In the days before parenthood, any season was the season for a trip. Summer fun at a friend’s lake house, winter getaways on the beach, last-minute ski weekends, a slow roll through wine country, or a fall tour of changing leaves and B & Bs. All you had to do was pack a bag, maybe score a deal on airfare and hotel … and go.
That was then, and this is now. And now, considering the effort involved in packing up and taking your baby across town to do grocery shopping, the logistics of a 2-week resort holiday (or even a 2-day trip to grandma’s) might seem too overwhelming to even contemplate. And far too much like hard work to qualify as a vacation.
Happily, you can have baby … and still travel. Though vacations with your little one aren’t likely to be as carefree or restful as they were prebaby, they can, in fact, be both feasible and fun.
Remember those spur-of-the-moment weekend getaways, when a sense of adventure, a few bathing suits, and a pair of flip-flops flung into an overnight bag took you where you wanted to go? Well, those were so last year. With baby’s arrival, you can expect to spend more time planning a trip than taking one. Here’s how to prep:
Underschedule yourself. Forget itineraries that will take you through six cities in 5 whirlwind days. Instead, set a slow pace with plenty of unscheduled time—for an extra day on the road should you end up needing it (4 hours in the car were 3 hours too much for your smallest passenger), an extra afternoon at the beach or a morning by the pool should you end up wanting it (4 museums were 3 too many for everyone involved). In other words, be flexible.
Don’t pass on a passport. You won’t be able to take your baby out of the country (including to Canada or Mexico) on your passport. Every traveler, no matter what age, needs his or her own—and you’ll need to give yourself enough time to secure one. If you’re traveling out of the country with your baby but without your baby’s other parent, you may need special documentation showing proof that you have permission from the other parent, or that you are your child’s sole legal guardian. For information on obtaining a passport for your baby and other travel information, go to travel.state.gov.
Check with the doctor. Before heading away from home, make sure your baby is in good health and that you have an ample supply of any OTC or prescription meds he or she may need on the road, especially those that might not be readily available locally. Plan for unexpected illnesses by bringing along a children’s pain reliever (ask the doctor what else you should pack in case baby gets sick).
Also, check with the doctor to be sure baby’s immunizations are up-to-date, especially if you’ll be traveling internationally. Some foreign destinations require special immunizations or other precautions. Health information on travel with children is available from your baby’s doctor and online at both cdc.gov/travel and healthychildren.org.
Make sleeping arrangements. Whether you’ll be staying at a hotel or at grandma’s, make sure your baby will have a safe place to sleep each night. Most hotels, motels, and resorts can supply a crib, sometimes for a fee. Call ahead to reserve one and check to make sure it’s safe (run through the guidelines on choosing a safe crib, click here). You can also drag along a portable crib. But the most convenient option on some trips (especially if you’re trying to travel light) may be to rent all the baby gear you’ll need, including that crib (as well as a stroller), from a well-reviewed, reputable online or local rental service that caters to tourists. It’ll be delivered, assembled if necessary, and taken away when your stay is over (all at a price, of course).
If your baby is a crawler or walker, consider bringing along outlet covers, a toilet lock, or anything else you think you may need to babyproof the place where you’ll be staying (some hotels may offer a babyproofing kit, but don’t count on it—or count on it being adequate). When you get to your destination, be sure open windows, blind or drape cords, electrical cords, the minibar, and so on aren’t accessible to your baby.
Scout for sitting services. Most hotels and resorts offer some type of babysitting. But what they offer can vary—a lot. It might be a hotel housekeeper looking to make some extra cash, it might be a list of phone numbers of babysitting agencies in the area (you’re on your own to call and hire), or it might be an on-site childcare program (most common with big resorts that cater to families). Call ahead to find out your options if you’re hoping to spend some adults-only time on your trip. Once there, check out any babysitter on the road as carefully as you would on your home turf: Interview the sitter (or at least the service), if possible, and make sure anyone you hire is screened, licensed, insured, and bonded, and preferably certified in CPR and up-to-date on vaccinations and boosters. Meet the sitter at the concierge or front desk so you’ll be sure you’ve got the right person.
