5 Things You Need to Travel Well With Baby

We are here to help you survive summer with your newborn! As we enter the summer months, you may be planning a family visit or vacation with your little one. Travel with baby is tricky but can be done well and peacefully with the right planning. On the other hand, don’t over think it and don’t over pack. These are surefire ways to make your excursion more stressful than it needs to be. With the right balance of planning and keeping it simple, you can definitely enjoy your summer trip even with a little person in tow.

To get you started, here are 5 simple things you need to travel well with baby:

1. The right expectations. If this is your first child, finding the right expectations will be even more important since you don’t yet know what it’s like to travel with an infant. Expect your baby to have a difficult time adjusting to different environments and a different schedule. Expect that he may be fussy due to lack of sleep or constant activity. Your baby may do very well and react minimally to these adjustments, which will be a pleasant surprise if you keep your expectations in line.

2. A safe place for baby to sleep. If you are visiting family, you may be able to borrow a pack and play or portable crib so you don’t have to travel with one. If this is not the case, there are many very portable sleep environments on

the market that you can easily bring on a plane or in the car. The Brica Fold N’ Go Travel Bassinet is a popular option as well as the Summer Infant By Your Side Sleeper Note: These options are for newborns up to approx. 3 months of age. For older babies, a pack and play or crib are best.

3. A lightweight stroller. Since you may have to check your stroller at the gate {if you are flying} or find space for it in the car {if you are driving}, a smaller, lightweight stroller is best when traveling. If baby is still in an infant seat, a car seat carrier is a great option, such as the Baby Trend Snap N Go Universal Infant Car Seat Carrier These lightweight frames fit most car seats and they snap in and out easily for quick transitions. If baby is beyond the “bucket seat” try a light stroller such as the Graco LiteRider Classic Connect Stroller {which also fits some Graco infant seats to create a travel system}. This stroller is portable and includes a nice size basket underneath – which is hard to find in a light stroller yet essential to the traveling family. If you have an older child as well, a “sit and stand” stroller is a must have for travel. I recently switched to the Joovy Caboose Ultralight Stroller and LOVE it. It’s so much more compact than other sit and stand strollers I have tried. Perfect for travel!

4. Portability for your car seat. If you are flying, you will need to bring a car seat with you on the plane – not necessarily for use on the plane {unless you purchased a seat for baby} but to use when you arrive at your destination. If baby is no longer in a “bucket seat” you will need to find a lightweight option that is easy to check with your baggage. Since you likely have a car seat for your baby if he is out of his infant carrier, simply look for accessories to make traveling with that seat a little easier. The Jeep Car Seat Travel Bag is a low cost option for protecting your seat which checking it with baggage.

5. A safe place to be/play. If your baby is becoming more mobile, consider an activity center alternative such as the Kidco Go-Pod Portable Activity Seat to keep him in one place. If baby is too small for this type of seat, a traditional blanket with toys on the floor should do just fine. If you haven’t yet tried baby wearing, a trip is the best time to start. Having baby close while you are hands free is essential while visiting or exploring. The Ergo Baby Carrier is perfect for wearing baby close to your chest, on your hip or back. If you prefer to wear baby in the front, facing out try the classic BABYBJORN Baby Carrier. While many baby toys will stow nicely in your luggage or diaper bag, baby may need more to keep him busy depending on the length of your trip. Don’t forget to pack baby’s favorite books, lovies and rattling toys.

Add in enough diapers, wipes, clothes and food for the length of your stay and you are good to go for baby’s summer excursion. Simple, right? So don’t over think it and don’t over do it. As long as baby has a mama who is prepared for travel adjustments and tools to keep him safe while away from home, you are ready to have wonderful time with your family this summer.

What are some of your favorite tools for traveling with baby?

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