We're hitting the road this summer for a few fun trips with the kids, and we couldn't be more excited! Last summer, it was a little tricky to plan trips with our youngest on a fairly demanding nursing schedule. Now that he's a little over a year old, he's more laid back and ready to travel!
I've been parenting for over a decade now, and I've definitely learned a thing or two about successful road trips over the years (not without a few epic fails first though!)
Here are my top 10 tips for making Baby's 1st Road Trip a success + How to Make A Summer Emergency Car Kit for Baby:
10 tips for Baby's 1st Road Trip
- Plan the bulk of your travel time during baby's normal nap time / sleep time (if possible). It will make for a smoother ride for everyone!
- Pack a few NEW small toys in a bag for the car. A new toy will buy some time on the road, as your little one quietly explores their new gadget.
- Mood Music! Bring along a soundtrack that you're little one knows and loves! My little guy loves Sesame Street songs so, we rock out to Elmo's Greatest Hits on long car trips. It keeps him content by providing a familiar predictable element, in an unfamiliar situation.
- Traveling is more fun with a companion! If possible, have a parent or sibling sit alongside baby in the backseat.
- READ! Pack your child's favorite board books. They can look at the pictures if they're riding solo in the backseat, or if they have a parent or sibling riding alongside them, read aloud.
- Alternate activities in 10-15 minute intervals during your car trip. This will keep baby's attention averted while en-route. play your child's favorite music and sing-along, read books, play games (such as peek-a-boo or look through sight words/colors/shapes flash cards) etc.
- Pack convenient squeeze snack pouches for baby to snack on in the car. Baby shouldn't eat anything solid while the car is in motion. It can pose a choking hazard that you won't be able to respond to adequately in a moving vehicle. So, snack squeeze pouches with pureed snacks are your best bet while en-route.
- Plan out your pit stops ahead of time. It adds another predictable element for baby and you, when you know when your next exit is coming up.
- Less isn't always more when it comes to baby. Pack extra...of everything, just in case. It's better to be over prepared than caught off guard without something that you need. Everything tends to be pricier when traveling. You'll save a ton of money, time, and your sanity by packing extra clothes, pain reliever/fever reducers, a thermometer, snacks, toys, etc.
- Pack an emergency summer car kit for baby. This is a great stash to have at the ready when hitting the road for travel. It's also equally as handy to keep a box packed with essentials when you're not traveling. You just never know and it's better to be safe than sorry! Traffic jams, impromptu diaper blowouts ... things come up when you have an unpredictable little human to care for! Be ready with a fully stocked kit ready to tackle whatever curve-ball baby/life throws your way. See our list of essentials to include in your summer emergency car kit below.
Keeping a stash of item's in your car for baby whether for long road trips, or those just-in-case scenarios is always a great idea! I can't tell you how many times I've walked out the door without something essential; including my entire diaper bag on more than a few occasions! To add insult to injury, I usually don't realize it until I'm too far away to turn around. Which can become costly and time consuming to say the very least! Keeping an emergency car kit for baby (updated with items for each season) saves a ton of time and money. It's great as a busy mom of 3 to have a little peace of mind in knowing that I have everything on-hand when away from home, just in case!
Item's to include in your summer emergency car kit for baby:
- 8-10 diapers
- 6-8 swim diapers- Because you never know when an impromptu opportunity to swim will present itself in the summer!
- 2 Plastic bags (wet clothes /spills/diaper blowouts/trash)
- Dreft Pen stain remover (we love the scrub tip! Great to clean any potential stains from baby's clothes from diaper blow-outs, food spills etc.before they set ).
- 1 emergency change of clothes for baby
- 1 Pack of wipes (in addition to emergency diaper changes - they're great for wiping down surfaces in restaurants, public restrooms etc.)
- Natural hand sanitizer /natural sanitizing wipes
- Sun screen formulated for baby
- Squeeze snack pouches
- Reusable/washable squeeze pouches (when toddler options aren't available at restaurants or you run out of pre-packaged squeeze pouches, these come in handy!
- Sippy Cup
- Bottled Water (4-6 bottles)
- Pain Reliever/fever reducer, saline spray, thermometer
Need to stock up on items for your next big road trip with baby? Ready to put together an emergency summer car kit for baby? Babies "R" Us has some amazing deals running from June 1 -June 30th that you won't want to miss! It's the perfect time to stock up on LUVS Diapers (they're my brand - I've definitely "lived and learned" as a mom of 3!), Pampers Wipes, Pampers Splashers Swim Diapers, and Dreft laundry detergent.
Babies "R" Us is our "happy place"! Can you tell?
- $5 off LUVS Value Boxes of Diapers (REG. $35.99)
- $9.99 Pampers Splashers (perfect for summer!)