Equip yourself. Getting around, especially if you’re traveling without another adult or with more than one child, will be easier if you have the right equipment:
• A baby carrier or sling. It will free your hands to juggle luggage—important when you’re boarding and disembarking. But don’t forget to bend at the knees when picking up that collection of bags, so baby doesn’t fall out.
• A lightweight and very compact umbrella stroller, for an older baby.
• A portable baby seat—a cloth one adds almost no weight to your luggage.
• A car seat.
• Toys to entertain. A soft-sided play mirror, a rattle or two, and a small stuffed animal can help hold a younger baby’s attention. For an older baby, tote a small activity board and a few board books, as well as a toy or two that’s fun to manipulate, like a small bead maze, play keys on a ring, or an activity cube. Leave home toys with a lot of pieces that can get lost or those that are too bulky for easy packing and use in tight spaces—as well as toys that make annoying noise (and headaches). For a teether, be sure to take a couple of items to gnaw on.
• A waterproof pad for diaper changes on the fly and at your destination.
Don’t rock the boat before you set sail. To avoid unnecessary problems on your trip, avoid unnecessary changes just before it. Don’t try weaning your baby from the breast, for instance, just before departure—the unfamiliar surroundings and changes in routine will be hard enough to deal with, without adding other stresses. Besides, no other way of feeding baby on the road is as easy for you or as comforting for baby as breastfeeding. Don’t introduce solids close to departure, either. Beginning to spoon-feed is enough of a challenge (for both of you) at home. If your baby is ready for finger foods, however, consider introducing them pretrip. Portable nibbles are great for keeping babies occupied and happy en route, and usually make for neater eating than spooned foods do.
If your baby isn’t sleeping through the night, now is not the time to start sleep teaching. There’s likely to be some regression into night waking during a trip (and after you return), and letting baby cry it out in a hotel room or at grandma’s will wear you out—and your welcome.
When traveling long distances on the open roads (or the jammed highways), keep these tips in mind:
Never start without the car seat. It’s essential any time you’re getting into a car, no matter how long or short the road ahead—and no matter whose car you’re getting into (and yes, that goes for car services, Uber, taxis, and vans, too). If you’re a big traveler—or take taxis often—you’ll have to know how to install your car seat without the base, using the seat belt. (Practice your technique at home—before the taxi meter’s running). If you’re renting the car, ask the rental company to supply you with a safe, up-to-date car seat (for a fee), though check with them ahead of time to find out what car seats they are able to supply. Or far better still, bring your own.
Screen out the sun. Here comes the sun—right into baby’s eyes? You’re going to hear about it. So if you don’t already have sunshades on the backseat windows of your car, make sure you’ve added them before you leave on a road trip.
Take your show on the road. Remember, if baby’s not happy in the car—nobody’s going to be happy in the car. If you don’t already have one, install a car mirror for baby’s entertainment, and add links to the car seat with a bunch of safe toys. Download plenty of baby-friendly music and refresh your own playlist of nursery rhymes to recite and songs to sing.
Break it up. Remember, with a baby on board, getting there probably won’t be half the fun (and might not be any fun at all) … and it’ll likely take twice as long. The best drive time will be during naptime, of course. When baby’s awake, break up stints in the car with breaks for fresh air, diaper changes, feeds, snacks, stretching, and, for your walker, circulation-stimulating breaks.
Schedule right. Try leaving really early in the morning or late at night, so your baby will sleep through part of the journey—depending on your baby’s sleep schedule. Big caveat: Make sure the driver stays awake—start out well rested, take turns at the wheel, and pull over as soon as the designated driver becomes drowsy.
Don’t forget cleanup supplies. Travel with a baby is rarely neat. Make sure you bring loads of wipes, hand sanitizer, disposable bags for dirty diapers (and potential carsickness), paper towels for spills, and an extra set of clothes for baby and those near baby (kept in a reachable spot).
