How to travel with a baby

During the summer and the holidays, many families travel to visit relatives or explore new places. Traveling doesn’t have to stop when you have a baby. It can be challenging, but with the following tips, traveling with your baby can be an enjoyable experience.

Stick to routines

Often times, babies will get very fussy when in new places. Why does this happen? Babies are accustomed to routines in their lives, which give them comfort. Sleeping in the same place, at the same times, with the same conditions around them are all part of baby’s routines. What happens to baby when you’re in a new home and the noise level is high or there is constant chaos surrounding your little one? Your baby will react and probably become quite fussy.

Sticking to routines can bring comfort to your baby and help him feel safe.  When traveling try to keep feeding and bedtimes at the same time. Also, try to replicate the environment with which your baby is accustomed. This will help keep your baby happy when traveling.

Avoid ear pain on planes

Many families who travel do so by plane. For babies, just like adults, after take-off or prior to departure, the cabin pressure changes and we can feel the difference in our ears, sometimes resulting in pain. Prior to takeoff, hold your baby and nurse her or give her a bottle. The sucking and swallowing motions will help avoid this painful departure or arrival. It will also help your baby to feel safe and relaxed, resulting in a more enjoyable trip.

Pull over to feed your baby

I’ve traveled to many places with babies in the car and nothing is more stressful than having your baby cry and not be able to console him from the driver’s seat. If your baby won’t stop crying, pull the car over. Get out of the car and let your baby see your face, with happy smiles and sounds accompanying it.

Sometimes this alone does the trick. Other times, you may want to sing to your baby or even take him out of his car seat to nurse him or give him a bottle. Do not continue to drive if your baby is crying and you are feeling stressed out and overwhelmed. You want everyone to arrive safe and sound to your final destination. If you are a passenger, consider traveling with a breast pump, so that you can pump and then feed baby while still on the road.

Bring extra clothing

I cannot tell you how many times I’ve traveled with a baby and  while in the car seat, he fills a diaper up, sometimes even oozing out into the car seat or he spits up a huge amount of breast milk or formula onto his outfit. Always have extra clothing and a burp cloth on hand. It’s not a matter of “if” it will happen, it’s “when” it will happen.

Enjoy your travels

Be sure to take pictures, stop and take a break, and enjoy your new family and new adventures!  Traveling can be stressful if you aren’t prepared.  Follow these tips and experience a more enjoyable trip!

Shannon Steen-Larsen is the author of The Mommy-Files, a blog where she talks about motherhood, recipes and cooking, travel, product reviews, and giveaways. Shannon is a busy mommy of three boys living in California and experiencing the many joys and challenges of motherhood.

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