Traveling with a Baby
Gone are the last minute trips with one carry-on. But HEY I’m not mad at it. I love creating new memories with my little family. Also I love a good project management opportunity, lol. I’m still figuring it out and I still get pre-flight anxiety, but here are some tips that I’ve picked up and have been extremely helpful! Everything I reference here is linked in my Amazon idea list.
Buy/rent the Doona, which is a carseat and stroller all in one. If you’re renting, rent from BabyQuip at home so you can use in the airport/airplane. (Use the link for $20 off.)
Pack all formula, breastmilk, baby food, etc. in one large ziplock bag and put in an easily accessible place (like the front of your diaper backpack) so you can pull it out easily when you go through security.
Gate check your carseat/stroller. Gate check means you can check in these items at the gate for no charge. This is helpful because you can use the stroller in the airport.
BUT before you gate check your Doona or carseat, always ask the flight attendants at the gate if it’s a full flight and if there is room for your lap child to have their own seat. If there is an open seat, bring in the Doona/carseat so baby and you are comfortable on the flight! (Or just buy your baby their own seat.)
For airlines/flights with no assigned seating (ex. Southwest), we always buy priority boarding for one parent. Families usually get to board after priority boarding so for full flights, this guarantees a good seat. One parent can go in and bring all of the shit (cuz trust me with a baby usually have a ton of shit) and secure overhead bins and a row up front. Meanwhile, the second parent can wait with baby for family seating.
Bottle/breastfeed at take off and landing to help baby with ears and the pressure.
Bring LOTS OF SNACKS.
I know that lots of screen time is bad or whatevuh, but for God’s sake, just bring the iPad. If your baby is still in a rear facing carseat, get an iPad holder that you can velcro onto the seat. We also got Nico these super cute cozy headphones that go around his head like a headband.
Bring books and toys that don’t make noise. These toy spinners were super entertaining for Nico.
Noise cancelling headphones for when the airplane gets too loud.
It’s easy to overpack but try to bring stuff that you can’t buy at the local grocery store at your destination, especially for domestic travel. I found it easier to just bring enough formula, snacks, etc. for the first day and our first stop is always the grocery store the get the necessities.
Instead of packing your entire house, rent! BabyQuip is amazing. You can rent everything from a SNOO to white noise machine to a bucket of toys.
Book flights during baby’s nap/sleep time.
And saved the best for last: You’re on vaca so don’t worry about sticking to the schedule. Please do not make plans around the routine and just LIVE IT UP. You will be able to get the baby back on routine when you get home, so don’t stress about it!