How To Baby-Proof Your Hotel Room or Vacation Rental
Traveling with a baby is an exciting adventure, but ensuring their safety in a new environment can be a bit nerve-wracking. From curious crawlers to adventurous toddlers, a hotel room or vacation rental can present all sorts of potential hazards.
My 2 year old son has 15 passport stamps and has been on dozens of trips. Here are some tried-and-true tips from my own experiences to help you baby-proof your temporary home and keep your little one safe and sound.
1. Consider the Rental or Hotel Prior to Booking
Before even booking the hotel or vacation rental, I evaluate how baby-friendly, and especially now toddler-friendly, the property is.
I’d always wanted to experience one of those cool treehouse hotels in Bali, but I realized that wasn’t going to be in the cards for a while for us – they are full of open edges and barely-there balconies and our son would be crawling by then.
My first question is always, are there fall risks? Is the pool easily accessible and is there a pool gate? Could I rent a pool gate if not? (more on that later), does the hotel or vacation rental have cribs, high chairs, and changing tables, or do I need to rent or bring my own?
Airbnb will prioritize results with baby gear when you note your party includes an infant, but I like to message the host to double check and get an idea of what kind of crib or pack and play it is prior to booking, just to make sure it will work for us. These rentals often have toys as well, which is always a nice surprise!
It’s also worth considering baby’s age. We felt more confident staying in a rental with a pool on our family trip to Mexico when my son was 5 months old than we would now that he’s an active toddler.
2. Do a Thorough Safety Check
The moment you step into your hotel room or vacation rental, take a few minutes to do a thorough safety check. Get down on your hands and knees to see the room from your baby’s perspective. Look for any loose wires, sharp edges, or small objects that could be choking hazards. On one of my trips, I found a forgotten earring under a bed that could have easily gone into my baby’s mouth.
3. Bring Your Own Baby-Proofing Gear
I always travel with a small kit of baby-proofing essentials. Here’s what I pack:
- Outlet Covers: These are lightweight and can prevent little fingers from exploring electrical sockets. Make sure you bring ones appropriate for the country you’re traveling in.
- Corner Guards: Soft corner guards can be attached to sharp furniture edges.
- Cabinet Locks: Consider traveling with cabinet locks if you’ll be at a vacation rental with easily accessible cabinets.
It’s essential to bring a first aid kit and your baby’s medications along when traveling as well. Thermometers, backup meds, and snot suckers have also been great to have along.
3. Secure Furniture and Appliances
Check for any unstable furniture or appliances that could tip over. I’m always ‘redecorating’ breakable and wobbly things around in vacation rentals for toddler proofing.
Also, make sure that TVs, especially if they’re on low stands, are secure. In vacation rentals, I’ve sometimes had to move furniture around a bit to create a safer layout.
4. Create a Safe Sleep Space
Hotel cribs can be great provided you’re happy with the quality of it. We’ve rarely had issues, but every now and then I’m just not a fan of the crib, and have learned it can be a good idea to ask what it looks like ahead of time to avoid issues.
If the hotel or rental doesn’t provide a crib, consider bringing your own travel crib (we used the Guava Lotus). Sometimes, we brought it regardless because we knew my son would sleep well in it. I’ve found that having a familiar sleep environment helps my baby sleep better and safer.
Make sure the crib meets safety standards and isn’t placed near any potential hazards like curtains or blinds with long cords.
5. Relocate Supplies and Medications
Rentals often have cleaning supplies and medications stored in low cabinets. I always make it a point to either lock these cabinets or move the items to higher, out-of-reach places. In one of my stays, I found bleach and other chemicals in a bathroom cabinet, which I quickly relocated to a high shelf.
6. Be Mindful of Windows and Balconies
If your room or rental has windows that can open wide, make sure they are secure. The same goes for balconies. I make it a point to only stay in accommodations that have totally walled in, secure balconies. Keep balcony doors locked and out of reach, and don’t let your toddler outside without supervision.
7. Use Technology to Your Advantage
We’ve struggled with baby monitors that require WiFi on the road enough to know that analog is the way to go. Having a device that can work without WiFi can be a great help, especially in more rural vacation rentals. This allows you to keep an eye (and ear) on your baby even if you’re in another room. On our trip in Norway, the baby monitor gave me peace of mind while I was on the deck enjoying the hot tub.
8. Water Safety
Water safety is a crucial aspect of baby-proofing, especially if your accommodation has a pool or is near a body of water. Always ensure that the pool area is not accessible without help or supervision.
Baby gear rentals, including pool gates, can provide an extra layer of safety. I found a few options in Bali, where many villas have pools, and Babyquip is a great option in the US.
Additionally, always inquire about the water quality. Ask your host if the water is safe to drink and use, especially for mixing formula or preparing baby food. In some locations, a water filtration system might be necessary. During our stay in Mexico, the rental provided a water filtration system, which made bottle washing easier.
9. Watch Kids More Closely
When we’re at home, I can make dinner or do chores while I watch my son. I know that I’ve baby proofed our house and I don’t have to watch him as closely.
On vacation, it’s a different story. I can’t be sure about our environment, and sometimes we do stay places with pools, or stairs, or breakable furniture, and I want to make sure we avoid calamity. Make sure you’re keeping a closer eye on your little ones when you travel. It helps us stay more present on vacation, as well!
Baby-proofing your hotel room or vacation rental doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With a bit of preparation and a keen eye for potential hazards, you can create a safe and comfortable environment for your trip. After all, peace of mind is priceless when it comes to traveling with your baby. So, pack those outlet covers, bring that portable baby gate, and enjoy your trip knowing your baby is safe and secure!
