Travelling can be stressful at the best of times, but travelling with a baby can be even more difficult. You have a lot of stuff that you need to take with you, and other people aren't always so keen on travelling with someone else's baby. Whether you're flying or driving, it can be a lot of work when your baby is with you, and it's even tougher if you're on your own. Being well-prepared for your trip can make it much easier to tackle your travels, get where you need to be with as little stress as possible, and perhaps even have fun!
These useful tips for travelling with a newborn will ensure your next family holiday is a memorable one.
Keep the Journey Simple and Stop for Rests
As travelling with a newborn or even an older baby can be super stressful, you may not want to make your trip longer than it needs to be. The time when this is most applicable is when you're booking flights. On a plane, there's nowhere for you to go if you want to take a break or need a change of scenery. That's why it's best to try and book the shortest route possible, and ideally take a direct flight. If you do decide to book flights with a layover, consider booking a longer layover so you and your baby have time to rest and prepare for the next leg of the journey.
If you're driving, you might also want to plan for a few stops. You won't be able to feed your baby or change any nappies on the move, so stopping during your journey will likely be a necessity, unless it's a short one. Check the service stations and rest stops along the way, including what facilities they have for babies and families.
Stay Safe While Travelling
Safety should be a top priority when you're travelling with your baby. If you'll be driving, you likely already have an appropriate car seat. In Australia, your baby must be in a rear-facing seat until they are 6 months old and in an approved rear or forward-facing car seat between the ages of 6 months and 4 years. If you're travelling outside of Australia, make sure that you check the local laws. If you're flying, you could take your car seat or you could rent one if it's needed when you arrive at your destination.
When flying, make sure you buckle in your baby. It could be in their car seat or you can use other approved restraints, including infant seat belts on the plane. It is important to keep your baby safe during your travels, no matter how you're travelling.
Take the Right Baby Gear
Deciding which baby gear you need to take with you can be tricky. You don't want to take too much, but you also don't want to be without something essential while you're away from home. Consider both what you need for your journey and what you will need once you arrive at your destination. If you're flying, you can check-in your stroller or other baby gear that you won't need on the flight. When driving, you're limited by how much space you have available. Consider taking some of your own things but also renting some items or checking if they might be provided by your hotel or accommodation. For example, you might not need to take a cot or highchair.
Prepare a Travel Bag
An easily accessible travel bag can make air travel with a baby or a road trip much easier. You're probably used to carrying around a nappy bag with some key essentials, and your travel bag is unlikely to be a lot different. However, there are some extra items you might want to pack. Some of the items you might want to include in your bag include nappies and anything else you need for changing nappies, food and/or bottles, spare clothes and anything to keep your baby calm or entertained.
Pack a Few Changes of Clothes
You already know that it's good to have some spare clothes for your baby when you're out and about. When you're travelling, it's even more important, and you might want to have a few changes on hand. In fact, it's also a good idea for you to have at least one set of clothes on you too. You never know when you might end up with spit-up, milk, food or anything else on your clothes. It's also good to simply be able to change into some fresh clothes during a long journey. When packing baby clothes for travel, make sure you have a few options and consider the conditions. Planes can get cold with the air conditioning on, so some extra layers can be useful.
Keep Baby Entertained
Travelling can be boring for anyone, including babies. If you get lucky, your baby might sleep most of the way. However, when they're awake, you might need to provide entertainment and distraction. If you're driving, it's a good idea to have a second person in the car to help with this. However, if that's not possible, giving your baby some toys or other items for entertainment is a good idea. Depending on the age of your baby, they might be able to play with their toys or enjoy some sensory stimulation.
Stay Calm
Travelling with your baby can cause a lot of stress, particularly if you're flying. It's already stressful, but when you feel like other people are judging you, it can be even worse. Although it can feel difficult, ignoring other people's opinions is essential. It will only make you more stressed if you worry about what they're thinking. If you're on your own, accept help if it's offered to you too. Even if no passengers offer to help, flight attendants can be very helpful when you're flying with a baby.
Before you travel with your baby, get prepared for the journey. The more you prepare, the easier you can make the journey. The Henry and Grace ultrafine merino baby clothes are perfect for dressing your little one on family adventures. Our garments are ethically produced, machine washable and will last for many years to come. Browse our incredible range and experience the benefits of ultrafine merino wool.