If we’re being honest, traveling with babies can be really tough. Draining, even. And at the same time, there’s a level of deep joy that comes from connecting with family, spending holidays together, and exploring the world through the eyes of your baby. And that joy can’t be replicated.
The good news? There are so many things you can do to make your trip easier! Here are my favorite travel tips, hacks and strategies, divided by category. Let’s make your upcoming trip as smooth as possible!
Mindset
The most important work you can do to prepare for your trip is the mental prep. The more mentally prepared you are, the smoother your trip will be. See, when we travel with kids, things tend to… go awry. Schedules are wonky, diaper blowouts happen at the worst possible times (always in a crowded public place) and accommodations often have unexpected less-than-pleasant surprises. We’d all love a picture perfect family trip, but the reality is that there’s no such thing. It doesn’t exist.
When you’re prepared for things to be a little bumpy, you don’t get thrown off as much when the bumps hit. Things will happen. And if you’re expecting them to, you won’t get thrown as much when they hit the fan. When plans change, when your baby is exhausted and missed all her naps today, when your airbnb ends up being a disaster and you have to scramble last minute to find a pack and play, remember: I was expecting this. It’s part and parcel of travel with a baby.
5 Things Will Go Wrong
One tip I love is to mentally prepare for 5 things to go wrong on your trip. We’re going to have a beautiful trip. Five significant things are going to go wrong, and we’ll be ok. We’ll meet them with a smile and move through them. We’ll still make amazing memories together.
Flights get delayed. Sound machines get left behind. Passports go missing. Weather changes. Ear infections develop.
As things go “wrong” on your trip, tick them off as one of the Big Five, and meet them with a can-do attitude.
I knew this was coming – five things go wrong on every trip. I can handle this.
One mom messaged me, sharing her thoughts on traveling back and forth from Israel with her baby:
I love this wise little dm. If you keep your expectations low, you’ll have a happier trip no matter what unfolds. Anything that happens above your expectations will feel like a bonus. The lower your expectations are, the higher your chances of happiness are. The higher your expectations are, the more likely it is that something will go wrong and the lower your chances are of ending up happy. The lower your expectations are, the more you will be able to enjoy everything that exceeds them.
When is the best time to leave for a trip with a baby?
That depends on your baby… and your trip.
This is a great rule for life in general. After all, life is a great balancing act between grasping and surrendering, between doing and being. And that’s exactly what travel is. Reaching for the experience, and then letting go and letting it come, however it chooses to show up.
Departure
Taking a 12 hour flight with a chilled baby who can sleep anywhere? Here’s why I recommend catching a 5pm flight:
Once take off is behind you and everyone’s settled in, bedtime approaches, and your baby will spend a large portion of the flight sleeping as his natural sleep drive kicks in towards evening.
Taking a shorter flight with a chilled baby who sleeps well on the go? Catch an early afternoon flight, and they’ll nap on the plane, in the stroller at the airport, or in the Uber. You’ll arrive at your destination in time for dinner and a late bedtime.
Leaving on a short drive with a baby who naps well in the car? Leave right before nap time so that baby can nap in the car. You’ll arrive at your destination with a happy, rested and energetic baby, ready to greet Grandma with a gummy smile.
If your baby doesn’t nap well in the stroller or the car, then try and time your plans to leave after they’ve had their first nap of the day in the crib at home. This helps your baby get through a hectic travel day with at least one good nap in place
Helping Baby Sleep Better on the Trip
It’s common for parents to feel anxious before leaving on a trip. You’ve worked hard to create a sleep routine that works for your family, and you’ve finally gotten to a good place where everyone is sleeping (pretty) well. Will a trip ruin everything when it comes to sleep?
Here’s the thing.
Sleep often goes up smoke when we travel with kids. And that can feel really hard, especially if you’re used to sleeping well at home. Here are some things you can try on your next trip to help your baby sleep a little better, even if things will still be off-kilter.
Sleep Environment
Try to replicate your baby’s home sleep environment in your hotel or guest room. Sound machine, sleep sack, pacifiers, familiar crib sheet- whatever your baby is used to and associates with sleep at home can be helpful to have with you on your trip. If you use blackout curtains at home, you can bring travel blackout curtains on your trip- my favorites ones are linked below!
Keep That Routine
Keep your baby’s bedtime routine the same. Whatever you do at home, replicate that on your trip. Bath, lotion, pajamas, feeding, lullaby- if that’s what happens at home during bedtime, carry on with that on your trip. The familiar routine will give your baby a sense of safety and reassurance, because he knows what’s coming next.
