For most parents, the thought of traveling with their baby is enough to make them cringe. If you are a first time parent, this concept may be terrifying but with the right planning and tips to follow, you can actually enjoy your trip and keep your baby happy at the same time. Organization is the key to successfully traveling with your little one and with time and practice, you’ll be able to put together any type of overnight excursion without any fear.

Let’s face it: there will come a time when you’ll have to take a vacation with your baby. As much as you love your little bundle of joy, first time parents may be a bit hesitant about the challenge that lies ahead when it comes to traveling. Whether you plan on traveling across the country, taking a road trip or simply getting out of the house for a day or two, the following tips can be applied to any and all situations that involve bringing your baby with you.

The main thing to keep in mind is that each step you take should be done with the purpose of simplifying the process. The last thing you want to do is create more work and stress for yourself. That being said, planning ahead and using checklists is a wonderful way to stay on track and guarantee that you won’t forget anything after you set out on your trip. Because baby will be going with you, that means you’ll have to include a new list of things to bring in addition to what you and your significant other will need and use on the vacation. Even though it can be difficult, do not over pack - even if it is the stuff for your baby. Pack according to the nature of your trip and what you’ll be doing at your destination. Bring only what you’ll need. Anything else should be left at home.

Make sure the room you plan on staying in for your vacation is baby friendly and has plenty of room. A small to medium sized hotel room may work fine for a couple but if you have a baby, you’ll need something with a lot more space. Also make sure the bathroom is adequate enough to accommodate all of your baby’s things, such as a changing table, diapers and other related items.

Once you have arrived at your destination, take time to unpack accordingly. It is best to unpack your baby’s things first and set up a special area for him/her. Surrounding your baby with things that are familiar to him/her will prevent any anxiety attacks or tantrums. So get out the baby blankets, toys and snacks right away and once that area of your room is ready, place your baby there and then tend to unpacking the rest of your things. Keep everything you’ll need within reach for your little one instead of scattering everything all over the room. Designating your baby’s space will make your life much easier and allow you to still have room for your belongings. Do your best to keep clutter to a minimum. If you don’t need an item right away, keep it in your bag.

In terms of schedule, it is ideal to keep your baby’s bedtime the same. Keeping him/her up late doing things on your vacation could backfire and result in having a difficult time putting your baby to sleep. This also applies to feeding times, naptimes and other daily tasks.

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