Do you have a newborn who you are still getting to know and learning how to care for, and now you have the issue of needing to go in a car for a few or even long hours with the infant? Road trips with newborns can be pretty intimidating, especially if it’s your first time doing so. But don’t worry; with the help of our travel guide, you can make the trip go smoothly.
This guide includes some very helpful advice on how to travel with newborns, including a list of travel necessities, packing tips, information on potential occurrences and expectations and how to handle them, as well as some road trip activities to ensure a relaxing trip experience for both you and your baby.
What You Need to Know About Road Trips with Newborns
The majority of travel options for a new baby depend on what you now know about your baby. This means that some car trip experiences with young children are baby-specific and may not always be applicable to others.
Also read: 15 Delightful Road Trip Activities for Toddlers!
You are the one who knows your child best; while some newborns may appreciate the motion of a moving car and fall asleep, others may become horrified and scream the entire time; hopefully, this won’t be your experience. What you should do and bring on your road trip with your new baby will depend on the personality of the baby.
But there are several general principles I am aware of when traveling with infants, some of which you must observe are:
Babies Will Require Tender Handling and So Do You!
Be patient and tender with yourself as much as you are with your baby. I’m not sure how else to put this. This implies that although babies may act out at the most inconvenient moments, as you may have noticed at home, the neighborhood mall, or any other time you have spent with your child, it should not be cause for panic or concern, especially when traveling.
Take a moment to acknowledge their cuteness, ignorance, and need on you. You will be gentle not only with the kid but also with yourself and your responses once you have accepted this.
Physical Bonding is Important
Babies typically desire direct contact. Don’t just leave them to sleep in their cots the entire time. During road trips with newborns, as often as you can, give your infant leg massages and cuddles instead of just when they yell out in pain or indignant protest.
Making Frequent Stops is Very Much Recommended
If you’re wondering whether that will slow you down, the answer is no. Skipping a car break will simply make your baby uncomfortable and cause them to scream inconsolably and this may even cause a longer delay in the journey – trying to get them to relax.
To prevent this, take a breather, give the baby a chance to catch their breath, change the atmosphere, and offer them some wholesome snuggle time and pleasant feedings. The baby needs to be fed as frequently as possible, ideally at rest stops.
It is essential to stop at least once every two hours when on road trips with newborns. Though I will suggest that you stop more often because your baby’s requirements might demand more stops. Don’t get worked up about that, it can be so satisfying when you consider them with tenderness.
Tips for Road Trips with Newborns
These baby travel advice suggestions are useful for all ages while taking road trips with a newborn:
A physical Replacement of You
Since you won’t be holding them constantly, giving them lovies to cuddle with will be incredibly reassuring. Having the comforters smell exactly like you is a wonderful idea, and one method to do this is to use them as your own bed a few nights before the trip.
This will free you up to enjoy some enjoyable road trip activities for your own pleasure while easing the burden of having them cling to you the entire trip. You only live once, so having some adult fun while on road trips with newborns is also necessary.
Pack your Baby’s Favorite Things
When a baby is teething, it’s typical for them to chew on everything they see. If you don’t give your baby anything to chew on, they’ll do it themselves and you won’t like the results! Your baby will appreciate having something to chew on! The ideal solution for this is a soft muslin cloth or teething toy.
Your baby has other baby toys; they are a part of their everyday life and going on a trip shouldn’t need them to be without them for an extended period of time.
Organize Your Newborn’s Travel essentials
A baby is a handful, and taking a road trip with items scattered about may be a bigger story of woes. Pack items that are very crucial to the trip and don’t forget items that are needed to keep your baby comfortable. You don’t just pack their travel essentials; you organize them in a pattern that keeps you ordered for a comfortable trip with your newborn.
Additionally, you need to be aware of where to put specific goods for quick access, including where to put each item in the carry-on, the car trunk, and what goes to the sides, bottom, and on top of the bag.
Among their must-haves for young children on long drives are:
- Baby Toiletries: This will include their diapers, creams, wipes, powder, and underwear.