For safety’s sake. For a safe car trip:
• Make sure everyone is buckled up.
• Don’t drive to the point of fatigue (accidents are more likely to occur when the driver is tired).
• Never drive if you’ve been drinking.
• Don’t talk on the cell phone while driving—in many states it’s against the law. Even hands-free is too distracting to be completely safe.
• Never text, post, or email (or read them) while driving
• Store heavy luggage or potential flying objects in the trunk or secured by a cover.
• Ban smoking in the car, of course.
Taking flight with your baby? Keep these plane pointers in mind:
Book early. If you can, get your tickets well in advance. On many (but not all) airlines, this allows you to choose the seats you want. If you can, print out your boarding passes at home before leaving for the airport, or at a kiosk when you get there. Or take advantage of mobile boarding passes. It could save stressful waits at the airport.
Travel at off-peak times. The less crowded the terminal, the shorter the security lines will be. The less crowded the flight, the more comfortable you will be, the better the service will be, and the fewer passengers your baby will be able to potentially annoy. So check flight loads before you book. Try, too, to choose flights at times when your baby ordinarily sleeps (night flights are great for long trips, nap times for short trips). Maybe, just maybe, your pint-size passenger will cooperate by snoozing in flight. Just keep in mind that flight delays can foil even the best-booked plans.
Consider a nonstop. In most cases, the faster you get from here to there, the better for all. That said, sometimes a very long daytime nonstop may be too much for anyone to handle (your baby, you, the passengers sitting near you). If you think a coast-to-coast flight might put your baby over the top, consider breaking up the trip into two shorter ones (you may get a less expensive fare while you’re at it). You’ll want a layover to be long enough so you can get to the next gate without huffing and puffing, and have time to get a bite to eat, wash up, take care of diapering (it’s a lot easier to change a squirmy baby in an airport bathroom than in a tiny airplane one), let your baby expend some crawling energy, watch a few planes take off and land, and—if there is one—visit the airport play center. But too much time in the terminal can be … interminable.
Consider an extra seat. Though on most airlines kids under 2 can travel for free (if you keep them on your lap), you may want to consider purchasing a seat for baby anyway. Paying full fare for a baby who can fly for free may seem like an extravagance, but it will make sitting, playing, and eating less of a hassle for both of you. Plus, it’s a lot safer—babies buckled into an FAA-approved car seat secured in a separate seat are less likely to be injured in severe turbulence than those restrained only by a parent’s arms.
If you’re traveling with another adult and your flight isn’t crowded, you may be able to book an aisle and a window seat with an empty seat in between them. If you specify that you have a lap child, some airlines won’t sell that seat unless absolutely necessary. As long as the seat stays unbooked, you’ve got a free seat for your baby. If it doesn’t, you can be pretty sure the middleman (or woman) will be willing to trade seats with one of you rather than having a baby passed back and forth over his or her lap during the entire flight.
Favor the aisle. Opt for the aisle seat—otherwise you’re going to end up trying the patience of those you’ll have to keep scrambling over to take your restless baby for a diaper change or for a walk (but keep in mind if you bring along a car seat that the flight attendants won’t let you place your baby in an aisle seat for safety reasons). Parents often favor bulkhead seats because they provide extra room in front of the seats for a baby to play and some planes have space there for a baby bassinet. There are some downsides: Trays usually unfold over your lap, leaving no room for your child, the armrest usually can’t be raised (which means your baby can’t spread out across two seats to nap), you’re right on top of the movie screen, if there is one, and worst of all, there’s no underseat storage (everything, including your diaper bag, must be stored overhead during takeoff and landing … as well as during delays on the runway).
Check bags curbside. To avoid having to lug your luggage through a sprawling airport, check everything but valuables and the essentials (your diaper bag and carry-on bag) through at the curb. To avoid having to lug your baby, use a lightweight stroller and check it at the gate (protect it, if possible, by packing it in a stroller bag).
