How to Enjoy Your Vacation with Babies and Toddlers

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Going on vacation with a baby is never easy. You will be surprised how someone so small requires so many things. When traveling with a little one proper preparation and organization is key! It is also essential to have the best baby products that help to do the packing and traveling more comfortable. No one wants to bring all that bulky equipment! Here are your family-friendly travel tips for a family with a baby.

Proper Planning is a Key

Make a list first. Having a list of everything you need while going on vacation with baby will not only help you not to forget all your “must haves,” but if you keep a file, it is a great way to make sure you don’t leave anything behind. When it comes to a baby, just having an extra pair of clothes isn’t going to cut it. You need to think about what they are going to eat, where they are going to sleep, what comfort items they will want and how many diapers and wipes you will need.

Easy Access

While going on vacation with baby, you want an easy access bag that will hold all the diapers, wipes and formula along with the bottles. You also want to have a change of clothes ( or a few) for any accidental leaks. Consider stocking up on ready to drink formula for the sake of convenience. If you are breastfeeding and do not want to stop the car every time your baby is hungry it is best to bring some already pumped milk and your breast pump. Having a breast pump is especially works if you are traveling by car. This way you can feed your baby with a bottle while they sit in their car seat and pump to cut down on some of the stopping time.

Car Travel

Be prepared to stop every 2-3 hours if you are traveling by car. You will need to change diapers to avoid accidents or leaks. Besides that – babies need to stretch their legs too: go for a short walk around the rest area to helps break up the anxiousness of being in a car too long. Make sure to pack a few plastic bags in your car – you never know what to expect when driving for a while.

Flight Travel

If you are flying with an infant, try to get a flight leaving early morning. Having an early flight has a few benefits: not only do seat tend to be cheaper, but there are shorter lines, less chaos in the morning and fewer delays, which is best when you are flying with an infant. If you are going alone with your baby, try getting a window seat. This gives you a bit more privacy, especially if you need to breastfeed. It also is a great seat to have so that if your baby falls asleep, you won’t have to worry about letting anybody out.

When you are in an airplane the air pressure changes during takeoff and landing. We know that we need to swallow to keep our ears clean, but your baby doesn’t know it. Help your baby be more comfortable by feeding them on the way up and on the way down. This will help your baby adjust to the new air pressure.

Any Kind of Travel

A great travel stroller system is a must-have tool to have when traveling with a baby. A Snap-and-Go stroller is perfect – lightweight and very compact. You can place things in the lower bottom basket, and the car seat just snaps on the top. You can also leave your car seat base at home. A car seat base just makes it easier for every day traveling when you are at home, but when you are on vacation with baby, it is one less thing you really don’t have to pack. Your baby’s car seat will be just as secure in the car with a seat belt, but always make sure you read the instructions to make sure your car seat is safe the way its manufacturers intended.

Learn to pack light yourself. Before kids, you may have wrapped two different jeans, several different clothing options, and many shoes. Now with kids, you have to start to learn how to be comfortable with packing light. Know that if you are missing something you can always go and purchase it and no one will be that interested in what you are wearing anymore – they are more interested in looking at your cute baby. You need to learn to pack light because between all the things you need to have for the baby, you will be thankful when you have one less bag to tote around.

And most importantly, have a sense of humor and be relaxed. If you are nervous or have anxiety, your baby can feel it and may make them feel the same. Know that not everything is going to go your way and learn to roll with the punches.

Four Things Not to Forget

Every time we pack for a family vacation with baby I feel like I am getting ready for a significant move. Between my stuff, my husband’s, and three kids – forgetting something is a norm. Sometimes I have to stop and think of a few super important things not to forget because other things we can always buy. My usual list includes a driver license, credit cards, and medication.

However, when it comes to a summer road trip with a baby, packing the right things sometimes is a difference between a comfortable drive and a never-ending a miserable journey. Let’s go over the things we need to have.

Diapers and Wipes

Even if you have to stop at the gas station to change a diaper, it is always important to have your supply of these. I know they are bulky, but I never want to hope that the next gas station has the right diapers again. That’s a fun 10-mile stretch I would like to forget. See what

Snack Trap

This is not only an adorable looking container, but it’s also a lifesaver when it comes to keeping a toddler busy with food! This one comes with a screw-on top, which works best for the kids, who make an extra effort of disassembling everything and anything. It will also ensure that all the goldfish crackers and cheerios will stay in the container and not all over the car.

Child-Friendly Technology

I don’t know about you, but I support my sanity by offering a cranky toddler some sources of entertainment. He is happy, I am glad – the road trip must go on!