Travelling with babies – the guide! – Mate, we’re lost!
Our bundle of joy has arrived, and we’ve embarked on our first adventure as a family of three!
As you may have noticed in the latest Year in review post, last year we found out we were expecting a tiny human to join us on our adventures. She was born earlier this year which is why there have been no posts in over 3 months.
And guess what? We finally did our first trip together!
So, how was it to hit the road with a baby in tow? What did we pack, and how did it influence our travel style? I’ve put together a mini-guide based on our road trip escapade, covering everything from packing essentials to accommodation tips and navigating the ins and outs of traveling with a little one. (No flying or sailing tales in this post—yet!)
If your little one already arrived or you are expecting and can’t wait to take the wee feet travelling, read on and get ready for that daunting first trip with your baby.
Our first trip took us to the charming city of York, a mere 325 km (200 miles) or a 3.5-hour drive from our town. The Child (our Mandalorian inspired nickname for our little explorer) slept like a champ throughout the journey, stirring only during our pit stop for a feeding session. Thankfully, she seems to have a love affair with car rides – dozing off almost as soon as the engine startds. Of course, I was prepared for the unexpected, packing sensory toys and a pacifier just in case our travel companion decided to spice things up with a bout of fussiness. With her being rear-facing, my husband assumed the role of the backseat entertainer, ensuring she had a familiar face to greet her upon waking.
Packing for a Mini Explorer
Our 4-day trip led to a realization – babies require a surprising amount of wardrobe changes! Being a first time parent, I erred on the side of caution. Unsure of exactly what we’d need, I packed a daily arsenal that included onesies, short and long-sleeve bodysuits, day outfits, muslin squares (half for the changing mat, half for her adorable face), socks, more flannels than I care to admit, and the essential duo of sleeping bags and towels.
Initially thinking it might be overkill, I soon discovered it was anything but. We breezed through bodysuits, day outfits, and muslin squares faster than anticipated. I found myself with only 2 clean onesies – a stroke of luck, mostly because the hotel room turned into a cozy sauna at night.
For parents tight on suitcase space or those who’d rather not lug around a mini baby wardrobe, fear not! A bit of strategic washing, especially with quick-drying muslin squares, can help you to travel light. However, my advice? When they’re tiny and unpredictable, lean towards generosity in your packing. Rule #1: Always be prepared for a number 2.
We briefly contemplated bringing the bath insert but decided we were overdoing it. It was only a short trip and she is still small enough to enjoy a sink bath—oh, the joys of babyhood!
And remember, you can always buy nappies when you arrive at your location.
Accommodation
Now, let’s talk about a crucial aspect that’s bound to shift gears on your journey – accommodation. Naturally, you’ll be on the lookout for places that welcome kids, but here’s the scoop: not all child-friendly spots automatically come equipped with a suitable cot, and the available options may not be the ideal fit for your baby.
To ensure The Child always has a cozy place to sleep, when we were buying a pram we looked for one whose carrier cot doubles up as a sleeping cot. This proved a life saver for the trip. Our hotel provided a cot, but it was more like a playpen – massive and low down to the floor. I have no idea how I would have gotten her out of it for the night time feed.
IMPORTANT! Always check the fine print and rules carefully when booking! Just because you added a child to your travel party does not mean every place in the results accepts children or is suitable for them (Airbnb has this problem).
What about nappy changes? We improvised and turned the spare single bed in our family room (double + single bed) into a nappy changing station. It was great! We set up everything to be within easy reach so the changes went smoothly, even when half asleep at 6 in the morning. Family rooms usually come with 3 beds, but if not, you can always change any other flat surface to a changing corner (like a desk that I only used when travelling for work).
Out and about
Our every day go to is the pram, we find it easiest for going around town and it comes in handy for carrying shopping. However, as we knew there would be places where pram access would be as elusive as a unicorn, we threw a carrier into the mix. Because, let’s be real, some places (hello, bustling souks of Morocco!) demand a bit more baby-wearing bravery. And nt all shops or restaurants are pram-friendly, especially if your pram comes with its carrycot, making it a sizeable sidekick. So, flexibility is key!
That being said, if you will be out and about the whole day, can you carry your little one for that long? And keep in mind that it might not be as comfortable for them after a few hours. The longest we used the carrier was about 2.5 hours.
Now let’s talk about babies who sleep in the pram the whole time like our little snoozer. To prevent her from clocking in too many Z’s, we had to get strategic. We took a break every 2.5 to 3 hours, to rouse her from her slumber, dive into a feeding session, and throw in a solid hour of quality bonding. Sure, it meant trimming down our to-do list, and yes, we were back at the hotel around 7ish for bedtime. Early evenings might sound like a downer, but this way we made sure that her usual routine wasn’t too broken up and that she got regular feeds and face time with us. It’s the secret to a full night’s sleep and a chirpy, content baby the next day.
The sacrifices we do as parents XD
Final Thoughts
I could waffle on about our experiences, but the truth is, every baby is unique, and your experiences might end up completely different to ours. Still, here are three fundamental tips to kickstart your baby-travel plans:
- Pack Well: Be generous, especially when it comes to clothes. Babies have a knack for surprises.
- Accommodation Matters: Check for baby-friendly features, and plan for makeshift changing stations if needed.
- Flexible Outings: Embrace the unpredictability of baby adventures. You might not check off every item on your list, but the joy of the journey is what truly matters.
Travelling with a baby might seem scary but the main thing is to pack well, relax and not have high expectations. You most likely won’t be able to see all you planned, the baby might cry uncontrolably while you are in a museum, a cafe you really wanted to go might be too small to fit a pram or you might have to change the baby in the car in the middle of A1 because of an explosion threatening to go all over the car seat XD. The main thing is to take that leap and go!
Take things as they come along and remember, the most important thing is to enjoy yourself and the small human who is just learning there is more to the world then their home 🙂
Have you embarked on a trip with your little one? Share your experiences and tips below!
