Baby's First Trip: Tips For Traveling With A Baby & Our Community’s Top Travel Products

Travel can be hectic on its own... but trying to maneuver your infant through an airport, to a hotel, and keeping them happy at the beach, that's when things can get really crazy. Your first trip with your baby will likely be a bit stressful, but we find that despite the worry, it will all be worth it in the end. 

You'll probably hit some unexpected bumps, but you'll also make some amazing memories, and that's what matters the most. Enjoy your getaway and the luxury of spending some quality time with your little one... because they won't be this little for long, and we only have so many vacations with them while they're young.

We've gathered some stories from our community about their first trips with baby. They've taken their tots on long-haul flights, survived road trips, and kept them well-fed and happy the entire time -- and they're sharing their top tips with you. Things don't always go smoothly, but there's always a way to make it work. Spoiler alert: snacks can solve just about anything & we’ve put together our communities top product recommendations when it comes to traveling with baby.

Read on for their sweet stories and mama-to-mama advice -- it'll make you excited and prepared to plan your next vacation!

What it’s really like traveling with a baby: stories & tips from our community

Traveling with baby tip #1: "Sometimes you need a staycation"

Traveling with babies can be hectic enough, but Jud one of our mamas has the extra challenge of traveling with three, that are all the same age. “It’s pretty difficult to travel anywhere,” she says, “because there has to be 3 adults for 3 babies!” The other challenge? Getting them to sleep. “We’ve entered a stage where our triplets don’t sleep much. We get like 3-4 hours of sleep a night, so this month has been challenging for us. We did a trip to Stavenger [Norway] to visit my fiance’s family, and the babies slept through the ride there but the trip home was a disaster! They were really unsettled and cried a lot.”

It’s hard to travel with triplets -- so this mama brought the travel to them! She and her little ones spent the summer at home in Norway and had friends visit from Holland and Hungary. The most important thing? “Our kiddos are the cutest and healthy,” she says. “Two of our three babies are rolling like pancakes, and Filip is on his way! He loves laying on his tummy but doesn’t roll...yet.”

Traveling with baby tip #2: "Take the time to settle in"

One mama and her family traveled to Spain this summer--and that meant a long 8-hour flight with baby. “We hadn’t anticipated baby getting sick, but unfortunately he did. We had a couple difficult nights and it took us about 4-5 days to settle in.”

But once baby was feeling better, they were finally able to enjoy the sun and the ocean! “We enjoyed lots of tapas and cuddles from granny, and we spent some amazing moments with family. Grandma taught him how to give kisses, and he ate his first steak and fish in Marbella!”

Traveling with baby tip #3: "Start them young"

One mama and her husband are from two different countries, so they decided it was best to start traveling when baby was young so that he’d be used to flying. They took their first trip when their little one was 3 months old and flew from New York City to California to road trip up the west coast. “It was amazing! Baby did so well with the time difference and was a total trooper.” Her best tip for new moms? “Pack extra outfits for flights with infants and at least one extra outfit for yourself!”

Nursing helped her keep baby calm when he was little, but it was a little tougher when he was 14 months and she was 8 months pregnant. “At 14 months, kids want to crawl or walk around the plane. He loves talking to new people so I got some rest while he chatted to other passengers.” Her second lesson is a surprising one: “jet lag hits harder with older kids who have nap schedules. Lots of sleep and snacks help!”

Traveling with baby tip #4:  "Don't forget the snacks"

Jade, her partner, and two kids enjoyed the sun and sand in the Dominican Republic this summer -- and it went much smoother than she expected! “It was Olivia’s first flight, and as it was a long haul, I was quite worried about how she would be,” says Jade. “But she was great, and so was Josh!” Her travel tips? “Be prepared to go through copious amounts of snacks on the plane!”

Even though Jade was worried about the kids going into the big trip, she says that she was worried for nothing. “Both kids loved the holiday and spend the whole time either eating or swimming!” Sounds pretty good to us!

Traveling with baby tip #5: "Keep it relaxed"

One of our Baby2Bpdy mamas from Australia & last winter, to escape the cold, they spent 3 months in America -- and they got to enjoy sunny San Diego, San Francisco, Las Vegas, New York, and Texas! Mama had to play the role of supermom doing so much travel with a 4-month-old. “It was a lot... all of those flights, starting solids in another country, all the different hotel rooms, no family and friends... I would be lying if I said it wasn’t confronting.”

But even though it was tough at times, she said it was a really memorable summer. “We had lots of walks along the beach boardwalks, and I got to discover new places every day with my little babe. It was really cool.” Some cities were a bit more baby-friendly than others, though. “Let me put this on the record. New York and Vegas are not the same with a baby. I’d stick to the more coastal, relaxed cities and towns next time. The trip was full-on, but amazing!”

Traveling with baby tip #6: "Adaptation and learning"

Charlotte's had a crazy summer--and it got off to an exciting start when she gave birth to her son, Oscar, in June! Needless to say, she's been busy. "July was all about adaptation and learning about each other," says Charlotte. "I made a point every day to get out of the house even if it was just for 10 minute -- Oscar loves the fresh air on his skin!" 

