5 Must-Haves For Vacationing With A Baby
That’s me with my first child, who just turned 7 years old a couple weeks ago. My, how time flies! This picture was taken in Naples, FL and it was our first vacation as a family of 3. Fast forward 7 years, add two more kids and now I definitely know what things I can’t live without when going on vacation with a baby!
1. Sun Protection!
No need to reapply that sunscreen every hour, all summer long. Forego the chemicals and opt for sun protective clothing instead. Coolibar has sun protective clothing for the whole family. Their special SUNTECT® fabrics offer guaranteed Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) of 50+ for the life of the garment. This unique material blocks 98% or greater of both UVA and UVB rays. All of their fabrics are lightweight, breathable, quick-drying and easy to care for. I’m in love!
My newest addition has been wearing his Coolibar Beach Romper all summer. It’s lightweight so he doesn’t sweat and comfortable enough to have on all day. I loved his romper so much that I later bought the matching baby beach bucket hat to go with it!
Take 25% Off Everything on www.Coolibar.com plus FREE SHIPPING on all orders with special coupon code SALE14. Sale ends Midnight CST on 9/1/14.
Buy It: www.coolibar.com
2. Flotation Device!
Obviously, you don’t want to worry about your child drowning while you are on vacation. I’ve been through a dozen different life jacket’s, floatation devices and swimmies in the last 7 years and my favorite is The Original Konfidence Jacket™. The jacket features 8 removable floats allowing parents to adjust buoyancy levels as child becomes more confident in the water. The Konfidence Jacket promotes correct swimming position helping child achieve a face forward swimming position. Available in 5 great colors.
Learn more about Konfidence products on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram
Buy It: konfidence-usa.com
3. Water Wrap Baby Carrier
If you have more than one child, this one is absolutely a must-have. I think it’s pretty essential, even with an only child, but that’s just me! I found my water wrap to be extremely handy with my first child and I have used it with all 3 of my kids now from birth until they are old enough to swim by themselves with a flotation device or life jacket of some sort.
There are many different options for babywearing, even in the water. A great one to try is Wrapsody’s Stretch Sport & Water Wrap. It’s fast-drying fabric is as light as your favorite swimsuit yet as comfortable as your favorite running shorts. It also doubles as sun protection! The special stretchy fabric blocks 97.5% – 98% of the sun’s rays (UPF 45), reducing the need for sunscreen.
Buy It: WrapsodyBaby.com
4. Reusable Swim Diapers!
Sure, you can use disposable swim diapers, but you don’t want to pack them in your suitcase because they take up too much room! But if you wait till you get to your destination to buy them, you’ll pay twice the price! Then if you don’t use them all, you want to take them back home with you because they were so gosh-darn expensive and you don’t want to waste them.
Avoid the whole mess by getting a couple reusable swim diapers. Charlie Banana has new prints for their Extraordinary Best Reusable Swim Diapers that cost around $12 each. At that price, you can afford to get a few so you never have to worry about getting disposables again.
Buy It: charliebanana.com
5. Safe Sleeping Spot!
Make sure you always have a safe spot for baby to sleep when you are traveling by bringing along the Natural Mat Top Mat. Two layers of organic lambswool are contained within this handmade mat that is great for traveling as well as laying over your child’s crib mattress. The natural and breathable materials contained within the Top Mat regulate your baby’s temperature and help them to sleep soundly. Perfect to lay down where ever baby naps from hotel beds to your second cousin’s sofa!
About The Natural Mat Company:
The Natural Mat Company’s handmade range includes organic coir, natural latex and mohair mattresses from cribs through to children’s beds. An organic bed linen collection is offered as well. Each mattress provides parents with the peace of mind that babies will have a safe and restful night sleep on the highest quality natural fibers available today. Natural Mat manufactures and distributes mattresses around the world from its base in Topsham, Devon.
Buy It: www.naturalmatusa.com
Learn more about Naturalmat on facebook and the Naturalmat Blog
5 Tips to Keep Baby’s Sleep Schedule While Traveling
Traveling with your baby or young child can be challenging, especially when it comes to keeping his or her naptime and bedtime routines. Getting good rest is the key to keeping your little one in a good mood when you are away from home and on the go, so these five tips may come in handy if you are thinking about traveling in the near future:
1) Keep baby feeling safe and secure by following the same naptime and bedtime routine that you do at home. Bring along his or her favorite books, toys, and blankets – especially those that your baby associates with sleep (napping and bedtime).
2) When possible, try to include lots of outdoor activities during the day but stay close to home (where you are staying) in the evening, to help your baby wind down and fall asleep for the night.
3) Research and purchase a good travel crib. Investing in a sturdy travel crib that offers good support and a comfortable mattress will be worth its weight in gold for this and other trips.
4) Bring along a source of soothing background noise for baby’s room: baby’s nighttime cd’s, a sleep sounds app for your mobile device, or sound machine.
5) Plan your daily activities around your baby’s nap schedule. If possible, let them sleep at least once per day in the travel crib or bed where they will be sleeping at night.
Tips from Sprout Organic Foods