Tips to Travel With Toddlers

As a busy mom, I look forward to taking a time out at a hotel. The pillows are fluffier, and the mattress is firmer than the one in my bedroom. I also don’t worry about washing when I wrap a fresh towel around my body after every long, steamy shower. And the best part of the trip–room service and housekeeping. Although I easily transition to my home away from home, my daughter doesn’t. She tosses and turns in the hotel’s crib, and crawls into my bed. And she sheds tears when I can’t find her favorite cartoon charters on the television.

So after a few sleepovers, I learned a few lessons. Here are some tips to travel with toddlers.

On every trip away from home, I bring along a few of my daughter’s friends. The stuffed animals and dolls keep her company in the car and the room. She even has multiples of her prized Pillow Pet a.k.a. Pink Pillow. In case we leave one behind, we won’t experience a meltdown in the car! The pillows are spread out!

Have you ever stayed in a hotel room where the blinds are so thick you wouldn’t realize the sun came up if you didn’t set your alarm clock? My daughter isn’t afraid of the dark at home, but a pitch black environment is pretty scary in an unfamiliar place. I toss a small plug in night light in the suitcase to ward away potential boogie monsters.

My little one won’t go to sleep without her orange and pink polka dot blanket. Since birth, she has cuddled up with the security blankie, which surprisingly is still in tact.

My daughter is addicted to Disney, Nick Jr. and Sprout. Everyday, we watch an animated episode before bedtime. To continue our routine, I download Daniel, Dora, Cailou and Peppa onto my iPad. I also bring along a book for story time.

After watching way too many investigative reports about how hotels rarely wash bedspreads or wipe off remote controls, I spray a disinfectant throughout the room. I definitely don’t want someone to get sick on vacation!

Hey DFTM Fam–What travel tips would you add to the list? Before you pack your bags, make sure you enter the Playtex Baby® giveaway! Click here.