Traveling with a Baby: 6 Tips for Family Road Trips

Traveling with kids is never easy, but long hauls with an infant come with some pretty unique challenges. These six tips will help make the journey a whole lot smoother.

1. Be Realistic with Expectations

Especially as a first-time parent or infrequent road tripper, you might have no idea what to expect on your road trip. It’s hard enough managing a newborn in the comforts of your own home, let alone in a traveling metal box a thousand miles away. So make the decision to keep expectations low and to anticipate (manageable) disaster.

You can even make a game of it. Before packing up the car, create a BINGO card filled in with a mix of things that could go wrong on the trip, as well as some small wins. As you check off box after box, you’ll hopefully be able to laugh at yourselves and some comically terrible situations.

In the end, being realistic about all the things — good and bad — that could happen makes it easier to roll with the punches when they actually did.

2. Bring a Partner

While one adult drives, the other can sit in the backseat, dozing, playing or massaging your baby’s legs to keep them calm. You should build in time to stop every two to three hours to change a diaper, eat or grab gas and trade spots when you get back on the road.

Being able to tag in a partner is huge. Neither one of you will get too drowsy on the road, and someone is always paying attention to the baby.

3. Prep a Baby Kit

Adding a third person to your family means adding more stuff. Consolidate some of the important stuff — a few diapers, wipes, a versatile toy, snacks (for the grown ups) — in a small tote bag within easy reach.

Not having to dig around to find things will save a ton of time and frustration. Plus, it’s much safer than unbuckling to grab things while on the road.

4. Drive When the Baby Sleeps

Newborns sleep. A lot. During that time, they don’t need to be entertained, fed or exercised, and you can make some pretty good time on the road.

Before you leave home go through your baby’s entire bedtime routine — only instead of tucking them into their crib, put them in his car seat and drive as far as you can until they wake up. It might just be the longest stretch of driving on your trip!

5. Pick Your Accommodations Wisely

You probably don’t need a reminder to avoid any resort labeled “adults only,” but many Marriott Vacation Club properties go beyond just allowing the little ones and instead create fun just for them.

For example, Marriott’s Lakeshore Reserve in Orlando has a “Toddler Hour” playtime for the 4-and-under crew, along with complimentary pop-tarts and cartoons to start their mornings right. Kids of all ages can get creative onsite with finger-painting, sock puppet decorating, caterpillar making and wooden snake painting.

If you’re traveling across Spain, Marriott’s Playa Andaluza has not only a baby room, but a baby pool as well. And Marriott’s Marbella Beach Resort is another great choice, with amenities and activities like a baby room for children under 3, a kids club, children’s pools and a pirate playground.

6. Take Frequent Breaks

Time your driving to your baby’s nap and sleep times, stopping to stretch your legs and grab meals when they’re most awake. It will make for fewer tears, but many more stops. And on top of those quick breaks, give yourselves permission to throw in the towel if needed and stop for the day — or night.

This article was published through a partnership with Marriott Vacation Club®. Read the original story, Traveling with a Baby: 6 Tips for Family Road Trips on the blog.