Traveling with young children is exhausting at best. But it doesn’t have to be an impossible feat! Here are some quick tips my family has found to make those long travel days more bearable.
Traveling by Vehicle
Take breaks. Every two hours when driving, if possible. This is not always convenient, but crucial, especially for infants. Most professionals reiterate the importance of this, as very young children do not have the neck strength that older children do. It is important for a child’s safety to give them a break from their car seat.
Bring along some new things. A new toy, or one your child has not seen in awhile, is ideal, as well as snacks, music and technology, if desired. We have found that drawing tablets are excellent at entertaining. You can use a small basket or car organizer to hold everything.
Listen to music, audiobooks and podcasts. There are many great streaming options for young children. Pro tip: If you don’t want to listen to 2+ consecutive hours of toddler content, mix it up! Play a few songs or an episode, and say, “OK, you have had a turn, now it’s mommy/daddy’s turn!” Play a song or two you enjoy before jumping back to the preferred programming. This also reinforces the concepts of taking turns and having patience.
Traveling by Plane
Take extra time to plan your itinerary. If possible, try to make your flight times conducive to your day-to-day routine. You may need to plan your arrival, feeding times and naps accordingly.
Consider seating arrangements. We have found that before our daughter turned 1, it was easier to keep her complacent in our lap during flights. As your child becomes more active, it might work better to buy an extra seat to give your child more room to move.
Think about take-offs and landings. Try to feed your baby during take-off and landing. This can help their ears adjust with the cabin pressure changes.
Bring things that will make your baby comfortable. To help pass the time, bring small travel toys, such as window clings, spinning toys, sticker books, fidgets and books. Some companies sell and provide products to turn a seat into a baby bed if you are on a longer flight. Tucking a blanket over the back of the headrest and into the pocket behind the seat in front of you, can provide a makeshift tent/darker space.
Opt to rent. Don’t feel like you have to travel with all of your child’s equipment. Some companies, such as BabyQuip, allow you to rent almost anything you need. You can search for specific name branded cribs, car seats, high chairs, baby monitors and more that you and your baby may already be using at home. The provider will meet you at your destination with the things you need.
Take your time. Pack your patience and sense of humor. Things may not go as you hoped, but as long as everyone is healthy and safe, that is what matters! Don’t try to cram too much into your day while on vacation. Leave space for naps and enjoy your time together. More is not always better.
Lastly, enjoy your time together. Your kids want nothing more than your attention and your love. You don’t need a fancy, picture-perfect vacation for them to have incredible childhood memories. Have fun together!
