*This is a contributed post. I only accept contributed posts when I feel they can be relevant to the readers of Sunshine and Holly.*
There are some parents who completely avoid traveling with a baby. When our kids were tiny, we tried to stick to places close by and that we’d been to before. We’re just now starting to venture out with the kids and travel further to new places. Because traveling with a baby is hard! Especially traveling by plane. These days, it seems like most people aren’t sensitive to babies on planes and tend to judge the parents when they can’t calm their crying baby. And changing a diaper in that tiny bathroom on the plane is quite a feat! But with some preparation, you can still have a successful trip. Here are some tips for traveling with your baby.
Book a Night Time Flight
If your baby is in a good routine, a day time flight could be full of mishaps. So although it means the adults might end up exhausted, booking a night time flight is more likely to mean your baby will be sleepy, and with any luck (fingers crossed), they will sleep through the majority of the flight. Have your baby’s comforts, like favorite blankets and toys, ready at hand, and call the hotel ahead of time to make sure your crib is already set up.
Make it Like Home
At your first opportunity, unpack your suitcases so you have everything you would normally have around you at home. Your baby is more likely to settle in quickly if you can make your room as cozy and baby friendly as possible. It’s also helpful to have have a designated changing space made up in the room. Keep the diapers in one place so you don’t always have to search for them every time you need one.
Stock Up on Meds
It’s hard to keep a baby that feels unwell calm. Being prepared for any illnesses or injuries is key. You never know when baby will fall and skin a knee, start cutting a tooth, or get bitten by mosquitoes. You can usually get what you need from a local pharmacy, but being prepared ahead of time will save you the hours of fussing if something unexpected does happen. Travel insurance is also a great idea. Take a look at whether Expedia travel insurance is right for you. The last thing you’ll need is a hefty bill for a hospital visit.
Nap on the Run
It isn’t easy for babies to sleep in strange cribs in the middle of the day, but they also need a good nap so they’re not cranky throughout the trip. The adults and older kids will also want to be out and about, sight-seeing or sunbathing. So, making your stroller the designated nap area is the best idea. Babies are more likely to fall asleep when they’re comfortable and the family is out on a long walk. Take everything you need to make the stroller as enticing to baby as possible, and make sure baby is shaded when napping.
As long as baby is happy, the rest of the family will be able to enjoy a blissful trip!
What other tips do you have for traveling with a baby?
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