Plan ahead for the security line. Preferably, way ahead. To make your whole security experience easier on many flights, consider signing up online for TSA PreCheck (go to tsa.gov/tsa-precheck/application-program). With PreCheck, there are faster-moving lines and fewer hassles (no taking off shoes or coats, no separating laptops or liquids). Any child under the age of 12, if accompanied by a PreCheck-qualified adult, can go through these expedited lines, too—making this program a big help for families on the go.
If your baby’s old enough for one, a light umbrella stroller can be your best friend when going through security, whatever line you’re in. It’ll be easy to fold up at the last second and plop on the x-ray’s conveyer belt. (You’ll probably be allowed to take it right down the jetway and leave it at the plane’s door before you board—it will be waiting for you at the door after landing.) Slip-on shoes are your second-best friends at the security checkpoint (that way, if you don’t have PreCheck and/or you’re asked to take them off, it won’t be a last-minute struggle—but do wear socks so you don’t have to walk barefoot on that icky floor). You’ll be able to hold your baby in your arms (though not in a carrier or sling) to go through the screening, but you’ll both have to be hand screened if the security officer singles you out for a pat down—which you probably will be since you won’t be able to have one of those full body scans while holding your little one. Again, measures are likely to be less strict with PreCheck.
You’ll likely be able to bring through security enough formula, breast milk, baby food, or juice boxes to last the flight, but be sure to check out tsa.gov for the latest information, since regulations often change.
Think twice about that early boarding. If the airline you’re flying does preboards for families, think twice before you take advantage. Yes, boarding first allows you to snag much-needed overhead-bin space and gives you some extra time to negotiate those tight aisles with baby and baby gear. But early board can equal early bored, since it means about an extra half hour on the plane—probably not something you want to endure voluntarily with a squirmy baby who needs constant entertainment.
Find a friendly flight attendant. If you’re alone, don’t be shy (but do be nice) about asking the flight crew for help. After all, it can be nearly impossible to lift a bag and put it in the overhead bin while holding a baby. So ask a flight attendant (or fellow passenger) for a hand.
Don’t expect to be fed. Food on domestic flights has just about disappeared in coach (you may still find it on international flights)—the best you can expect is usually a snack for purchase, if that. Call ahead to find out exactly what will be served and if baby meals are available for purchase (or for free on international flights). Sometimes a snack means nothing more than a beverage and a bag of snack mix, which, as a choking hazard, is off-limits for babies. And no matter what food’s been promised, don’t ever board without your own supply of baby-appropriate (and approved) snacks. Takeoff delays can result in mealtime delays, food service carts can move at a maddeningly slow rate down the aisles, and special meals sometimes don’t show up at all (plus, let’s face it—they’re not all that special).
Bring extra supplies. Bring as many toys as you can fit into your carry-on luggage and twice as many diapers as you could possibly need, endless wipes and hand sanitizer, at least one change of clothing for your baby, and an extra t-shirt for you (forgetting the last item guarantees you’ll be spit up on, thrown up on, spilled on … or all of the above). Don’t forget an extra layer of clothes for your baby—it can get cold on a plane. Toss in a small blanket, too, since blankets on planes (if you can find one) are often used by many passengers between washings.
Put safety first. If your child is occupying a seat, plan to bring aboard a car seat that’s FAA-approved (not all are), and know how to install it without the base. Babies should ride in a rear-facing position. Even if you didn’t buy a separate seat for baby, bring the approved car seat with you to the gate, just in case there’s an extra seat next to you on board. If there isn’t, the flight attendants will gate check it for you. This should limit the amount of handling—and tossing around—the car seat might encounter during regular baggage checking (you can also purchase a bag for some car seats as extra protection). If your baby is on your lap, do not belt him or her in with you—serious injury could result from even a mild impact. But do secure your belt around yourself and then hold your baby around the waist with your hands, grasping your wrists during takeoffs and landings. Don’t allow your baby to crawl around alone in the aisles or to sleep or play on the floor in front of you because of the risk of injury if the plane should suddenly hit an area of turbulence.
