Your baby has been busy exploring their exciting world, and now they’re ready for even more adventures—their first family trip. The diaper bag, stroller, baby carrier, and what seems like their entire nursery are prepared to go. But even with the best planning, anything from baby spit-ups to diaper dilemmas may cause things to go awry. Whether reaching your ultimate destination requires a plane, train, or automobile, here are some tips for making your little one’s big outing as stress-free as possible.
1. Plan a naptime trip
While not always possible, try to travel at naptime, which can contribute to a calmer, well-rested baby on arrival. Going on a car trip? You may be in luck—many babies find car rides soothing.
2. Diaper before departing
Minimize the need to change your baby’s diaper in a cramped gas station or airplane lavatory. Change their diaper right before you leave the house or board the plane or train.
3. Take health precautions
Your little one’s still-developing immune system is prone to catching colds and viruses. And when traveling, you may be around crowds that can expose your baby to more illness-causing germs. While you may be on a different schedule or perhaps even in a different country, take the same precautions you do at home, such as washing your hands frequently and using hand sanitizer.
4. Pack comforts from home
Your baby’s favorite binkie or blanket can help comfort and soothe them as they adjust to new people and places.
5. Avoid overstimulation
As a family, you’ve got places to go and people to see. Whether you’re visiting the cousins or heading to a new city for some sightseeing, your baby will be busy and in an unfamiliar environment. All this activity can cause them to become overstimulated.
Try to calm your baby prior to feeding. If your baby is super excited before or during eating, they may gulp down too much milk or formula too quickly, which can lead to gas and spit-up.
Well-meaning family and friends may also engage your baby in active play, such as bouncing, which can irritate your little one’s sensitive digestive system. Advise everyone to wait 30 minutes after your baby eats to begin playing.
6. Prepare for flight
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) doesn’t require a ticket for children under two if your baby will be sitting on your lap. However, your lap is not secure, especially during turbulence. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the FAA both advise that the safest place for your baby is in an FAA-approved car seat or device appropriate to your child’s age and size. You’ll need to purchase a seat for your baby, and your car seat should have a label that says, “This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft.”
7. Consistency counts
Travel can disrupt your baby’s regular sleep and feeding schedule, causing them to cry and fuss. Try to maintain your baby’s current schedule as much as possible, adjusting your plans to fit your baby’s needs until they’re settled in. And, regardless of your time zone, it’s important to still follow your little one’s hunger cues and feed your baby as they demand, before they become frantic and agitated.
In addition to maintaining a feeding schedule, having the right equipment can make a significant difference in how smoothly feeding time goes, especially during travel. A reliable, portable breast pump can be a lifesaver for nursing mothers on the go. For those who are considering different options, check this for a thorough comparison of some of the best models available.
8. Take the pressure off ear pain
If you’re flying, changes in air pressure can cause temporary ear pain in babies, especially during take-off and landing. Feeding from a breast or bottle or using a pacifier may help ease some of the discomfort. If your little one had a recent ear infection or ear surgery, get your pediatrician’s OK before flying.
9. Understand TSA guidelines for transporting breast milk and formula
The last thing you want to do is have trouble bringing your baby’s food on a flight. While you can bring additional liquids when traveling with a baby, understand precisely how much formula, breast milk, and baby food you can bring in your carry-on bag by visiting the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) website.
10. Keep clothes simple
Choose no-fuss clothes that make diaper changing easy while you’re out and about. How many outfits should you pack? A guideline is about two a day, two extra ones, and at least two pajamas. You may need fewer clothes if you have access to a washer and dryer. Bring layers to keep your little one comfortable if the temperature fluctuates. And remember seasonal wear, such as sun hats or knitted winter caps.
11. Have extra diapers and wipes
While you can buy diapers and sanitizing wipes at your destination, pack about a dozen diapers and a small package of wipes in your luggage to hold you over until you can get to a store. Plus, throw in some plastic bags to keep dirty diapers and clothes for disposal or washing.
12. Stick to purified water if in doubt
Depending on your destination, water treatment may not be the same as where you live now, and the water may not be as clean. Contaminated water may have germs that cause diarrhea, which can quickly lead to dehydration in babies and young children.
If you’re unsure of the water quality and are using infant formula, use only purified water to mix the formula. Purified water should also be used to clean binkies, teething rings, and toys.
13. Consider a car seat
If you plan to rent a car or use taxis and rideshares at your destination, you may need to bring your baby’s car seat if they do not provide one.
Traveling with a baby means that things may take a little more time and, perhaps, a lot more patience. But with some preparations and precautions, hopefully, your journey will be smooth, stress-free, and filled with lots of special memorable family moments. Happy travels!
