5 Tips to Make Holiday Traveling Easier with Baby

The holidays are here! The next several weeks will be filled with family get-togethers and parties. It is a fun and festive time, but it’s also a time that usually involves quite a bit of traveling. If this is your first time traveling with your new baby it can feel a little overwhelming. These 5 tips can help make your holiday traveling with baby easier. 

1. Know the rules

If you are going to be flying check your airlines and airport restrictions about what is and is not allowed on the plane. There are specific requirements about how you carry on formula and expressed breastmilk. You know that milk and formula are like liquid gold when you have a hungry baby, so make sure you follow the rules so you can bring on what you need. 

You can carry your infant on as a lap child meaning you don’t need to pay for a seat for your baby. This is a nice benefit, but it can be nice to have a car seat to set them down in for a long flight, so consider which is the best option for you.

2. Be prepared for the unexpected

You need to always be prepared when you are traveling with a baby. Bring extra diapers, extra clothes, extra bottles, and bags to put dirty clothes in. If you are driving you could get caught in a traffic jam and if you are flying your flight could be delayed or if you have a layover you could have extra hours stuck in the airport. Don’t forget to make sure that you have a few extra snacks for yourself as well.

3. Choose your travel times carefully

If possible try to plan your travel times so you will be on the road during your child’s regular nap times. This will help make the trip easier so you can travel while your little one is sleeping. It also helps to try to travel when the roads will not be as easy. Consider leaving a day early or at off hours to avoid heavy traffic periods.

4. Pack carefully

You want to make sure to bring everything you need and put it in easy to get to places. The last thing you want on a tight airplane or during a quick pit stop on the road is to struggle to find an extra diaper or outfit if your baby had a leaky diaper. Knowing what is in your bags, and which part of the bags, 

5. Don’t try anything new

When you are traveling and in a new situation it is not the time to try new things with your little one. If you want to wear your baby in a sling while you travel make sure you test it out at home before you leave. You want to make sure that your baby will do well being carried like that (not all babies like it). Stick with what works and save new things for when you are back at home. 

Being prepared will help you enjoy the holiday season with your little ones. Do your best to keep your child on their schedule. This will help you have a happy and rested child during holiday parties.