Tips for Traveling with Baby
We love to see our family, visit friends, and go on vacation, but when we are traveling with a baby, we start trying to calculate the variables of travel— mood, naps, and surprise diaper explosions. We need to realize that it is a complicated math problem with no correct answer. Having traveled on both planes and cars with baby and older kids here are my best additions to standard travel tips:
Recap of my basic “must haves”
Bring extra clothes and diapers for travel, let Baby drink during take off to “pop” their ears. Bring a few favorite toys, baby carrier, stroller, empty sandwich zip-locs (for sharing the family size bag of snacks you buy along the way – no fighting!) and 2-3 empty plastic grocery bags for dirty clothes or diapers, trash, or whatever!
Talk to Baby
There are lots of things that our adult brain has brushed off as normal – but its new for Baby! Talk Baby through all the sights and sounds during travel. Even if they don’t understand everything, the tone of your voice is very telling. Try to sound overly excited and happy and it will help Baby mirror your happy demeanor.
Whether in a car or plane, there are going to be plenty of new things to check out! Point out all the neat things to see out the window –great big clouds, big trucks, animals, etc.
Plan travel around naps
Disclaimer: We both know that all babies are different and we can just hope that Baby will cooperate with usual nap times!
If taking a car ride, try to drive an hour or two before their nap then take a break where Baby can stretch. Get Baby’s body moving and plan to be out of the car for 20 to 30 minutes and play hard!
Pro Tip! If its cold outside, a rest stop can be too crowded and chaotic to stretch and play. Sometimes there is a shopping area or a mall right off the highway – it’s a great place to stay warm and change things up. Don’t buy anything if you don’t need to – just browse for fun.
Then, its nap time! When Baby wakes up, just go ahead and take another 20-30 minute break
Never underestimate the power of FOOD
Look, I know we are going to do our best to keep the kids healthy, but if there is ever a time to have cheats, this would be it. Pack extra ready-to-go formula or breast milk, and extra snacks in a hard case lunch box so it doesn’t get smushed.
Nice finger foods like grapes, strawberries, crackers, squeeze pouches, chocolate (good chocolate for you), Doritos (for the adults of course), and fruit snacks (again… for you). Nobody need be hangry (angry because you’re hungry), not Baby and not you! My husband gets pretty infantile when he’s hangry…
Personal story: My breast milk never carried over well after pumping – it got a soapy taste which does happen to some milk and Baby wouldn’t drink it. Sometimes breastfeeding was possible and sometimes it wasn’t. Formula became a really great back up!
I remember feeling frustrated and a little low when I couldn’t breastfeed, but it wasn’t worth the stress.
So just relax, Mama, it’s all good!
Play with your food
Make food a game! Count items and identify colors! Pack some clean cotton twine and make a Cheerio necklace! Have Baby guess which hand the snack is in – that game can go on for a long time!
Create an entertainment pack – Correctly!
Pack crayons, stickers, and coloring pages or plain paper into a gallon size Zip-loc bag.
Try to get your hands on thick triangle shaped crayons that won’t roll away. Just as important, they will be easier for Baby to grip! Don’t put in a whole coloring book, just tear some pages from the coloring book and fold them so they fit in the bag.
Cut a piece of cardboard and put it in the bag to add structure to the bag preventing the paper from crumpling and to give a flat hard surface to work on.
Add a binder clip so you can clip the paper to the cardboard. Maybe a few adult coloring pages for yourself is also a good idea.
Practice life skills
Look around and see what skills Baby can learn. Use jackets and bags nearby to practice using snaps, buttons, zippers, Velcro etc
Music!
Listen to music! Kids songs are great but try experimenting with different styles – you never know how they will react to different types of music.
If you’re on a plane get a headphone splitter (you can get up to 6 jacks for slightly more than a regular splitter), so multiple family members and Baby can get in on the experiment.
Kid safe headphones can be purchased for around $5 if you know where to look!
Use the big guns – Screen time
When all songs, games, and toys are exhausted, pull out the phone or tablet so they can watch their favorite program. Its ok. We aren’t judging.
Schedule time to breathe
Make extra time for all the mishaps that are bound to happen. Get to the airport a little early to run around and get out the extra energy. If you have a layover, it might be helpful to catch the flight that gives you an extra 30 minutes to an hour to leave time for meals and wandering around.
If you’re driving, leave extra time so you CAN make an extra pit-stop if you need to.
Remember that everyone is going to be a little out of sorts, and the best laid plans and schedules are going to have some hiccups. Give yourself, the family and Baby more leniency, more snuggles, and more love and laughter.
Happy Travels!
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