Top Tips For Travelling With Babies
Summer is here, that means holidays, road trips, and maybe even flights.
Travelling is great fun whether the distance is short or long. But if you are travelling with a little one, the thought of a holiday away can be overwhelming.
What should I pack? Where should we go?
Stop the panic right there. Holidays can be fun no matter the age of the participants.
Here are our top tips to make travelling with babies easier…
Top Tips For Travelling With Babies
Flying
If you are going to be flying with your little one then these simple tips can really help…
- For long haul flights, call ahead to try and reserve a bassinet. Your baby will then have somewhere for a nap that isn’t in your arms! Even if they don’t sleep, it gives them a safe area to sit and play with their Gobstopperz! These are often allocated on a first come, first serve basis, so make sure you are at the gate early.
- For shorter flights, request a seat with an aisle (at the front for the extra leg room) so that you can get up to change a nappy, or to settle fussiness without needing to climb over people.
- Take snacks and your own formula. Often the onboard food options are limited for babies, so remove the risk and bring your own. The flight attendants will be happy to help you heat your own supplies.
- Try to pack light and wear your baby if possible. That removes the need for pushing a bulky stroller or breaking your back by carrying them.
- If you are going to hire a car at your destination, choose a hire company that can supply a carseat too so you don’t necessarily have to take one with you. Also see if you accommodation can provide a portacot.
- Remember that the change in pressure caused by descending can hurt your baby’s ears. Try to fed them at this time or give them a soother as the sucking motion helps.
Road Tripping
The good old summer road trip is a staple for many kiwi families. These tips can help to make it easier…
- Pick a good family friendly destination that isn’t too far away from home. Babies and toddlers do not have the same level of patience that you do.
- Break up long trips with plenty of stops. Your baby should not be cooped up in a capsule for more than 2 hours at a time, so take this into account. Fun stops for a picnic or a playground can make the trip part of your holiday as opposed to a necessary evil before your getaway can start.
- If you aren’t heading to the family bach or the camping ground, then try an Airbnb as opposed to a hotel. They often have more space and greater facilities like a full kitchen and a laundry.
- If you are traveling with more than one adult, the take turns at hopping in the back with your little one. This will stop them feeling lonely and help keep them entertained.
- Listen to music as you drive. You can sing along and your baby will love the stimulation. You might even get a few dance moves out of them! Try audio books too for family friendly stories.
- Keep important things like the nappy bag, snacks etc nearby in the car. Don’t bury them in the boot with all of your other luggage as they could be hard to reach in a hurry
General Tips
- Know where the closest medical facility is and where you can take your baby to see a doctor… just in case.
- Carry a complete change of clothes for bubs and for you, just in case a pooh-nami happens to strike.
- Take snacks. Need we say any more on this subject?
- Sleeping schedules might go out the window when it comes to holiday time. Try not to stress too much about it, just get back on track when you get home.
- Sinks, buckets and large bowls double really well as baths in a push!
- Baby wipes are invaluable regardless of the age of your children. Make sure you have a pack in your bag everywhere you go.
- Pack your Gobstopperz! There is nothing worse than losing a soother in the backseat of the car or under a plane seat and not knowing where it has gone. Attaching it to your Gobstopperz will prevent it from getting lost. You can slo wrap the soother up in the Gobstopperz and snap it closed to keep it clean on the go.
Traveling with babies is not impossible. There are plenty of things you can do to make the whole experience easier. You can then get away for a trip that the whole family will enjoy!