You must be wondering why am I writing about traveling when the majority of people are staying home right now. And why the focus on baby liquid cleanser? It’s been 5 months now that we have not stepped out of our house except for grocery shopping. I am sure you too have been staying safe indoors with your family.

But now the situation is changing, people are accepting the new normal and have started a new way of living. Some have even started taking short trips to meet their family. And, many are already planning a vacation for the next year. We are one of them but yes we won’t be traveling out of the country until the COVID-19 cases become zero. And we are hoping that 2021 will be different.

A few days back in a candid discussion with my husband, I asked him this question. How do you think we will travel post this coronavirus pandemic? And he said it will definitely not be the same as it used to be earlier. He was right and we went on to discuss more on this. Later that day, I decided to redo our packing checklist and realized that now our travel bag will also have a sanitizer, disinfectant & hygiene kit as essentials.

And, after giving some thought I added natural liquid cleanser to the list too. Here’s why I think you should too pack a liquid cleanser in your travel bag if traveling with a baby (infant or toddler).

Why Pack Baby Liquid Cleanser?

Now, comes the question of why baby liquid cleanser is an essential item to be packed while traveling with a baby. I have realized the importance of using a natural liquid cleanser only during the lockdown. For the past 5 months, we have been focussing a lot on maintaining hygiene and cleanliness. We wash hands multiple times in a day, sanitize all the surfaces which are touched regularly, we are even disinfecting vegetables and fruits.

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I have been using this Mother Sparsh Natural Baby Liquid Cleanser for the last one and a half months. Initially, I was using it for cleaning my son’s water bottle, his toys, and other things in his playroom. I found it really good and then I started using it for washing fruits and vegetables too.

The best part about this cleanser is that it is plant-based and has green apple and basil as key ingredients. Apple extract is a natural cleanser and basil is anti-bacterial and anti-microbial in nature. Being natural, this liquid cleanser is completely safe to use even for baby’s stuff.

You can wash the feeding bottles, pacifier, breast pump, and even bottle sterilizer with this Mother Sparsh cleanser. It removes up to 50% more milk film from baby bottles and also eliminates the unpleasant odor from the milk residue. And, if you worry about the tough stains then leave your worry to this cleanser, it works like magic.

This cleanser is free from harmful toxins, paraben, sulfate & synthetic dyes. It is IFRA certified for allergen-free fragrance.

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Now if this natural baby liquid cleaner is this good and works amazingly in killing harmful bacteria then there should not be a question of why to pack it for traveling. In fact, this should be on the top of your checklist if you are traveling with a baby during or post-pandemic.

Here, I am sharing a list of essentials to pack in a travel bag if you are traveling with a baby (infant or toddler). I am also recommending my favorite brands below which I have used in the past.

20 Essentials to Pack in a Baby Travel Bag

Product Image Source – Google

1 – Feeding Bottles & Bowls

Whether it’s a day trip or a long vacation, packing 2-3 feeding bottles (for bottle-fed babies) and at least 2 small feeding bowls with a spoon is a must for babies and toddlers.

Brand Reco – Bottles by Avent & Bowls by Mee Mee

2 – Sippy Cup

Sippy cups come really handy for toddlers to keep them hydrated while traveling. Most parents don’t consider it essential to pack but as per my experience, it’s a must. You can easily keep a watch on the water intake and even serve juice and other liquids in it. It is way better hygienic.

Brand Reco – Avent (Classic and Premium both are good)

3 – Thermos for hot water

We have always carried a thermos with us to carry hot water when Nemit was a baby. If your baby is formula-fed or you need to make instant cereal on the go, then you should definitely pack a thermos in the baby travel bag. And I feel it will be an essential item to carry while traveling post-pandemic.

Brand Reco – Milton 

4 – Milk Powder/Formula/Cereal/snacks etc.

Again if your baby is formula-fed, then don’t forget to pack the milk powder. During our Maldives trip when Nemit was 13 months old, I had even packed home-made multi-grain cereal & finger snacks for him.

Brand Reco – Milk powder/formula as suggested by the pediatrician

5 – Milk Powder Dispenser

Just packing a box of the formula is not enough because on the go you won’t be able to keep it fresh for long. So, yes, a milk powder dispenser with 3-4 compartments is a must.

Brand Reco – Babyhug

Product Image Source – Google

6 – Baby Liquid Cleanser

I have already explained the why above. Just like a sanitizer, carrying a baby liquid cleanser should be a must when traveling with young kids in the post corona era.

