10 Tips for Holiday Season Travel with a Baby

The holiday season is here! Who has time for Black Friday shopping? You’ve been busy planning your trip to introduce your new baby to your family. Holiday season travel can be stressful enough as it is, let alone making it your first trip with a baby.

Whether you’ll be flying with your baby for the first time or trying to figure out how to survive a flight with a busy toddler, these travel tips will help you make the most out of this time of year.

Visiting family over the holidays is wonderful, but it can also be stressful. If you are staying with family, you no longer have your own space. You might be worried about your baby waking up family members throughout the night. And what about all the stuff you need to bring?

Trips to visit family over the holidays will certainly be different than taking your own little family on a baby-friendly holiday. Your time isn’t just your own, your family will want to spend time with your little one and your evenings might go later than you had hoped. How will you get through this?

Here are my best tips for traveling over the holidays with a baby or toddler.

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10 Tips for Holiday Season Travel with a Baby

In my essential tips for travel with babies during the holidays, I cover everything from the best time of day to fly with a baby to baby-proofing at your destination. You want to enjoy the holidays and here’s the tips you need to make that happen:

1. 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 fly on the day before Thanksgiving or Christmas. This is when the airports will be at their busiest.

2. Plan your flights for the best time of day

If possible, choose flights where you think your baby will be at their best. An early flight is a great option since babies and toddlers are usually their happiest in the mornings.

If you think your baby will sleep during the flight, then plan your flight around nap time or overnight. Here are all my tips to get your toddler to sleep on a flight.

3. Pack lightly when traveling with a baby

You are going to have enough to worry about already. You don’t want the stress of carrying too much stuff on top of that. If you are wondering if you should travel with a car seat, first read my 5 things to think about before traveling with car seats.

If you are traveling within the US and staying with family, consider getting some of your baby gear through Amazon and delivered at your destination before you arrive. For example, diapers take up a ton of luggage space. I recommend having diapers delivered to your destination so you don’t have to pack all your diapers for your trip.

If you plan to visit frequently, purchasing a pack n’ play and leaving it there will be super convenient. This is also a great way to have a place for your baby to play (or you can pack one of these travel play mats).

Another great alternative is renting baby equipment so you don’t have to haul it yourself.

If you do end up forgetting something, check out these travel hacks for traveling with babies and toddlers from parents who had to get resourceful!

4. Travel by car instead of plane

Can you avoid the airport all together? If you add up the time to get to the airport early, clearing security, the time for your flight plus waiting for luggage, you might be able to drive there in the same amount of time. You’ll be amazed how much extra time you’ll need even with a very short flight.

Plus you won’t have to worry about baggage allowances for your baby travel gear. Here are my best tips for a road trip with a baby and also tips for a road trip with a toddler.

For keeping toddlers entertained in the car, I recommend one of these toddler travel car seat trays.

Now that you are at your destination with your baby, here are even more tips for holiday season travel with a baby:

5. 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 everyone some fresh air. If the winter weather has you concerned, be prepared with my recommended winter travel gear for babies and toddlers.

Here are the best outdoor activities to do with a baby or toddler in the winter.

6. Stick to your baby’s schedule

To keep your baby or toddler in good spirits during all those family visits, make sure you are getting your baby to sleep on your holiday. Sleeping in a new place isn’t always easy, but if you keep a similar bedtime routine, your little one should do just fine.

You’ll want to make sure you baby or toddler has a dark and quiet spot to sleep. I recommend a SlumberPod, especially if you will be sharing a room. Not sure if you need one for traveling with a baby? You can read my full review of the SlumberPod here.

If the house is just too loud and a white noise machine doesn’t help drown out the sounds, then plan for a nap on the go while you get out for a walk. I also have these 10 must have baby travel items to help your baby sleep on vacation.

If you need a travel bed for your baby or toddler, here are my recommended portable travel
cribs and toddler travel beds.

7. Baby proof as necessary

Your baby or toddler is bound to find all sorts of new and interesting things while visiting a new house. Rest easier by getting a baby proofing kit delivered before your arrival.

I also recommend designating who will be watching your baby at all times, so there’s no confusion or “I thought you were watching”. This is especially important when there’s a lot of people around and dangers like a swimming pool.

8. 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 big holiday meals with family. 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.

The Inglesina Fast Table Chair is an excellent option for big family dinners. Your baby will have the perfect seat and enjoy being right in the middle of the action.

9. Stick to simple toys

With so much family around, your baby or toddler will have enough to keep them entertained so don’t worry about packing too many toys. Keep it simple like a play mat for your baby to play on or some stacking cups for your toddler.

10. Capture those moments

This is the time to be ready with your camera! You’ll want to capture all the special moments that happen while your baby or toddler gets to spend time with your family. Your smart phone will do a great job, especially for video.

What else should you bring for Holiday Season travel?

I my advice for holiday season travel with a baby, I list a lot of baby gear which will make your experience easier. If you’d like it all in one place, check out my baby travel packing list to help you stay organized.

In addition, you may be interested in my favorite must-haves for travel with a baby and toddler travel essentials here.

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