Many people often delay their Umrah plans due to nursing babies. However, if you ask us, we will say that it is a lot easier than going for Umrah with a toddler. At least, the infant stays at one place and won’t run here and there.
Things have become much more convenient with pre-made Umrah packages like All Inclusive Umrah Deals as they relieve you from the worries of booking hotels and flights, arranging transport or going out for meals.
With that being said, if you are planning to go for Umrah with a nursing baby, here are some quick tips to help you during your journey.
5 Practical Tips for Parents Going for Umrah with Nursing Infants
A lot of people will say that you could have waited a bit longer and then planned your journey. Just turn a deaf ear towards them and remember that Allah is calling you and He has reasons for everything. So put your faith in Him and plan your journey. However, you should take care of some things for a stress-free journey. Let’s check them out.
1 – Choose Family Umrah Deals
The biggest tip we have is to use a family Umrah deal for your pilgrimage. First of all, these deals come with hotels that offer extra services like cribs or beds for older babies. You can also find a microwave, fridge or even a small kitchenette in some hotels included in these deals. These things may look trial but they come in handy. The room is not shared with any outsider and this makes it very easy to feed your baby in full privacy.
Such offers not only offer great hotels, but you also get private conveyance as well. It means that your family will have a car or minivan of your own depending on the number of pilgrims. This also guarantees privacy and peace of mind while traveling.
2 – Go to Madinah First
Most of the people land at Jeddah and then go straight to perform Umrah right away. While this is not but if you are going with little babies, starting your journey from Madinah is a better decision. In this way, you can get more time to get accustomed to the new country and shake off the jet lag.
You can rest for a while before starting your activities in the city. The first activity is usually visiting Masjid e Nabwi and then you go for exploring holy sites (ziyarat). Once your planned itinerary in Madinah comes to an end, you can take a train or a bus to reach Makkah. Both options are okay and you won’t be bothered during your trip.
3 – Pick Your Flights Wisely
If this is your first time flying with a newborn, you will be surprised in many ways. The best way to deal with this is to choose a flight that syncs with your schedule. Even after that, there is no guarantee that your baby will fall asleep while flying.
So, it is better to come prepared beforehand. You can keep toys that your baby likes, for example, rattles. If your kid is large enough to be distracted by screen, download stuff that keeps them busy. In addition to this, keeping a baby blanket is a good idea. In case your baby sleeps, a blanket will make them comfortable.
Many Affordable Umrah Packages come with connecting flights which are great for adults and teenagers. But if you are flying with infants, we recommend you pick direct flights as they are short and you don’t have to get off the plane and board it again.
4 – Book a Hotel Near to Haram
When you are in Makkah, you need to stay close to the Grand Mosque as much as possible. This will eliminate the need to look for shuttles or wait outdoors for taxis. As far as the walking time from nearby hotels is concerned, it is usually around 5 minutes and you can use an umbrella to shield your baby and yourself from the sun. You will also be using a pram for the baby. So, consider this as well. It is much easier to manage a pram for 5 minutes on the road than to close it, put it in the back of a taxi or shuttle bus and then take it out back when you reach the mosque. All of this can be quite hectic, especially for the first-time parents.
However, this comes with the question of budget. Hotels close to the Haram don’t come cheap. You will have to pay almost double compared to a 3-star hotel located around 1 to 2 kilometers away from the mosque.
If you are looking for a hotel that is quite close to Haram, go for places inside the Clock Tower. Many of the hotels here offer direct access to Haram through escalators. They are the best option for pilgrims with babies.
5 – Plan Activities Around the Baby’s Schedule
We all know that babies are the real boss in the home and this will stay the same when you are in the holy cities. So, it is better not to go against their schedule. If your baby sleeps during the day and stays awake in the evening, go for Umrah then.
If you try to change your baby’s schedule, he or she may get irritated and this can impact their health. You don’t want this to happen as then you will have to stick with them or even skip your planned activities.
Final Words
Doing Umrah with an infant can be much slower than you might have imagined. But it is okay; go with the flow and be happy that Allah has blessed you with a chance to visit His home with your newborn.
If you are looking for family-specific Umrah offers from the UK, contact Muslims Holy Travel and browse their wide range of options, including April Umrah deals.