The holiday season is here, and many of us are hitting the road or skies to celebrate. Traveling with a baby can be both magical and chaotic. Navigating airports, long car rides, and family dynamics can be overwhelming.
I’ve learned a lot about making holiday travel smoother with little ones. Here are my top tips, inspired by experts and my own experiences. They’ll help you survive and thrive during holiday travel with a baby.
1. Embrace the Chaos
Traveling with kids is different from traveling solo or with adults. There will be messes, missed naps, and chaos. But that’s okay!
Anushka Salinas, CEO of Nanit and mom of two, says,
“Be prepared, but know it won’t be perfect.”
Maristella Lucchini, a senior clinical researcher at Nanit Lab, agrees. The first few days of travel are often the messiest. Your baby’s sleep schedule might be thrown off. But things will settle down, whether you’re on the road or back at home.
2. Plan Activities for Long Journeys
Keeping your little one entertained is key to a peaceful trip. Here’s what I recommend packing:
- For babies: Extra diapers, clothes, and baby food or snacks. (Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later!)
- For toddlers: Travel bingo, art supplies, or their favorite books.
- For everyone: Download movies, shows, music, or audiobooks ahead of time to avoid spotty WiFi issues.
One of my favorites for road trips is listening to podcasts like Storytime With Tula Jane and Her Mother in the Wild. It’s a hit with my 3-year-old and makes the miles fly by.
Pro tip: If your kids are old enough, let them help plan their activity kit. They’ll be excited to use their hand-picked items, and you’ll know they’ll stay entertained.
3. Travel Early or Around Nap Times
Plan your travel for early in the day if possible. Morning flights and road trips tend to have fewer delays and less traffic. Plus, traveling during your child’s nap time can be a game-changer.
Maristella Lucchini always tries to align her travel plans with her kids’ sleep schedules. For example, she books flights to Italy during times when her children can sleep on the plane. If you’re driving, aim to cover longer stretches while your little one naps.
4. Problem-Solve as a Team
Holiday travel often means navigating family dynamics and differing expectations. To avoid unnecessary stress, sit down with your partner and discuss your plans ahead of time.
Dr. Tracy Dalgleish, a psychologist and author, emphasizes the importance of staying on the same page.
“Share your expectations and wishes with each other,” she advises.
For example, decide together whether you’ll stay at a relative’s house or book a hotel. Then, communicate your plans as a united front. Instead of saying, “My spouse doesn’t want to stay with you,” try, “What works best for our family is this.”
5. Stick to Routines for Better Sleep
Keeping your baby’s sleep routine the same is key when traveling. Activities like bath time, stories, and lullabies are just as comforting away from home.
Anushka Salinas relies on a sleep routine that includes white noise and a portable baby monitor.
“When we travel, we bring the Nanit Pro Baby Monitor with the Flex Stand. It’s lightweight, battery-operated, and helps recreate the routine we have at home,” she says.
6. Know Where to Be Flexible
Traveling with family can mean adjusting to different schedules. For instance, if your parents’ dinner is at 7 p.m., it’s okay to ask for an earlier meal.
Dr. Dalgleish suggests asking yourself,
“What am I willing to be flexible on?”
Then, talk openly with your hosts. You might say, “We’d love to join dinner, but 7 p.m. is our baby’s bedtime. Could we do an earlier meal?” Or, feed your child beforehand and join the table for a bit before putting them to bed.
7. Build in Downtime
The holidays are busy, but you don’t have to do everything. Pick the traditions and moments that are most important to you. This way, you can avoid burnout and enjoy the season.
My Top Recommendation: Bring Your Nanit Pro Baby Monitor
My Nanit Pro Baby Monitor is essential for travel. The portable Flex Stand is easy to set up, and the 130-degree room monitoring gives me peace of mind. It also helps keep our sleep routine consistent.
Note: Nanit connects only to password-protected WiFi networks. If you’re staying somewhere with an open network, check Nanit’s troubleshooting tips.
Traveling with a baby during the holidays can be enjoyable. With planning, flexibility, and the right tools (like the Nanit Pro Baby Monitor!), you can make lasting memories.
Here’s to a holiday season filled with peace, joy, and maybe even a nap or two. Safe travels!