Brand Reco – Mother Sparsh 

7 – Bottle & Nipple Brush/Sponge

No need to explain this. You will need a brush or sponge to clean the bottle or baby utensils.

Brand Reco – Brush – Mee Mee & Farlin, Sponge – Any

8 – Bottle Sterilizer

If your baby is in the age range 0-12 months old, then you should definitely pack the bottle sterilizer. Infants are at a higher risk of getting sick so it’s better to take all precautions when traveling with a baby.

Brand Reco – Avent 3-in-1 electric steam sterilizer

9 – Breast Pump (if using)

Again, no need to explain this. If you use a breast pump to express milk then it’s an essential item to be packed for traveling too.

Brand Reco – Manual – Babyhug, Electric – Medela

10 – Diapers & Changing mat

If your baby wears diapers, disposable or cloth, it’s important that you pack enough. If the diapers are taking a lot of space in your travel bag then you may check with the hotel if they can arrange that.

Brand Reco – Mamy Poko for daytime and Pampers for nighttime 

Product Image Source – Google

11 – Wipes/Tissues

Never ever forget to carry lots of wipes and tissues when traveling with young children. And, if traveling during or post-pandemic then you should also keep a pack of anti-bacterial wipes. For babies, I only prefer natural wipes.

Brand Reco – Mother Sparsh for baby and Babyhug for materials

12 – Diaper Disposal Bag

Many parents make a big mistake by not considering the disposal bag as an essential item. Please, parents, never throw away diapers without covering them.

Brand Reco – Any (look for biodegradable & sealable bags)

13 – Baby Care Products

Don’t forget to pack baby care products.

Brand Reco – 5 Best Natural Baby Wash for Sensitive Skin from Indian Brands

14 – Favorite Toys/Books

Parents make another common mistake by not packing their baby’s favorite toy or book. These things can make a gloomy baby happy in no time.

Brand Reco – Your child’s favorite

15 – Pacifier/Soother

If your baby needs a pacifier then don’t forget to pack it on the top of the diaper bag. Because this may come really handy while soothing a cranky baby.

Brand Reco – Avent soothers are good

Product Image Source – Google

16 – Essential Medicines/Hygiene Kit

There’s no need to mention this but medicines & a first aid kit should be on the priority list. The important medicines should be kept in the diaper bag. And now a hygiene kit consisting of face mask, face shield, gloves, sanitizer, etc. should be counted as essential to pack during and post-pandemic traveling.

As recommended by the doctor.

17 – Clothes/Bib/Shoes/Cap

Don’t overpack clothes and shoes. Usually, mothers want to pack matching tops, bottoms, socks, shoes, and everything. Please don’t do that. Here are 5 Simple Packing Hacks for Traveling with Kids.

Brand Reco – Babyhug, Ollypop, Carter’s,

18 – Ergonomic Baby Carrier

If you plan to explore a place then do pack an ergonomic baby carrier, it will be a savior for you.

Brand Reco – R for Rabbit & Soul

19 – Swimming essentials

If you plan a beach vacation or stay at the hotel with a pool then packing swimming pool essentials is a must. I have a blog post on pool essentials to pack in travel bag for kids.

20 – A Small Cosy Blanket

If your baby sleeps in the same blanket daily then do pack it in the bag. It will act as a comforter during long flights/journeys.

Have you traveled with your child during this pandemic? How was your experience? Where will you travel to post-pandemic? And, do tell me in the comments if you have used Mother Sparsh Baby Liquid Cleanser.

The post 20 Essentials to pack in a Baby Travel Bag & Why Baby Liquid Cleanser? appeared first on Growing With Nemit.

Hey guys, this is my last post of the A to Z series of Traveling with Kids. I hope you liked reading our travelogues and found the tips helpful. My only aim to share our travel experiences was to show that traveling with babies and toddlers is not that difficult. It’s one of those things that you learn to enjoy once you step into it.

Mommies and daddies, there is nothing that can stop you from traveling and exploring new places with your kids. You just have to prepare well and take that plunge. I feel if I could convince even one family to keep their fears aside and plan their first vacation with their child, my work will be done. But this is not the end, it is just the beginning. And soon we will see more and more families taking up traveling with their babies.

The world is waiting for you!

26 Best Tips for Traveling with Babies and Toddlers

I am listing down 26 of our best travel tips which we have learned during the last 3 years of traveling with Nemit. Some of these we learned from our own mistakes. And, others from our own hit and trial. Check these out-

1- Prepare yourself. Ask yourself if you are ready for it or need more time. If every time the answer comes a ‘yes’, then don’t think much & take the plunge.

