4 Tips for Mastering Parenting on Vacation

Many of us will be travelling this holiday season. It means packing up, eating lots, and visiting with family or friends. A great time for creating lasting family traditions for baby and baby-to-be! 

Keep naps and sleep on schedule (where possible) 
When possible allow baby to keep his sleep schedule while on holiday. For super young newborns, this is easy. At this age, most babies will sleep anywhere and in anyone’s arms. For the older babes, we can have a little more of a challenge. This doesn’t mean that baby need be in a crib for naps. A family walk with baby in a carrier or carriage would allow baby the time to settle. A borrowed portable crib, or a blanket on the floor can also be used. A good trick for older babies is to bring along something from their crib at home, maybe a lovey or a blankie. 

Head over to Baby Sleep Site for some more great tips for holiday sleep. 

Take advantage of “babysitters."
When my baby was little little, I found it hard to detach from him. In fact, I hadn’t left his side for more than 2 hours at a time before he was 6 months old. That was just my experience with my baby, whereas I have friends that have taken weekends away without baby within the first few months. Regardless of how long you are willing to spend away from baby, take advantage of the extra people  all around who could take baby for a little while. Maybe you and your partner can sneak out for a date night, or you would like to go for a run, have a massage at the spa, go nuts. Honestly, I just enjoy a P-I-P: a "pee" in peace. Grannie, cousins, friends, aunties, uncles, they all want to spend time with baby so enjoy it. 

Make a plan.
& get organized. Think about your child’s nap times and how that will play into your day. Maybe you are going to a sibling’s house who could lend a portable crib so that you have less baby junk to lug around. Make sure you have all the foods, bottles, changes of clothes required to get baby through the day. When travelling by car, it is easy to have an extra bag packed aside from the daily diapers and wipes in a bag. This extra bag could include a couple of toys, food&bottle items, clothing, or whatever your child regularly requires. This bag might not even leave the car. If flying to grandma’s by air, order diapers and wipes to her house beforehand so that there is no need to buy then there. I order mine from well.ca and find it easy. ​

Watch for & encourage development.
In young babies, it is amazing to witness the developments both cognitive and physical. During the holidays, babies are exposed to so many more people and with each new social encounter your child may learn something new. A baby who is close to walking might be pleased to take his first steps with all of the positive encouragement around him. A younger baby might take to sharing her first social smiles while taking in the new faces. 
It is important in a new space, as always to keep play safe. This can mean more hands-on playing time with mama, which is always fun for baby!

All in all, the holidays are for visiting and family. My hope is that your visiting is fun and full of great food and lots of loving people. 

Happy Holidays! ​​