Take the Stress Out of Travelling with a Baby
By: First Time Mama
Tags: Journey, Baby, Travel, Stress, Moms

Having only just learnt to drive at the ripe old age of 31, I have spent a lot of time travelling on trains and buses with my children. I have also taken both my children on long haul flights as babies and toddlers. Travelling with children can be a stressful experience, but with a little forethought, enjoyable travel is totally possible — it just takes a little planning.

I can’t promise tantrum-free travel, but here are some tips that can make your journey run that bit smoother.

PLAN TRIPS AROUND NAP TIME

This is not always possible but planning your trips around naptime can take a lot of stress out of travelling. When you get on the train, bus or plane and they fall asleep its bliss! You can sit back, relax and have a bit of me-time.

WEAR YOUR BABY

The best way to travel with a little one on public transport is to wear them in a sling. There is limited space on trains and buses for prams; wearing your baby in a sling means you can sit or stand wherever you wish. And if you are flying, a front carrier or baby sling is ideal when they are tiny.

Being carried close to you or your partner will make them feel safe and secure. Plus, your hands are free, so you can find the money for fares, eat your lunch and carry bags — all while you hold your baby snugly.

PREPARING FOR TRAVEL

Preparing for travel with a little one is essential. If you are just going out for a few hours, you only need to take the essentials, a few spare nappies, wipes, change of clothes, snack etc. If you are going on a long journey or on holiday, it pays to be organised. Discovering there is no cot when you arrive at your destination with a tired baby is not a good start to a holiday.

I have never been the type of person that makes lists, but I have become one when it comes to travel preparation as my propensity to pack last minute has caught me short and cost me money and stress on several occasions. At least a few days before you travel, make a list of everything you need for the journey and when you arrive at your destination. Think about travel time, the weather, sleeping arrangements and facilities and I would always advise packing a basic first-aid kit with plasters and infant paracetamol for relieving a fever. You may want to consider taking other items, such as colic drops, saline nose drops for stuffy noses, and teething gel. The last thing you want on a long flight is a teething baby and nothing to appease them!

DON’T PACK TOO MUCH BUT BRING MORE THAN YOU NEED

This tip and the previous go hand in hand. Lack of preparation, in my experience, results in either packing way too much or forgetting the essentials. When you are going on holiday you don’t want to get caught out, but you also don’t want to be dragging around a lifetime supply of nappies — just in case.

Find out if there are there going to be shops nearby to buy extra supplies or will you need to take everything with you? If you are going somewhere where there are shops, you may want to consider packing what you need for the journey and topping up the essentials when you arrive. That way, you can keep your luggage to a minimum which makes travelling with children so much easier.

SNACKS, SNACKS AND MORE SNACKS

Once your baby has been weaned and is eating solid food snacks are a travel essential. Snack is my toddler’s favourite word. If I run out of snacks and I don’t have anything to give him all hell breaks loose. Packing a variety of healthy snacks keeps them happy on a long journey.

TRASH CAN BE TOYS

Distractions are essential when travelling with children but taking a bag full of toys is not always very practical. To a baby, a plastic bottle is as good a toy as any. Plastic spoons make great drumsticks, and babies love crunching paper bags!

YOUTUBE

Parenting police — don’t shoot! When you’re on a long journey, YouTube or kids games apps are a godsend. When I can see my toddler, Isaac, is getting fed up and on the verge of a tantrum, I whip out my phone or tablet and put YouTube on. Most of the time, it works a treat and ensures my sanity and my dignity stays intact.

CHANGE NAPPIES ANYWHERE

Don’t be afraid to change your baby on the seat next to you, on the floor or even on a tray table. When you’re travelling there isn’t always going to be a baby change in your vicinity. Don’t worry what other people think, just get done what you need to get done, where you can. Take a travel changing mat or a blanket to provide a barrier between them and the surface and some antibacterial wipes so can quickly clean the surface before you lay down the mat.

MAKE FRIENDS WITH THE PEOPLE SITTING AROUND YOU

When you’re taking a flight with your little one or even going on a long train journey. I highly recommend trying to engage in conversation with those sat next to you, especially if you’re alone. If your child has a meltdown, they will be more understanding, and if you need to nip to the loo, they will be happy to keep an eye on your little one and or nurse them while you have a nap. I am not advising you just leave your child with total strangers, but there have been many times when I’ve been sat next to a lovely lady who has been cooing over my baby and was more than happy to have a cuddle when nature called.

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