Tips For Travelling With A Baby

The thought of travelling with a baby often makes new parents nervous, and most people with a new-born like to stay put for a while until they have adjusted to life as a parent. However, circumstances sometimes dictate that you need to travel – or you may just feel in need of a holiday – and your travel life doesn’t have to grind to a halt just because you’ve become a parent! Travelling with a baby will be a completely different experience to what you’re used to, so we have compiled a list of top tips to help make it as smooth as possible!

Dress your baby comfortably and for quick and easy changes

Whether you’re travelling by car, plane, train or boat, you cannot guarantee that there will be decent changing facilities so the quicker and more efficient the process is, the happier you and your baby will be. We recommend a few, soft layers that are easy to put on and take off, such as a vest and onesie.

Pack some new toys

Long journeys are boring for everyone, and this includes your baby. Pack several small toys that your baby hasn’t seen before to keep them entertained. Travel books that have touch-and-feel textures also work well. It might be a good idea to bring some old favourite toys too so that they have some home comforts in an unfamiliar place!

Make a home away from home

Once you arrive at your destination, try to make it as homely as possible so your baby feels comfortable. The best way to do this is to unpack as soon as you get there, and designate specific areas for a changing space, play area and kitchen. Even if your room doesn’t have a kitchen area, establish a spot to keep bottles, baby food, snacks etc. Settling in will help you stay organised throughout your trip and will make the place will feel less alien to your baby too.

Develop a nap strategy

While your baby needs their naps, you don’t want to spend your entire holiday in the hotel room. Try and stick to your nap schedule as much as possible, but get creative! Go for a leisurely, scenic drive with some nice views while your baby naps in the car, or go for walks to explore the area with your baby in a pram or front carrier. Find out what works best for you! You can always practice a few times before you go to find the best option!

Develop a bedtime strategy

As with your baby’s naps, it is important to try and stick to their normal routine for their bedtime as well. Babies can find it hard to adjust to their new location, but to make it as familiar as possible, stick to your home bedtime routine as much as you can. For example, if your usual bedtime ritual involves a bath, a bottle, and a story or lullaby, then make sure you do the same when you’re away if you can. This will make up for the change in location!

Bend the rules

You’re on holiday, so it’s okay to bend the rules a little! If bringing a portable DVD player and playing Peppa Pig or Dora The Explorer keeps your baby quiet and entertained when you go out to dinner so that you can enjoy your meal then go ahead – even if you wouldn’t allow it at home! You need to enjoy this holiday too, after all it wouldn’t be a holiday if you didn’t get a chance to relax!