The thought of leaving the house with a baby can be overwhelming, especially if you are planning to go on a road trip with a baby. While it isn’t easy, it is doable and can be enjoyable.
Taking an infant on a road trip requires way more planning and prep than expected, but you will soon have it down to an art. We have compiled a list of our top tips and tricks for a road trip with a baby.
The rule of thumb when packing is to pack for the baby first. Why you ask?! Because if it comes down to you taking that extra pair of shoes (which you will never wear) or packing an extra pack of diapers, diapers win.
It is amazing how much crap you can part with when you need to make room for baby’s things. Trust me they may be tiny, but they take up a lot of room in the suitcase and car.
You will soon find that you can wear one pair of jeans multiple times, mix and match shirts, and live off of two pairs of shoes.
Be sure to stock up the diaper bag for the road trip. Make it easily accessible, so you don’t have to rummage through a suitcase for a new pack of wipes.
You need to be ready for whatever the road may throw at you because it can be brutal at times. Here are some scenarios that will be sure to leave your mind racing in the middle of the night.
Pack as if one or all of these things might happen. We were stuck in traffic for three hours on our way to Gatlinburg with a baby screaming for food about an hour in. We would have been in trouble if I haven’t packed plenty of Similac Read to Feed.
Having ways to keep the baby warm, cool, fed, and healthy are the most imperative things to pack.
Be sure to have these Road Trip Essentials before hitting the road!
Be sure to pack clothes in the next size up because babies miraculously grow overnight when traveling. Having an assortment of clothes for all sorts of weather should be in your suitcase. Even if you are going to a tropical destination the nights can get chilly.
Are you bringing a pack ‘n’ play? Does the hotel provide a crib? These are questions that need to be answered before you pack your first onesie. There are many hotels that have pack ‘n’ plays and cribs that you can reserve. They are usually always on a first-come, first-serve basis so call early.
We opted to go with the Jetsetter Travel Pack N Play. It is smaller than a traditional pack n play so it takes up less room in the car. It also fits in a full-size suitcase, so it was perfect when flying!
Are you planning on flying? Be sure to read our Tips For Flying With A Baby. Remember airlines will often charge you to fly your pack n play while the stroller and car seat fly free. Pack N plays can also take up a significant amount of room in the car, so other options like a portable bassinet or sleeper might be a better fit for your family.
Just after you have finished sitting on your suitcase to get it zipped you remember that you need to pack a stroller! I would recommend bringing an easy lightweight collapsible stroller, and not the massive jogging stroller that could run ten pedestrians over.
Check out this list of great Must-have Items for Traveling with a Baby.
We now pack a portable high chair for our daughter since she has started to self-feed for her meals. We love this high chair because it stands tall and reaches the table. It makes her feel like she is taking part in the meal. It folds up like a normal folding chair and is easy to transport and store.
The other piece of baby gear we got was a portable activity bouncer. This will also fit in a full-size suitcase, however, we did not use it as much as we anticipated. It was useful to have a place that she could bounce around in and to allow us to get a few things done. Each baby is different and mine got bored about 10 minutes each time. However, if your activity bouncer at home is life then this might be worth the investment and worth taking up precious space in the car.
If you are flying, put your stroller in a stroller bag. Then fill the stroller bag with other things like blankets or a portable high chair. I have yet to see anyone open a stroller bag or car seat bag to check its contents. Don’t be too crazy though, otherwise, you might ruin a good thing for all of us!
The beauty of a road trip with a baby is there is not a set time you have to be somewhere. There is no hassle of dragging all your belongings through security with a screaming infant in your arms either.
You can make as many stops as needed en route to your destination, which trust me, you will make many. We have taken our daughter on a road trip every month since she was one month old. Each month it changes a little with what they will need and what to expect.
Traveling at night can be a great option depending on the baby and you. However, there are a few things to consider.
Well, maybe not ALL the toys, but a lot. If you have the options to ride in the back of the car with your little one it might be beneficial for a few hours. It will help keep your baby entertained and happy.
If you plan on settling down to be your child’s personal clown for a good portion of the trip so you better have a good arsenal of things to do.
A few more housekeeping items to help you on the road.
Need a few more road trip tips? Check out these tips by Travel With A Plan, To Master The Family Road Trip.
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