For some of us, traveling for the holidays is almost as much of a tradition as eating turkey on Thanksgiving day. But if this is your first time traveling with a newborn, you might be feeling a little nervous! Whether you’re traveling by car or plane, here are a few tips that can help you feel more prepared as you and your little one get ready to travel this holiday season.
Tips for Car Travel with a Newborn
Plan for lots of stops (about every 2 hours). Baby will need feeding, diaper changes, or maybe just a cuddle to calm down if they don’t love being in the car. Just know that your drive is going to take longer than normal, and that’s okay!
Keep a spot in the backseat clear so that someone can sit with baby if needed. If you don’t have anyone else traveling with you, consider installing a baby mirror in the backseat so you can keep an eye on things without having to turn around.
Plan your route so you know where you’ll be stopping to get gas, do diaper changes, etc. Makes it so much easier if you know this in advance so you don’t have to make decisions on the fly!
Tips for Plane Travel with a Newborn
Check with your pediatrician to see if they feel that flying would be safe for your baby.
Don’t stress about the liquid limit. The TSA allows moms traveling with babies to pack more breastmilk and formula than the usual 3.4 oz limit for liquids. Yay! It is a good idea to pack these in a separate bag though, so airport personnel can screen them quickly and easily.
Pack a pacifier and/or bottle to give baby during takeoff and landing. Swallowing will help them deal with that uncomfortable feeling in their ears as the air pressure changes.
Don’t Forget to Pack This!
Of course you’ll need clothes, blankets, and plenty of diapers and wipes! But here are a few other less obvious essentials that can make traveling with a newborn much easier.
Padded changing station. These fold up nicely to slide into a diaper bag and are easy to wipe down. Not all restrooms have a baby changing table—and sometimes you’ll need to change a diaper on the go. You’ll be so glad you have one of these!
A portable breast pump if you’re breastfeeding. Schedules get all out of whack when you’re traveling, so it’s nice to have the option to pump when you need to—even if it’s on the road.
A travel crib or bassinet. Baby needs a safe and comfy place to sleep once you arrive at your destination! Some of these even fold up small enough to fit into your carry-on if you’re traveling by plane.
Portable sound machine. Unfamiliar noises can make it hard for anyone to sleep, and babies can easily get overstimulated and fussy in a new environment. Soothing sounds can help keep them calm and happy and make for a much better travel experience for everyone! (I always use a sound machine in my studio for newborn sessions—it really does work!)
I hope these tips for traveling with a newborn help make this holiday season a little more manageable. Remember, if travel just feels like too much right now, it’s okay to break with tradition this time and ask family to come to you, or to plan your trip for a few months down the road, once things have settled down a bit. The most important thing is that you and your little one have a wonderful first holiday together!