Tips to Successfully Bringing Your Baby Along on a Work Trip

When you bring a baby into the world, you want to spend every minute you have with them. Your baby becomes the center of your universe and it’s understandable you find it difficult each time you have to be away from them, even just for a while.

Another thing why separating from your baby can be stressful is that you still breastfeed and you also feel your baby isn’t ready to be without you for more than a couple of hours. This becomes an issue if you have started working again and you have a business trip approaching. If it’s possible, you should bring your baby with you. Of course, this decision comes with a lot of preparation in advance.

1. Check your schedule.

When on a working trip, many employees will have to work almost all day. This is why you need to know for sure if you will be expected to work for more than an 8-hour shift. You can bring your baby with you only if you will have regular working hours. In that case, you’ll be able to spend enough quality time with your baby without interrupting its routine.

2. Have ensured childcare.

You can’t expect everything to go according to plan on your business trip. So, you need to make sure you have somebody that will take care of your baby when you are too busy. Consider taking your partner or a member of a close family with you. They will know how to take care of the baby in the best possible way.

Of course, there are companies that provide childcare within the facility. Inform yourself about that. Also, there could be colleagues in the branch you will be visiting that can recommend their own babysitter. It’s a sure way to get a reliable professional.

One other option is to ask the hotel staff in advance if they have a crib and if they provide childcare. Many upscale hotels have both, which will make your time there so much easier. Sometimes a member of the staff is looking to earn extra money so they will be willing to take care of your baby.

3. The flight issues

If your business trip destination needs you to go by plane, then you need to be well-prepared. If you have the budget for it, try to get a separate seat for your baby. If not, be ready to hold them in your lap and risk them becoming fussy and annoyed. This also means you need to have their favorite toys close to you. Whatever works for them, make sure you bring it (as long as it’s possible to take it inside a plane).

4. Ensure your baby’s safety.

If your destination is not too far away (namely, you don’t have to buy a plane ticket), the easiest way is to travel by car with your baby. As your little one is probably accustomed to car drives, it could be a mutual pleasure. Just make an effort to find quality baby equipment. Make sure you get the best baby capsule, as it will not only keep your baby safe in the car but you can also remove the capsule from the car while your baby is happily sleeping.

5. Stick to business for the most part.

Don’t forget that you went on a business trip to do business. You will have your work schedule in advance so organize everything else around it. In other words, don’t plan too many free activities with your baby. It’s not a pleasure trip and you will make things harder for you if you try to do a lot of fun activities in a short period of time. It’s better if you stay close to your accommodation. If you go for a walk with your baby, simply go around the block so that you can go back quickly. Otherwise, you could be late for your meetings, which won’t look good.

6. See if the conference provides childcare.

In case your work obligation will be to attend a conference, then check out if there’s any chance the conference has an arranged childcare. Maybe it sounds odd to you, but it is the reality now. Yes, it’s more of an exception now than a rule but no reason you shouldn’t try to get it. You can try to pull some strings with the conference planners. With a bit of luck, your baby could be close to you, being well taken care of.

Final words

Before you bring your baby with you, consider all pros and cons. Of course, every baby is happiest with its mother close by. However, if you feel it would be exhausting for your baby more than it will be beneficial, then it’s better if you leave them at home.