We traveled to the beach with a newborn and you can too!

Crazy, right? Can you really travel with a newborn?

We did it! And we survived! We would venture to tell you that not only did we all survive…we had a great time. Instead of swearing off of travel forever after this adventure…we doubled down and have continued to lug our littles wherever we go! Here are some tips and tricks about what worked for us! Some of our tips include recommendations for items that helped us out, some of which contain affiliate links (paid link, #ad).

1. Set your expecations. I hope if you’re reading a blog about traveling with a newborn, your expecations are already near zero. If not…let’s take a moment to lower them to there…to ZERO. If this newborn (or soon to be newborn) is your first, please know that we aren’t haters when we say to set those expectations WAY DOWN LOW. We have just experienved travel with small children and know that low expectations make for a fantastic trip! Life as you know it is changing, and although it is different, in no way is it bad. You have a whole new set of responsibilities, needs, and desires to deal with and there is nothing wrong with that! Your life is totally different with a newborn than without, so don’t expect your vacations to be the same as they were before. Vacations are going to be a new-normal, just like life is a new normal.
2. Try not to pack or plan last minute. This can be hard if you haven’t met your newborn yet or you haven’t ever taken a trip with a baby…but you might need to put more planning into this than you did when it was just you. Make a list and check it twice, just like Santa Claus does. You will need more things that you expect!
3. Look for anywhere you can rent items rather than bring them. Amazingly, there are tons of companies where items for babies and toddlers can be rented. This is a real game changer. I have rented everything from a pack n play to a rocking chair to a high chair to beach tent, beach toys, strollers, and a crib. A simple google search of your location will likely highlight a company (or several) that rents baby items.
4. Flying: to bring a car seat or not? The gurus of car seat Safety often recommend that you bring your own seat since you would know if it has been in an accident or not. If you decide to bring your own, you have a few options. A car seat can be checked for free, and you can sneak a few extra items in your “free” car seat check inside a car seat bag! Throw a few diapers or wipes in the bag and get them there for free. Another car seat option is to buy a plane seat for baby and put them in it on the plane. One benefit to this is having a place to put baby on the plane. This is especially helpful as babies leave the cuddly newborn stage and are mobile and wild. The car seat is where baby is used to being during travel so they can be comforable in it. Make sure if you are bringing it on the plane that it is FAA approved. If you are bringin the car seat onto the plane and thus through the airport you should consider bringing a car seat cart . That way you’re carting that seat around the airport in style instead of lugging it around as an extra piece of baggage, it makes a little stroller to cart around the airport.
5. If you’re driving instead of flying, consider how long google maps says it will take…then add a bunch of time on! Newborns need to eat every few hours and you’ll need to account for that in your travel time. Plan for plenty of stops and time for feeding! Remeber, keep those expectations low. For an especially long drive, consider a back up plan for where you could stay or stop if the traveling becomes too much and you and your crew need a break.
6. Breast feeding? Don’t forget your pump and a few milk storage bags…just in case. In that case, consider bringing your boppy or your brest friend…whatever you’re using at home will be needed on the go too!
7. Resort recommendations: get a balcony or some outdoor space. It is hard to find a parent who travels who hasn’t enjoyed a lovely evening in a hotel bathroom waiting for baby to go to sleep. But if you can…save yourself the trouble and book a room with additional space so you don’t become. a victim to the hotel beditme-bathroom shenanigans. A room with a balcony or patio or additional living space allows for adult time while little ones go to sleep at their normal early bedtime! A glass of wine or coffee on a porch is better than hiding in a small space waiting for baby to fall asleep.
8. Bring items to mimic the same sleeping conditions as home. If baby uses a sound machine…dont forget that! We love a hatch for at home, but did you know that hatch also makes a travel version? Sleep sack??? yes please! Try to replicate home conditions for sleep on vacation too! Everyone is more rested that way!
9. Consider a condo or a room with a kitchen…or at least a fridge. Sure, you can store breast milk or formula in a cooler, but isn’t a refrigerator a better option? It’s so nice to have a place to keep those things that baby needs in a kitchen or a fridge, so try to book a place with those to make it easier on yourself.
