6 Ways Parents Can Prepare to Take a Trip with Baby
For many of us, summer is the perfect time for traveling. We get to see our family, experience nature, or spend some time in a warmer climate. Often, families forgo travel because they have a baby with them. Some think it’s too much effort or they won’t have a good time, but that isn’t true! Use these tips to make traveling with a baby simple and care-free.
1. Plan ahead.
Consider the weather during the days of your trip. Make a list of clothing items everyone will need. If you’re driving, plot the course and your stops. Have remedies ready to go when baby becomes fussy in the car seat. Each problem you solve ahead of time is one less you’ll have to deal with.
2. Stock that diaper bag.
For your road trip, pack a few extra diapers and wipes, some toys, a pacifier or lovey, and any feeding items you will want (baby food, spoons, etc). Pack a multi-purpose wrap because it has so many uses; use it for diaper changes, as a burp cloth, a sunshade, stroller blanket, carrier wrap, and car seat cover.
3. Be flexible.
Keep in mind that the baby doesn’t understand your schedule. You have trained your baby to eat, sleep, and play at certain times during the day. He/she is going to maintain that schedule, regardless of your plans. You may have to sit in the back seat for a while to soothe a fussy baby or make an extra stop or two. Remember that the trip with your family is worth the effort.
4. Pack clothes in Ziploc bags.
Use large Ziploc bags to seal up your clothes. When you squeeze the air out of the bag before sealing, you create valuable space in your suitcase for more stuff. Considering how much you’ll need to bring with you, this can reduce the number of bags you need.
5. Avoid “paranoid packing.”
Be realistic about what you think you’ll need on your trip. Thirty-five toys is far too many to lug around, especially if your trip is filled with activities. If you’re staying somewhere with a washer and dryer, don’t overload yourself with clothes.
6. Travel during nap times.
You’ll make the most progresses and have the smoothest journey if you do as much traveling during baby’s nap time as possible. You know your baby’s schedule. Pick a flight that leaves just when your baby is falling asleep. If you’re driving, use this time to jump in the car and put some road behind you.
Guest blog by Laura Gravett, Inventor of PunkinWrap
Laura, a mom of two, is the inventor of PunkinWrap, a multi-use car seat cover and baby wrap. PunkinWrap is the only wrap purposely designed to multi-task as a blanket, car seat cover, sunshade, changing pad, tummy time mat, and nursing cover. The 7-in-one baby solution can be placed over baby while nursing, over the car seat, or over the stroller to keep baby protected from the sun at all times. The wrap is lightweight and breathable so baby is always comfy. Plus, it also gives baby privacy while sleeping and protects him from the other elements like rain and wind.
More so, Laura is a former nanny with a degree in psychology who formerly worked at Yale University doing research. As an Atlanta native and currently residing in the best suburb of Atlanta: Roswell, Laura and her husband love their community. Laura volunteers on various committees in their city to help give back in any way she can. Laura and her husband spent several years taking care of rescue dogs – transport, intakes, fostering, etc. and had to step away a bit once they had their first child. The Gravetts now have two children (girls ages 3 and 10 months) and three rescue dogs.
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