When you have a baby at home, travelling seems like an impossible goal. Going on the average car trip used to be an easy task but now with one or more kids in tow, every trip out the door seems like a risk. While there’s more than one way to make these trips low-stress, use these essential tips to get the most out of your trip.
1. Buy Disposable Onesies
This is a great piece of advice if you’re travelling with a 1-6 month baby. Cleaning up in the car is just as hard as it sounds. Save yourself some stress along the way by stocking up on some cheap onesies and dispose of them when they’re dirty. You’ll save on both laundry and your sanity!
2. Rent Apartments Not Hotels
If you’re going to be travelling overnight, do yourself a favour and make sure to book an apartment or a house rather than a hotel room. Not only can you get an extra room for the baby to sleep in, but you’ll also have access to a kitchen so you can wash bottles in the kitchen sink instead of the bathroom one. They also usually have a washer and dryer so you can do some laundry and just feel more at home. The extra privacy is well worth the effort and usually, the cost is about the same as a hotel.
3. Don’t Stress on Toys
As your baby gets older, you’re going to need to stockpile toys to keep occupied during trips. A young baby though isn’t going to want or use toys yet though so don’t bother with packing a ton. Pack one or two and leave the rest at home. As they get older, bring a few of their favourites along with some new ones you’ve bought especially for the trip. Getting new toys when they go on a trip will make it more exciting for them as well!
4. Get Good Music or White Noise
Most babies actually find cars to be soothing and enjoy riding in them over time. To create a calm environment, play their favourite music or nursery rhymes on the trip. If it’s close to nap time, put on some white noise to help them sleep in the car. You’ll be surprised at how much this helps the trip! Keep a few options available in the car so you can adjust your playlist as needed!
5. Pack A First Aid Kit
Even for small car trips, you never know when you might need some supplies for you or the baby. Pack any prescription medications for the baby, even if they’re only for occasional use. Pack band-aids and other supplies for minor medical problems. You’ll be amazed at how many small accidents can happen away from home. You’ll be much less stress-free with this small kit in the car.
6. Plan Out Stops
You’re going to need to stop along your trip to fill up the car with gas, feed and change the baby, etc. You don’t want to make these stops at random if you can avoid them. Some places are better to stop than others. For example, welcome centres are usually nice places to stop and have picnic areas, clean bathrooms, and are great options for a packed lunch or a quick playtime.
Also Read: Beachscape Kin Ha Villas & Suites Hotel in Mexico
If you know your baby’s schedule, pick stops along the way that will match their patterns and you’ll feel much less stressed about trying to find good options.
7. Pick Your Partner
This option may not always be available, but travelling with a baby is much easier when you make it a two-person job. Try to travel with a partner or friend when you can. An extra person can drive or help you along the way. If you’re going on a long trip, see if you can coordinate with another person to go with you on the trip or at least part of the way. If you can plan ahead for this, it’ll make the trip much more enjoyable and stress-free.
Conclusion
Although travelling with a baby isn’t always an easy task, some prep work can make the trip much more enjoyable for everyone involved. Use these tips to get the most out of everyone!