Tips for Stress-Free Travel with Babies & Toddlers
Awareness and preparation can make a huge difference. Bring things like iPad games, snacks, and lightweight toys to keep your little one happy on the flight if you are travelling by air.
Pack enough diapers and wipes to last for at least a day without going through security again.
Consider bringing snacks that are less likely to spill so that you don’t need drinks or sippy cups with you (only because they have liquid in them).
Many toddlers enjoy window seats because there’s less likelihood of drawing attention when they get noisy or squirmy, as most parents know from experience.
If it matters where your child is seated in relation to yours, consider this beforehand so there will be time for the switcheroo, if necessary, once at check-in. Be prepared to be flexible about finding a way to sit together, if necessary.
Pack your stress in advance, and it will never get packed again!
It’s crucial not to overpack, but at the same time, you don’t want to leave anything behind that you wish you had (like snacks and toys). If you know that snacks are a stress reliever for your child, you must bring them along.
One stress reliever is shopping, but it can be challenging with small children or if you’re traveling on a tight budget and don’t want to spend your cash on souvenirs. Just make sure that whatever stress-reliever you choose doesn’t involve too much planning or preparation!
Another tip that is super helpful when traveling with kids is to keep your stress-free game plan separate from the game plan of the rest of your family. To use a silly example, let’s say that stress-free travel for you means going on a jog after dinner every night while stress-free travel for your partner means going out to the pub with friends after dinner (it happens!).
It’s easy to assume that stress-free for both of you would mean having a stress-free decompressing time together, but it won’t work that way because it will stress you out to be forced into doing something that you don’t want to do just because stress-free travel for your partner means hanging out with friends. If you both stick to stress-free activities that you enjoy, it’s much likelier that stress will be avoided.
Here are a few tips for parents who want to enjoy stress-free travels with their babies and toddlers:
- Plan ahead. Unpack any essentials you might need during the day, such as your diaper bag, baby wipes, snacks, clean clothes, water bottle, toys or books, travel crib, etc., and make sure everything is in an easy to reach the place before you leave home.
- Bring something familiar for baby or child that they associate comfort with to feel at ease when walking into much unfamiliar territory like an airport or citywide attraction like a zoo where there are many people around and unfamiliar sights and sounds. Some kids like to bring a blanket, their favorite toy or even a special teddy bear. These materials help them feel secure and let them know that they’re not alone in this big new world of sights and sounds and people they don’t know.
- Situate your stroller so your baby or toddler will face you when going through crowds and areas where there are many people; this can help discourage strangers from reaching out to grab your child if they’re in the stroller facing away from strangers.
- Babies are used to being in a dark warm womb for nine months – the best place for babies when they’re tired and need a break is usually within their stroller or carrier, where they can face either you (if you’re wearing them) or the back of the stroller. If you’re wearing your baby, make sure it’s comfortably secured so it can’t be easily pulled out of your arms – stress-free traveling for both you and them!
- Make sure your baby or toddler has adequate clothing to keep them warm in case of cool weather. Traveling with a baby during the winter or when it’s cold outside can be helped by bundling them up warmly – stress-free for the baby and stress-free for you as well, since you won’t have to worry about what may happen!
- Create a “happy baby” kit for travel that includes diapers, formula, bottles, pacifiers, if necessary (or something to soothe them like a favorite toy), and even a few things they enjoy eating.
- Your “happy baby” kit should also include stress relievers (like a stress-relieving CD, stress balls, stress squeezers, or anything else) that will help you relieve stress when your baby starts to cry.
- If you have family near your destination, try to plan at least one day where they can take care of your baby or toddler for a full day – you’ll both enjoy the stress relief!
- Take your kids on walks when they’re feeling extra fussy to help them burn off some energy. Walking is sure to help them relieve both physical and mental stress
- If you’re flying, try to book flights that arrive either early in the day or late at night – your baby or toddler will appreciate being well-rested after a long flight, and you won’t be stressed out worrying about how to calm them down!
- When traveling by car, try not to make frequent stops for long periods.
- Try not to have too many changes in plans along the way – it will be much more stressful for both you and your baby or toddler if you have to switch plans at the last minute.
- Find a few hotels that offer cribs (or toddler beds, or at the very least a rollaway bed) and ensure your baby has their bed!