Because a summer vacation wasn't really in the cards for newborn Oscar, his grandparents came to visit for the first time, and Charlotte says that since they arrived, they "never stopped exploring the surroundings." There were some exciting firsts for Charlotte, too--she breastfeed in public for the first time! "I was worried as I thought Oscar wouldn't be as comfortable as he is at home," says Charlotte. "But he was! I guess mommy was the only anxious one."

Oscar's just turned two months old, and Charlotte is excited to bring him on his first trip. "We are going to Yosemite," says Charlotte. "I'm excited and wondering how long hours of driving will go...but he's such a nice little boy, and I know everything will go smoothly!"

Traveling with baby tip #7: "Look for the lightness whenever possible"

One of our mamas took 18 month old Maya from their home in LA to NYC for her first east coast adventure! "We spent time in the city and country visiting friends and family. Maya took her first ever boat ride on the East River and rode her first carousel--with a view of Manhattan in the distance!"

"I watched my little girl thrive on the playgrounds of Brooklyn and Queens holding her own with the big kids! I watched her run in the open fields of Pennsylvania where she picked apples, made potions with her cousins, and learned to skip rocks on the Delaware River." There were plenty of special moments, including Maya meeting her only living grandmother, which mama says was "priceless."

Traveling with baby tip #8: Get the right products to make your life as easy as possible

If you want to make your travels as easy, smooth, and lightweight as possible, then you need to pack the right things & buy the right products to get traveling. And don’t worry, these products are perfect for every day too — it’s just about investing in the right stuff up front so that traveling with a baby seems fun and exciting from the very beginning.

6 top products you need to make traveling with baby comfortable

1. BABYZEN’s YOYO Stroller & YOYO footmuff

We recommend BABYZEN’s YOYO² stroller if you plan on flying with your little one! If you can believe this — the stroller folds down to fit within the allowed cabin baggage dimension. That means no more losing sight of your stroller & worrying it won’t turn up when you get to your destination! It can also be carried on your shoulder when you’re navigating around busy airports, getting the subway, or jumping into a taxi. Get the new olive color YOYO² stroller here.

If you’re heading somewhere a little chilly, we also recommend picking up the YOYO footmuff. The stroller add-on has a warm sherpa lining, and in very cold weather, the fleece hood with drawstring keeps your baby even warmer. To adapt to all seasons, the hood is reversible and the upper part of the footmuff is fully detachable!

2. A top tier travel cot

When you’re traveling and staying at hotels or with friends & family, you’re going to want to keep baby’s routine as smooth as possible and make sure they have a comfy place to sleep and play. There are 2 options we recommend for a travel cot:

1. Micralite’s Sleep&Go

   Micralite’s Sleep&Go is the game-changing travel cot as it doubles up as a travel cot and playpen, taking your little one from naptime to playtime in seconds. Plus, it comes with a weatherproof carry case and is lightweight making it perfect for when you’re on the go! Get the Sleep&Go here.

2. BabyBjörn’s Travel Cot Light

   This versatile and lightweight travel cot offers unparalleled ease of use, making it an ideal choice for women who are always on the go. Its compact design and effortless assembly make it a breeze to set up and pack away, allowing for stress-free travel and accommodation for baby. BabyBjörn’s Travel Cot Light’s materials also ensure a safe and cozy sleeping environment. Get in from BabyBjörn here.

3. A Thule child carrier backpack

It’s inevitable that when you’re traveling and sightseeing, you’ll want to carry baby rather than navigate a stroller through tourist hotspots. For older babies, we’re loving Thule’s child carrier backpacks. Safe and comfortable for both you and your little one, these backpacks let you share a perfect day on the trail! The lightweight Thule Sapling is super comfortable for parents to wear on long hikes, too. The fully adjustable torso and hip belt provide a perfect fit and the carrier is easy to switch between parents on your trip!

4. Bugaboo’s Owl car seat

Planning a road trip with baby this year? We recommend Bugaboo’s Owl car seat. It can be used from birth (min. 40 cm/15.7 in) to approx. 4 years (max. 18 kg/40 lbs and 105 cm/41.3 in) and has a full 360-degree rotation with the base to easily get your child in and out, making a road trip that much easier — especially when you have t make put stops along the way!

Bugaboo’s car seat also has soft-touch bamboo and merino wool fabrics combined with ventilation slots in the seat to regulate your baby's body temperature — great for traveling through the summer. Get it here for £554 

5. Mamas & Papas adorable swimwear set

If you’re heading to the beach, then baby is going to need some swimwear & sun protection! We’re loving this adorable Whale Print set from mamas and papas:

• The Whale All-Over-Print Swim Hat can be worn in and out of the water and keeps baby’s head and neck protected. Get it here for £10.

• The Whale All-Over-Print Long Sleeve Rashsuit is sun safe with added protection for knees and elbows with longer sleeve and leg length, plus it has a zip front for ease!  Get it here for £19.

6. Pampers Splashers 

An essential for any beach & swim vacation — swim diapers! Pampers Splashers are designed for the pool and beach. They won’t swell in water, have a stretchy waistband for comfort, feature Dual leak-guard barriers™ that fit snugly around baby's legs to help contain messes, and have the most adorable swimwear-inspired designs!

Need tips about traveling with baby? Have a tip or story you want to share with other mamas? Leave it in the comments! 

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