Tips for Traveling with Baby
Author: Connie
My husband and I just got back from our first trip with our eight month old. We decided to go on a short weekend trip to visit some family. The ride there was only four hours so we felt like the baby could handle it. We had a great time and our baby did great. I was concerned about getting him off of his schedule, out of a routine and being in a different place especially overnight. So to easy my mind the adventure began a few weeks ago with the packing list.
As my husband says, I am OCD when it comes to making lists. Sometimes I have too many and lots of times they are scattered all over the house on little slips of paper (although I am getting better at this), but when it comes to preparing for a trip I am a pro at making the packing list. A couple of weeks ago I started thinking about what my son really needed to be the most comfortable and at home on the trip.
As I did different things with him and for him throughout that week I started making a list on the computer. I put like items together. For example, as I was feeding him I looked at all I used: a bib, a spoon, the milk, the food, a toy he plays with, the high chair, and a wet washcloth for cleaning up. I added all these things to my list and grouped them together to make packing and unpacking easier later. I also did this for diaper changes, baths, nap time and sleep time. I also thought of any activities we might do there. For example, I knew we were going to visit a state park, and we might go swimming at the hotel pool. I added the items needed for these activities to my list as well. I even added cleanup items like paper towels and Clorox wipes. If you are planning a trip I suggest spending a week or at least a couple of days trying to think of all you do and all the things that make those activities more convenient. I might pack too much, but I would rather have something I didn't need than get there and need it.
Next, I started thinking about how I would pack the car. We have a nice big trunk, but our jogging stroller, that I love, takes up a lot of that space. Plus, we were going to be bringing Nanny back home with us along with her luggage so I had to make everything fit just right. I thought about the bags and boxes I already had and I tried to think of how I could use them to fit around the stroller that sits awkwardly in the car. I found a big bag that could fit back behind the stroller, but I knew I would still need more space for packing. Finally, I thought about using the space underneath the stroller. I pulled out one of my under-the-bed storage boxes that I thought might work. I took it out to the car to see if it would fit under the stroller. I had to fold down the food tray on the stroller, but I was able to fit it underneath. It fit perfectly. We would have to pack some things in a plastic box instead of a suitcase, but at least it would all fit.
The next task was to decide which items needed to be packed in the front of the car. I knew I wanted my son's lunch for traveling day up front so I could feed him as we went down the road. I would also need my breast pump, money, and snacks. I further developed my packing list by dividing it into what goes up front and what goes in the back of the car.
I also knew that there were some things to pack or do at the last-minute like turn down the AC, turn off the lights, pack deodorant, etc. I added these items to pack and things to do in another section of my list. I kept each section labeled and moved some items from section to section as needed.
Last, I started packing. I began this the day before we left. I put all like items together. For example, everything I would need for feeding the baby was put together in one place and everything for changing diapers was packed together. This made it easier to pack and accomplish tasks on the trip. Anything that could be packed in a smaller package was. I took the baby's oatmeal out of the box and put it in individual bags for the trip. Instead of taking a big box I only had three small Ziploc bags. It took up less room and was lighter. The day before leaving I packed as much as possible and put some items in the car. The day we left I used my list to double-check everything and finished packing the last items and doing the other items on the list.
I have to say this trip was a blast. We had a great time. I think this was due to being prepared. I feel most comfortable when I know everything is covered. I wanted to keep the baby comfortable and I think he was. Another tip is to plan on stopping often to let the baby stretch his legs. We stopped every hour to hour and a half. I know I wouldn't want to be stuck in a car seat unable to move much for hours on end.
If you are planning a trip with a baby or even children a little preparation and planning will go a long way. It was nice to go on a short trip for his first vacation. Now I feel comfortable about our next longer trip!
Connie Albright is the developer of Parenting The Tyke.com where she offers tips, articles, blogs, resources and product reviews for parents of children ages birth to fifth grade. Visit her site today.
As my husband says, I am OCD when it comes to making lists. Sometimes I have too many and lots of times they are scattered all over the house on little slips of paper (although I am getting better at this), but when it comes to preparing for a trip I am a pro at making the packing list. A couple of weeks ago I started thinking about what my son really needed to be the most comfortable and at home on the trip.
As I did different things with him and for him throughout that week I started making a list on the computer. I put like items together. For example, as I was feeding him I looked at all I used: a bib, a spoon, the milk, the food, a toy he plays with, the high chair, and a wet washcloth for cleaning up. I added all these things to my list and grouped them together to make packing and unpacking easier later. I also did this for diaper changes, baths, nap time and sleep time. I also thought of any activities we might do there. For example, I knew we were going to visit a state park, and we might go swimming at the hotel pool. I added the items needed for these activities to my list as well. I even added cleanup items like paper towels and Clorox wipes. If you are planning a trip I suggest spending a week or at least a couple of days trying to think of all you do and all the things that make those activities more convenient. I might pack too much, but I would rather have something I didn't need than get there and need it.
Next, I started thinking about how I would pack the car. We have a nice big trunk, but our jogging stroller, that I love, takes up a lot of that space. Plus, we were going to be bringing Nanny back home with us along with her luggage so I had to make everything fit just right. I thought about the bags and boxes I already had and I tried to think of how I could use them to fit around the stroller that sits awkwardly in the car. I found a big bag that could fit back behind the stroller, but I knew I would still need more space for packing. Finally, I thought about using the space underneath the stroller. I pulled out one of my under-the-bed storage boxes that I thought might work. I took it out to the car to see if it would fit under the stroller. I had to fold down the food tray on the stroller, but I was able to fit it underneath. It fit perfectly. We would have to pack some things in a plastic box instead of a suitcase, but at least it would all fit.
The next task was to decide which items needed to be packed in the front of the car. I knew I wanted my son's lunch for traveling day up front so I could feed him as we went down the road. I would also need my breast pump, money, and snacks. I further developed my packing list by dividing it into what goes up front and what goes in the back of the car.
I also knew that there were some things to pack or do at the last-minute like turn down the AC, turn off the lights, pack deodorant, etc. I added these items to pack and things to do in another section of my list. I kept each section labeled and moved some items from section to section as needed.
Last, I started packing. I began this the day before we left. I put all like items together. For example, everything I would need for feeding the baby was put together in one place and everything for changing diapers was packed together. This made it easier to pack and accomplish tasks on the trip. Anything that could be packed in a smaller package was. I took the baby's oatmeal out of the box and put it in individual bags for the trip. Instead of taking a big box I only had three small Ziploc bags. It took up less room and was lighter. The day before leaving I packed as much as possible and put some items in the car. The day we left I used my list to double-check everything and finished packing the last items and doing the other items on the list.
I have to say this trip was a blast. We had a great time. I think this was due to being prepared. I feel most comfortable when I know everything is covered. I wanted to keep the baby comfortable and I think he was. Another tip is to plan on stopping often to let the baby stretch his legs. We stopped every hour to hour and a half. I know I wouldn't want to be stuck in a car seat unable to move much for hours on end.
If you are planning a trip with a baby or even children a little preparation and planning will go a long way. It was nice to go on a short trip for his first vacation. Now I feel comfortable about our next longer trip!
Connie Albright is the developer of Parenting The Tyke.com where she offers tips, articles, blogs, resources and product reviews for parents of children ages birth to fifth grade. Visit her site today.
Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/http://www.articlealley.com/tips-for-traveling-with-baby-2396938.html
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