It is a common myth that babies and traveling do not tend to mix well. This might be true but more often, traveling with your little bundle of joy can be just that, joyful. However, there are essential factors to consider while booking flights and making plans.
If you are a new parent and feeling a bit flustered regarding your travel plans, then there’s no need to panic. Simply hand the reins to us for a while and let us guide you through some of the essentials you should stock up on to make the most of your trip!
- Always a Place for Placemats
Since you are travelling, it is most likely that you will be dining out most of the time. Therefore, as aforementioned, babies and toddlers can be a tad messy when it comes to food and meal times in general.
Bringing along your placemats is a good idea in this regard because it will prevent the mess from spreading to the restaurants’ linen, i.e., napkins and tablecloths, etc.
Some of these placemats also come with an added adhesive so that it stays at its place in case your child is feeling particularly playful!
- Inflatable Bathtub
We all know that kids can be really messy sometimes, especially toddlers. This can be credited to their ability to move around and play with all sorts of fascinating objects including food, sand or even mud.
It is also true that most hotels do not have bathrooms that can cater to toddlers or babies. This is where your inflatable bathtub will come in handy when you want to give your baby a quick bath after a long day of playing around.
This way you do not have to fret with bathroom basins and bathtubs. It can then be deflated after use and can easily fit into your suitcase or carry-on.
- Safety First
If you are planning a road trip with your infant or toddler, then it is best to invest in some extra protective gear for your child. Your car probably already has a car seat where you can safely tuck in your child for the duration of your journey.
In addition, you can use a car seat protector to further ensure that there are no sudden movements or jerks in the car seat due to uneven bumps and/or potholes on the road.
- Portable Changing Bag
Depending on where you are going and where you plan on staying, there is a good chance that there is not a separate changing table for your baby.
This can also be an issue if you are planning on staying out most of the day because most restaurants or tourist spots might not have this facility.
Therefore, it is best to have your own portable changing bag in the event of a dirty diaper, or several. This way you will have a clean and convenient surface to lay your baby on while you clean then off with all your necessary tools on hand.
- White Noise Machine
It can be hard for both babies as well as adults to settle in a new environment to get a good night’s sleep for the duration of a trip.
Luckily, babies are easier to trick, it is recommended that you invest in a white noise machine with some familiar tunes from your hometown so that your child feels more at home even in a foreign place.
- Plush Toys
Taking along some soft, plush toys is highly recommended because small tokens such as these can put a child at ease and provide a more homely atmosphere.
This will help the child adjust well to the new environment and feel less homesick. Another great thing about these toys is that they are not likely to take up too much room in your luggage, so gear up!
- Baby Carrier
Although this might seem like an obvious one, baby carriers are truly an essential part of any travelling gear.
By using a baby carrier, you can be sure that your baby is on your person at all time, and that too in a comfortable and suitable posture.
This is especially important for smaller infants. In addition, it guarantees that you have both hands free to tend to your child’s other needs and other activities.
- Reusable Bibs
We know all too well that babies can be champions when it comes to food spillage but investing in some good quality bibs can rectify this problem.
Bibs can protect your child’s clothes from any food stains and can make bath time a little easier as well.
Conclusion
Traveling with babies can seem daunting, but with these travel essentials, we are sure that your trip will go over smoothly. Also, who knows, perhaps your baby might surprise you as well, happy travels!