- Extra Travel Pieces of Clothing: They will need to change as frequently as possible, especially after unexpected feeding and pooping into those adorable clothes. To facilitate easy changing and temperature control, dress them in their regular wear.
- Baby Car Seats and Cots: There are several lightweight collapsible travel cots that come with tables to help you organize your travel necessities and diaper-changing requirements. Additionally, you need a car seat that is comfy and long-lasting enough to transport young children. You can buy them on Amazon or at your neighborhood mall.
- Blackout Blinds/Window Shades: These are essential needs for your car windows to shield your little baby from the sun. Remember that sun exposure is not good for your newborn.
- Feeding Needs: This includes breast pumps, extra formula, feeding bottles, baby foods, aprons, and every other personal item that makes feeding easy and most especially for long car rides.
- Baby Blankets and Lovies: To keep them warm and comfortable.
- Strollers/Carrier: for quick brief walks to get some fresh air you need a stroller. Carriers are useful for walks as well as stops at service stations.
- Camera and Video Recorders: To document and preserve your trip experiences with your infant.
- Comforters and Toys: Pack a variety of comforters and toys for your newborn. They are very useful for occasional contact breaks, a feeling of safety, and entertainment for the baby.
Check out these 20 Must Have Road Trip Essentials for Kids.
Have a Breakdown Cover Policy
You don’t want to be left alone and in charge of a small child in the middle of nowhere. It will be less stressful to have a breakdown cover policy for your road trips, especially during on road trips with newborns. This is because it makes it possible for help to arrive to you as quickly as possible in the event of a vehicle breakdown.
Fun Things to do on Road Trips with Newborns
You didn’t think that long hours spent caring for the baby on a road trip would be all there is involved in traveling with an infant, did you? Fun shouldn’t be ignored in the process of meeting your baby’s requirements. When traveling with a newborn, some entertaining activities to consider are:
Vlog
You should vlog about your travels with the baby. It’s a terrific way to enjoy yourself on a road trip with a newborn and an opportunity to connect with other mothers online. That could be the motivation yet another new mother needs to take her infant on the road trip she has been putting off for far too long.
So, for your road vacation with your child, carry your vlogging equipment. Consider looking at these portable affordable travel vlogging cameras and their carrying cases.
Take Photos and Make Videos
Occasionally document your travels with your new baby in photos and videos. Vlogging is considerably different from this. It can be done for your baby’s photo album, the record of his or her early years, and perhaps even for their own social media handles if you have one for them. It’s a very fascinating thing to accomplish. You can either stop to take pictures or do it while in transit.
This will make it easier for you to get in touch with other mothers who have experience traveling with infants, and soon you’ll be exchanging stories and learning much more advice for road trips with infants to help you on your next journeys.
You don’t have to produce lengthy posts or spend the entire time on your computer answering comments on the post; just do them sometimes when you have some free time. Check out this guide for starting a travel blog.
Visit a Baby-Friendly Attraction
Depending on your baby’s age, some newborns will enjoy a gorgeous theme park landscape and be amazed to see characters from their favorite cartoon series in real life. If there are any, I recommend stopping at a theme park because it will make you and the baby more relaxed.
Read also: Road Trip Food Ideas: Check out These Top 17 Meal Recommendations for Everyone!
Conclusion
When traveling with newborns, you can’t stick to a routine unless you want difficulties and aggravation. If you prefer things to go according to plan, especially a planned vacation, prepare your mind to endure certain inconveniences while wishing for the best of orderliness. Although taking a road trip with a baby could seem like a difficult endeavor, if you do it right, it can be gratifying and unforgettable.
Don’t worry; your infant can make it through a long car ride. But if you follow my tips for road trips with newborns, the process will be simple and comfortable. As you get more experience, you’ll be aware of more dos and don’ts when taking babies on the road.
Related: How to Travel with Kids: 10 Interesting Road Trip Activities for 10-12-Year-Olds.
Was this Guide of any help? From your personal experience, you are welcome to give any further tips on traveling with newborns in the comments area.
Check out these road trip activities for toddlers and some car trip games for kids of all ages if you’re traveling with your older kids.
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