Take a moment and think about the products and logistics that go into taking your precious child on a routine shopping trip. Now multiply that by all the moving parts involved in packing up your belongings and relocating to a new home. The process can be “overwhelming” — unless parents get the planning precisely right.

Infants and small children require continual oversight, care, and readily available items. The disruption that occurs as household goods and materials are wrapped, boxed, and transported on moving trucks can leave parents and caregivers in a compromising situation. Add unfamiliar moving steps into the mix, and the process could prove challenging. These rank among the top things parents need to consider when moving with a baby.

1. Don’t Pack Your Baby’s Daily or Travel Belongings

This idea may seem like common sense on the surface. But more than a few parents and caregivers sort through child-related items and make decisions about packing them. What typically happens involves travel items and lesser-used products getting sealed in moving boxes. People realize the following items remain vital to negotiating moving day after being secured in the moving truck.

  • Stroller
  • Baby backpack or carrying sling
  • Mini cooler used to keep bottles and baby food cold
  • Multiple changes of clothing to handle weather
  • Extra pacifiers and baby toys

Parents and caregivers sometimes do not account for the possibility that the move will not go according to plan. Traffic, road construction, vehicle breakdowns, unexpected weather conditions, and other issues can delay any plan to retrieve baby items at the new home. So doubling up on essentials and planning to negotiate an evolving situation makes sense.

2. Secure Help from Friend, Family Member or a Professional

When the moving trucks arrive, parents are tasked with communicating their wishes about packing, unpacking, and minor logistical challenges during the process. Don’t be surprised if seemingly resolved problems rear their head during moving day as well. For example, utility companies may not have activated electricity, natural gas hasn’t been turned on, or a painting crew didn’t finish work you thought was already done.

These and wide-reaching other challenges may require your attention. That’s why it may be wise to enlist the support of a trusted person to help keep your baby comfortable while you deal with adversity.

3. Make a First-Night Backup Plan for Your Child

The old saying of “hope for the best and plan for the worst” applies to moving. Consider all the possible things that could go wrong when relocating and how these could impact your bundle of joy. Start by imagining the most disruptive problem occurring, which might involve the home being unsuitable for sleeping the first night. Having a fallback position such as staying at a family member’s home or a child-friendly hotel gives you breathing room. It may be worth taking a first-night holiday while your belongings are packed in boxes.

Moving the Family

Contact us for a competitive quote if you are moving and have an infant or small child to care for. In addition, we help families seamlessly move into new living spaces every day.