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8 Tips for Staying in a Hotel with a Baby: How to Survive and Enjoy It

mom checking on baby in portable bassinet

When it comes to taking trips with babies, parents are given a ton of advice on “getting there.” That includes packing, scheduling, and entertainment for the travel time itself whether by car, plane, or train.

 

But what about once you get to your destination? What about actually staying in a hotel with a baby? A trip is no fun if you’re miserable after 24 hours and just ready to be back home. That’s why we’ve developed some tips on how to handle a hotel with a baby, so you and your family can be sure to fully enjoy your time away!

 

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1. Choose Hotel Accommodations Wisely

Whenever choosing a hotel or place to stay with a baby it is important to consider a safe location, room size, amenities, noise level, safety features, cleaning protocols and reviews! Some hotels even offer baby-friendly services like babysitting or kid's club and will even provide high chairs, strollers, car seats and cribs.

Carefully choosing where you will stay on your trip can make or break your experience in a lot of ways. Your budget and the available hotels in the area play a huge role in your decisions. If possible, we strongly suggest looking for apartment-style or extended stay hotels. These were designed for business travelers staying for an extended period of time, but they are actually pretty perfect for families traveling with babies (even if just for the weekend)!

Extended stay hotels are typically more spread out and come equipped with amenities like a small kitchen or sometimes even a washer and dryer that make traveling with an infant a lot easier! Another bonus to these types of hotels is that they are not as crowded, so you don’t typically have to deal with any light-night parties or loud neighbors.

Another option to consider for accommodations is AirBnB. Renting out a fully furnished apartment, condo, home, or cabin can make traveling with a baby so much easier! You’re not trying to condense your life into a tiny hotel room, but you’re just swapping one home for another. When searching for an AirBnB, be sure to narrow your search to “kid-friendly” locations.

 

2. Bring Your Own Sleeper

You might be asking yourself, “do hotels provide cribs?” The answer is: yes.

Most hotels will rent you a crib to use in your room at a small fee or even for free. However, we always recommend packing your own sleeper if possible! Not only is this the safest option from a germ perspective (you have no control of when or how the hotel’s crib was previously cleaned), but it also ensures that your child is sleeping in a safe and secure place.

If you are traveling with a newborn, we recommend purchasing the HALO Sleep Portable Travel BassiNest Flex. It is easy to carry (it even comes with a carrying case!), super light-weight, compact when disassembled, and provides a comfortable and safe environment for baby to sleep in without sharing a bed with parents!

If bringing along your own sleeper isn’t an option, you want to make sure to call ahead to see if your hotel has any available cribs and for what cost. During this, you can also ask for the manufacturer of the cribs they have. You can use this information to double-check if it meets current safety standards set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Many hotels do not provide sheets, but even if they do, we always recommend bringing your own, so be sure to ask for the size of the crib mattress.

Featuring HALO Sleep Flex Portable BassiNest

 

3. Keep Your Routines

Even though you might be on vacation, vacationing with kids means sticking to certain routines as much as possible, especially when it comes to naps and nighttime sleep. When you can, organize your plans around your little one’s sleep schedule. A well-rested baby is a happy baby, and a happy baby means a more fun vacation!

Believe us that keeping your bedtime routine, even when you aren’t at home, is going to be essential in ensuring your little one (and you!) get a restful night of sleep.

Sticking to that routine means packing your routine essentials: swaddles or sleepsacks, bedtime books, sound machines, etc. If your routine includes bathtime, be sure to pack the necessities for that as well! If your hotel room only has a shower, you can always bring along a portable infant tub.

These familiar items and actions are all things your little one associates with bedtime and sleep.

 

4. Put Your Baby in the Bathroom

You read that right. If you’re sticking to the routine, many babies are used to sleeping in darkness. Maybe you even have blackout curtains at home in their nursery. Staying in a hotel with a baby means you have limited “rooms” to blackout. The bathroom is just the place!

You’re able to keep it dark, cool, and plug in a sound machine. This way you don’t have to worry about bringing blackout shades! Plus, this means not everyone in the hotel room has to go to bed at your baby’s bedtime. Stay up, order room service, watch some TV, and enjoy your evening!

If you need to have a little more ease of mind when if choosing to have your baby sleep in the bathroom, pack a baby monitor that allows you to check in on the baby through video rather than having the continuously open the door to check on your little.

