Traveling with a baby can be a wonderful experience, but it often comes with concerns about maintaining your little one’s daily routine. When your baby is weaning and has just gotten into a good sleep schedule it can be daunting to make changes to their environment. Here are my top tips to ensure your holiday goes smoothly and your baby’s routine is not disrupted
Sticking to the Weaning Schedule
Weaning is a crucial stage in your baby’s development, and keeping to their weaning schedule while away from home is important
- Plan Ahead: Pack enough snacks that are convenient for travel. Look for products that are easy to store and serve. You can use your
- Consistency is Key: Try to stick to your baby’s regular feeding times as much as possible. Set reminders on your phone if necessary. Consistency helps your baby feel secure and can reduce fussiness.
- Stay Flexible: Sometimes, sticking rigidly to the schedule isn’t possible. In such cases, be flexible but try to return to the routine as soon as possible.
Check out our feeding toddler when abroad blog for advice on feeding routines for a toddler on holidays.
Keeping Your Baby Hydrated
Hydration is vital for your baby’s health, especially when traveling to different climates or during active days. Check out my Blog for more details on Milk Feeds when Weaning your Baby
- Offer Fluids Regularly: Make a habit of offering water or milk frequently, especially during hot weather or after physical activities. Keep an eye on signs of dehydration, such as fewer wet diapers, dry lips, and lethargy.
- Breastfeeding and Formula Feeding: If you are breastfeeding, stay hydrated yourself to maintain milk supply. For formula-fed babies, bring pre-measured formula and bottled water for easy mixing
Ensuring Their Sleep Schedule Isn’t Interrupted
A disrupted sleep schedule can lead to a cranky baby and exhausted parents. Here’s how to ensure your baby gets the rest they need while away from home.
- Maintain a Bedtime Routine: Try to stick to your baby’s usual bedtime routine. Whether it’s a bath, a story, or a lullaby, familiar rituals can signal to your baby that it’s time to sleep, even in a new environment. With small children who still need several daytime naps then you may want to try to do a nap or two on the go in the buggy or car.
- Control the Environment: If possible, recreate your baby’s sleep environment. Use blackout curtains, a white noise machine, or a fan to block out unfamiliar sounds and light. Bring the sheet from the cot that your child slept on the night before travel; that way when you arrive at your destination, you can dress the cot with linen that smells familiar and that can help to calm them and take the fear and anxiety out of being placed in a strange cot.
- Adjust Gradually: If you’re traveling to a different time zone, adjust your baby’s schedule gradually. Shift bedtime and nap times by small increments before you leave to help them acclimate.
For More tips on Travel and Sleep Check out our Blog with Lucy Wolfe Sleep Consultant
By planning ahead and having the right products on hand, you can ensure that your baby’s feeding, hydration, and sleep routines stay on track while you’re away from home.
Our Weaning Advice page provides information and advice on weaning your baby. It includes recipes, tips, and articles on a variety of topics related to weaning, such as introducing finger food, adding herbs and spices to baby food, and healthy snacks for your baby, and lots more
