Traveling with babies

My travel this summer made me think of you, mamas… Traveling with babies, with kids, can be a challenge. I remember for each of my kids asking myself multiple questions about the choice to travel: how, where, how long the travel time, how long far from the house…

And every time, my convictions and my thoughts changed. I adjusted to the situation I was in, to my mindset, to what I felt was acceptable in that moment. So I wanted to share with you a guide and a series of questions to support you through your parenthood journey.

1st question: When can you travel with your baby?

That's an excellent question, and one I get often from the families I support.

The first reminder I bring up is the importance of the first 6 weeks, the first 60 days. Take that time for mom to recover and for the couple to discover your baby. I have some families who take it really seriously, and mom won't get out of bed for the first 6 weeks — they build a whole plan around that sacred period. I have other moms who need to get out of the house ASAP, whether it's their activities calling them or because they start to feel low if they rest that much. And then there are the moms in between, who need a bit of both: getting out and resting, finding their own balance.

I want every mom to feel comfortable with her own choice, and to be able to listen to her body and understand her baby. So ultimately, I like to help build a plan around that.

The second reminder is that it's important to review how you feel about people being in contact with your baby, and about confined spaces where there's more germ exposure. What are your thoughts about vaccines?

I'm exposed to a lot of different parenting choices. I have families who don't want to vaccinate their babies, others who want every vaccine done as soon as possible, and families who choose to delay or skip some of the recommended vaccines. So working through your own position on vaccines and germ exposure will bring you your answer. If you want your baby to have received all their vaccines, it may matter to wait until they're fully vaccinated before bringing them into a public space with a lot of people and a higher risk of germ exposure.

I always try to support parents in making the decision that makes sense for them and feels safe for their baby. As you can see, this first question opens up other questions that help you find the right decision for you.

2nd question: Where to go and how?

Should you go to a family home or a public place? Should you drive your own car, fly, or take the train or metro?

I always come back to: what feels safest for you at your baby's current age? I remember with my first, I decided not to fly or take the train until I felt a little further past the newborn phase, the discovery phase — around 15 to 16 weeks. With my third, I tried to get his passport as soon as possible so I could introduce him to family abroad, and he took his first flight at 7 weeks.

My priorities changed, and in both situations, I felt it was the right decision. Looking at recommendations from the CDC, for example, is always a good place to start to get a sense of which direction feels right for you.

3rd question: How long is the travel time, and how far from home?

This is where I ask families to think honestly about their baby's rhythm, not just the destination.

A two-hour drive and an eight-hour flight are not the same commitment, even if the calendar says both are "doable." Think about your baby's feeding routine. If you're breastfeeding, will you need somewhere comfortable to nurse or pump along the way? If you're bottle feeding, do you have what you need to prepare feeds safely on the road? Think about sleep too. Traveling often means naps happen in a car seat, a carrier, or someone's arms instead of the crib, and that's okay, but it helps to expect it rather than fight it.

I also ask families to think about distance from their support system. How far are you from your pediatrician, your IBCLC, your midwife, the people you'd call at 2 a.m. if something felt off? That doesn't mean you shouldn't go far. It means going in with a plan: who can you reach by phone, where's the nearest hospital or clinic, do you have a way to reach me or your care team if you need reassurance.

And give yourself permission to build in slack. Fewer stops than you think you need, more buffer time than feels necessary, an easy way to change plans if your baby is telling you they've had enough. The trip will go better when it's built around your baby's tolerance, not just your itinerary.

There's no universal right answer to how far or how long. There's only the answer that fits your baby, your body, and your season of motherhood right now.

You don't have to figure this out alone

Every one of these questions deserves more space than a blog post can give it, and every family's answers will look different. That's exactly why I put together a guide to walk you through this decision-making process step by step, so you can travel with more confidence and less second-guessing.

Download the free Traveling with Babies guide here and keep these questions close by for whenever your next trip comes up.

And if you want ongoing support well beyond travel, my new online program, the Joyful Motherhood Collective, is where I go deeper with mamas on exactly this kind of decision-making: feeding, sleep, recovery, and trusting yourself through every stage of your 

Support, everywhere.

Motherhood is a team effort, join our online Community for support, advice, questions, swap and exchanges, milk requests or donations, updates and events, and more!

And that's not all! Every week I hold group calls for prenatal and postpartum moms with different topics, follow up activities, tips and freebies. Because you are Birth Gardens mom, you can join the first month for free! Click here and sign up! 

Your Journey Starts Here

The Joyful Motherhood Collective is being built piece by piece, inspired by every mother and baby I meet. It is a community built for you, with you.

To help you take that first step, I have attached my Survival Guide for the First 40 Days. Consider it the beginning of our story together. Download it today and let's start your journey from nesting to nurturing with the support you deserve.

What's in the Collective?

I’m building an online support community for moms, a space where we can meet weekly, talk openly, and learn together. Each week, we’ll explore a topic that so many mothers navigate:

• pregnancy changes

• postpartum recovery

• breastfeeding challenges 

• emotional wellness

• realities of early motherhood

My goal is simple: to make sure no mom feels alone in this season.

If you’d like to learn more about my course, From Nesting to Nurturing, you can connect with me through this link. I’d love to support you in whatever stage of motherhood you’re in.

Joyful Motherhood Collective - Joyful Motherhood Collective 

40 Day Guide

The "forth trimester" is one full of doubts and fears. Why not ease your anxiety with a curated guide full of useful information to navigate the first 40 days with confidence.

Get my free guide here!