 

5. Take the Time-Zone into Account

When your baby goes to bed is a major part of their routine (yes, back to the importance of keeping a routine!). Their body starts to recognize when it’s time to sleep. If your baby’s bedtime is usually 7:00 pm, but you’re in a time zone one hour ahead, you may not start the routine till closer to 8:00 pm.

It is also recommended to gradually adjust the baby's schedule by small increments a few days before the trip. This can be done by shifting the baby's feeding, napping, and sleeping times by 15-30 minutes every day until the new time zone is reached.

Depending on the length of your stay, you can try to “force” the time zone change on them, however, for longer trips, there’s no harm in letting them sleep when they want and having their bodies adjust naturally.

Another way to help babies adjust to time-zone differences when on vacation is expose the baby to sunlight during the day and reduce exposure to bright screens during the evening to help reset their circadian rhythm.

Dont forget to be paitent and flexible as it may take a few days for your little to be adjusted to the new time. Providing familiar comfort items like a favorite blanket or toy can also help them feel more at ease.

 

6. Strategize Your Packing

A lot of times the mentality for packing, especially with new parents, is “let’s take everything we could even possibly need.” This can be overwhelming and stressful to organize. Instead, get strategic with your packing by looking at where you’re going and your plans to determine what you will definitely need.

Planning ahead and making a list is very important when trying to pack light or pack strategically when traveling with a baby. This will help you avoid packing unnecessary items and ensure that you don't forget anything essential. Think about what your baby needs on a daily basis and prioritize those items.

Here are some best practices to follow:

  • Avoid bulky items like high chairs or swings if possible
  • Bring one extra (not 5) of things like bibs especially if your hotel has a washing machine
  • Avoid overpacking items that you can buy at your destination (diapers, wipes, etc.)
  • Consider renting items through platforms like Baby Quips or checking in local Facebook groups
  • Don’t go overboard on the toys - there will be plenty of new and exciting things to keep your little one entertained!
  • Pack versatile items like a lightweight blanket that can be used as a nursing cover.

7. Create a Plan B for Food

Depending on your baby’s age, hotel food may not even be something they are able to eat. There’s also the chance that you’ll be paying $10 dollars for mac and cheese that your child may eat or may just throw on the floor. For this reason, be sure to have a backup plan for food. 

We recommend doing some research to see what is in the area of your location that would have food your baby or child would like. If there is nothing in the area, think about bringing enough food from home to last the duration of your trip. 

Using airtight containers will help prevent spoilage and maintain freshness. This can include plastic containers, resealable bags, or a vacuum sealer.

If your baby's food needs to be kept cold, pack it in a cooler with ice packs. This is especially important for perishable items like dairy products or prepared baby food that has been opened.

If your hotel has a refrigerator in it, don't forget to remove food from the cooler and place there! 

 

8. Baby Proof as Much as Possible

However long you are staying, you’ll want to treat your hotel room as a temporary home. That means making sure it is safe for your little one to be in and explore! Here are a few tips to baby proof your hotel room! 

  • Bring your own baby proofing supplies: Consider bringing some baby proofing supplies with you, such as outlet covers, cabinet locks, and corner guards. These can be easily packed in a small bag and used to make the hotel room safer for your baby.
  • Do a sweep of the room: Walk through the room and identify any potential hazards, such as sharp edges, loose cords, or open outlets. Move any dangerous items out of reach or ask the hotel staff to remove them if possible.
  • Make use of furniture: Use furniture in the room to create barriers or block off certain areas that may be hazardous, such as blocking access to the balcony or moving furniture in front of an open fireplace. Additionally, consider using pillows or extra blankets to cushion sharp edges or corners.

Remember to always supervise your baby and keep an eye on them to ensure they are safe, even after you have baby proofed the hotel room.

In conclusion, traveling with a baby can be challenging, but with proper planning and preparation, it can also be a fun and rewarding experience for the whole family. Staying in a hotel with a baby can be especially challenging, but by following the tips we've provided, you can help ensure a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable stay for everyone. Remember to communicate your needs with the hotel staff, pack smart, and prioritize your baby's comfort and safety at all times. With these tips in mind, you can focus on creating lasting memories with your little one during your travels.

Other Questions Parents Ask About Traveling with Babies

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