These Tips Make Traveling With a Baby So Much More Pleasant
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Traveling with a baby sounds intimidating until you actually do it!
We took a trip with our 4 month old, and learned A LOT of tips along the way.
This are things I WISH I had known before traveling with our baby, or things that substantially helped us a lot!
Traveling with the baby doesn’t have to be hard, it’s just different.
Ok, well, actually, it is hard, lol. BUT it doesn’t have to be miserable!
And yes, it can be both hard and enjoyable at the same time. Keep that in mind!
This guide isn’t a lot of things to pack. You can find that just about anywhere.
Instead, I’m sharing practical TIPS to implement to help you travel with a baby with ease.
Whether you’re flying, driving, or doing your first overnight trip, these tips will help you feel more prepared and a lot less stressed.
Ok.. first things first…
Start With the Right Expectation (This Changes Everything)
The biggest mistake new parents make when traveling is trying to recreate their normal routine exactly. Or, they try recreate what travel was before the baby.
TIME FOR A MINDSET SHIFT! 🙂
Travel works better when you protect just the important parts of your everyday routine with the baby, not all of it.
Plus, go ahead and realize this won’t be super “relaxing” like formal vacations were. Instead, it will be full of baby snuggles and fun!
before we go any further.. GET THESE WIPES!!
you already know your baby is going to drop their paci all over the nasty airport floor, restaurant floors, etc. These wipes are GOLDEN to have around traveling. Wipe down paci’s or bottles with them!
Do Not Pack for “Just In Case” Yes, I said it.
Yes, I said it. If you pack for “just in case”.. you will pack your ENTIRE house or EVERYTHING that you own for the baby.
No, thanks. That won’t be fun, trust me.
Overpacking is exhausting.
It creates a very stressful trip, you can’t find the things you actually need, and it’s just so clutter filled.
But under-packing creates stress, yes I agree. So here’s what to do:
First, go through and only figure out things you REALLY and TRULY use with the baby everyday.
Not things you think you might need if scenario x, y, or z happens. (unless of course there is VERY highly possibility those scenarios will happen)
Skip packing multiples of everything for “just in case” if you RARELY actually need/use more than one.
Think about it, things like a ton of backup sleep sacks is more than likely not neccesary.
If your baby spits up or blows out the few you bring and you absolutely need more, I feel pretty confident you could somehow make do.
You could find a washer, wash it in the sink, or simply run to a nearby Target and purchase one new one.
Things like outfits are the same. Now, I am always prepared with extra outfits for babies. But more than 3 a day is very unusual for my little, so I wouldn’t pack enough for say, 10 a day.
That’s just unnecessary packing!
You will be away from your washing machine, so this stain remover pen for babies is the PERFECT solution. In a restaurant and baby gets some food on their outfit? No problem!
Arrange your Hotel Room/Living Space into 3 “Baby Zones” When You Arrive
Instead of unpacking everything at once, set up three baby zones as soon as you arrive:
- The “Sleep Zone” – crib or pack-n-play, the sound machine, lay out the sleep sack.
- The “Feed Zone” – bottles, formula, burp cloths in one place. this will be the designated feeding spot
- The “Play Zone” – a blanket and a few familiar toys on a play mat.
This gives you a very settled feeling knowing that there is some sort of order to the room/rental.
PS – Headed somewhere sunny? It may be the first time you’ve thought about it, but baby sunscreen can save your precious little baby’s skin from a sunburn! THIS ONE is my favorite and goes on mess free.
Tips for Feeding: Carrying Bottles, Pumps, & More
Use ONE dedicated bag for feeding only. This will probably be a larger tote bag if you have a pump, etc. DRILL IT INTO YOUR BRAIN which tote bag this is and DON’T forget it.
Pre-portion formula or snacks before leaving. I like to use ziploc baggies for this.
When traveling, try to feed before baby gets overly hungry. I try to keep her with a full belly so there’s not hunger fussing, if possible.
DO NOT stress if feeding times shift slightly, babies care more about being fed than when.
If nursing, wear clothes that make it easy. Make sure you yourself wear a nursing bra if you’re nursing.
If bottle-feeding, bring fewer bottles and wash more often. More bottles means more stress.
It might sound stressful to not have a ton of bottles, but really, using a few and just washing them is actually WAY easier overall.
How to Handle Babies Sleep Schedule Traveling
Sooo I did not do such a great job at keeping bedtime the same when traveling, it just wasn’t possible.
Baby was up later than usual, and we did pay the price. But, sticking to the “routine” of bedtime did help.
Even if the actual bedtime shifts a bit later or earlier while traveling, the routine gets them “in the mood” to fall asleep.
Familiar cues like putting on pajamas, a book, or a bath help signal that it’s time to wind down.
A sound machine or white-noise app can also be a game changer for blocking out unfamiliar noises.
It’s a small investment, but having it in your bag as an option may be the thing that saves your vacay, lol.
Portable Baby Sound Machine
This one is affordable and a life saver for drowning out hotel noise!
Travel often comes with extra light from windows, hallway lights, or early sunrises, so blackout curtains or a portable cover can make a BIG difference.
Try to truly think through where you will be staying, and getting some cheap blackout curtains to quickly hang might be a great idea.
Portable Blackout Curtains
These are portable and actually meant for a baby!
Taking Baby on a Plane? Here’s What to Know
When flying with a baby, dressing them in LAYERS is key since airplane temperatures can be wildly unpredictable and shift throughout the flight.
Another tip? Bring one brand-new, never-seen-before toy just for takeoff. It will give them a nice distraction. Might I recommend THIS teether. My 7-month old baby is obsessed, and has been since she was like 3 months old!
It’s also helpful not to rush boarding, use that extra time to take a breath, get organized, and settle yourself before everyone is seated. Get there early so you don’t have to rush!
REMEMBER: Babies cry on planes. Most people are kinder than you expect, and the ones who aren’t don’t matter.
Road Tripping with Your Baby? My Top Tips
Go ahead and understand that you’ll be taking more breaks than you did pre-baby. It’s ok!
Packing a simple, grab-and-go “car kit” with essentials means you don’t have to unload the entire trunk at every stop. I keep 2 diapers, a small thing of wipes, one simply onesie ouftit change, and a burp cloth.
This stays up at the front with me so we can quicky pull over if we need to run in somewhere for something fast.
If your baby becomes upset, try not to push through it. Pulling over to reset usually saves time and stress in the long run.
Our baby does cry right before drifting off to sleep, so we let her cry for 10ish minutes or so on road trips, if she doesn’t fall asleep by then, we most likely pull over.
But, every baby is so different. You’ll figure out when the cries are just something you have to get through, or are “it’s time to pull over” cries.
Conclusion
Traveling with a baby can feel overwhelming at first, but it doesn’t have to be stressful or miserable.
With a little planning, realistic expectations, and a focus on comfort over perfection, trips with your baby can actually be enjoyable and full of sweet moments.
Not every nap will be perfect and not every plan will go smoothly, but that’s okay.
Each trip helps you learn what works best for your family, and it truly does get easier every time. Trust yourself, stay flexible, and remember that your baby doesn’t need a perfect vacation, they just need you!
