When taking an infant along on a road trip, there are many things to consider. Prepared parents will have a smoother trip, and a much happier baby.
First off, try to plan the trip during baby’s normal nap time. If you’re lucky, your little bundle will peacefully sleep the trip away and arrive at Grandma’s well rested and ready to play.
The most important thing you will have with you when you travel with your infant is your diaper bag. Before your trip, stock the diaper bag with diapers, wipes, several changes of baby clothes, baby’s favorite blanket, snacks for both you and baby, and several of your baby’s favorite toys. Don’t forget to pack bottled water, formula and bottles, if your baby uses them. For extended travel, the plastic, disposable bottle inserts are probably best. You can throw them a way and don’t have to worry about washing or sterilizing bottles.
It’s eternally frustrating to find yourself in a position of needing something only to root through your carry on luggage bag to and not find it. With airline security rules becoming stricter, knowing what to bring on the plane can be difficult. Always consult the airline before packing for your trip.
There are a few things which, as a general rule, you should keep with you at all times while traveling. Keep this list handy while you pack your carry on bag. It will help ensure you don’t forget anything important.
Diapers - Figure one diaper per hour in the air. It’s likely you won’t need this many, but it’s always better to have too many than not enough.
Nothing is more maddening than checking in to your hotel after a long trip to find someone has made a mistake and the hotel is over booked. With tired kids, and tired parents, keeping your cool is difficult, but doing so will go a long way to helping you get through.
Be polite. Yes, a mistake was made, but it’s likely that the person you are talking to is not the person who made the mistake. If you are calm and polite, the desk clerk is less likely to refund your deposit and send you out to find another hotel.
If possible, have your spouse or adult travel partner take the kids for a bite to eat in the hotel restaurant or to the parking lot to run off steam. Working out a solution will be easier if your children are not next to you reminding you how tired they are.
Airports are crowded, busy, and dangerous places. With today’s airline security restrictions, it is almost impossible to get through check in and boarding quickly. You can do a few things to make your airport experience as pleasant as possible.
Call the airline or check your national airline security website to find out the acceptable size and weight of your luggage. Also, double-check the items that are allowable in your carry on and stowed luggage. These standards change from time to time.
Get to the airport on time. The old advice was to arrive at the airport several hours before your flight is scheduled to leave. Now, however, this depends on the level of airport security. Be sure to check with your airline carrier the day of your flight.
Moving house is difficult enough, but moving long distances and having to travel to arrive at your new home presents special challenges.
Prepare your child well in advance for the move and the trip by talking about it, play acting, and reading books about moving, traveling, and the city of your new home.
Find something about the new city your child finds interesting or exciting and remind your child that you will see or do that that activity when you get unpacked.