The warm months of summer are perfect for travel – especially to the beach. Or perhaps you’d rather travel somewhere a bit cooler than home. Regardless, traveling with a little one can be a bit challenging. If you’re packing up your young family this summer, be sure you know the best ways to survive the trip so you can enjoy your vacation.

Better Too Early Than Too Late
It’s far better to spend an extra hour at the airport than push yourself on timing. Everything takes longer with a baby, and if you’re running late your toddler will most certainly have an accident and your infant will need to nurse. Leave yourself plenty of time to accommodate the unexpected as well as the expected.

Check Your Bags
It might seem simpler to bring bags onboard a plane to save time, but you’re not going to save much time and you’ll need your hands. So check as much as you can and leave out just the essentials – this makes your load through the airport lighter and gives you more freedom of movement when your little one dashes away into a crowd.

Bring Your Stroller to the Gate
You can roll your stroller right up to the gate, so why wouldn’t you? Even if your baby is fine walking or being held getting on the plane, she might be sleeping when you get off – having your stroller waiting for you might be a life (or back) saver.