Easy Steps to Have a More Comfortable Time Traveling with Your Baby Dhanashree Kankanwade October 12, 2020 Lifestyle, Travel 1888 There’s no reason why you should give up on your vacation plans now that you have a baby. If anything, with all the stress that comes with caring for a newborn, you need this vacation more than ever. You might be worried though about how difficult your journey would be, and that’s understandable. Whether you’ve already experienced the hardships of traveling with a baby firsthand or heard about the catastrophes the other moms had faced on the road, merely thinking of going on vacation can be appalling. Should you just give up on having a life, then? Not at all. In fact, you can still have the time of your life and make beautiful memories with the apple of your eye. Here are a few easy and simple steps you can take to have a much more comfortable time traveling with your baby. 1. Plan the Journey Thoroughly It stands to reason that the first step should be to plan your vacation. However, instead of only focusing on the next thrilling destination, you’ll need to pay some attention to the journey as well. You want to create a practical and simple traveling experience for both you and your baby, which means that the precautions you take will vary greatly depending on your mode of travel. Will you travel by car, plane, or train? Do you have something else in mind? Let’s take a look at every scenario. Traveling by Car If you’ll be hitting the road, will you be the one driving, or will you have easy access to your baby at any given time? Whatever the case, you’ll need to get a comfortable and secure car seat to keep your baby safe throughout the journey. Traveling by Plane No one likes being the center of attention, especially if it’s the wrong kind of attention. To avoid facing awkward and mortifying flight situations where your baby starts wailing, and people keep giving you annoyed looks. Make sure you’re ready to calm your baby down — whatever it takes. Keep their toys, milk, and calming tools close at hand. You’ll also need to get your own bassinet in case there aren’t any available on the plane. While booking your seats, it’s better to choose an aisle seat to give you enough space for the bassinet and easy access to the restroom. Traveling by Train Traveling by train can be quite the breeze with your baby, where you can have an extra seat booked for your baby’s seat or bassinet. You don’t have to worry about your baby getting sick, seeing as the motion is a lot mellower than that of a car. 2. Research Your Destination With your route all planned out, it’s time to look into your destination. While listing the activities you want to do, make sure to check if any age restrictions would prevent you from taking your baby. If you want some stress-free adult time, make sure to research responsible local babysitters. Although many parents wouldn’t be comfortable with the idea, you may rest better if you get personal recommendations from someone you trust. 3. Get a Comfortable Carrie If you’re looking for the most practical experience, then you can’t overlook the benefits of getting a baby carrier or sling. A carrier will allow you to move around town without the hassle of carrying luggage or pushing strollers. When asked about the best baby carrier, Katherine Rosman from katherinerosman.com/the-best-baby-hip-seat-carriers/ explains that hip seat carriers are the best when it comes to comfort and practicality. These special kinds of carriers are designed to divide the weight across your waist and pelvic area evenly, bypassing the usual back pain that comes with extended periods of wearing your baby around. What’s more, babies love being as close to you as possible, so it’s a win-win solution. 4. Invest in a Practical Stroller While wearing your baby is the practical solution for the most part, sometimes you’ll need to use a stroller. For instance, you may want to lay your baby down in the shade, take a stroll down the beach, or carry around more things. Instead of a full-sized stroller, consider investing in a practical travel stroller that’s easy to pack and assemble. 5. Prepare Travel Necessities You know your baby and its needs better than anyone, so we won’t tell you what to pack. We’ll only direct your attention to what not to pack; you should travel as lightly as you possibly can. Avoid weighing yourself down with unnecessary burdens. Just carry what you need for the road and get more when you reach your destination. 6. Exploit Priority Boarding and Security Luckily, you get to enjoy some special treatment, so make sure to take full advantage of any perks that come your way. This goes for priority boarding, where you can be allowed to board earlier than other passengers if you’re with a baby. This will allow you to set your baby’s space without attracting any unwanted attention from fellow passengers. Some security checkpoints also give you priority, but that’s not always the case. 7. Prepare for Diaper Changing and Breastfeeding Routines Depending on your journey, you may face various difficulties with changing diapers or feeling too uncomfortable about breastfeeding your baby. Make sure to prepare for these eventualities: carry a diaper bag along with your baby carrier and prepare milk bottles or wear practical clothes that allow you to breastfeed comfortably. If you’d rather use breast pumps, make sure you have a recharging solution ready at your disposal. 8. Have Travel Insurance Finally, you should always be prepared for the worst. Hopefully, nothing will happen to your baby, but what if they fall sick or have an accident? Make sure to have your travel insurance ready to cover your and your baby’s medical expenses while abroad. We’ve all heard countless stories about vacations gone completely wrong with a baby. However, there are even more stories from the other side of the spectrum. So, the moral of the story is as long as you plan well and prepare sufficiently, there’s no reason why you can’t enjoy one hell of a vacation with your baby. SHARE THIS POST