Is it hard to travel with a newborn? It’s a universal truth that parenting has its difficulties. And you’ll find that caring for a newborn comes with its own set of hurdles. But you don’t have to give up your love of travel after having children! In fact, going after what you want is a great way to be a good role model for your child. It shows them that they can pursue their goals and also be a great parent. While the idea of bringing your newborn onto a flight abroad might seem daunting, you figure it out after some practice. Here are some tips for travel-loving moms who want to travel with their newborns.
Do a practice run.
Before you book that flight to Europe, you may want to start small. Choose a destination that only requires a one- or two-hour flight and within the same time zone. Go away for a weekend instead of the entire week. That way, you can test the waters and see how well your travel routine will play out. If you don’t think you’re quite ready to fly out of town, maybe choose to do a road trip instead. Hit the Mississippi Blues Trail or even plan a staycation just to try it out. You’ll find that it may actually be a lot easier than you think. Step out of your comfort zone little by little!
Book an early morning flight.
There’s a lot less chaos in the airport in the early mornings. You’ll find that there are shorter lines, fewer delays, and fewer people in general. Chances are, your newborn will sleep through the flight if it’s early enough. You can do a feeding before the flight and pack the best pumping bra. As a new mom, you’ll want a lot of flexibility with your pump bra. A great option would be the Simple Wishes SuperMom Bra, which has adjustable straps and no underwire. That way, you’ll feel comfortable throughout your flight and pump hands-free after you land. Since it’ll still be early, you have the rest of your day to explore with your newborn and enjoy a new experience.
Pack more than you think you’ll need.
Babies are messy, and that’s a fact! You’ll find yourself doing more laundry thanks to messy eating, spit-up, and explosions of all kinds … So, when you leave town, make sure to pack a lot more for your baby than you think you need. A good way to go about this is to pack for the length of your trip, then double that amount. You never know when you’re going to need an extra pair of pants or a fresh shirt. And you don’t want to have to stop into stores just to have them change out of stained clothes.
Stick to a schedule.
If your newborn is already on a set routine, do your best not to waver from that. Stick to regular feedings and naps as closely as possible. That way, you won’t have to worry about getting back on schedule when you go home. Plus, a daily routine makes caring for your child a lot more seamless and predictable. Sure, there’ll be some unforeseen circumstances, but you’ll have a rough idea of what to expect as a new mom.
Your little one will only be little for so long. And traveling with your newborn means you can focus on spending quality time with your baby without having to worry about work, chores, or other tasks. Be gentle with yourself and try your best to stay open and flexible. Before you know it, they’ll be walking, talking, and traveling on their own. So, make the most of it!
