Tips For Traveling With a Baby in 2022
Traveling with a baby can be very overwhelming. With health challenges facing the world, it can be helpful to have a plan when it comes to taking your baby on the next adventure. A few simple steps can help to keep you calm and your baby safe on every trip. That way, you can focus on making wonderful memories.
Here at PixieLane, we’re dedicated to helping parents through every kind of challenge, big and small. We carry clothes for growing families, travel outfits, and accessories for mom and dad.
We also share what we’ve learned about parenting and lifestyle, including these kid-traveling tips.
How Can I Help My Baby Be Comfortable During Travel?
New environments and experiences can be overwhelming to babies. Travel can include loud and busy places, and it can be difficult to follow their regular routine on the go. With these simple tips, you can help to keep your baby more comfortable when you travel.
Use a Child Carrier
You have lots of different child carrier options to pick from, but they typically secure onto the back. Some have a cover, which can help your child to feel safe and protected. Close contact with mom or dad is another way to keep your child calm and relaxed, even in a busy airport.
You may also want to consider a baby carrier because they help to leave your hands free. That makes it easier to carry strollers, luggage, and car seats and to navigate airport security.
Travel During Nap Time
The more you can stick to your baby’s routine while traveling, the better. Try to plan your trip around their regular nap time. While it may be challenging for them to fall asleep, their natural clock will put them at ease and make it easier for them to rest. Nap times take some of the pressure off parents when traveling. They also ensure your little one is more rested and comfortable when they do wake.
Look After Yourself, Too
Traveling is always a little stressful, even without a baby. That’s why it’s important to care for yourself, as well as your little one. Make sure you stay hydrated and bring food for mom and dad, as well as baby food.
It’s also a good idea to have an extra change of clothing for yourself, as well as for your baby. If you’re on a long domestic or international flight, you won’t want to have to worry about spit-up. You’ll also want to try to rest while your baby rests, so you’re ready to go when they wake.
How Can I Keep My Baby Safe During Travel?
In addition to keeping your little one comfortable while traveling, it’s also essential to keep them safe. These simple steps and precautions can help to give you peace of mind on every trip.
Protect Their Ears
The ear pressure your baby feels when flying, especially landing and taking off, can be extremely painful. It’s one of the reasons babies cry so much on planes. You want to try to equalize the pressure in their ears, which adults do by yawning, swallowing, or chewing gum.
Because your child’s ear systems are still developing, these methods won’t be as effective for them. Instead, you want to make sure they’re suckling during high-pressure periods of take-off and landing. A bottle, pacifier, or breast can be helpful for reducing pressure and keeping them safe.
If your child has any sort of ear infection, speak to a doctor before taking them on the plane.
Try an FAA-Approved Car Seat
Our instinct may be to hold our baby while flying, but consider traveling with an FAA-approved car seat, instead. According to the FAA, the Federal Aviation Administration, it’s significantly safer to secure your child during the flight. This can be done with specific child safety restraint systems.
In addition to keeping your child safe and secure, this also gives parents a full range of motion. You’ll be able to nap when your child does, change clothes if needed, or have a snack while you fly.
Bring a First-Aid Kit
As a general rule, it’s a good idea to travel with a First-Aid kit. You never know when you’re going to need a band-aid or antiseptic. This is especially true with babies and small children. When they injure themselves, you’ll have the resources to act on the go, which makes it easier to take the next step in your journey.
What Should My Baby Wear While Traveling?
The right clothes can make a big difference when it comes to traveling with a baby. It’s important that your baby is comfortable, easy to change, and warm and cool enough. Pack some of these baby clothes essentials in your diaper bag.
An Adorable Hat
Of course, we love a cute hat on a baby. But an adorable hat is important for other reasons, as well. If you’re flying in the morning or when the sun sets, the light can be very harsh and irritate your baby’s eyes or skin.
Hats help to cover their eyes and protect their sensitive skin and can even muffle some of the noise of the airport or plane.
Light Layers
Light layers are a good idea for parents and kids alike when traveling. If the air conditioning is on full blast, you’ll want to be able to tuck your little one into a cozy sweater, but when the heat is high, you can remove a layer or two. Light layers also help to protect from the sun and keep your little one comfortable and secure.
Their Favorite Blanket
And speaking of secure, what’s more important than your baby’s favorite security blanket? Blankets can be used in travel strollers, to protect from the sun, in bassinets, to keep babies warm, and even just as comfort objects for those long-haul flights.
When it comes to keeping your little one comfortable, tucked in, and ready for the next great adventure, it’s always a smart idea to have their favorite blanket on hand.
Plan a Family-Friendly Trip Today
Traveling with babies and toddlers doesn’t have to be scary. There are many ways to reduce the stress and help to keep babies safe and comfortable on every trip. Make sure you have the right gear on hand, like a child carrier, FAA-approved car seat, and First-Aid kit.
You can also try putting them down for a nap during the most chaotic parts of travel, which can help them maintain a consistent routine. And, of course, you want to make sure that you’re taking care of yourself, too. The more well-rested and comfortable mom and dad are, the easier it will be to navigate those tough travel days.
For all your travel and family clothing needs, make PixieLane your first stop. As moms ourselves, we know all about the pieces and support you need to travel right. Plan an outfit and adventure the whole family is sure to love and take the next great trip with peace of mind.
Sources
The Secrets of Traveling Around the World With a Baby | Vogue
