If you and your partner love to travel, don’t worry about giving it up when you become parents. Traveling with a baby can be a little challenging at first, but as you learn the ropes and get used to roaming around with a baby in tow, it is just as easy as traveling alone.

If you’ve never traveled with your child before, here are eight safe traveling tips for new parents.

1. Separate Sleeping Space

It might be more expensive to get a space that has two rooms, but it can be well worth it. If everyone is in one room, you may find you sleep when baby sleeps and wake up when baby wakes up which can lead to a few rough nights and not much enjoyment of your break away. Having even just a part of a room that is slightly seperate can make a difference.

2. Bring A Bassinet

Many hotels and inns have cribs that you can use, but you never know where those have been. You can rest easier if you bring a portable crib or bassinet and most of them fold down for easy storage.

3. Unpack Right Away

As soon as you get to your destination and hotel, unpack everything you have brought with you. This will make it easier to get what you need and help your place feel a little homier. It may also help settle your baby in their new environment. The worse possible thing is having an explosive nappy situation in the middle of the night and not having everything to hand, or not having a clue where you’ve put it all.

4. Pack More Food Than You Think You Need

Pack enough food for your baby for the whole trip and then double it. You never know what might happen with the food and you don’t want to be stuck in a place with no viable options for feeding your child.

5. Pack A Bath Chair or Portable Tub

Tubs or bath chairs are often forgotten, and many hotels won’t have ones you can use. This can make bath time difficult so make sure you prepare for that ahead of time. Dependent on the age of your baby you can choose between a chair or tub. You can buy blow up baby baths these days that you can take with you that take up very little room, but mean you have somewhere to put your little one.

6. Bring Some Entertainment

If you have a long flight or car ride, entertainment is going to be key. It can also come in handy at things like dinner so make sure you have some books your baby enjoys or load up a portable DVD player or iPad with their favorite shows. All journeys also need to be as safe as possible so ensure your baby is dressed appropriately (no coats or sleepsuits for car journeys) and properly strapped into an age appropriate car seat.If they have a favourite toy or snuggle don’t forget them, as well as a few things to distract them if you need to.

7. Make Sure You have Children’s Pain Medication

Unfortunately, being on holiday doesn’t mean your baby can’t get ill, and you don’t want to be stuck with a baby in pain and no way to soothe them. You also never know when teething might start so it’s better to be safe than sorry and make sure you pack children’s pain medication. I never go anywhere overnight without Calpol and a digital thermometer.

8. Consider Using Airbnb

Airbnb allows you to rent apartments and houses wherever you’re going and it can be a godsend to new parents. Instead of trying to live out of a hotel for two weeks, you can get the comforts of home, like a kitchen, and not have to worry about finding what you need for baby. Plus, there will be extra room for baby to have their own sleeping spot! I have to say that we really value self catering options with the children, you just have way more freedom, space and the comforts of home. Whilst staying in a hotel is possible, it’s so much easier to stay somewhere that can be considered a home from home.