Traveling with a Newborn: Insider Tips and Tricks

January 3, 2018 - Yonder

Traveling with a newborn can be one of the most stressful ways to start off your vacation. Between your baby crying, juggling feedings, changings, and burping’s, and the possibility of them coming down with something…it’s not the most ideal situation.

That being said, taking your newborn on a family vacation is also one of the most rewarding ways to see the world. Imagine exploring the jungle in Thailand with your baby. How about standing on a pristine beach in one of Mexico’s hidden gems with your toddler? These are memories that won’t soon fade.

So, the question then becomes how to get the most out of your newborn’s travel experience. Lucky for you, we’re the unrivaled experts on all things travel. From helping you find unbeatable deals on travel insurance to offering insider tips for traveling with young children, we’re your secret weapon.

Check out our top seven tips for traveling with your newborn below!

Tips for Traveling with Young Children

There are a million and one ways to make any trip with your newborn easier. These range from the obvious to the “WOW, I’ve never thought of that before!” Regardless of where each tip falls on the spectrum, they’re all valuable nuggets of information to have. Dig in!

Consult with your pediatrician before traveling

This is far and away the number one tip for traveling with young children. Make sure they’re doctor approved for travel before jetting off into the wild blue yonder. Your pediatrician can also let you know where to avoid travel if you’re going before your newborn has had various vaccinations.

Travel with your baby when they’re younger than a year

This sounds counterintuitive, right? As your newborn grows, they get stronger and more resilient. Wouldn’t it make more sense to travel with them at a year than at six months? But remember, a six-month-old child isn’t crawling around. The older your child gets, the more likely they are to wander around and potentially get into trouble.

Make sure to over pack

We’re talking about extra diapers, of course, but also extra clothes, formula, toys, and other knick-knacks for your child. Chances are you’re going to end up using everything you brought, but even if you don’t, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Plus, you never know which random toy will help your child calm down!

Don’t travel for more than six hours max

Not only will this drastically increase the chances of your newborn getting antsy, but it’s also not recommended for them to sit for so long. So, if you’re traveling to, say, South Africa, break up your travel into multiple, smaller trips.

Start getting your child adjusted to the new time zone early

One of the most frustrating parts of traveling internationally is jet lag. Double that when you’ve got a baby on board. So, to help cut down on sleepless nights and utter exhaustion, start getting ready a few days before the trip. Make sure you and your baby stay up a little later and get up a little earlier. Your internal clocks will start to shift, and you’ll have a smoother time once you’re on vacation.

Be flexible

Let’s say you’re in Rome with your family. You had plans to visit the Colosseum, explore the local markets, and go out for an authentic Italian dinner. Sounds great…until your newborn starts crying and won’t stop. You feed and burp them. They still won’t stop. It’s time to be flexible. Take them back to your room and play. Remember, your vacation isn’t about where you go. It’s about the memories you make.

Now that you’re an expert on traveling with your newborn, it’s time to take the next vacation planning step and learn about family travel insurance. Learn more about our comprehensive family plans now!