Are you packing up the family and heading to Grandmother’s for the holidays? You’re in good company! According to AAA Travel, over 112 million Americans will hit the road during the 2022 winter holiday travel period. Whether you’ll be flying with your baby for the first time or traveling by car, these tips will help you make the most out of this time of year.
Tips For Keeping Your Family Safe and Sane During Your Travels
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Avoid travel on the busiest days.
We know, it might not be that easy with your work schedule, but if at all possible don’t travel on the day before or after Christmas. This is when roads and airports will be at their busiest.
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Consider planning your departures according to your baby’s sleep patterns.
The less disruption to baby’s schedule, the less stressful your trip will be. For flying, this might mean booking a flight in early afternoon or early evening. Car trips can begin at dusk, just after rush hour traffic, making it a win-win for baby and driver! It’s also helpful to plan an active day before departure, so baby will be tired and more likely to stick to her schedule.
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Keep essentials within reach, which might mean packing duplicates.
By putting a small container of hand sanitizer, wipes and a change of clothes in every bag you’re keeping with you, you’re assured to have what you need at all times. This may seem counter-intuitive, especially for air travel, but being able to find a diaper when you REALLY need one can reduce everyone’s stress and allows you to tend to messy problems quickly.
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Choose toys that can be easily secured or clipped onto the car seat or seat belt to keep them off the floor and within reach.
Consider making a small hole in a travel blanket so that it too can be clipped to the car seat.
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As for car travel, set up a quick changing station in the back of the minivan.
The Colgate Eco Pad 2-Sided Contour Changing Pad is a lightweight, safe and supporting changing pad for your infant. The cover also has a waterproof backing for any mishaps.
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Try to stick to your baby’s schedule and give your toddler those much needed naps.
Sleeping in a new place isn’t always easy, but if you keep a similar bedtime routine, your little one should do just fine.
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Prepare for the weather and plan to get outside.
A house full of people can get overwhelming for a baby or toddler. Plan to get outside and get some fresh air.
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Give your baby or toddler a seat at the table.
Your baby or toddler isn’t going to be happy about missing out on any of the action. Bring along one of these portable high chairs for travel so your baby can be right there during the big meals, while still allowing you to enjoy your dinner.