What are your best travel-with-baby tips?
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Anxiety Over Travel with a New Baby?
While you’re probably excited to show your baby all the amazing things this world has to offer, there may be an inkling of anxiety about setting off on a trip for the first time with your little one. When my son was nine months, we took our first family trip via cross-country flight to San Francisco. I was a bit apprehensive about flying with the baby and staying in a new place away from home, but as it turned out, the flights were great, and he had no problem staying in the hotel. Unfortunately, he did get sick and hardly slept at all. There’s no real way, of course, to predict these things, but, with sufficient preparation, a little determination, and a positive attitude, you can take your baby anywhere you want to go with confidence. Here are some things to keep in mind when preparing for your first big adventure together.
Start with the basics
Preparation is essential when traveling with a baby. It’s impossible to prepare for every single thing that could go wrong, but, you can definitely cover the basics. Start planning by thinking about these key things:
- Diapering
- Healthcare
- Sleep necessities
- Food
- Carrying apparatus
- Entertainment
Don’t Leave Home Without These Must-Have Items
With the basics covered, it’s time to start thinking about incidentals. Find yourself a comprehensive checklist (there are sample checklists all over the internet) since it’s difficult to imagine all those extras you may or may not need. For me, these are the absolute must-have items that I won’t travel without:
- Baby carrier
- Baby’s hat
- Baby sunscreen
- Arnica gel
- Garlic ear oil (for earaches)
- Vitamin C
- Health insurance card
- Diapers and wipes*
- Light-weight books
- Small toys
- Snacks
*If you’re packing for more than a day or two, I would buy the diapers after you arrive at your destination. For those who normally use cloth diapers, I would strongly consider using disposable, at least for the travel portion of the trip.
Outsource: If you can rent it there, leave it at home
Obviously with a baby, you’re going to be carrying a bunch of extra stuff, so one way to cut back on the load is by renting gear. There are baby equipment rentals all over the country and around the world (just like The Traveling Bundle right here in Austin). Renting at your destination gives you the convenience of having all of the baby furniture or gear that you need without the hassle of lugging it all with you. Some rental companies will even meet you at the airport to deliver the gear. And here’s a pro tip: renting a car seat from a car rental company can be much more expensive than renting the same car seat from a baby equipment rental company. I recently paid $13.00 per car seat/per day from a rental car company (highway robbery; lesson learned.), so my best money-saving advice is either bring your own, or rent one from a baby equipment rental company.
Adjust your expectations
Mental preparation is just as important as remembering to stuff your diaper bag full of extra wipes. Travel with a baby-in-tow is very different than traipsing across Europe in your early 20’s with nothing but your backpack. Babies need breaks, they need constant attention, and they’re more sensitive to things like noise, lights and crowds. So, begin your trip with the understanding that things will be a little different, and traveling with your growing family will be an incredible experience.
Research = Relaxation
Make the most of your trip! Research the destination and where you’ll be staying, including baby-friendly restaurants and activities in the area. Read mommy blogs. There are so many moms out there blogging their own travel experiences offering first-hand insight, possibly into the place you might be traveling. The more you know before you go about where you’re headed, the more you can relax, feel confident, and enjoy yourself.
Suzie Boneau in the owner of The Traveling Bundle, a baby equipment rental company in Austin, Texas. Suzie is an avid family traveler who enjoys encouraging others to take trips with their children. She makes it a point to travel abroad every year as well as throughout the U.S.. For more information, visit:
Suzie Boneau, Owner
The Traveling Bundle
Austin, TX
512-765-5882
suzie@travelingbundle.com
Facebook: @travelingbundle
Twitter: @travelingbundle
Instagram: @thetravelingbundle
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