Life looks a whole lot different with the arrival of your first baby. Things you didn’t think twice about become new challenges. This, of course, includes traveling with a baby. But life doesn’t stop when you have a child. And if you’re reading this, chances are you like to see the world and value all the wonderful things travel brings into your life.
A lot of parents think waiting to travel until their child is older is the way to go, but from the veterans out there the overwhelming advice is ‘Don’t Wait!’ In fact, they’ll tell you that babies are actually the easiest age to travel with.
If they are hungry you feed them, if they are cranky you lay them down for a nap. If they need to poop they poop and then comes a diaper change. And if they throw a fit, it’s ok because they’re so damn cute.
Once the little one becomes a toddler you’ll have a whole new level of things to deal with but you’ll have passed the baby travel test with flying colors.
Once the little one becomes a toddler you’ll have a whole new level of things to deal with but you’ll have passed the baby travel test with flying colors.
So when you are packing up your little one for the first time away from home, traveling alone or with your partner and hopping on a plane, train, boat or automobile use these 4 big tips to become superstar travel parents:
Keep It Routine
One of the best parts of traveling is getting OUT of your routine, but for your baby, this is not always such a fun thing. Make sure you keep as much of your home structure as possible when it comes to naps, feeding, and play.
And do keep nap times top of mind when scheduling the commuting part of your trip. Sitting still for long periods of time is hard for anyone let alone a baby who wants to move and play.
Plastic bags are your friends
The humble ziplock bag is a powerhouse of usefulness. Pack with them, bring extras along in different sizes and try some of these hacks out:
– Pack a set of clean clothes in a ziplock bag. It’s easy and quick to pull out in transit and can be used to exchange for any number of messes that might come up on the set their wearing.
– Prepare a bag with everything you need for a diaper change so you’re not digging for hand sanitizer and wipes in you main carry-all.
– Need to do laundry on the road? A baggie with a scoop of laundry detergent and you’re ready to throw a load.
Make toys out of everything
One good way to cut down on packing is to keep the toys to a minimum. Of course, bring along some familiar comfort items and a few surprises but mostly be creative and use what’s around you on travel days to entertain.
Think peek-a-boo with plastic spoons, paper cup hats, crinkling magazine pages. And chances are if you are introducing him/her to friend or family on the trip you’ll be headed home with a lot more that you came down with anyways.
Roll with the punches
Tears on the tarmac, a tantrum during security, spit-up on a stranger. These things happen despite the best-made plans. And when they do don’t panic.
Most people won’t care as much when you approach a situation with politeness and consideration for their possible discomfort on your babies behalf. Babies don’t know what their doing – they’re babies! But you as their caregiver do. People will appreciate this. And remember the disastrous at the moment are just memories being made, you are passing through the ranks of baby travel.