- $19.99 Pampers Value Boxes of Wipes (REG $23.99)
- FREE Dreft Stain Remover 22oz. ($3.99 value) with purchase of any Dreft Laundry Detergent
(1) One Savvy Mom Reader will receive a fun prize pack to help stock up for #BabysBigSummer
The prize pack includes:
- (1) $50 Babies "R" Us Gift Card
- Pampers Wipes
- Dreft Pen Stain Remover
- Crayola Sidewalk Chalk
- Melissa and Doug Happy Giddy pail
a Rafflecopter giveaway
**//Disclosure: Prizing and the equivalent was provided for the writer and for (1) One Savvy Mom reader, by the sponsoring brand(s). Regardless, all opinions expressed are our own.
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We are headed out to Dallas Texas this summer. We are visiting family and looking forward to the downtown area.
ReplyDeleteSounds like fun! We've never been - but I've heard great things! Definitely on my list of places I'd like to visit - I hear it's very family friendly. Have a great trip! :)
DeleteWe are headed to the beach in FL near Destin! We can't wait!
ReplyDeleteFUN! Beautiful area and pretty laid back atmosphere ... not too touristy either which is nice. Have a great trip! :)
DeleteI am not headed anywhere except when school is out, I have to meet the kids mom 1/2 way because they are going to spend a month or so visiting her and she is in Florida
ReplyDeleteThat will be a great break - I hope you have a great summer! :)
DeleteWe are taking a short vacation to Myrtle Beach before we have our baby.
ReplyDeleteFun! I haven't been there since I was a child. I have fun memories of the big wheels/pedal cars you could rent and ride along the beach ... that was a blast! Congrats on your new addition! :)
DeleteWe are headed to Indiana for some concerts this summer.. cannot even wait! Also to Chicago for the big Grateful Dead Fare Thee Well Shows.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like fun! I would love to take my kids to Chicago some day soon ... great place to explore with family - so much history! NOW if I could just convince my husband to drive us there .... I'm not a big fan of flying ;)
DeleteWe are going to the NJ Shore.
ReplyDeleteFun! I would like to spend a weekend in Cape May with my kiddo's. Beautiful Beautiful historic homes / B & B's ... and great beaches! Have a great trip & summer! :)
DeleteWe are going to San Francisco
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like fun! I would like to take my kids some day soon, I haven't been to San Francisco since I was a child however, I remember that the scenery was amazing! Have a great trip & summer! :)
DeleteI copy and pasted the wrong thing for following on Pinterest, I meant to post this: https://www.pinterest.com/shootingstarmag/
ReplyDeleteI do follow you!
As for vacation, I'm headed to NYC this week actually. :)
-Lauren Becker
How fun! I hope you have a great trip & Summer! :)
DeleteNo plans for a vacation but spend lots of time at the park and lake.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds nice & relaxing! Have a great summer! :)
DeleteI am traveling down to Georgia to attend my cousin's wedding.
ReplyDeleteFun! Savannah Georgia is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been...hope to go back some day soon with my kiddo's. Have a great trip & summer! :)
DeleteWe are visiting family out of town.
ReplyDeleteFun! Have a great trip & summer! :)
DeleteNot far, i'm sure we'll go camping a couple times though!
ReplyDeleteCamping is on my bucket list this summer! The kids love it! Having a hard time getting my husband on board though ...he was born and raised in the city...he's still a bit squeamish about sleeping in the great outdoors :)
Deletewe are doing absolutely nothing.
ReplyDeletepretty lame huh ? lol
Nothing can be fun too :) Sometimes I wish for days when I can just relax and enjoy the sunshine .... have a great summer!
DeleteWe are staying around home waiting for our little one to arrive.
ReplyDeleteAwe congrats & best wishes! This summer will surely be memorable with a new little one your house! :)
DeleteWe are heading to Florida in August! So excited to spend time on the beach with family!
ReplyDeleteSounds like fun! Have a great summer! :)
DeleteWe are going to Yellowstone!
ReplyDeleteFun! Yellowstone is on my bucket list of places to visit with the kids - have a great summer! :)
DeleteWe're going to Norway to visit good friends!
ReplyDeleteHow exciting! Have a wonderful trip and a great summer! :)
DeleteWe are headed to the beach for 2 weeks
ReplyDeleteWe are planning to spend a lot of time at the beach this summer.
ReplyDeleteWe are heading to Little rock to visit my 96 year old uncle sometime this summer.
ReplyDeleteI am having more of a staycation this summer.
ReplyDeleteWe will be visiting family in Florida at the end of July.
ReplyDeleteI'm headed to Gatlinburg.
ReplyDeleteWe are headed to Tampa, Florida this summer to visit our friends!
ReplyDeleteWe aren't going on a vacation this summer because we'll be moving in a couple weeks. Once we purchase our home we'll just stay home and relax!
ReplyDeleteWe're headed to the Grand Canyon!
ReplyDeleteWe are going to take the kids to the great escape this summer. They love it.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to NYC this summer!
ReplyDeleteI am going to Tampa, FL to visit my parents.
ReplyDeleterounder9834 @yahoo.com
If I get well, I will be heading out-of-state to go see my grandkids.
ReplyDelete