The holidays are upon us, which means so, too, are the travels to visit family and friends who feel like family. Whether near or far, traversing any distance with a baby in tow can feel like a monumental undertaking. (Heck, getting out of the house alone is a colossal feat!) And yet, the promise of doting grandparents and a warm meal cooked by someone other than you are enough to lure you out the door. 

Whether by car, plane or horse-drawn sleigh, here are our best tips for a bon voyage with bébé.

01. Take it slow and stop as needed.

In our experience, setting realistic expectations is key to maintaining a positive perspective. So acknowledge at the outset that your pace is likely to be a little slower than usual. 

If you’re flying, allow extra time at the airport for an impromptu feeding or last-minute diaper change. There are few things more stressful than rushing to your gate with a baby who’s desperate for their bottle. So err on the side of early and know you can always lay out a blanket on the floor for a little playtime should you get to the gate with time to spare.

If you’re road-tripping, accept that your door-to-door time will be longer than previous years. Unless, that is, baby miraculously falls asleep in their car seat—in which case, you might find yourself driving straight through in record time. Which actually brings us to our next tip: Top up with gas at every stop, so you can always go the maximum mileage should the nap gods smile down on you. No one wants to wake up a snoozing baby just to fill up their tank.

02. Bring the carrier. (Duh.)

Of course a company known for their wrap and soft-structured carrier is going to recommend that new parents bring a baby carrier when traveling—but we promise it’s not just because we’re biased! A carrier is wildly practical in transit for a multitude of reasons.

For starters, both The Solly Wrap and The Soft Carrier are TSA-friendly. Since neither has any metal buckles or loops, you can typically wear baby through security. No need to rouse your little one from their nap or wrestle a stroller onto the conveyor belt while holding them in your arms. Same goes for boarding the plane—skip worrying about unloading your stroller, folding it, and checking it planeside (again, while holding baby!) and simply wear your tot all the way to seat 16A instead.

Another time the carrier comes in handy? Bathroom breaks! Whether flying or driving, the ability to go to the bathroom while wearing baby (a mother’s rite of passage) is game-changing. It’s also really helpful for freeing up your hands if there’s a big sibling who still relies on you for help going potty or changing their diaper. 

Plus, the carrier will continue to come in handy when you arrive at your destination. Even when baby’s typical schedule is interrupted with holiday programming and late-night hangs, they can snooze on the go anytime, anywhere, happily nestled right up next to their favorite person of all.

03. Pack more than you think.

This may seem counterintuitive since packing light reigns supreme, but the truth is no one ever wants to run out of diapers. Bring at least one for every hour in transit, plus a few extra for good measure in case of traffic, flight delays, etc. Add a few easy-to-access backup outfits, too, as well some plastic bags to contain any messes until you have access to a washing machine. Worst case: You arrive at your destination with a whole bunch of diapers that you didn’t need—which, come to think of it, might actually be the best case?

04. Remember that you’re traveling, too.

It’s easy to fill up your bag with every possible item baby might need, but keep in mind that you’re in for a marathon day, too. Bring plenty of water and grown-up snacks, so you’re fueled to handle whatever your journey has in store. No nursing mama wants to wait for the beverage cart to quench her thirst that struck while baby was feeding on the tarmac. (Speaking of nursing: Our Nursing Cover is ideal for moms who might want a little extra privacy while feeding in close quarters. Honestly, it’s also a great distraction deterrent for babes who get too invested in the unfamiliar goings-on to focus on eating, napping, etc.)

Also prudent: a spare outfit for you. We’ll let you conjure up the scenarios in which it might prove necessary.

05. Be nice to each other.

At the start of your adventure, make a pact with your partner to be nice to each other no matter what. They might get fed up with the traffic. You might be at your wit’s end with a fussy baby. You might both be on the verge of tears when you realize you’re going to miss your connecting flight.  It’s really easy to get short and snippy, but give each other grace and trust that you’re each doing the best you can in the moment. You’ll both benefit from keeping kind.

06. Know things won’t be perfect. 

Back to that bit about managing expectations. Let go of what you can. Laugh at what you can’t. Remember that none of this will last forever and you’ll be back to your familiar territory and schedule soon. 

In the meantime, you’re making memories that’ll last a lifetime. Happy holidays to you and yours.

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