Believe it or not, some of the happiest memories can be made during family vacations with a baby in tow.
With a little planning the whole family can get the very most from the experience: a healthy recharging of your parental batteries and a happy little one during the fun.
The first rule of traveling with babies is...there are no rules. There are only careful considerations that are as unique and individual as your sweet little one.
The very best vacations with a baby start with a positive attitude from parents and caregivers and give attentive thought to daily details that help with routine and comfort of your baby.
Whether on a plane, bus, train, or even a car, doctors generally recommend you wait to travel until your baby's immune system is better developed.
This could be as soon as one month for full-term infants, though most doctors recommend anywhere between three months and six months for the utmost caution.
Proof of age, such as a birth certificate or passport, may be required for infants under 2 years when flying, especially internationally.
If you do not provide an acceptable form of identification for the infant upon request at check-in, your little one may not be allowed to travel.
To ensure baby’s comfort when traveling, it is best to pack two separate pieces of luggage. One carry-on bag for easy access and one trip-ready suitcase.
It is wise to have a lightweight stroller that is easy to check or store away and your little one’s car seat. Visibly tag each of these items with your name, phone number, and travel details such as flight, train number, or hotel name at your destination.
Having at least 2 separate bags for your baby will help to keep you organized and everything you may need at hand and ready.
Like packing a diaper bag, but on a larger scale, a carry-on or travel bag for a baby is an essential part of being prepared to take a vacation with your baby.
How many days will our family be gone? Will we have access to many of the things that may need to be replenished... at a reasonable price? Both of these are great questions when deciding what you need on your baby suitcase checklist.
You may not need everything on our list, but it gives you a place to start. Also, make sure to cross reference with your carryon bag list.
We have made it easy for you to pack your little one for plane, car, or train. These downloadable lists will help you navigate packing your baby for your vacation without leaving anything out.
Add weather or destination specific items to the pages for a personalized touch and make sure to take the printed lists with you to help with organizing along the way.
Formula feeding a baby on a plane is not much different than giving a bottle at home. Many parents and caregivers find it is easier and more accepted by fellow passengers than breastfeeding.
Bring enough clean bottles on your infant's carry-on bag to last your flight plus two more in case of delays. Washing a bottle in an airport or airplane bathroom is not recommended due to unsanitary conditions that can possibly contaminate your infant's nutrition.
During travel a great rule to follow overall is as follows: If you can’t drink the water, don’t wash your baby’s bottle with the water. In fact, if you let the flight attendant know, you can have them rinse your bottle in the sterilized hot water they use for preparing coffee.
Packing enough powdered baby formula for your flight plus one day is recommended at the very least. On the safest side we recommend you bring one unopened container so you ensure not to run out in case of extreme delay.
Always call ahead for the latest rules and regulations concerning carry on powdered baby formulas.
If at all possible, just buy a bottle of water when you get through security. It is much less worry and trouble if you do not try to travel with baby formula and water through TSA security.
If you decide to travel through TSA with prepared baby formula or breastmilk, inform the TSA officer at the beginning of the screening process. These liquids are usually screened by x-ray.
TSA officers may need to test liquids for explosives or concealed prohibited items. Officers may ask you to open the container and/or have you transfer a small quantity of the liquid to a separate empty container or dispose of a small quantity, if feasible.
Another option is to ask one of the airport shops or your airplane's flight attendant if they have any room temperature bottled water to purchase so you don’t have to worry about a chilled bottle for your finicky baby. Bottle water also ensures contamination free water that is safe for your little one to drink.
Our favorite vacations offer fun for the whole family. With a small amount of research the best baby-friendly vacations out there will be easy to book and even easier to enjoy!
To keep traveling with a baby from becoming a challenge, picking the right destination can make all the difference.
There are some places that are more comfortable for families than others. Booking vacations that you know are baby-friendly will set the stage for relaxing family fun that parents can really enjoy. Here are some of our favorite ways to make happy memories with your little one in tow.
For some, sun and surf is serenity, add plenty of space for babies and all their gear and you may have the perfect family vacation.
Renting a beach house is an option that has many great benefits for newborn, toddlers, and parents. Having a whole house can allow little ones to keep their routine, have a safe space in-between beach going and sightseeing, and you may even have room to bring other family members, like your parents or in-laws - so you can sneak away for a little alone time with your partner while they keep their eyes on the baby.
If you are heading to the shore with your beach baby, make sure you pack plenty of sunscreen.
Even if it is overcast, your baby's delicate skin can still burn, so it's vital to protect them. If your baby is younger than six months, keep them out of the sun altogether and stay in the shade.
Take advantage of the beach house during the hottest part of the day to let your little one rest and cool down.
Babies under 12 months shouldn't stay in a pool with chemicals for more than 30 minutes. Taking your newborn to the ocean is recommended starting at 2 months.
Keep in mind, as important as it is that a newborn does not get overheated in the sun, it is equally crucial that they do not get cold. Choose a spot where the water is warm and clean and you have access to shade.
Grab your waterproof diapers and set out for fun! You will be hard pressed to see anything cuter than tiny toes wiggling in the sand. Your toddler’s skin is still very sensitive, so keep the sunscreen and shade nearby.
