Many people forsake plans for a vacation when they have a baby to consider. Unwilling or afraid of taking their little one away from the safer confines of the home environment, they decide on a staycation instead to make their lives easier. And while we understand this, it’s important to know that life doesn’t need to be too difficult when you have a baby in tow on vacation.
Here are some tips that we hope you find useful.
#1: Manage your packing list
Okay, so you will have to carry a little more than usual when you’re travelling with baby, but you don’t want to overburden yourself. There are some items that can be purchased while you’re away, especially for yourself, so don’t cram everything into your suitcases. And think carefully about the luggage you carry too. If you can buy something that is multi-purposed, you might be able to carry more without any extra bags weighing you down. These diaper backpacks have plenty of pockets, for example, so you will have plenty of space for baby items, such as bottles, wipes, and snacks, as well as space for a few items of your own!
#2: Bring a baby carrier
This is useful in so many ways. When you’re trying to navigate the airport and busy tourist areas, you won’t have the burden of a pram or stroller to consider. When your baby is throwing a temper tantrum, they might feel comforted when they are in closer proximity to your body and your soothing voice. You won’t have to fear stranger danger when your baby is affixed to you. And because you will have your hands free, you will be better able to carry your luggage. We favour the Baby K’tan baby carrier for comfort and functionality but shop around according to your budget.
#3: Purchase a portable sound machine
Travel can be stressful for babies, from the trauma of getting onto an airplane, to the unfamiliar confines of a hotel room. Consequently, they might kick up more of a fuss than normal, with crying and temper tantrums that are more problematic because you won’t be the only one around to hear the commotion. To ensure you don’t incur the wrath of fellow passengers then, and to make sure baby has a calming environment at every stage of your trip, bring along a portable sound machine to help send baby to sleep. With lullaby tunes and a range of natural tunes, you (and fellow plane passengers included) might be able to get some shut-eye too!
#4: Be prepared for the worst
Cranky baby on the plane? Ensure you have one of their favourite toys to hand to calm them down. Messy food spills? Bring a change of clothes (or two) when you’re out for the day, and bring something extra for yourself to wear too, just in case! And in the event of an accident or insect bite, ensure you have a child-friendly first-aid kit with you as well. We realise we might have just added to your packing list, but in terms of these essential items, it’s better to be safe than sorry, after all!
Finally
Travelling with baby won’t be easy, but it doesn’t have to be overly difficult. We hope our tips were useful to you, but let us know your thoughts. And if you have any other suggestions for our readers, please share your ideas for us.
Thanks for reading and happy travelling!
