Travel With Baby Notes
Details and learnings from travels with Poppy, 2021-2022.
Portland (2 mo) • Our biggest mistake on this trip was getting a lofted studio Airbnb. Not having a bedroom with a door that could close = lots of tiptoeing and quiet activities only.
Type of travel: Road trip + Airbnb for a weekend
Eating: Nursing
Sleeping: Pack & play at the foot of our bed. Tried to plan long drives during nap time.
Activities: Walks, shopping, getting takeout, chilling at airbnb (puzzles, movies on ipad with headphones in)
Transportation: Car and stroller
San Diego (6 mo) • We were able to do more activities during the day by utilizing stroller naps, but made sure she got good sleep at night by planning for dinner at the Airbnb and home activities after her bedtime.
Type of travel: Airplane + Airbnb for a week
Eating: Nursing, grocery shopped on the first day for breakfasts and some baby friendly food. Brought travel high chair (for use at airbnb)
Sleeping: Pack & play at the foot of our bed, stroller naps during the day. Flights during nap times = win.
Activities: Legoland, San Diego Zoo, beach, children’s museum, brunch
Transportation: Rental car, stroller, baby carrier
Bainbridge Island (11 mo) • Hard to get good naps for day trips.
Type of travel: Day trip w/ferry ride
Eating: Snacks from home, whatever we were eating
Sleeping: Stroller and car naps
Activities: Walks, shops, restaurants
Transportation: Car, stroller
Similar trips: Puyallup Fair (more successful because I was able to transfer her sleeping from stroller to car seat), Woodland Park Zoo (more successful because I kept her awake until I got her in the car and then we had a longish drive)
Goat Lake (12 mo) • Sleep was a disaster this trip, and the campsite was not toddler friendly at all (steep hills, small cliffs to the lake). Felt really accomplished making it through though!! Would attempt again 😂
Type of travel: Backpacking + camping for 1 night
Eating: Nursing, snacks from home, whatever we were eating
Sleeping: Small sleeping pad between our two sleeping bags, in a puffy red suit we got discounted from REI
Activities: Hiking, eating, exploring.
Transportation: Car, hiking backpack
Lake Easton (14 mo) • Car camping was a breeze compared to backpacking! No baby monitor though, so at least one of us had to be within earshot of the tent after she was sleeping.
Type of travel: Car camping for 2 nights
Eating: Ate our food, snacks from home, brought travel high chair
Sleeping: Small sleeping pad between our two sleeping bags, in a puffy red suit we got discounted from REI
Activities: Hiking/walks, eating, hanging out around the campsite
Transportation: Car, hiking backpack
San Francisco (14 mo) • Solo sightseeing with a picky eater while staying in a hotel room was hard (Anthony was there for work, so I was on my own during the day). Having loose plans helped – if they fell through, no biggie, but having no plans was somehow more stressful as it’s impossible to research activities while also taking care of a wiggly toddler.
Type of travel: Airplane + hotel for 4 nights
Eating: Snacks from home (useful for transitions and picky eating), grocery shopped for some basics, and whatever we were eating
Sleeping: Hotel provided crib off to the side of our bed. Planned for daily nap to be in the hotel room.
Activities: Sightseeing, walks, parks, shopping, eating, trolley to Pier 39, children’s museum
Transportation: Stroller, baby carrier
Portland (14 mo) • Bringing toys and having space in the airbnb for her to run around and explore was helpful for the antsy tot.
Type of travel: Road trip + Airbnb for a weekend
Eating: Snacks from home, grocery shopped for some basics, and whatever we were eating
Sleeping: In a travel crib, in a separate room from us. Mix of crib naps and car naps.
Activities: Shopping, eating, cafes. Bringing a travel bag of toys was a win for keeping her entertained in the airbnb.
Transportation: Car, stroller, baby carrier