Tips for Traveling with a Busy Baby

With the holidays just around the corner, many families are planning trips to see their loved ones.

But if you’re traveling with younger children, you may find yourself facing unexpected obstacles. 

Whether you’re traveling by car or plane, we’ve got a few things you should keep in mind when planning your family’s next adventure.

1) Leave earlier than you normally would.

It’s no secret that leaving earlier helps to account for any mishaps while traveling. However, a recent poll shows that many families find they need to leave up to two hours earlier, especially when flying. Getting through security at the airport takes much longer during busy holiday travel. Leaving extra early gives you lots of breathing room to move at a slow and steady pace. 

2) Only bring the essentials.

Packing for a family trip can be very overwhelming. Especially if you’ll be gone for an extended amount of time. We know it’s tempting to pack for anything and everything this trip will throw at you. But, in this case, preparing for the unexpected might leave you lugging huge suitcases around the airport or with no space to relax on your road trip. 

Romper.com just released a list of 19 products that make flying with kids way easier.  Busy Baby Mats made the list of items that could make your trip go smoother. 

Toys and books are a great way to keep your kiddo entertained. And our mat is one great way to keep your baby’s toys in one place. By attaching small toys with our toy bungee you don’t have to worry about losing them while traveling. 

3) Snack packs are a must. 

Having your child’s favorite snacks on hand will help to avoid them from having mini meltdowns when they're hungry. If you’re flying, placing our Busy Baby Mat on the seat’s tray table will provide a clean surface to keep your baby’s snacks on. You can also attach toys to the mat to keep them entertained during the flight. If the tray doesn't allow suction - the window will!

When preparing snacks, you may also want to pack leak proof sippy cups and containers to avoid spills. A great snack product for traveling is the Snoofybee Suction-Go-Bowl.  It serves as a food container and opens up to use as a food tray and even suctions to smooth surfaces.

4) Sanitize and mask up. 

One sad truth about traveling during the holidays is that it’s also the peak cold season. Traveling can bring you into contact with new people and new germs. For this reason, you should pack lots of sanitizer, wipes, and masks to protect you and your family from potential exposure. 

5) Always plan and book ahead. 

If you’re driving, make sure your tank is filled up the night before so you can hit the road as soon as your family is ready. For longer drives, you can also plan a pit stop for your little ones to get out and stretch their legs. 

If you’re flying, print luggage tags and boarding passes before you arrive at the airport to avoid standing in long check-in lines. Many families also book rental cars ahead online to get better deals. Most major rental car companies will allow you to rent booster seats. This is a huge win for parents who want to avoid lugging one more thing around the airport. 

Planning activities ahead will also give you time to find potential discounts, saving you time and money.

6) Have a family pow-wow before you leave. 

Sharing your trip itinerary with your toddlers, or older children, will help prepare them for what to expect.

If you don’t share any details, this may leave them feeling uneasy, especially because they’re in a new environment. When talking about the trip, discuss the expectations you have of them as far as behavior. You can also let them know things you’ll need to do during the trip to make sure they are safe and having fun too. 

7) Hope for the best, but plan for the worst.

Brace yourself for things not to go according to plan. We know it’s easier said than done…but try not to stress too much if things go wrong. Your little ones may be excited or anxious. 

There may also be a lot of other factors you can’t control like weather, traffic, or flight delays. 

And let’s be honest, there's a high chance your kiddo will have some type of accident. In these cases, don’t panic and don’t overthink it. Take a deep breath and be present in that moment with your family. 

Even if things are going haywire, you’re still around people who love you. That in itself can turn anything around. 

So, dress comfortably and get ready for an unforgettable family adventure.

8) Get ready for family fun! 

It’s good to let your children know why it’s important that you go the distance to see family. You can also share with them some of the positive memories you have of visiting your family in the past.

While traveling to see family during the holidays may come with its downsides, the memories you make with your little ones this season will be worth it all.