Travelling with a baby or toddler is very different from travelling alone. The biggest difference is that you’ll need to plan well in advance. When clients contact me with concerns about travel, the first thing I always tell them is to get their child settled into a good routine a few weeks before the trip.
Over many years of sleep consulting, I’ve clearly observed that children in a routine adapt more quickly and easily to new environments. This applies whether you’re crossing time zones or staying within your usual one.
It’s also important that your baby feels safe and secure wherever you ask him to sleep. I always recommend bringing your own portable travel cot. If you don’t already have one, try borrowing one from a friend or hiring one a week before your trip so you are able to test it—and then take it with you. Believe me, it’s worth it. The last thing you need is to arrive and find the hotel has run out of cots, or that the one provided isn’t suitable (or worse—your baby can climb out of it!). I suggest putting your baby into the travel cot for at least two nights before you go, so he is able to get used to it. This helps ease the transition into a new environment.
Your travel cot needs to be as safe as possible. It should have full mesh sides from the base to the top, with no solid fabric. The mattress should clip securely into place so an older toddler cannot lift it and become trapped underneath. Avoid inflatable mattresses, aftermarket mattresses, or padded sheets.
If you’re travelling a long distance by car, it’s often easier to begin the journey at your baby’s sleep time. I’ve found the simplest plan is to set off around 6.30 pm, just after your baby’s last feed for the night. In most cases, your baby will settle and sleep through much of the drive. If possible, the driver should try to have a nap earlier in the day before setting off.
For longer trips, it’s a good idea to break the journey with an overnight stay at a motel. If your baby is already familiar with the portable cot, this transition will usually go smoothly.
Another good option—especially for younger babies—is to begin the drive first thing in the morning and continue through the morning and midday naps, stopping for feeds and your own lunch along the way to break things up. If your baby is still having a dreamfeed, don’t worry about stopping exactly on time—just aim to do it within the hour it’s due. What matters more is finding a safe place to stop, rather than watching the clock.
When travelling by car, always pack a small essentials bag that’s easy to access, rather than needing to stop and dig through the boot. Keep in mind that some babies may get carsick on longer journeys, so be prepared with wipes, spare clothes, and plastic bags.
Travelling by car is generally easier than flying or taking public transport, as you have the ability to bring more of the accessories your baby needs to feel comfortable and settled.
Your baby must always be secured in a properly fitted car seat—no matter how short the journey. Never, under any circumstances, place a seatbelt around yourself and your baby. In the event of a collision, your body weight pressing against the seatbelt could cause serious injury or even death, even in a minor crash.
In Australia, car seats must be installed in the back seat and comply with current Australian Standards. If you’re considering a second-hand car seat, it’s essential to know its full history. If it shows any signs of damage or has ever been involved in an accident, it should not be used.
Car seats should be selected and upgraded based on your child’s height, not just their age. Always check your child’s weight and compare it to the manufacturer’s guidelines for any car seat you are considering.
Current research shows that the safest position for babies and toddlers up to two or three years of age is rearward-facing. Keeping your child rearward-facing as long as possible—within the car seat’s safety limits—is one of the most effective ways to reduce risk in a crash.
Most cars in Australia now come with ISOFIX anchorage points as standard. ISOFIX-compatible car seats provide a secure and straightforward installation method, reducing the chance of incorrect fitting. In my experience working with thousands of families, I’ve found that traditional car seats are often fitted incorrectly, while ISOFIX seats are generally easier for parents to install correctly on their own.
While professionally installed car seats and ISOFIX seats offer equal protection when fitted correctly, ISOFIX often leads to fewer fitting errors. These seats are also easier to transfer between cars, which may save families from needing to buy multiple car seats—especially when quality and safety are a priority.
Travelling by plane with a baby or toddler may be challenging, and requires extra planning. If you’re flying with a younger baby, contact the airline ahead of time to request a seat with a bassinet. However, always be prepared for changes—airlines often have to reassign seating at the last minute, so don’t be disappointed if a bassinet is no longer available on the day.
Keep your baby warm during the flight, as the air-conditioning could make the cabin quite cool. A warm baby is more likely to settle and sleep comfortably.
To help protect your baby’s ears during take-off and landing, I recommend offering a milk feed during these times. Because your baby may not feed well if they’re not hungry, it’s best to adjust the previous feed slightly. For example, if your flight is at 4 pm and your baby usually feeds at 3 pm, try offering the previous feed around 2 pm. This way, your baby is likely to take a breastfeed or bottle closer to 4 pm, which will also help soothe their ears during ascent or descent.
When travelling with a younger baby, I recommend checking in your pram with your luggage. Carrying your baby in a sling or carrier will free up your hands while boarding and storing cabin bags. However, if you’re flying with a toddler, a stroller could be very helpful—to prevent little ones from running around the airport or to give them a chance to nap, especially during delays. Most airlines will allow you to check the stroller at the gate just before boarding.
If your baby is on formula, bring the water and powder separately. It’s not always possible to keep prepared formula at a safe temperature on the plane, and even if cabin crew offer to refrigerate it, I’ve seen bottles left out for extended periods while meals are being served. Always pack extra formula, bottles, and snacks in case of delays, spillage, or if your baby is unsettled and feeding more than usual.
If you’re breastfeeding, be sure to bring some extra snacks and water for yourself—you may not get a chance to eat during regular meal times, and keeping your energy up is important.
No matter how you’ve travelled, once you arrive at your final destination you may need to keep your baby awake a little longer than usual on the first night—especially if they slept well during the journey.
It’s important to follow your usual bedtime routine so your baby recognises the familiar sleep cues. If you’re staying with friends or relatives, consider asking them to give you some quiet space for the first couple of nights so your baby doesn’t become overstimulated.
If you’ve crossed time zones, put your baby back onto their normal routine at local time on the first morning—regardless of how early they woke or how broken their sleep was the night before. If your baby wakes more frequently than usual overnight, try offering water and a cuddle. But if this starts to become a habit after a couple of nights, try waiting ten minutes before going to them.
Once your baby has settled into their routine again, you may make small adjustments to help you enjoy your holiday more. The key is to avoid changing the routine two days in a row, as this could lead to overtiredness. If a small adjustment works without any issues, try repeating it for a second day and see how your baby responds.
Keep in mind your baby doesn’t need to sleep in their cot at every sleep time—just somewhere safe and comfortable. Still, try to offer a familiar comforter for all naps and overnight sleep. If your baby starts taking shorter naps than usual while you’re away, don’t worry. You may simply bring bedtime forward slightly to help them catch up on rest.
Many parents find their baby actually sleeps better while on holiday—particularly in warmer climates where the extra warmth may help promote better sleep. If you plan to take your baby out in the evening so you may enjoy a meal, consider offering an extra late-afternoon nap to help them stay happier and more settled during dinner.
And finally, don’t worry if your baby’s routine falls apart while you’re away. A couple of uninterrupted days back home is usually all it takes to get everything back on track.
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