Permanent Change of Station moves are challenging, especially with a new baby in tow. Military families can streamline travel logistics to ensure a smoother transition.
When traveling with a baby it is important to pack key essentials for both baby and parents. These items will help keep baby content during the move. That will encourage a lower-stress experience. With careful planning and thoughtful preparation, PCSing with a baby can be navigated with confidence, ensuring a positive experience for everyone involved.
Feeding nest
Planning travel stops around when baby will need to eat or sleep helps the travel go as smoothly as possible. The most important step is to maintain a routine. If your baby is bottle feeding or breastfeeding, create a feeding nest in the vehicle. Plan a space in the backseat for the feeding pillow, bottles, and breast pump. This will mimic the feeding area used at home.
The accommodations may be tighter, but it is easier to feed baby in the vehicle before going to a restaurant or making a pit stop. This keeps the feeding items clean by keeping them in the vehicle and allows the adults to have a break to eat and move when baby is already fed.
Toys and books
Babies need diversion on a road trip just as much as adults. Bringing musical toys, soft books and travel toys can help baby focus on items during long stretches of time on the road. These go-to diaper bag essentials should be easy to pull out and use to distract baby when they get uncomfortable or tired.
It is helpful for one of the older siblings or an adult to sit in the back with baby. They can act as babysitter to read books, play and talk with baby when they need interaction. This could be an older sibling, or grandparent, if they are able to travel along. Extra family provides extra helping hands on a PCS with a baby.
Plan for frequent breaks and longer stops
When traveling with a child of any age, it is important to make each stop count. Plan in longer stretches of time to eat, play, and get time outside of the vehicle. Rest stops often have grassy areas to allow for walking around. Bring a blanket for baby so they can get tummy time or crawling time as well. Babies need to move their legs just as much as adults on longer travel days.
Manage important documents
Prior to a PCS move, be sure baby is registered in DEERS. Along the PCS journey, it may be important to note the location of urgent care centers for peace of mind. Chances are things will go smoothly, but it never hurts to be prepared when PCSing with babies.
Keep the number to contact Tricare programmed into a cell phone. This keeps everyone prepared should an emergency occur.
Keep a file of important documents such as birth certificates, immunization records, and medical records with you at all times while you are traveling. These documents should never be packed with your household goods during a PCS move. Keeping these important documents in a secure place in a trunk or backpack will keep the family prepared when they arrive at their new duty station.
You get stronger with each PCS
A PCS move is challenging all on its own. Moving with small children adds an extra level of challenge. Look at it as one more opportunity to show strength and perseverance as a military family.
Every PCS is its own adventure. With a solid plan for packing key essentials, comfort items, and making smart stops along the journey, the whole family will have a great shot at minimizing stress during the trip.