Brought to you by Inglesina Travel Systems

At this time of year, most of us meet up with friends and family to enjoy the celebrations together. This is even more the case if you have a new baby and everyone can’t wait to meet your new addition. Here are my tips on making the most of this time and keeping stress levels to a minimum.

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Car Journeys

Travelling with a baby during the holidays can be both exciting and challenging. Make sure you've got all the essentials within arms reach — nappies, wipes, bottles, and don’t forget to pack your Christmas Cheer!

Holiday traffic at this time of year is almost a certainty - if you can plan your drive time around your baby’s naps wherever possible, it will make the trip easier for both you and your baby.

A car seat like the Inglesina Darwin Infant Recline offers an innovative backrest reclining mechanism and leg rest extension so that your baby can safely recline in a perfectly aligned position. Making it comfortable for sleeping and better for their posture. With 149 holes to facilitate ventilation too, it offers everything for your baby’s wellness and safety.

Irrelevant of the car seat you buy, it is recommended that your baby is not in their seat for long periods of time, so make sure you plan for frequent stops so your baby has a change of position, can be fed and changed and enjoy a bit of fresh air.  Your baby should not be travelling in a car seat wearing a coat or snowsuit, so make sure you wrap them up before you take them outside for a break.

If you are not able to plan your driving around nap times, get hold of some things to keep your baby busy - these could be car seat toys or black and white muslins to keep them occupied. Pop on some Christmas tunes, baby’s love a sing song!

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Create a 'home from home'

Staying away from home with a new baby definitely requires some extra planning, but planning ahead will really help.

Do your best to replicate your baby’s home environment where possible. Bring their usual sleeping bag and crib sheets.  It isn’t always possible to bring their crib or bassinet, so it is worth considering a pram or travel system that comes with a carrycot suitable for overnight sleep. Inglesina’s travel systems all come with a large carrycot and a stand, so your pram carrycot can double up as a crib for a few nights away, simply by lifting it off the travel system chassis and popping it on the stand. This is perfect for your baby, as it is an environment they are familiar and comfortable with. The bamboo lining is made from a natural breathable fabric that makes for a comfortable sleep environment both day and night.

Call ahead to where you are staying to make sure the area is baby-proof. If you are staying with friends or family, pop them on facetime and have a little walk through so they can make sure the space is safe for your little one. They will be more than happy to accommodate any changes to make sure your baby is safe and you are happy.

If you are weaning, bring pre-made meals with you where possible. It is often more tricky cooking in someone else’s home, especially at a time of year when mealtimes are a little more complicated. Freeze ahead of time and pop in an iced cooler bag for travelling and into the freezer when you get there. Make sure your hosts have made some space for meals in their no-doubt packed freezer!

If you are going to be staying away for a while, why not organise a supermarket delivery of baby supplies ahead of time - it will save on packing and luggage space and the risk of forgetting something at home

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Sticking to routine

If your baby is in a good routine, try and stick to it where possible. Especially sleep times and feeding times as this will help them to adjust to their new environment. Try to get out of the house and enjoy being in the great outdoors, making use of your travel system to walk off some of the festive over-indulgences. Your baby will really benefit from the fresh air and it can be calming if the house is a little busy and over-stimulating.

Be mindful of the outside temperatures and ensure your baby is dressed appropriately in layers of clothing. Your pram should have good circulation and weather protection. Inglesina’s Aptica pram comes with an all-season seat which has a double breathable mesh layer for air circulation, plus a comfort cover to protect your little one from the winter weather. Check your baby’s temperature regularly on their neck/back or tummy to make sure they are not too hot or too cold. Pop on a hat and gloves for extra warmth if needed.

This is a special time of year, with lots of new faces and plenty of people wanting to spend time with your little one, so if you are struggling to keep to routine, don’t stress too much about it. Your baby will very quickly get back into their regular routine once they are home.

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Enjoy!

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Make the most of having those extra pairs of hands available and people wanting to help you and spend time with your baby. Remember, flexibility is key. Things might not go exactly as planned, but with a bit of preparation and a positive attitude, you'll make some great holiday memories!

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