Tips for Travel with Toddlers and Babies

(NewsUSA) - The holidays are upon us, and many parents with babies and young children may approach holiday travel with trepidation. Whether you and your young family are traveling by car, bus, train, or plane, or a combination, keep these tips from KinderCare experts in mind to help your kids (and you) be happy travelers.

-Plan for car seat success. Any baby or toddler gets antsy in a car seat eventually, whether in a car, on a train or bus, or on a plane. Help keep the little passengers happy by dressing them in light layers to account for excess heat or air conditioning. Bring toys, games, and books, and if in a car, have another adult or older child ride in the back seat if possible. For babies and toddlers, who should be in rear-facing seats, a safe plastic mirror helps you and your little one keep an eye on each other while staying safe.

-Space out surprises. No matter what mode of travel, having a “travel fun kit” that includes small toys, paper and crayons, activity books, and devices with headphones gives you a range of activities to rotate through airport waits, holiday traffic backups, or delayed trains/buses.

-Keep eating easy. Hungry children are cranky children. Planes and trains have limited snack options for children, and kids get hungry in the car when you aren’t prepared to make a food stop. Stash non-perishable healthy treats such as trail mix, fruit leather, low-sugar granola bars, jerky, or edamame. Use spill-proof cups, reusable snack bags, and freezable bags. Travel snacks to avoid include squishy yogurt tubes or other squeeze pouches that might rupture in luggage or squirt across a hungry kid while they are strapped into an airplane seat. Even chocolate is at risk, a hot car and a sunny window can create a melty mess.

-Stay consistent when you can. Babies and young children thrive on routines. If possible, stay as close as you can to their regular schedules of meals, playtime, and naps. Traveling should be fun, but realistically it is stressful for parents. Your kids will pick up on that stress, so practice self-care as well.

For more tips on traveling with babies and young children, visit KinderCare.com.