Protect the Morning Nap
On your trip, you’re going to have lots to do and many things planned. Throughout all the chaos, try your best to get in one good nap each day- ideally, the first nap of the day. That first morning nap will go a long way towards helping your baby weather the stress of the rest of the day. So yeah, focusing on getting that first nap in means a later start to your day, but it will be an investment for the rest of the day. Besides, it can give you a bit of down-time to slow down the hectic pace of your trip.
Let Go. Just Let Go.
Find a balance that works for your family between sticking to your baby’s usual schedule, and enjoying your trip. PLEASE don’t stay locked up in your hotel room missing out on all the fun because of a rigid nap schedule! Missed naps and late bedtimes are worthwhile tradeoffs for creating family memories together. Stay in tune with your baby and your family, finding the balance that works for you. This will look different for each family, and you’ll know what works best for yours.
Your Baby, Your Decisions.
On that note, feel confident to stick to the boundaries you choose to set around your baby’s sleep. You’re the one who decides how much to stick to or deviate from the schedule. Not excited relatives or enthusiastic friends. Everyone has opinions on what you should do with your baby, but you’re the one who goes home with your baby at the end of the day. You are the one who picks up the pieces when the party is over. And you’re the one who knows your baby best. If you want to skip a nap, move bedtime later, or make any other schedule change, go for it! Just make sure the decision is coming from inside of you, not from outside pressure. This is your baby. You call the shots.
But Riki, what if my baby doesn’t sleep at all on our trip?
I’ll be honest with you: this may happen.
Some babies (just like some adults) are more sensitive to changes in their environment and schedule. If your baby doesn’t sleep well when you travel, I know it can be hard. You will be tired.
But can I share a secret with you?
You’ll be tired. And you can be tired without being stressed about it.
Sometimes, when sleep goes off the rails, we spiral into panic, thinking that we’ll never sleep again. That doesn’t have to be true. When you get back home, you’ll help your baby get back on track.
In the meantime, try and roll with it as best as you can. Do what you need to get through the nights. If that means supporting your baby to sleep in ways that they may not need at home (like breastfeeding or coming in your bed) that’s ok. It won’t be this way forever. Just get through the trip with as much sleep as you can get, and when you return home, you can start fresh.
Travel Gear
I’ll be honest with you. I like to travel light. So consider this list the basics- if you want a full on, comprehensive baby packing list, you can grab that here.
In the meantime:
Travel Blackout Curtains
Use code BABYSLEEPMAVEN for a discount. These travel curtains stick to the window with suction cups and they really do stick, unlike some other brands.
Travel Sound Machine
This is great to use in the stroller, car seat, and in your room for naps and nights.
Travel Stain Remover
For blowouts, spit up and when a washing machine just isn’t available- this spray is a life-saver. I always toss a travel sized bottle in my suitcase when we travel!
Travel Blow up Bed
For older toddlers and big kids, the flyaway travel bed is a blow up bed that you can bring on an airplane for overnight flights. Check with your airline to make sure it’s approved for use before you show up!
This amazing travel crib is going to be your best friend. With a side zipper that opens at the bottom, you’ll love not having to bend over the inside of the crib to take your baby out! Code BABYSLEEPMAVEN for a discount.
Mamava App
This is a total game changer for breastfeeding mamas who are flying! Whether you actually have your baby with you or you’re pumping on the go, this is going to change your entire airport experience. Guaranteed. The Mamava is a private pod where you can feed your baby or pump in peace and privacy. There are thousands of Mamavas all over airports, train stations and stadiums. Find the closest one near you and enjoy the privacy!
Grab the full baby packing list here.
If you’re wondering how you’re going to possibly get back into routine after it’s all been turned upside down on your trip, I got you.
Coming Home From Your Trip
You can start helping your baby get back on schedule the day that you get home. You can do this gradually, taking baby steps towards her usual schedule as soon as you get back.
Getting back on track for naps:
Focus on waking your baby at roughly the same time every morning. Don’t make yourself crazy over this- a 30 minute range works just fine!
Using your baby’s average wake window work on putting her in for that first morning nap at the end of her first wake window. 7am wakeup time + 2.5 hour wake window = 9:30am nap.
Just focus on that morning wake up and first morning nap for a week or two. Once that’s settled into place and you feel confident in your morning routine, you can move onto the next nap. Repeat this process with the remaining naps throughout the rest of the day.
Getting back on track for nights:
If nights are hard and you need help getting your baby’s sleep back on track after a trip, be sure to check out my Baby Sleep Course for a step-by-step, comprehensive plan for naps and nights. If your baby is between 4-24 months and you’re ready to get better sleep without Cry it Out or Ferber, be sure to check it out here. If you’re struggling with your toddler’s sleep, check out my Toddler course here.
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