{"id":39025,"date":"2021-11-23T20:55:35","date_gmt":"2021-11-23T20:55:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/?p=39025"},"modified":"2021-11-23T21:25:54","modified_gmt":"2021-11-23T21:25:54","slug":"holiday-road-trip-tips-when-traveling-with-a-baby-or-toddler","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/holiday-road-trip-tips-when-traveling-with-a-baby-or-toddler\/","title":{"rendered":"Holiday road trip tips when traveling with a baby or toddler"},"content":{"rendered":"

Note:<\/strong> All travel is subject to frequently-changing governmental restrictions\u2014please check federal, state, and local advisories before scheduling trips. <\/em><\/p>\n

Road trips with kiddos under the age of 3 are adventures in parenthood. This is especially true around the holidays, when seasonal stress can add a less-than-joyful layer to the experience. With a little planning, however, you can create an optimal\u2014and dare we say it, jolly\u2014environment for your tiny human, and this will ultimately make the experience more pleasant for you. <\/span>Whether you\u2019re driving a few hours to grandma\u2019s house or embarking on a cross-country trip that\u2019ll take you through a handful of states, here are some tips to help you evade those holiday road trip hiccups, and create a jollier journey by car with your little one.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED:<\/strong> 9 hotels to live out your favorite holiday-themed TV tearjerker<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Make sure your child’s car seat is up to code<\/b><\/h2>\n\"\"\n

Don\u2019t neglect the basics. You want to make sure that your child’s car seat is installed correctly. Start with these tips from the <\/span>National Highway Traffic Safety Administration<\/span><\/a>. To further put the mind at ease, you might also enlist the help of a certified child passenger safety (CPS) technician in your area ahead of the trip. If you’re renting a car (look for car rental deals here<\/a>), consider bringing your own child seat, both to avoid the additional $10\u2013$15 per day charge, and to know what you’re getting in terms of condition, cleanliness, potential recalls, and overall safety. <\/span><\/p>\n

Take a few \u201ctest drives\u201d before the bigger drive<\/b><\/h2>\n

Before setting off on the big road trip, especially if it\u2019s more than several hours, plan to take some shorter trips in the months leading up to it. This not only helps to acclimate your little one to being in the car for long stretches, but it will also help you learn and uncover some valuable pointers and strategies for the bigger journey. <\/span><\/p>\n

Gear up your car<\/b><\/h2>\n

Make sure your car is prepared to make the trip\u2014the oil has been changed recently, brakes are in good condition, any emergency lights that have remained on have been addressed, etc. You\u2019ll also want to make sure that your car is stocked with items that will come in handy in case of an emergency: a spare tire, flares, tire jack, first aid kit, warm blanket, etc. Also don\u2019t forget extra car chargers for your phones.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mail those holiday gifts<\/b><\/h2>\n\"\"\n

Maximize space in the car. If possible, mail your gifts to your final destination, or place them in a secured cargo box atop the car.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pace yourself<\/b><\/h2>\n

If the GPS says it will take X number of hours to get from Point A to Point B, add at least one-third of that time to your total. Why? You\u2019ll need to factor in stops for diaper changes, feedings, bathroom breaks, and the unexpected. Plus, most car seat manufacturers don\u2019t recommend allowing babies and toddlers to be in the car seat for longer than 2 to 3 hours. <\/span><\/p>\n

Bring a cozy outdoor blanket<\/b><\/h2>\n\"\"\n

Use stops as opportunities for you <\/span>and<\/span><\/i> your little one to play and expend some pent-up energy. Keep a giant blanket in the trunk of your car, and weather permitting, you can create a DIY play-space\/mealtime area on the lawns of rest stops.<\/span><\/p>\n

Prepare for in-car diaper changes<\/b><\/h2>\n

Want to avoid changing diapers inside a rest stop bathroom? Depending on your car and the climate in which you\u2019re driving, the backseat or trunk area can serve as your mobile changing station. Make sure you\u2019ve got the following stocked and accessible ahead of the trip: diapers, wipes, portable changing pad, hand sanitizer (for you), and little baggies to dispose of dirty diapers and wipes if there isn’t a trash can immediately available.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bring sleep comforts from home<\/b><\/h2>\n\"\"\n

