Traveling with a baby: how to organize yourself?

Voyager avec bébé, comment organiser des vacances easy-peasy - Élhée

That's it, the baby is finally born and now you want to enjoy life as a family. And by enjoy, you mean, for example, traveling. However, traveling with a baby is something you've never done! As for those of your friends who have already tried the experience, the feedback is mixed... However, traveling to France or abroad with a toddler is possible. Some couples even fly off to discover the ends of the earth with their baby. Why not you? According to the specialists, to travel well with a baby, the key word is "organization".

ARTICLE SUMMARY:

A prerequisite for peaceful travel: an-ti-ci-per
A good tip: travel light at any age
Timing: we adapt to baby!
To go by car, train or plane? That is the question
And for baby meals, how do we organize ourselves?
One last thing: don't miss the independent bedroom

A prerequisite for peaceful travel: an-ti-ci-per

Gone are the days when, to go on holiday, you just had to get in the car on Friday night, a pair of panties, a toothbrush and a pair of sneakers thrown in your handbag. Without a specific destination, but with your other half by your side, all that existed was love and the desire to escape.

Today love is still there, but it's a threesome. And if the underwear/toothbrush combo still works for you, your newborn needs to be equipped .

To feed him, dress him, walk him, but also to protect him from the wind, the temperatures, the rain or the sun... Because you won't be able to have everything on hand, the The best tip for optimizing is to anticipate .

A few days before leaving, visualize baby's needs during the journey and then throughout the vacation . More frequent breaks on the road, quiet times for naps, a stroller or baby sling always within reach...

To gain confidence and be ready for anything, practice! Leave in the morning with your baby for a day of adventure, 100% outdoors and without a safety net. No meals at grandma's or breaks at a friend's. To anticipate your first vacation with him, there's nothing like an autonomous spacewalk.

A good tip: travel light at any age

When it comes to urban legends and children, the most misleading is probably the one that says a baby needs a bigger suitcase than yours. (We can also talk about the fable that says that babies sleep through the night from 3 months, but that's another story!)

So, to travel well with baby and enjoy easy-peasy vacations without complicating your life, we travel light! No more huge suitcases that you can't lift, the XXL handbag to carry on your arm, the pram or even the play mat and its colorful arch .

Instead, focus on the baby carrier or baby sling (hello Studio Romeo), a inflatable seat if your child is a little older and a ultra light travel cot which you can easily store in the trunk of the car, in the hold, or on the luggage racks on the train.

The idea is to have your hands free as much as possible, especially if you are going alone with your child. Ultra-light, ultra-compact equipment and travel sizes are therefore to be preferred, for you and for your baby.

Timing: we adapt to baby!

When it comes to sleep, we are not all equal. The same goes for babies. Some need a bed and darkness, while others can easily fall asleep tossed around in a baby carrier. If your little one is part of the second group, you can go on well-equipped hikes and excursions! As soon as they wake up, everyone has breakfast and off they go. Some parents manage to walk almost 20 km a day with their baby under two years old.

In the evening and at night , trekkers, hikers and other backpackers, however, advise settle down in a quiet place to allow baby to rest well . Forget about dinners at restaurants and make way for romantic evenings together, perfect for getting together.

Most children have a little trouble sleeping in an environment that is not familiar to them. Your nights on vacation with baby will probably be a little choppy and shortened. But, look on the bright side! You will have plenty of time to enjoy your days and appreciate sunrises and sunsets with your loved one.

To go by car, train or plane? That is the question

THE The mode of transport you choose to go on holiday with a baby depends a lot on your destination and therefore, the duration of the journey . However, if you have the choice, each has its own advantages to exploit according to your needs.

Car travel: a very practical classic

To travel in France and in the countries of the European Union, the car remains the most common mode of transport. Practical, it allows you to leave at the time that suits you best , make as many stops as you want and of load all your stuff without any hassle . You will need:

a car seat or a car seat adapted to your child's age,
a small changing mat or bath towel for changing,
sun visors for a summer trip,
books and/or CDs to occupy waking moments.

Train travel: No. 1 to lighten your budget

On the train, the Children under 4 years old do not pay if they travel on their parents' lap . Do you prefer to have maximum space? Plan ahead (return to our point no. 1) and book a family square by taking advantage of the reduced-price baby train ticket. You will need:

a diaper bag,
a baby carrier or bassinet,
a bottle or baby bottle of suitable mineral water, to counteract the effects of air conditioning,
of books or some toys.

Traveling by plane, just one big precaution

Most airlines accept babies very soon after birth. However, it is recommended to wait one to three weeks of life to fly with a baby . Here is a key thing to remember: give your baby a drink or breastfeed during landing and takeoff , in order to preserve those little ears. You will need:

toys, cuddly toys, books… to keep your child occupied during the flight, but also before, during the generally long boarding time,
a diaper bag, but remember that the space on board is quite limited, if you can change baby before, it's always better,
a carrycot or cradle sometimes loaned by airlines, particularly on long-haul flights.

And for baby meals, how do we organize ourselves?

Are you breastfeeding ? You don't need anything or almost nothing except a diaper that will serve you for almost everything (bib, comforter, but also nursing cover).
Are you bottle-feeding ? In this case, bring a bottle of mineral water suitable for its preparation or hot water in a thermos if your child prefers to drink their milk warm. Also take as many milk pods as necessary for the trip and maybe even a box of powdered milk to cover the duration of the vacation. You won't be able to wash the bottle right away? Slip 2 or 3 in your bag. And to avoid breaking them, prefer the bibROND healthy and unbreakable Elhee!
Have you started diversifying your diet ? If you are practicing Baby-led weaning (BLW) , pack some of their favorite foods in a Tupperware container, otherwise think about the essential baby food jars, drinkable yogurts and individual compotes.

Generally speaking, always prefer bottled mineral water to tap water, especially if you are going abroad, flavors known and appreciated by your child rather than culinary discoveries and, for older children, finger food or individual packaging.

Traveling parents readily admit it, It is in the case of a hungry baby that they have experienced the biggest crises . Thus, traveling with a baby will require you to respect breakfast, lunch, snack and dinner breaks. You will also have to be flexible with regard to the contents of the plates of the older ones, and deploy all your ingenuity to always have on hand, what you need to prepare the baby's meal.

One last thing: don't miss the independent bedroom

Who has never been disappointed by a holiday home that is too small, too noisy, poorly equipped or poorly laid out? Imagine having the same problem with a baby?

Always opt for a larger accommodation rather than a smaller one.
Make sure you always have at least one separate room closed by a door (to save baby's daytime naps and to save your one-on-one dinners and your privacy).
Make sure that the travel cot fits in the room (ask for an on-site check, some measurements, if the bed can be pushed aside, if the door is not at risk of opening by hitting the baby's bed, etc.)
You can also inquire about the presence of shutters and/or curtains and the possibility of renting certain childcare equipment like the bottle warmer , baby monitor or even an extra bed.

"Zen, let's be Zen." If there is one motto when you travel with a child, even more so if it is an infant or if you have several children, it is: zenitude ! If he doesn't sleep as well as at home, it's not a problem, likewise if he naps in the baby carrier instead of the bed. For older children, the rule of 5 fruits and vegetables per day can be relaxed, just as the clothing of the day must above all be comfortable and a little less photogenic.

In short, Take your time, put things into perspective and listen to your child . Without a doubt, he will know how to set the pace for this family trip!