Also carefully review the information on oxygen masks and find out where there are extras in case your baby doesn’t have a seat (and therefore a mask) of his or her own. There’s usually an extra mask provided in every row or section of seats. Remember, just like they say in the preflight safety video, you should put on your own mask first and then attend to your child’s. If you try to do it the other way around in a low-oxygen emergency, you could lose consciousness before you manage to get either mask on.
Clean up before you take off. Use sanitizing wipes to clean around areas that baby might touch or mouth (and that many passengers have handled before)—the seat back, armrests, tray table, and window shade.
Mind those ears. Changes in altitude and air pressure are tough on little ears. Drinking during takeoff and landing can help by encouraging swallowing, which helps release the pressure that builds up in the ears (start as the plane starts speeding down the runway and again when the pilot announces the initial descent). Let your baby drink from a bottle, a sippy cup, or a cup with a built-in straw. Nothing to drink? A paci or feeder bag could do the trick if your baby sucks on it enough to require saliva swallowing—and as a last resort, you could try squirting water into baby’s mouth with a medicine syringe. Though always comforting, breastfeeding during takeoff and landing isn’t recommended for safety’s sake.
If all else fails and your baby screams all the way up and all the way down, ignore the dirty looks from other passengers (you’re likely to see a lot of sympathetic faces, too). At least the screaming will help reduce the pressure on your baby’s eardrums and ease the pain.
Have a baby with a stuffy nose, and a ticket to fly? It’s a good idea to visit the doctor first for clearance, since congestion can block Eustachian tubes and make in-flight ear pain much worse. You can also try relieving some of the congestion by placing saline drops in baby’s nose before takeoff and landing.
Not in a rush? Take your time and take a train. You’ll save yourself the wear and tear of driving—and the drag of airport hassles. Plus, baby will have more freedom of movement, plenty of distractions (with nobody driving, everyone can be in entertainment mode), and an always-changing view. Your family train trip will be easier if you remember to:
Book in advance. Ordering train tickets in advance (online or over the phone) allows you to arrive at the train station with tickets in hand, so you won’t have to wait in a long ticket line. If it’s possible to make seat or compartment reservations, do this in advance, too. Remember, however, that for most U.S. train reservations in coach, you are guaranteed a seat for each ticket, but not that those seats are together.
Be timely. Peak travel times can be very crowded, especially during holiday seasons, so avoid them if you can. A late-evening train may be a good option if your baby is likely to sleep during the trip.
Pack appropriately. For overnight train travel, your carry-on bag should also be an overnight bag, packed with extra clothes, diapers, and all those baby-care basics. This should make digging into your neatly packed suitcases unnecessary. Better still, it may make it possible to check your heavy baggage through, giving you less to lug and more room in your compartment or at your seat.
Arrive early. Check ahead to find out what time the train ordinarily arrives at your station. If there is a 10- or 15- minute gap between arrival and departure, try to get there before the train arrives rather than just as it’s about to leave. The goal: a better chance of seating the family together. If there are two adults, send one ahead, as soon as the platform number is announced, to save seats for all while the other struggles down the platform at a snail’s pace with baby. If you can, grab a window seat (plus the aisle one) so your little one can watch the scenery go by.
Don’t pass on the redcap. If uniformed redcap service is available, take it. For a minimal tip, a redcap will take your bags and escort you down to and onto the train so you don’t have to lug anything but your little one. Redcaps also have the inside track on which platform a train will be arriving on before it’s announced, which means you’ll be on your way there before the crowds descend.
Derail boredom. Your baby will enjoy watching the scenery for only so long. So tote those toys, books, and crayons—and lots of them.
Take advantage of longer stops. Even a 15-minute stop gives you and your baby a chance to get off the train for a stretch, and possibly even wander down to see the engine that’s been pulling the train (just be sure someone is watching your luggage and that you reboard in time).
Bring your own. Even if there’s a dining or snack car on board, there’s no guarantee your baby will be willing or able to eat what they’re serving. So, just as you would when traveling by car or plane, bring your own snacks and drinks.