If your little one needs a sound machine, blankie, lovey, or something else to help with sleep, bring it. While the car seat is not a crib nor a bed, you can do what you can to help foster a comfortable, familiar sleep environment in it, even mirroring whatever before-sleep rituals you can while in the car. Timing road trips with naptime and bedtime is another consideration. Those mini trip \u201ctest drives\u201d can be a great resource to learn what uniquely works best for your child.<\/span><\/p>\n

Plan their meals ahead of time<\/b><\/h2>\n

Pack a portable cooler with pre-mixed bottles, baby food, bowls, spoons, bibs, burp cloths\u2014whatever you might need for meals during your drive. Estimate the number of meals you\u2019ll need, but pack a little extra, just in case. <\/span><\/p>\n

Bring a portable bottle warmer<\/b><\/h2>\n

If your child takes bottles, this is one of the best investments you can make for those full-day drives. Instead of relying on hot water or microwaves at the nearest rest stop, you\u2019ll have the freedom to warm bottles while on-the-go, whenever you need them.<\/span><\/p>\n

Snacks, snacks, snacks<\/b><\/h2>\n\"\"\n

If your kiddo has moved onto solid food, having a robust and diverse supply of snacks is key. Cheerios, Goldfish crackers, puffs, squeezable yogurt or fruit pouches, cheese\u2014whatever your go-to snacks are, have them hidden yet accessible to distribute.<\/span><\/p>\n

Take steps to prevent car sickness<\/b><\/h2>\n

If you know that your baby or toddler has a history of carsickness, you should first check in with your pediatrician for advice. In general, however, kids who get carsick tend to do best with less sensory input, according to the Mayo Clinic<\/a>. Avoid having them focus on close-up diversions like books, games or screens that cause the brain to receive conflicting information from the inner ears, eyes, and nerves in the joints and muscles. Instead, encourage them to look at things outside the car. It also helps to keep meals light and as bland as possible. Other things that help include rolling down the windows and turning on the air conditioning.<\/span><\/p>\n

Have clean-up tools handy in the car (and a change of clothes)<\/b><\/h2>\n

Accidents happen. And with small children, they typically happen at the most inopportune of times, so it\u2019s best to stay prepared. Make sure you have paper towels, rags, wipes, disinfectant spray, and a fresh change of clothes (for you <\/span>and<\/span><\/i> your baby or toddler) in the car.<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Buy a few new toys for the trip<\/b><\/h2>\n

Secretly purchase a few new teethers, small toys or car-friendly games for your little one(s) ahead of the trip\u2014whatever is age- and developmentally appropriate for your child. Don\u2019t introduce these goodies until you\u2019re well into the drive, and be sure to introduce them one at a time (versus all at once). The novelty of having something new will help to keep them entertained and occupied.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bring the holiday music<\/b><\/h2>\n

It\u2019s a holiday road trip, after all. You can use the opportunity to teach your little one(s) your favorite songs of the season. This will also help everyone get into the holiday spirit before you arrive.<\/span><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t feel guilty about relying on the iPad<\/b><\/h2>\n\"\"\n

We parents have something incredibly helpful that our parents and grandparents before us did not: the iPad. Download some of your kiddo\u2019s favorite shows before the drive, and make sure the iPad is fully charged. (Also, don\u2019t forget that charger!) It can help you get through long stretches of driving without any whining or meltdowns. Purchasing <\/span>an iPad holder<\/span><\/a>\u2014one that it securely straps around the neck of a backseat and faces the child\u2019s car seat\u2014is extremely helpful, too, especially for kids prone to car sickness.<\/span><\/p>\n

Remain flexible<\/b><\/h2>\n

While your tiny human may not be in the literal driver\u2019s seat, he or she is in control of the journey. So it\u2019s best to stay flexible to <\/span>his or her<\/span><\/i> needs, versus firmly clinging to a set itinerary. Unlike road trips that you may have taken in the past, where spontaneous stops and motoring through long stretches were easy options, you\u2019ll need to put your child\u2019s needs first. This will ultimately make the journey more enjoyable for all: Happy baby or toddler equals happy car!<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Follow these essential tips for a smooth ride. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":169,"featured_media":39489,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[161,1902,1959,7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-39025","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-family","category-holidays","category-road-trip","category-travel-tips"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nHoliday road trip tips when traveling with a baby or toddler - Inspire | Travelocity.com<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Road trips with kiddos under age 3 are adventures. 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