Traveling with a baby can present obstacles, especially if it's your first time. Moreover, everyone has an opinion about the right and wrong way to travel with your young family. You should especially ignore negative travel advice.
Traveling with a baby is fun, exciting and also a challenge!
Make sure you are prepared for your trip and take the right items with you, such as a filled diaper bag, backpack, baby sling and stroller. In addition, don't plan the whole day full.
Whether you have just welcomed a new life or are heavily pregnant, you may be thinking; can I travel with a baby?
Yes, of course you can travel with a baby, but once a member of the senior club the question seems to become “Should you travel with a baby?”.
On the way to your travel adventure with the little newborn, people around you say, for example, it is too dangerous, it is irresponsible or it will be difficult. And the worst comment has to be: “It's very selfish. Babies need routine, they don't want to travel all over the world.”
A baby definitely needs routine, so it's important to create new habits when you travel. But I guess breaking a routine every now and then isn't a bad thing at all. It makes your baby more flexible and they adapt quickly.
Babies just want to be with their parents. And if mom and dad are happy in a different environment, that's fine.
Where do you go on holiday with a baby?
As new parents, there is a good chance that you will not choose a war destination for the first holiday with your baby. It is wise to choose a location with good access to healthcare. Small babies are more susceptible to diseases, but when they are very small, you have more control over what and who they come into contact with.
You choose a wonderful accommodation, where both mom and dad can relax, as well as the newborns. It is nice to have a hotel room or apartment where the baby can take his or her afternoon nap in peace. During your nap you can relax on the balcony and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
Is traveling with a baby difficult?
Yes, traveling with a baby is difficult, but so is traveling without a baby. And we still like to do that. There's definitely more to it than stuffing a handful of diapers into your backpack. But that doesn't mean traveling with a baby isn't worth it. On the contrary!
Babies need things and these things the parents have to carry. Your baby needs to eat and you need to eat too. Newborns need to sleep and need a safe place to do so. Hostels may be great for the solo traveler, but aren't always the best place for a baby.
You also need to adjust your pace. If you cram your days completely full, you will become cranky and tired. Which doesn't improve the atmosphere.
You will have to adjust your travel expectations and goals, your life is always enriched with a beautiful new family member. Going on holiday with a baby should be fun and enjoyable for everyone.
Before our daughter came into the world, I was sure I was ready for motherhood. I had read books and done research, I was ready. But from the moment she was born, I was completely tricked. It was different than what was in the books.
In retrospect, she was the kind of baby who was easily adaptable and a little dream traveler. However, I only dared to make that leap when she was one year old. So you don't have to wait that long to take a trip as a family.
Tips for traveling with a baby
Here are some tips to help you get started with traveling with a baby. These points will help you during your first family outing, holiday and adventure.
1. Breastfeed
This is the best food for the baby and also the easiest to 'prepare' when you are on the go. Breastfeeding not only eliminates the hassle of lugging bottles, teats, bottle brushes, sterilizers and bottle warmers. But the baby also receives valuable antibodies that protect against diseases, especially when you are travelling.
2. Multifunctional Diaper Bag
A compact diaper bag that is filled with all the necessary items is the solution for when you travel, but also for when you are on the road. For example, when you go into town or do some shopping.
This multifunctional diaper bag from NanaBeebi should certainly not be missing during your trip with a baby. A hip and handy backpack where you can keep everything organized. Such as diapers and baby wipes, blanket, burp cloth, pacifier, toy, extra clothing such as romper, bottle, changing mat, zinc ointment and small snacks.
The NanaBeebi diaper bag backpack has a large capacity and is designed so that you can access everything quickly and easily. Especially with the moist baby wipes that are indispensable when traveling with a baby. You can also easily hang the bag around your travel suitcase using the elastic band at the back.
3. Take a sling or baby carrier with you
A sling helps you carry your baby easily. But they can also be used as a blanket, changing mat or care cover. If slings aren't your thing, lightweight fabric baby carriers also provide excellent support. You have your hands free and they don't take up much space when you store them.
4. Bring a stroller
When you are traveling, a stroller is multifunctional. It is also a high chair, a bed and a stuff carrier. Depending on what kind of trip you are making, determines whether a lightweight stroller is suitable or whether you opt for an all-terrain stroller.
In warmer climates, a baby carrier may become uncomfortable at some point. A stroller offers a solution and also some shade for the little one.
5. Don't plan too much
Don't try to plan every day full of activities. Trying to cram too much into one day will leave you all exhausted and irritated. Use local websites with tips for a baby-friendly day out. This is fun for everyone.
The Tower of Pisa, jungle route and stalactite caves have existed for centuries. These sights will still be there when your child is old enough so that he or she can enjoy them too.
Finally, I'll share. Enjoy each other, the baby period will be over faster than you think. See the first time traveling with your baby as something positive, a fun and exciting challenge for the whole family!
Whether it is a long journey by plane, a few days away or a trip in your own country. Traveling with children and babies is fun and you should just do it.
~Merel
Author:
Andrea van den Berg
Young mom
Hello, I'm Andrea, a young mother of a one-year-old, and I share my thoughts on motherhood. In my articles, I talk about my experiences, joys, and challenges to inspire other moms on their parenting journey.
