Traveling with babies and toddlers is…an experience! Below are some helpful tips to get you through holiday car travel!

Tip 1: Try and time things so that you leave for your trip right after you breast feed, so that baby is full and ready to go for a longer stretch.

Tip 2: Make sure your little one is lathered in diaper cream before heading out on the road since they might be sitting a little longer in a wet diaper.

Tip 3: Bring a breast pump car adaptor so that you can pump in the car and feed bottles if that is easier!

Tip 4: Download a white noise that sounds like car travel. That way, if your little one is sleeping, and you need to stop for gas, etc. you can turn on the white noise really loud as soon as your vehicle gets off the interstate to keep the same sound going.

Tip 5: For babies who are eating solids, pack lots of snacks that are safe from choking like Mum Mum crackers, Beechnut Melties, etc. to keep them occupied.

Tip 6: If you have a flat trunk space, leave room to create a changing station where you can lay out a towel and keep all of your wipes and diapers available.

Tip 7: Play around with leaving at night vs during the day—some babies hate travel during the day but do great at night and vice versa.

Tip 8: For older babies or toddlers, consider investing in a tray that they can use to eat snacks and play like this one.

Tip 9: Remove snacks from loud packaging before you hit the road so that when you open, it won’t wake baby!

Tip 10: Try giving an Epsom salt bath or using magnesium lotion before you leave for your trip to promote relaxation and sleep for baby.

Tip 11: If you need to warm up a bottle while on the road, ask for an extra cup of hot water at Starbucks to stick the bottle in.

Tip 13: Allow some time when you stop for your baby or toddler to be “free” from you either in a stroller or walking around, to give them some space to poop since some older babies may be less likely to poop when being held.

Tip 14: Dress your little one in footie pjs so that you don’t have to worry about socks, shirt and pants if you have to change outfits quickly in the car.

Tip 15: Consider buying a new toy or two, especially light up ones that make sound which can hold attention well in the car!

Note: be aware of the “two hour rule” that is the maximum amount of time that an infant should be in a carseat until they are able to sit upright and control their head and neck movement.. You can read more here.