I’m guessing that by the time that babies are 13 months old, most of their moms are experts at getting around with their little one in tow. Not me. I had a baby at the very beginning of a global pandemic and have been extremely cautious about exposing her to any risks. For about a year, we haven’t left our house much. We’ve gone to doctor appointments, to pick up groceries, for a weekend drive in the country, but nothing for more than a couple hours – tops.

So, when my husband and I (both now vaccinated) made the decision to travel out of state for four days, I was panicked. How would the baby handle the trip? Would she sleep at night? Would she be scared to meet new people? How would I handle being away from home for the first time in more than a year?

I hadn’t even changed more than a handful of diapers outside of our nursery, so the thought of spending several days away from the routines and amenities of home shook my confidence. It’s embarrassing to admit it, but I felt like I wasn’t quite a full-blown mom yet. Moms know how to handle any situation. I wasn’t even that good at taking my baby in and out of her car seat.

But I knew it was important for our family to take this trip and for me to face these insecurities. And as it turned out, our baby did GREAT. It was amazing to watch her experience new things, meet family members, and adapt so easily to so many changes. Babies really are resilient.

And after we made it home, I felt a big sense of accomplishment, like I earned a new mom merit badge. I was proud of myself. We did it – without many tears, without any major mishaps, and with lots of smiles and laughs.

I won’t bore you with all of the details and delays of our trip, but I will share a few travel tips:

• Bring new toys or books that your baby hasn’t seen before. There is some really engaging stuff out there. We especially like books with flaps and buckles.
• Pack extra clothes for your baby in your travel bag, but also pack a change of clothes for yourself. A friend recommended this to me and I couldn’t believe that I hadn’t thought of it.
• Pack lots of travel snacks, more than you think you will ever need. Finding food that I felt comfortable feeding my baby while traveling was a challenge.
• Try to find things with lids: water bottles, sippy cups, and snack cups.
• Be kind and patient with yourself, and don’t forget to eat!

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About Danielle Vigueria

Danielle Vigueria is a new mom, step-mom, wife, and freelance writer. She has a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Virginia and a Master of Professional Studies in publishing from George Washington University. She recently traded her beach life in coastal Virginia for the mountains of Idaho. When she isn’t writing, Danielle relaxes by hanging out with her family, reading lots of YA fiction, and watching the deer wander in her backyard.