Have Baby, Will Travel

Traveling with a baby can be a stressful situation, especially as babies require so much “stuff” and can not speak to express discomfort, boredom, etc. The following is a look at how to make travel with baby easier, and stress free:

1. Prepare for it. Avoiding stress is 90% in the preparation. The better you plan, pack, and prepare, the better the travel will be. As you prepare to travel with your baby, make your plans around your baby’s current habits, schedule, and likes. For example, if you plan to fly to your destination, consider a flight that leaves just prior to baby’s regular nap time. If you plan activities for your trip, be sure to have a place to feed, change, and take care of baby.

2. Pack smart. The best way to have a stress free trip with a baby is to have what you need with you, and not haul around what you do not need. Sometimes people overdo it when traveling with a baby, and end up lugging around 50 pound diaper bag, of which they need about 2 pounds worth of stuff. So, think about your baby, and what they typically need, and pack a diaper bag to accommodate that, and add in a few things for emergencies. This means bring some snacks, a bottle, a couple of toys, a few pacifiers, diapers, wipes, a blanket, and a change of clothing. Add in a bottle of aspirin, a thermometer, a band-aid, and some sunscreen, and you are good. Then, leave the rest at home. When traveling, you have the option of bringing along the bouncy chair, the high chair, the car seat, the play pen, the exersaucer, the swing, the bumbo, and a million other baby items. What you need is a car seat, a stroller, and somewhere for baby to sleep (a portable crib, playpen, bassinet). Do not overload yourself, your car, or your luggage allowance with unnecessary baby items.

3. Be flexible in your plans. Your trip is bound to be stressful if you have every minute planned and packed with activities, and have no flexibility. If you are planning to hit the beach, but baby is fussy and needs a nap, you need to be flexible enough to stay in while they sleep, or let them sleep on the sand. Sometimes babies just need a break, so do not have yourself so entrenched in plans that you do not meet the needs of your baby.

4. Have some help. Traveling with a baby is much easier when you can take a break on occasion. If you are wanting to catch a show, or go out to dinner, having someone to stay with your baby in the hotel while they sleep is a big plus. So, taking along a sitter, or arranging for a night out without baby can be helpful.

5. Cater to baby. Your baby can’t express their needs without crying. Your baby can’t meet their own needs, so be sure to cater to your baby for a stress free trip. If you want to enjoy a dinner out, make sure baby has eaten, has been changed, and has something to occupy them, otherwise, your whole dinner will be spent in the ladies room taking care of baby.