Traveling with a Baby
The idea of traveling with a baby can be really daunting. Before we went on our first official trip, we did a few “staycations” where we drove 1.5 hours for an overnight trip. I like to think of it as a practice trip where we had to pack everything we would need for a quick weekend trip. The last thing you want to forget is the sleep-sack or sound machine!
My first piece of advice, and this applies for an overnight trip or a 2 week European vacation is to keep the bed time routine as similar as possible. Keep the sleep environment as similar to home as possible. I like to bring the same sleep sack, sound machine and make the room as dark as possible.
We have the Doona Carseat/Stroller for our everyday life, but it shines during travel, especially traveling by plane. When you’re at the airport, you have limited hands, especially when you have to carry the baby. The last thing you need is to lug around a car seat and stroller. The Doona can be used in a car without the base (so one less thing you need to bring with you) and it doubles as a stroller. Being able to push the baby through the airport and then gate check the Doona allows you to travel minimally but safely. We do have the Doona Travel Bag for when we gate check it, that way it stays clean and protected. I’ve traveled by plane by myself and having the Doona made the trip so much easier because I had minimal things I had to carry through the airport by myself.
My only complaint with the Doona when traveling is I often need a stroller at my destination. And while the Doona is a “stroller” I don’t like to have my baby in it for longer than necessary, especially when in a hot or humid climate because they can get hot and sweaty in it. While a carrier is great, sometimes I do wish I had a small stroller.
I always like to have a carrier for times when I need to be 100% hands free, or I just want my baby to have some time outside of the car seat. I love the Ergobaby Omin 360 carrier. It is easy to use, my baby likes it and its easy to adjust so my husband and I can take turns wearing it. Plus, when you go through TSA, if your baby is in a car seat or stroller, you have to take them out, put the car seat or stroller through the x-ray machine and carry the baby through the metal detector. But, if you are wearing them in a carrier, you have both hands to fold up the stroller to put in the x-ray machine and you can wear the baby while you walk through the metal detector. This is a must for me when I am traveling with the baby by myself. Plus, you can use the carrier at your destination! My baby takes great naps when in the Ergobaby and enjoys facing outwards.
Having a Pack n Play is a must! Some hotels and airbnbs have them available for you to use, but what about when you go to a family members house and they don’t have one for you? We always bring our own and its very easy to travel with. Plus I know my baby likes it and sleeps well in it. We love our 4Moms Breeze Plus; it is easy to set up/take down and it travels well.
I cannot recommend the Slumberpod enough. It is my #1 travel recommendation for a baby. I was a complete skeptic, and for the price, it better make my baby sleep through the night! The only person who was a bigger skeptic than myself was my husband. We lived in a hotel for 3 weeks when we moved and the hardest part was sharing a room with our baby during nap and bedtime. When the baby would take a nap, I had to close the blinds and live in a pitch black room, just so my baby could sleep. I began to dread nap time because it felt like I had to stop my day. And bed time? We were eating dinner in the bathroom so that the baby had a dark room and no noise. Nothing romantic about that! After we got the Slumberpod, I instantly regretted not having it sooner. Being able to have all the lights on in the room and not have to tip toe in the dark room just so my baby could sleep was a game changer. We have used it on 10+ trips now and it is one of my favorite baby purchases (and I’ve made a lot of them!)
Consistency is key when traveling with a baby, especially when it comes to sleep! We use the Hatch Rest+ at home and when we travel. It comes with a great travel case that protects it and makes it easy to pack. There are so many sound machines out there, but this is the one we use and love.
At home we use the Nanit Camera. We love that it’s an app on our phone that we can use while we are home, or if we are away and have a babysitter, we can still check in via the app. When we travel, we just pop off the Nanit camera from the wall mount and put it in our travel case that includes the multi-stand. You have the buy the multi-stand separate from the camera for the camera to use outside of the house (annoying at first, but once you have it, its so nice for on the go). I love having the travel case, it helps keep everything in once place and safe in your bag.
Travel Products:
