Packing
Packing for a baby can be pretty overwhelming! Start by considering the duration of your trip and the availability of items at your destination. Aim to pack about one outfit per day for your baby, plus a few extra (just in case).
Packing a few days before you travel can give you a lot of peace of mind. You’re also less likely to forget things at the last minute.
Using a waterproof diaper travel bag can help prevent any leakage. Don’t forget any medications, and be sure to keep them in plastic bags to prevent leaking!
Check that your destination has a place for baby to sleep. Otherwise, pack a travel crib and a sound machine to keep baby comfy in unfamiliar territory.
Be sure to include any feeding essentials like bottles, brushes, utensils, and a travel high chair.
If you’ll be flying, be sure to pack a changing clutch. They fold up to fit in your diaper bag, and can save the day when baby has a sudden blowout. Pro tip: if you pack a full change of clothes for baby, some zipper storage bags, hand sanitizer for yourself, extra wipes or paper towels, and prepared snacks for your baby, you'll be ready for anything life hands you during your flight.
If your baby takes formula bottles, pre-made bottles can cut out a lot of the mess of prepping food in tight spaces. (Have your baby taste-test the pre-made formula at home first and see if he likes it, since it can differ slightly from his usual bottle.)
In case the novelty of travel wears off quickly for baby, take along some entertainment - a board book, favorite toy, or cuddly blanket can go a long way in soothing him while away from home.
Safety is a priority, of course. To ensure your baby’s safety as much as you can, there are a couple of essentials you’ll want to take along for the trip. You’ll need sunscreen, diaper rash cream, and a baby first aid kit.
Here are your basic ingredients for a well-stocked first-aid kit for baby:- Sterile gauze, tape, scissors
- bandages
- disposable gloves
- FridaBaby FeverFrida Thermometer or a different baby thermometer
- band aids
- Nasal aspirator
- Infant motrin
- Infant Tylenol & Motrin
- Card with medical info: Pediatrician's number, child’s insurance info, & any allergies & medications
Plane Safety Tips
It’s always a good idea to come early to the airport to leave yourself some extra time to get through security, and this is especially true when you’re traveling with kids. Something *always* comes up.
You'll need to bring a car seat for any kids still using one. If your baby is under a year, we recommend the Doona car seat stroller, since it saves you the hassle of having to bring both the lightweight stroller and a car seat. Tip: check with your airline to find out if you need to purchase a seat for your baby.
If you'd rather take a separate stroller, find a lightweight stroller with an easy fold, since you’ll need to collapse it and have it go through the security belt.
Some people find it less of a hassle to use a baby carrier, like this one from BabyBjorn. A baby carrier is so much easier to deal with than even a lightweight stroller!
It might be helpful during takeoff and landing to give your child to a bottle, sippy training cup or pacifier to prevent ear discomfort.
If your baby has had an ear infection or ear surgery within the last 2 weeks, be sure to discuss the situation with your pediatrician before flying. The same goes if your baby has a respiratory infection, or chronic heart or lung problems.
Car Safety Tips
If you're traveling by car, here are some tips to make the journey more pleasant for all the passengers.
Make sure your car seats are installed securely. Grip the car seat near the belt path and move the seat, seeing if it can move more than an inch on either side. If your baby is not yet 2, use a rear facing seat (unless the baby’s height or weight surpasses the limits set by the manufacturer). Rear facing car seats are up to 5 times safer than forward-facing ones. Make sure the straps aren’t too loose by seeing if you can pinch them at the shoulders or hips; if you can, that’s a sign that they need to be tightened a bit.
Dress your baby in comfortable clothes that make diaper changing easy, and be sure to take a break every hour or so to change your baby’s diaper, so that your baby won’t develop a diaper rash from the ride.
Car window sun blockers are a great item to have to keep strong sunlight away from your baby. To prevent choking, babies should not be given foods while the car is moving. Any animals in the car should be secured, for everyone’s safety.
Whether you’re traveling by plane or car, we hope you find these traveling tips to be helpful. Have a safe trip!