Travelling with your little one can be both exciting and daunting in equal measure. No doubt you’re looking forward to your baby discovering new experiences, however the thought of a change of routine could be slightly worrying.
Travelling with a little one can be extremely rewarding for the whole family, and it doesn’t need to be something which is feared. In fact, research suggests that around 22% of children experience their first holiday between the ages of 7 – 12 months. Whether it’s a staycation or a trip abroad, as long as you plan ahead and try to be as organised as possible, you can help make the experience as easy as possible.In this blog post, we’ll be taking a look at our top tips for travelling with a baby – from ensuring that you pack the right essentials, through to bringing the playmat for some floor time fun, we’ll cover all bases to help make travelling with your little one an enjoyable experience!
- Do your research
Before you start to search for that perfect all-inclusive hotel or seaside cottage, it’s important to ensure that you do your research before committing to your booking. Going on holiday with a baby is a whole different ball game to travelling as a couple!
If you’re going abroad, double check your airline’s policy for travelling with infants – some airlines will provide bassinets for long haul flights, however be mindful that there could be unexpected hidden costs. Additionally, consider how your luggage allowance will be impacted. Babies need a lot of stuff, so will you need additional checked luggage? And can your airline store the pram in the hold?
Depending on the destination you are travelling to, you should also ensure that all your documentation is in order (including your child’s passport), as well as getting any vaccinations that are required.
- Select the right accommodation
Is the accommodation you’re booking baby friendly? Make sure that you look for a hotel or holiday home that offers amenities such as cribs, high chairs, and a microwave for heating up food.
If your baby is used to sleeping in their own room, try to opt for a set up which offers their own sleeping space so that they’re not disturbed by mum and dad.
- Try to be flexible
If your baby is in a routine, you may be anxious about travelling as this could mean you can’t follow set nap times. However, try not to be too rigid. A few days out of their routine shouldn’t have too much of an impact on them – you’re probably worrying more than you need to.
The more flexible you can be the better. Don’t stress if naptime doesn’t happen in the afternoon, just try to make bedtime a little earlier. It can also help if you can bring some familiar items with you, such as toys and a playmat, to help your little one adjust to their new environment.
- Keep them busy
If you’re travelling long distances, whether in a car or on a plane, you’ll want to bring something to keep your little one entertained throughout the trip. Small toys are great for keeping babies occupied, along with cuddly toys and teethers.
Plus, once you arrive at your destination, you’ll want to ensure that you have enough toys to ensure that they don’t get bored. Try and bring a good selection of toys which you can rotate throughout the duration of your stay.
- Ensure you have a safe play space in your accommodation
Don’t forget your playmat! Most playmats are easily transported and can fit into suitcases. A playmat is essential as it can help provide a comfortable and safe area for your baby to play. After all, you don’t know what kind of floor surface you’ll have in your accommodation – cold tiles or wooden floors aren’t the best
A pop up playpen is also a good idea. These can be found online and are lightweight and easy to transport. A popup playpen can be used inside your accommodation or taken out beside the pool or on the beach. Just ensure that if you’re using it outside that it has a cover on it to protect your baby’s delicate skin from the sun.
