Travelling with a baby? Here's everything you need to know!

Wherever you’re headed, travelling with your baby or toddler can be full of excitement, and is a chance to create lifelong memories. However, from what you’ll need to pack to ensuring your baby’s safety and comfort, there’s a lot to think about. 

The key to travelling with a baby is preparation. Here we’ll be looking at some of those all important baby travel essentials and providing some top tips for travelling with a baby or spending time away with an active toddler. Whether you’re travelling by plane, train or automobile, here you’ll find the information you need to make your travels as stress-free as possible.  

Baby travel essentials

Travelling with a baby on a plane

Travelling with a baby on a train

Travelling with a baby by car

Prep like a boss 

Prepare in advance by sorting and packing everything the night before. Often something will come up during the time that you plan to leave the house, so ensuring everything is already packed will help massively in leaving the house on time. If you need to add to your bags on the day, make sure you have those things listed and close to the door so that you don’t forget the last few items before you leave the house. It might not be a military operation, but precision is key, and life becomes much easier when you are organised. 

Getting ahead of the game 

Often, part of the stress that comes from leaving the house is related to you as a parent not having enough time to get yourself ready. If you are meeting friends and family out and about then chances are you want to spend a few moments getting dressed and ready yourself. Getting up a little bit earlier than you usually would, preferably before your baby wakes too, will mean that you can be up and ready to leave, and the rest of the time can be focused on prepping your little person. Plus, it always feels nice to be dressed and feel like yourself, which will probably help you enjoy your day out even more too! 

Healthy snacks are king 

Babies need to eat often and waiting for lunch or dinner is just not an option! Packing weaning snacks for on the go can take out the stress of having to be anywhere at set times. Cutting up sticks of fresh vegetables and fruit, such as cucumber or carrot sticks and apple or banana slices and popping them into a container can create a refreshing and healthy weaning snack that will help see your little one through until meal time. You can also bring unsalted and unsweetened rice cakes or toast fingers for older babies who are more experienced with weaning.  

Expect the poonami 

As we all know, babies are unpredictable and can have a meltdown or poo explosion at any given time! Allowing yourself extra time before leaving and planning to leave the house earlier than you actually need to, means that any delays are accounted for and as a parent, you will be less stressed and more relaxed as you start off on your travels. Remember that everything always takes longer than you think it will, when you have small children in tow! Let’s say it takes an hour to get there and you need to be there at 10am…the old you might leave the house dead on 9am, but the new you is better off deciding to leave at 8.30am to allow for any pit stops or last minute baby emergencies! 

A spare one of everything 

Your baby will likely need breastmilk or follow on milk (if you feed using follow-on formula), and weaning food when out and about. If you need to warm up your baby's food you may find it can be difficult, as lots of cafes and restaurants will no longer heat baby food for you due to health and safety regulations. Therefore, accessing some hot kettle water from a restaurant or taking a thermos flask of hot water out with you can be a useful way to prepare your baby's follow on milk and weaning food.  

Also, you can get baby used to room temperature food so that they are less likely to turn it down if you serve to them at room temperature when out and about. 

 Make it easy 

If you’re using Follow on Milk, then using a product such as Aptamil Follow On Milk Ready To Drink can be a great way of making your life a little bit easier when outside of the home compared to powdered formulations, as it’s pre-made. Simply  pour your Follow on Milk into your baby’s pre-sterilised beaker and you are ready to go!* The easy to use, ready-made bottles are a good size to keep in your changing bag too, if you ever get caught short. Anything that makes things easier and with less fuss outside of the home is a winner in my opinion! 

* Breastfeeding is best. Follow-on milk should only be used as part of a mixed diet from 6 months. Talk to your healthcare professional. Less fuss than powdered formulations. Always follow preparation instructions and storage advice. 

Allow for fun 

The most popular reasons for not wanting to get out and about with a baby can be the lack of routine, or fear of them missing out on crucial naps during the daytime. If you have worked hard on putting a routine into place, it is only normal to feel concerned about how that might go on a day out. The reality is, “off routine” days as I like to call them, are good for the soul. Do not worry about your baby's naps being longer/shorter, or at a different time to if they were at home sticking to their routine. Try and relax into your day and let them fall asleep when they need to, without too much stress. If they haven’t slept much that day, then you can just pop them in bed a little earlier. Having fun outside of the home and spending precious time together is more important than staying at home every single day and strictly sticking to your routine. 