If you have an older baby or toddler, it is best to keep them out of the sun between 11am and 3pm, which is the hottest part of the day. That just means you will be able to relax and enjoy the view from your beach house.
Camping with a baby is all about location, location, location… okay and season.
We recommend for your first camping trip with your baby that you pick a place that is not too far from home and offers some basic amenities, like a bathroom.
Find a shady campsite or one that offers a place close by where your baby can get a break from the elements. Choose the season in your area that is the mildest. Not too hot and not too cold.
Bringing a larger tent than recommended gives you space to spread out and even put a portable crib (like a pack and play) or a large safe sleeping space of your baby's own.
Your little one’s nights will probably be a little different than at home, but try to follow napping and sleeping routines as closely as possible to make the baby comfortable and less cranky.
As always, make sure you have access to clean water for mixing baby formula and a way to store enough clean bottles to last your camping trip. You will also need a safe place to store powdered baby formula that will keep it dry, cool, and contamination free.
When you are making your list to pack for your little ones, be sure to include protection from bugs and the sun.
Bug repellent and sunscreen are generally not recommended for babies younger than 6 months old. Check with your pediatrician for brands that may be safe for newborns or look for other methods of protection, like dressing your little one in long sleeves and pants or using an umbrella and wide brim hat to block the sun.
How about staying closer to home or making the way down the highway to some local destinations and stopping at hotels for a little room service?
Pack enough containers for the whole journey and for any possible delays or extra stops along the way. Carry the sterilized bottles, nipples, and powdered baby formula in a contamination-free area such as a dedicated brand new tube.
Using room temperature bottled water to mix your little one's formula will ensure good temperature and safe nutrition all at the same time. Bottle water is easily found along most minor and major roads.
Call room service and run a bubble bath while your little one sleeps safely within eyesight. Just some of the perks of choosing a family vacation that includes hotel stays.
When you are ready to settle in and enjoy some quiet time, where does your little one go to close their eyes?
One option that parents and caregivers use is to reserve a portable crib that your hotel provides. Hotel cribs are extremely convenient, but you have to check them out carefully before using them for any damaged, broken, or unclean pieces. We do recommend bringing at least your little one’s special lovey or if they are old enough, a blanket to help them feel comfortable.
Another possibility is to bring your own portable bed and baby’s own bedding with you. This is a little less convenient, but may help you feel more confident and ensure the baby is less restless.
Pick your amenities. Luxury hotels worldwide are not only baby friendly, but do go out of their way to help you all enjoy your vacation.
Most luxury hotels have well-appointed rooms with a separate living area to give families a large space to relax while younger family members nap behind a closed door. You can always bring a friend or family member to take a turn with your little one while you get a few hours away as well.
No matter where your family chooses to spend vacation, protecting a baby from the harsh side effects of the sun should be at the top of the list when preparing to leave.
Babies' delicate and thin skin can easily sunburn and can quickly turn to sun poisoning.
Much like regular sunburns, cases of sun poisoning will begin with redness, blistering, and pain. However, unlike sunburns that fade away or begin to peel after a day or two, cases of sun poisoning may erupt into small blisters or an angry rash.
If you worry that your littles one's red skin may be more than a sunburn and is followed by a headache, fever, or nausea seek immediate help.
To help ensure your baby’s safety, keep sun-safety items with you at all times and readily accessible. Keep extra in your diaper bag so that you always have them ready when you’re on-the-go.
A good rule of thumb is to dress your baby the way you will dress, but with great care to protect and keep cool exposed skin. Since a baby doesn't perspire effectively, they can become overheated far more quickly than an adult.
If you're going to be indoors, dress your infant in loose-fitting, lightweight garments, preferably made from a natural fiber like cotton, which absorbs perspiration better than synthetic fabrics.
For the outdoors, light-colored clothes that cover baby's skin as much as possible and still stay cool are a necessity. Some bonus items are wide-brimmed hats to shield that sweet face from the sun rays even on cloudy days, since harmful rays can penetrate the clouds.
If you are moving around outside with your baby packed in the stroller, do NOT cover your baby with a blanket on a hot day. This can cause overheating very quickly. Instead, try using cooling towels in their stroller. These are highly convenient, as you can wet them with a little bit of water and they provide instantly cold material.
Another suggestion is to purchase a small fan for your stroller. Be sure to secure it safely to allow your baby the most air circulation, without any safety hazard. Most of the baby safe fans will easily stop spinning with just the tap of your finger, but keeping it out of their reach is still advised.
Even when lightly dressed, never leave an infant in a hot room, direct sunlight, or a parked car. Even a few minutes could cause their temperature to spike, and in extreme cases, may prove life-threatening.
We have named only a few of our favorite vacations to take with a baby, but we know that the best place to travel with an infant is wherever your family is together.
Memories are waiting to be made from the first months of your baby's life. With proper planning and the comfort of knowing wherever you go your family can take along the very best in European baby formula with you, the world is wide open.
Thank you for allowing My Organic Company to be a part of your family vacations. We are grateful to be a part of this journey with you.
