Traveling with an infant comes with its challenges: the meltdowns, the crying and screaming on the plane or in the car, the extra things to pack and, of course, making sure you're having fun while taking care of the baby.
Kerilynn Daniels understands the trials and tribulations of traveling with kiddies in tow. She has four children and has made both plane and car trips with all of them in various stages of babyhood.
The first trip with her firstborn was when the baby was six weeks old and the family traveled to St. John.
"Traveling with an infant can be a bit daunting the first time that you do it," said Daniels, Travel Agent with MickeyTravels, LLC.
"Trying to decide what to bring and what not to bring, wondering if they are going to be miserable the entire time (and therefore make you miserable and anxious too) are all valid concerns, but I am here to tell you that infancy may be the easiest time to travel with children. During the St. John Visit, we missed a flight and had an unscheduled night in a hotel, but luckily the baby was easy to handle."
Tips on Flying
"Being prepared is key when traveling with an infant," said Andrea Khan, Chief Travel Officer, The Family Backpack. "For one, make sure you bring at least two changes of clothes for your infant as blowouts can happen more than once, especially on a long flight. Of course, always bring ziplock bags to stow away the soiled clothes, and bring a change of clothes for yourself in case anything leaks on you."
Remember that babies' ears fill and pop just like yours do, and it can hurt.
"Be prepared to either nurse them or have a bottle or pacifier at the ready for takeoff and landing," said Daniels. "Start feeding them or giving them the pacifier before the plane starts the ascent or decent so they aren't distracted and feel no discomfort before that might distract them."
Road Trip
If you are driving, plan extra stopping time.
"Babies will need to eat just as often as usual, and sometimes they just want out of the confines of a car seat for a little while," said Daniels. "Even an extra 10-minute stop here and there will make for a more enjoyable ride for everyone."
Above all else, Daniels reminds parents to be flexible: "Babies may not follow their usual schedule and that's okay. Don't plan too many outings, leave time for naps for you and the baby, try to go with the flow as much as possible and everyone will have a wonderful time."
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
