Traveling with a newborn isn’t impossible, but the wrong preparation can make it miserable for both parents and baby.

If you're planning a spring break trip with a newborn, you're probably wondering:

• Will my baby cry the whole drive?

• What if my infant pacifier keeps falling out?

• How do people survive long car rides with babies?

Trust me, I’ve been there.

When my kids were babies, traveling was honestly one of the most stressful things we did as parents. Long car rides felt endless, my babies cried constantly, and I’d end up overwhelmed and overstimulated before we even got halfway to our destination.

But after three babies and a lot of trial and error, I finally learned a few things that make traveling with a newborn so much easier.

Here are the 5 tips I wish someone had told me before our first spring break trip with a baby.

1. Expect the First Trip to Be Messy (And That’s Okay)

No one really talks about how stressful traveling with a newborn can be.

Babies cry. Car rides feel longer. And parents are already exhausted. With our first baby, car rides were brutal. He would cry constantly, and I’d feel my patience slipping away as the miles dragged on.

The worst part?

Just when we’d finally get him settled with his newborn pacifier, it would fall out… and the crying would start all over again. It felt like we spent half the trip reaching back to put the pacifier back in his mouth. If you’re experiencing this, you’re not doing anything wrong, but there are better tools to avoid this. 

2. Plan Extra Stops (More Than You Think You Need)

When traveling with a newborn, forget your old road trip timeline.

What used to be a 4-hour drive can easily become a 6-hour trip with:

• feeding breaks

• diaper changes

• crying spells

• stretch breaks

Babies need time to reset, and honestly, parents do too. Stopping every 1.5–2 hours can make a huge difference in everyone's mood. Even a quick 10-minute break helps babies calm down and prevents overstimulation from building up.

3. The Pacifier Problem Is Real

One of the biggest travel struggles for parents? The infant pacifier keeps falling out. And if you’ve ever experienced this during a road trip, you know exactly how frustrating it can be.

Here’s what happens:

1. Baby finally calms down

2. The infant pacifier falls out

3. Baby wakes up crying

4. Parent tries to reach it from the front seat

5. Everyone gets stressed

We went through this constantly with our first two babies.

Traditional pacifier clips help prevent pacifiers from getting lost, but they don’t solve the biggest problem during car rides: your baby still can’t reach the pacifier when it falls out.

That’s where we finally found something that actually changed everything.

4. The One Baby Travel Hack That Saved Our Sanity

By the time we had our third baby, we discovered something that completely changed car rides for us. It’s called the Ingy Bingy Band. Instead of clipping the pacifier to clothes like a traditional pacifier clip, the Ingy Bingy Band velcros around your baby’s wrist with super soft material.

It attaches to any infant pacifier or newborn pacifier on the market, so the pacifier stays within reach the entire time.

Here’s why it made such a difference for us:

• When the pacifier fell out, it stayed right by her hand
• We didn’t have to constantly stop the car or unbuckle and crawl in the backseat
• Everyone stayed calmer during long drives

It’s such a simple idea, but it solved the exact problem we struggled with for years: the infant pacifier keeps falling out during travel.

Honestly, I wish we had discovered it with our first baby.

5. Pack Your “Calm Down Kit”

One of the best travel tips for newborns is to pack what I call a baby calm-down kit.

This is a small bag you keep within arm’s reach that includes:

• burp cloths

• extra bottle or breastmilk

• small blanket

• wipes

• backup onesie

Babies are unpredictable, and having these essentials nearby can save you from digging through your luggage while your baby cries. And if your baby relies on a newborn pacifier, having a system like the Ingy Bingy Band can make a huge difference in keeping things calm.

The Truth About Traveling With a Newborn

Traveling with a newborn can feel intimidating, but it does get easier.

A few small changes can completely transform the experience:

• planning more breaks

• preparing for crying spells

• having the right baby gear

• solving the pacifier falling out problem

For us, something as simple as the Ingy Bingy Band made car rides dramatically less stressful. Because when your baby can easily find their infant pacifier, everyone in the car breathes a little easier. And sometimes, those small solutions are exactly what parents need most.

FAQs About Traveling With a Newborn

Is it safe to travel with a newborn?

Yes. Most pediatricians say healthy babies can travel shortly after birth, but parents should plan frequent breaks and avoid long periods in a car seat.

Why does my infant pacifier keep falling out?

Newborns have weak sucking reflexes early on, so infant pacifiers frequently fall out, especially during sleep or car rides.

Are pacifier clips safe for newborns?

Traditional pacifier clips can help prevent pacifiers from getting lost, but they don’t always keep the pacifier within reach for the baby.

What is the best solution if my baby’s pacifier keeps falling out?

Products that keep the pacifier close to your baby, like the Ingy Bingy Band, which attaches to the wrist, can help babies easily grab and replace their pacifier themselves.

Ready to Make Traveling With Your Baby Easier?

If you’re planning a spring break trip with a newborn, small tools can make a big difference. The Ingy Bingy Band was one of those things that truly changed travel for us. Because sometimes the difference between a stressful trip and a peaceful one is as simple as keeping the pacifier where your baby can reach it.

 

 

The Ingy Bingy Band is not your everyday pacifier clip! This game-changing pacifier wristband helps babies self-soothe at a younger age than ever before! Instinctively, babies gnaw on their hands in an attempt to soothe. The Ingy Bingy pacifier wristband keeps their pacifier right where they’ll find it, allowing your baby to comfort and calm themselves while you do whatever it is you need to do!

Our buttery soft wristband comes in two styles to accommodate every pacifier.

Our Pacific style should be used when your baby’s pacifier holes are near their nose and chin when in use. It is most commonly used with Avent, BIBS, Dr. Brown’s, MAM, Nuby, NUK, Medela, FRIGG, Nanobébé, Tommee Tippee, and Chicco pacifiers. 

Our Sequoia style should be used when your baby’s pacifier holes are near their nose and chin when in use. It is most commonly used with Itzy Ritzy, Ryan & Rose, and The Dearest Grey pacifiers.  

If you are still unsure which pacifier wristband style is right for you, check out our style guide or text the name and/or picture of your preferred paci & we’ll let you know which style is right for you!