum, make sure to take care of your own health and be prepared to stop frequently to feed and change your baby (if they're with you).

What to consider before traveling

The first few weeks after giving birth are a big transitional period, full of physical and emotional postpartum recovery, unpredictable sleep schedules, breastfeeding challenges, hormonal changes, and more – adding travel to the mix may actually slow down recovery and get in the way of the groove you're trying to establish with your newborn.

"Because everyone's birth, recovery, and newborn infant journey is different, I recommend not making firm postpartum travel plans during pregnancy," says Kristin Cohen, DNP, a certified nurse midwife and women's health nurse practitioner. "It's impossible to predict how physically able you will feel or how willing you will be to travel after giving birth."

Even though your body has just been through an intense experience, you'll likely be out of the woods for postpartum complications like blood clots, hemorrhage, and infection pretty quickly; these are rare, especially after the first week or two after delivery. C-section recovery setbacks like wound infection and incision separation are most likely to occur within the first few days after delivery, too.

That said, if you had an episiotomy or any perineal tearing during your vaginal birth, you could experience discomfort and pain for several weeks (and sitting in an uncomfortable seat for hours probably isn't going to help there). Remember, too, that a C-section is a major surgery, and it takes several weeks to fully recover.

There are other issues to think about when considering your readiness to travel. Taking care of a newborn can be joyful, but it can also be a whirlwind of sleep deprivation and unexpected change – not exactly the best circumstances for travel.

"Your first postpartum trip will be so much more enjoyable if you wait until you feel as physically, emotionally, and mentally ready as possible," says Cohen.

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You can't control every situation, like a family emergency, for example, but as you think about traveling after delivery, be sure that you're assessing your own health. Don't forget to let your provider know about your plans before you take off.

Speaking of health, if you're considering bringing your newborn along for the ride or flight, it's important to remember that babies younger than 3 months are at a higher risk for complications from illnesses like the flu and RSV, and are too young to have received all of their essential immunizations.

Waiting until your baby has received some of their vaccinations may help ease some anxiety around traveling and reduce their risk of severe illness.

"I'm from Canada and really wanted to go home to visit my family and friends," writes BabyCenter Community member LLund15. "We did the trip twice during my maternity leave with my son and plan on squeezing in two to three trips this time around, as well. We always wait until the baby has gotten their 3-month vaccinations plus [another 4 to 6] weeks afterwards so the vaccinations have had time to work."

If you choose to travel sooner, talk to your baby's pediatrician about your plans – they may be able to offer advice on how to keep your baby healthy and safe during travel.

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Tips for travel after having a baby

Regardless of your mode of travel, take it easy and try to stick to the same healthy habits you established during pregnancy. Discuss your travel plans with your provider before you go, and always know where you can find medical care on the road if you need it.

During the trip, drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. Wear comfortable clothes and get up regularly to stretch your legs and walk around a bit (every hour or so is ideal) to prevent blood clotting – you're at an increased risk for up to three months after childbirth. If your pregnancy was complicated, be sure to carry a copy of your medical records.

If you're traveling with your baby, make sure to bring their medical records, as well as an emergency checklist with their pediatrician's number, contact info for family members, and a list of medications your baby takes, as well as their allergies, if they have any known ones.

Also plan for how you'll feed your baby: Whether you're breastfeeding or bottlefeeding, you may need to bring bottles, pump supplies, and formula with you. If you're traveling by car, it's just a matter of packing what you need, but if you're flying, make sure you review TSA guidelines for traveling with baby food. (FYI, the rules are less strict for having breast milk, formula, and other feeding supplies in carry-on bags; it's just a good idea to know what to expect at the airport.)

"I've flown with frozen breast milk and, depending on the airport, some are more chill than others," shares BabyCenter Community member 02Steph04. "I've had my bag pulled multiple times and swabbed for explosives… sometimes it's super quick, but sometimes it takes a while until someone is available to do the test. Make sure you give yourself extra time to go through security, just in case, and make sure you pack extra ice packs because everything needs to be frozen."

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Be sure to follow CDC guidelines regarding travel, including those related to COVID-19. The CDC strongly advises that all eligible travelers be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccine before traveling, and to follow mask-wearing guidelines wherever they're traveling. 

Lastly, make sure where you're staying has a comfortable and safe place for your baby to sleep, like a bassinet, play yard, or a crib, if you're not planning on bringing your own. Blackout curtains, changing tables, and easy access to a bathroom can also help make your life easier if you're traveling during the newborn stage.

When can I drive after giving birth?

Regardless of whether you had a vaginal delivery or a C-section, experts recommend you avoid driving for at least one or two weeks, or until getting behind the wheel no longer feels painful or difficult. One small study found no differences in driving capability between new moms who were two to three weeks postpartum and five to six weeks postpartum. 

Avoid driving completely if you're taking medication for pain relief, and talk to your healthcare provider before you get back behind the wheel. Your baby can travel by car right away – with a proper infant car seat, of course – but know that longer road trips may be tougher, as newborns need to be fed and changed often.

"We did an 8-hour (one way) road trip with our first baby at 8 weeks to see my mother-in-law and it was fine," says Community member bb281. "We just stayed [in] a few spots along the way to break up the long drive. Evening witching hour can be brutal, so I would suggest getting an early start and being somewhere for the day by late afternoon/evening."

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Keep in mind, too, that newborns need to be seen by their pediatrician frequently after birth, so you may not be able to stay away from home for too long.

From newborn care to road trip prep, the BabyCenter appOpens a new window is your go-to guide for life with a tiny co-pilot. Get expert tips, when and where you need them.