Baby steps 

There really is nothing better than family time outside in nature together, but not all parents feel like they can cope with taking their little one out to eat, or for a long period of time. If this feels like you, then I want you to know that practice makes things feel so much easier, and that you will get more confident with being out and about eventually. Start by a short walk or visit to a friend’s house, and then build up slowly until you feel you are ready to leave the house for the day. The more practice you get at it, the more of a pro you will become! Whilst there are lots of things to get ready and take with you when children are involved, also remind yourself that it won’t really matter if you forget that bib, or those socks for baby. Alongside their food, all your baby really needs is you to comfort them and enjoy the day with. Simple basics that make for a great day out that our whole family can enjoy together. 

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When preparing for any journey with your baby or toddler, there are a few essentials that are likely to come in handy. Whilst some toys, clothes and plenty of nappies are a must, you’ll also need to think about how you’ll feed your baby on the go. Depending on where you’re going, and how long you’re going for, it’s best to ensure that you’ve got enough of the following:  

• Breast pump and charger.  
• Follow on or toddler milk.  
• Sterilised drinking beakers. 
• Sterilising equipment - if you’re likely to be away from home for a longer period.  
• Handy snacks and finger foods if your baby is weaning.   
• Baby spoons/bowls. 
• Muslin cloths and bibs. 
• Medication in case your baby gets sick.  

When it comes to feeding your baby when travelling, our ready to drink liquids are easier to prepare than powdered formulations, and are ready to drink anytime, anywhere - ideal for on the go*.  

For more handy hints and tips around baby travel essentials, take a look at our baby holiday checklist. 

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Airports can be difficult to navigate at the best of times. Travelling with a baby is no exception. Once again, planning and preparation is important. For example, you’ll need to ensure that your baby has a valid passport, and that you have all of your travel documents securely kept to hand. In addition, you might want to book a seat with extra legroom, to make your flight a little more comfortable. 

The airport experience can involve a fair bit of queuing, and in some cases, there's simply no telling how long it will be before you board your flight. As such, if your baby becomes hungry, you can breastfeed or it’s a good idea to have easy access to your baby’s Follow On or Toddler Milk, to help keep them satisfied and comfortable if they become hungry. This is a good example of a situation where our Ready to Drink liquid formats can really come in handy.  

Airport security is a big consideration here. Whilst you can pack follow on and toddler milk in your luggage, be aware that it may be subject to stringent security checks, so be sure to leave yourself plenty of time. It also means that you won’t be able to access it once you’ve checked in. 

To make things easier, Boots Pharmacy offers a convenient click and collect service at a number of airports. This enables you to order your Follow On or Toddler Milk ahead of time, so that you won’t have to worry about going through security. It’s also a great way to save space in your suitcase too.  

During take-off, your baby might experience some pain in their ears due to air pressure, causing them to become upset. It’s a good idea to breastfeed or have a beaker of Follow On or Toddler Milk ready, as the sucking action can provide some relief. 

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Travelling with your baby by train comes with its own set of considerations, but the good news is that there are plenty of things that you can do to make your journey as enjoyable as possible.  

First thing’s first; think about where you’d like to sit. Depending on the temperament of your baby, booking a seat in the quiet compartment could be a good idea. On the other hand, it may result in you being worried that your baby will disturb other passengers. Wherever you choose to sit, perhaps consider booking seats with a table that are close to the aisle and toilets. These facilities are usually near more spacious parts of the train, which can prove useful if you need to get up and walk about with your baby.  

Take a look at your route. How many stops will you have, and what facilities are available? This will give you a better idea of the kinds of things you need to pack and how much of them you need.  

Opting for mobile tickets is also a good idea, as it will make it easier to get through the barriers without searching for your paper copies. Most stations have a wider barrier entrance - much better when pushing a baby in a pram, or when you’ve got a lot of luggage.  

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As with all modes of transport, travelling with your baby by car is made easier with good preparation. An appropriate car seat is an absolute must, and you should always ensure that your baby is securely strapped in, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. 

When planning longer trips, it’s useful to plan where you can make regular stops. From changing stations to cafes and shops, service stations are particularly good for providing the facilities you need. Regular stops whilst travelling some distance in a car is very important, as it gives your baby some time out of their car seat and you the chance to recharge.  

One thing worth considering is your breakdown cover. A breakdown or a flat tire can happen to anyone, at anytime, anywhere. Having reliable cover can prove vital when stuck on the side of the road at the best of times, but especially if you’re travelling with your baby. 

Most of us will be no strangers to traffic jams, airport delays and other challenges that travelling can bring. Being well-prepared, and having all bases covered when travelling with your baby will help to ensure that your journey is not only stress-free, but enjoyable too.  

Don’t forget to take a look at our baby holiday checklist, and explore our range of Ready to Drink Follow on and Toddler Milks, simply shake, pour and feed whenever your baby needs*.   

*Always follow preparation instructions and storage advice.  

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