10. Room service or grub hub: these can be your BFF. Sure, a dinner out at a restaurant can be fun. But sometimes, you just need to eat in a place where baby can make as much noise as possible. If you get room service or order grub hub you can enjoy an amazing meal in your room and baby can be as loud as they need! Don’t be afraid to “eat in” on vacation too. We have also gone to a grocery store and picked up food there to enjoy in the room!
11. Restaurant recs: Are you desperate to “get out?!” Go ahead and get out with your bad mama/papa self! If you’re afraid of baby making too much noise, consider looking for somewhere that looks loud (ie live music) or is outdoors to allow for noise of a child without feeling like you’re disturbing other guests. Keep in mind that if baby is fussy it seems WAY louder to you than it actually is to other guests…but if you’re worried about disturbing others, look for places where people won’t notice a loud baby. If you prefer a place that is less loud, go ahead and go there too! Babies are allowed to eat out, and we have taken ours to plenty of quieter/nice restaurants. It worked out just fine.
12. Your day at home is different with baby…so your day at the beach or on vacation will be different! Don’t expect your baby to fit into your old vacation style…try to fit your vacation into baby’s schedule. This is how we think of it…if we stay home we are beholden to baby’s schedule and naps, and if we travel we still are! But in between those naps we are enjoying a fabulous beach or a fabulous view!
13. Swimming recs: don’t be afraid to cool off with your baby! As long as you have been cleared by your OB team to get into the pool, jump on in with that baby! Try a baby carrier for pool or a baby float. We love the mambo baby float! Baby seems super comfortable and the float has it’s own shade.
14. Need some down time? Good news…babies have down time built in! They nap a lot, so their nap times are amazing for reading and rest. When our children were young, they would often nap anywhere, but even if baby has to have perfect napping conditions, take advantage of that and use that time to read or rest or nap while baby naps! Try this mesh baby bouncer seat for a cool place for baby to sit outdoors! This seat is much cheaper than a designer version and it folds up and has a carrying case!
15. Plan for baby and weather. Keep in mind that Newborns can’t self regulate temperature very well, so we need to help them regulate their temperature as much as possible. Bring that baby some fans! Give them a place in the shade to “play”, lie down, and rest. If it’s hot for you, it’s hot for them too, so try to help them cool off by getting into the shade, getting into a pool or the ocean, or heading inside temporarily.
16. Babies less than 6 months aren’t recommended for sunscreen, so be sure to plan for sun protection for them. Shade such as a tent or umbrella will help, but also plan for hats, swimwear, and clothing that will help protect that precious skin from the Sun’s harmful rays. Some of our favorites are from Rufflebutts and Ruggedbutts. They also make adorable hats! Don’t forget some sunnies for your babe! Babiators brand is very kid friendly and dont break easily!
17. Set other people’s expectations: If you are traveling with a group such as a multigenerational group, be sure to let people know what works for you as a family. If you cannot go to dinner at 7pm, let them know! If you need a night in, be sure to do that. You are out of your comfort zone so you should just do your best. If you let others know what is and is not working for you, it helps!
18. Enlist others to help! As above, if you are with others on your trip, don’t expect them to just “jump in” and know what you need! Don’t be afraid to ask them to help you. Sometimes you might need to be very specific. If you need someone to grab a diaper, don’t be afraid to ask. If you need someone to hold or cuddle baby, don’t be afraid to ask. People often want to help, they’re just not sure how sometimes.
19. Enjoy the parts that are enjoyable! Some parts of the trip with your new baby will be much much harder than trips before baby. But some parts are going to be super enjoyable! Rejoice in your victories and enjoy the great parts of the trip. Try to laugh through the less enjoyable parts. If you can’t laugh in the moment, take a picture and laugh about it later 😉

Our precious newborn in his mambobaby.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. We can earn commission from linked items. #ad. We are travel advisors affiliated with Lux Rally Travel. We would love to help you plan your family trip and make it as luxurious as possible. Email us at Rebekah.Benguillow@luxrallytravel.com or follow us on instagram @luxtravelforfamilies and YouTube “Lux Travel for Families”.