Whether you are actively planning a weekend away or are simply dreaming about your first family vacation, we have some advice. While it can be tempting to pack up your entire house so you can be prepared for anything while on the road, having too much stuff can actually make things more difficult (trust us, we’ve been there).
Now that the days of postpartum recovery and newborn life are behind you, you might be excited to start traveling with your baby.
Whether you are actively planning a weekend away or are simply dreaming about your first family vacation, we have some advice. While it can be tempting to pack up your entire house so you can be prepared for anything while on the road, having too much stuff can actually make things more difficult (trust us, we’ve been there).
As seasoned parents ourselves, here are the items we always pack and what we learned to leave behind when traveling with babies.
✔ Dos
✘ Don'ts
Do: Bring enough diapers to get to your destination.
Don’t: Bring all the diapers you will need for your whole trip. Unless you are traveling somewhere remote, you can pick a pack of diapers there or, better yet, order them to be sent directly to your destination.
Do: Bringa lightweight strollerto help navigate airport security. Find one that’s easy to fold, made for travel, and will fit into an overhead bin to prevent damage.
Don’t: Bring a big, bulky stroller. If you need to check it at the gate, it can get damaged, and it will be a pain to lug in and out of rental cars.
Do: Make sure your baby has a safe place to sleep while away.
Don't: Pack a travel crib if your destination will offer one on-site. Many hotels and rental homes offer cribs as an amenity. Call ahead to see what yours offers and, if you can, arrange for it to be waiting for you upon arrival.
Do: Pack a change of clothes for your baby in your purse or carry-on.
Don’t: Forget to pack a change of clothes for you, too. Your own clothes may become casualties in the case of a nasty blowout or spit-up incident. Be prepared with a change of clothes for you, too.
Do: Bring a few new, small toys to keep your child occupied in the car or plane.
Don’t: Forget to pack a few favorites, too. Travel can be overwhelming for babies (and anyone, really!), and familiar favorites can offer them comfort during long days of travel and nights in a new place.
BYE-BYE, BIG & BULKY
Choose a lightweight stroller that can do the heavy lifting
Like we said, strollers are great when traveling. But if your everyday stroller is big and bulky, traveling with it will be difficult. That’s why if you plan on traveling or simply being on the go a lot, we suggest investing in a travel stroller like the Ergobaby Metro+ Stroller.
Umbrella strollers are compact but flimsy and can break at the worst moments. The Metro+ Stroller combines the durability and comfort of an everyday stroller but is also lightweight. It also has a one-handed fold and is compact enough to fit in an overhead bin. Plus, the mesh panels keep your baby cool and can even be adjusted to lie flat to allow naps on the go.
We love all that the Metro+ Stroller has to offer, which is why we are excited to partner with Ergobaby and help families everywhere travel a little easier. Check out the link to learn more.
