The holidays are quickly approaching! If you’re one of the many families choosing to travel during the pandemic, it can be a stressful time, especially if you have a child.

You may be getting kind of antsy wondering what extra precautions to take. If so, then follow these 14 tips and hopefully, your holiday adventures will go off without a hitch.

14 tips for stress-free holiday travel with a baby

1. Pack some disinfection supplies. You’ll definitely want to make sure you have some handy for coronavirus travel. Put some in the car. Put some in the carry on. Put some in your luggage. They are super handy to have so you can quickly sanitize an area that was used or accessed by someone before you. Those with 70% Isopropyl Alcohol can kill Coronavirus, so consider packing something like this to wipe the areas you come in contact with on your trip. Remember that you should never use disinfectant wipes (in the place of baby wipes) on your little one’s bum!!
   
2. Skip the mask for travelers under 2. The CDC doesn’t recommend masks for babies or toddlers under 2. Good to know! Not wearing masks also applies to those with breathing problems and those who cannot easily remove a mask on their own. 
   
3. Think about time zones. If your holiday travel takes you to a different time zone, think about adjusting nap times to reflect the new time a couple days before your trip. That way, when you arrive, baby will already be adjusted.
   
4. Pack a favorite lovey or comfort item from home. This is particularly important if your little one sleeps with a specific thing. If there is one item your baby particularly enjoys, consider buying and bring two or three of them. That way if it falls on the floor or gets lost during travel, it’s not the end of the world.
   
5. If you’ll be bringing or renting a portable bassinet, play yard, or crib, acclimate your child to it. Have them nap or sleep in one of these items at home for a few nights before your holiday travel begins to acclimate them to a new sleeping environment and to do a test run. We recommend using BabyQuip for all baby gear rental. They are safe and affordable.
   
6. Schedule in a day or two of cushion at the end of your travel or vacation time. That way you have time to get back on track before you’re back to life as usual.
   
7. Prepare similar meals for baby while on vacation and avoid introducing new foods after dinnertime especially – the last thing you need is an upset tummy. Feed your baby, toddler or even kiddos meals like the ones at home so you’re guaranteed to have happy, fed children rather than cranky and hungry and picky kiddos. 
   
8. Ship gifts! Don’t travel with holiday gifts for loved ones. Instead have them shipped, already wrapped, to your destination.  PRO TIP: mail the gifts you receive from loved ones to yourself before returning home. No schlepping! 
   
9. Make it a quick trip. If you’re flying, consider booking a non-stop flight to minimize your interaction with others. Better yet, find a non-stop red eye flight. Red eyes aren’t as popular so there will likely be far less people on the flight and in the airports. Another bonus about red eyes? Your baby or little one will probably sleep through it! Woohoo!
   
10. Pack a thermometor. It’s a good idea to travel with a thermometer all the time, especially when traveling with babies and kids. But it would be a great idea to have one these days. They can be hard to come by in local stores and if anyone in your family is starting to feel sick on your trip, you’ll want to monitor their temperature. We love this thermometer because it’s accurate and easy-to-use.
    
11. If you’re on time, you’re late! Arrive early to the airport, train station, or wherever your departure is happening. This is a good rule of thumb during the holidays in general, but definitely applies to traveling with a baby. You want to be prepared for any unexpected hiccups.
    
12. Keep some surprises up your sleeve for desperate moments. Pack a “surprise” item that you can have handy to easily distract or use as a negotiation tool, or straight up bribery. For toddlers quick snacks are good, small travel books, or distraction item such as a toy they haven’t seen for a while. For an older child maybe it’s a toy they’ve been wanting or some special coloring supplies you can do with them on the ride.
    
13. Don’t overdo it! Don’t try to jam pack every hour of your trip with something. Reserve time to just relax, enjoy family time, and chill. We understand the desire to do all the things and see all the people, but this can result in exhausted kids and parents. So make sure you give yourself and your crew time to chill while traveling and on holiday vacation. 
    
14. Rent baby gear. We mentioned this briefly earlier in the article but it’s worth having it’s own bullet point because this is literally a vacation and travel life saver. Rent a crib, car seat, stroller, high chair…literally, everything, at your destination. No lugging it through the airport. No running out of space in the car. And you’ll have all baby gear you use at home at your destination so you can truly enjoy your time. BabyQuip is the leading baby gear rental service located in over 500 destinations. Cleanliness and safety are the most important priorities for BabyQuip. Rest assured their gear is clean and safe for your littles! You can read about BabyQuip’s cleaning standards and COVID precautions here.

Are you feeling more prepared? We hope so! Remember, give yourself some grace this time of year. With a little extra planning, a little extra time, and plenty of grace, you’ll be able to keep the stress to a minimum. 

Have a great travel tip? Leave a comment!