Like this post? Please share!
Traveling with a baby can be a scary experience. You may wonder how they will react to the change in schedule and scenery. However, many don’t consider the importance of babyproofing the hotel room, especially when they have mobile youngsters. Your room should be as safe as your home during your stay, so be sure you do not forget to take the proper precautions to keeping your baby from danger.
1. Request a crib for your room when you make your reservation. Most hotel chains will be able to provide this free of charge. This will keep your little one safe at night, especially if they are at the crawling stage.
2. Keep your hotel room doors locked at all times. This includes the latch at the top of the door. Also, check the sliding door for the balcony or patio and ensure it stays completely shut and locked. A slightly open sliding door can be harmful to little exploring fingers. Make sure the bathroom door stays shut as well.
3. Pack outlet covers from home. Place them in any open outlets as soon as you arrive to your hotel room. If there is something that will be unplugged regularly (hair dryer, for example) put a cover in it until you are ready to use it again rather than leaving the dryer plugged in all the time.
4. Check the tops of surfaces and remove anything that can be pulled off. The nightstand can provide lots of hazards, such as a telephone, telephone book, or alarm clock. Put these things in higher places where your baby cannot reach them during your stay.
5. Inspect the furniture in your room. It is likely your crawling or just learning to walk baby will hold onto these items for support. They may even want to climb on them. Don’t hesitate to request assistance if you find a wobbly chair or table.
6. If the room has a curtain with a cord, tie it up or tape it to the wall while staying in your hotel room. These cords are very hazardous to little ones, as they can become wrapped up or chocked with it.
Babyproofing your hotel room when traveling isn’t too difficult. Just think about what your baby’s behavior and do all you can to prevent falls, choking, and other injuries. The entire process shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes once you have arrived at your hotel, and that time is completely worth it to ensure your little one is safe.
Do you have any tips on how to baby proof your hotel room?
Such great tips. We’ve had to do all of that multiple times over the years.
There were a few times when we forgot plug covers, and were surprised to find that our hotel (often a Residence Inn) had them available at the front desk. They were a real life saver – so, if you forget yours, try checking with the hotel.
I carry a mini bungee cord, binder clips and an over-the-door shoe organizer when traveling with the kids. For instance, the bungee cord is useful for so many things, such as wrapping and lifting the curtains so little kids don’t tug on them. The shoe organizer is useful to keep bathroom items up high and away from curious fingers and organize kids’ toys in the lower pockets.
Thanks for the advice and happy travel.
These are great tips!! Most of them I would never even have thought about… Great to keep in mind when travelling!!
Really good tips! I’m also a germophobe so I sanitize everything too. lol! With babies they like to put all sorts of things in their mouth.
Good tips! I always brought my own potable crib and their blanket so it was something they knew.
I am so glad I am out of that stage but you pretty much nailed it! Very thorough list. I try to stay with family as much as possible to avoid the extra cost but if I go the route of getting a hotel with my little ones I definitely did all you posted here.
These are simple, practical, and easy ideas to incorporate to insure everyone has the best possible time on a trip.
wow! i never even thought of this before….
Great tips! I always unplug the phone too so my toddler doesnt call the front desk or housekeeping a thousand times, we learned that the hard way LOL
Great tips! I love the above comment about unplugging the phone- can totally see little ones calling the front desk!
Great tips! My kids are all out of that age, but I always brought portable playpen so they won’t crawl around on the carpets.
Staying in a hotel with kids is so hard. These are some great things to remember. I always bring my own portable crib because I’m a germ freak. I just wish I could keep crawling babies off the carpet all together.
I never traveled much when my kids were young, I took play pens to keep them safe for short periods. Great tips though, never thought of many of htem.
I have traveled with my son was 4 months old but never stayed in a hotel. but just recently we traveled with my two toddlers and they seemed enjoyed the hotel. This is a helpful tips for family with infants and is planning to travel.
I just stumbled across your baby proofing on the road post and wanted to put one more key baby proofing/hotel tip on your radar: storing all medicines and vitamins safely! More than 60,000 young kids a year end up in ERs after getting in to medicines that were left within reach. That’s 1 child every 8 minutes! This includes medicines placed on counters and bedside tables, those carried in purses and pockets and those that fell on floors or slipped into seat cushions. And when we travel, this could mean medicines that were removed from their original child resistant packaging or left in suitcases!
Thanks for your great posts and travel advice!