2- Prepare your child. If your baby or the toddler has a routine for most of the things then half of your work is already done. If not, try maintaining a schedule for your child. It will not only help during your vacation but will go a long way.

3- Travel as a Family. I have shared this tip earlier also and I will say this again. Remember when you are on a family vacation, your focus should be on your family only.

4- Divide your tasks. To avoid any difficult situations divide your baby duties so that it doesn’t feel like a burden to anyone. Don’t set unrealistic expectations & clear the expectations before taking the trip.

5- Packing. Don’t overpack otherwise most of your time will go in finding stuff from the bags. Use packing cubes if you have a small baby, these cubes will be really helpful in keeping the small clothes organized in one place.

6- Where to go. You should do thorough research of the place where you are going to. In addition, plan your itinerary very carefully, keep a day free in your plan.

You may also read – 5 Tips to Plan a Kid-friendly Holiday!

7- Booking a Flight. If you are afraid of taking a long flight with your child, prepare in advance. Book a flight time which corresponds to your child’s nap time.

8- Keep them engaged. Pack enough activities to keep him engaged and also keep a lot of snacks for munching.

9- Booking a Hotel. Before booking a place to stay do check the latest reviews on Google as well as travel websites. Also, remember to book only a kid-friendly hotel.

10- Book an Airbnb. If you are planning a budget trip, look for an Airbnb property.

11- Keep Balance.  It’s important to keep a balance between leisure time and activity time. Toddlers don’t like lazying around for long, keep their interests in mind.

12- Be Flexible. When you are traveling with kids, you can’t be on a tight schedule. Be flexible and open to last minute changes.

13- Entertainment for kids. Look out for fun entertainment options for your toddlers. Check if there’s an amusement park where you are going and plan half a day for them. For babies, look out for safe play areas.

You may also read – 11 Cool Outfit Ideas for Toddler Boys for a Vacation!

14- Meet the locals. An excellent way for kids to learn about people and their culture. And, also to make new friends.

15- Travel Bag. Keep a backpack instead of a handbag for a day out. Always carry the wipes, snack box, an extra outfit, and your child’s favorite toy in the bag.

16- Travel Essentials. Make note of travel essentials you need to carry always. When Nemit was a baby, his carrier was an essential item for us. And, when he graduated to toddler stage, we always carried his stroller along.

17- Check the weather. Always check the weather during your travel dates.

18- Medicines & Prescription. Before going on a vacation, get a general checkup done for your baby. And, get a prescription for travel medicines.

19- Keep a torch. During our Meghalaya trip, we realized how big a mistake it was to not keep a torch with us.

You may also read – 5 Summer Vacation Ideas for Families in India!

20- Carry a power bank. Again, if you are traveling to an offbeat location, the power bank is a must.

21- Keep your cool. It is very easy to get frustrated when you are in a new place & your kids come up with weird demands or start showing tantrums. Losing temper may not help anyone, try to take control of the situation with a cool mind.

22- Booking a driver. Most of the times we book a single cab for our travels. But there were incidences when we didn’t like the behavior of the driver. Hence, it is advisable to confirm the booking for the whole trip only after spending 1 day with the driver.

23- Check your documents. I have mentioned in one of my posts, how my mom had to go back from the airport when the officials found her passport damaged, which she was not aware of. It’s always better to check all the documents before taking the trip.

24- Carry enough cash. Even though there are ATMs everywhere, it is still a sensible idea to carry enough cash. And, don’t keep all the cash in one place.

25- Keep a nice camera. Invest in a nice phone with a great camera or buy a nice camera to capture all your lovely travel moments with your family. These will become your most treasured memories.

26- Enjoy your time. Most importantly, don’t forget to enjoy each and every moment with your kids. Make the most of this time and you will go back as a better person. Take my word!

So, these are some of the best tips from our travel experience and these somewhat cover the A to Z of traveling with kids. I am sure these tips will come really handy for families traveling for the first time with their babies and toddlers. Don’t forget to leave a comment below and do share it with your friends and family.

Today is Day 26 of #BlogchatterA2Z and the letter of the day is ‘Z’. My theme for the challenge is ‘Traveling with kids’ & I have chosen Z for Z. 

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The post 26 Tips for Traveling with Babies and Toddlers – A to Z of Family Travel appeared first on Growing With Nemit.