8 Tips for Traveling with a Baby!
Traveling is one of our favorite things to do together! When I was pregnant I told myself, the traveling doesn’t stop just because we have a baby, we are just going to have to figure it out and bring him with us! He is 9 months old and has already been on four domestic flights and will be taking his first international flight later this year! Check out my 8 tips for traveling with a baby!
1. List List List!
I actually make three list before we reach our destination. The Mom/Dad List which includes things like phone charger, snacks, must haves etc and the Baby List which are all of his must haves like diapers, wipes, aquaphor etc. The final and most important list is the day of departure list. I don't know how many times I have walked out of the house and left his bottle or snack in the fridge and forgot to run the dishwasher. Now, my day of departure list is a huge piece of paper sitting on the kitchen counter that I can not miss! Do Not go overboard though...all of this stuff gets pretty heavy as a carry-on!
2. Get Precheck or Global Entry
We are trying to make this easy here fam! Taking your shoes off with a little one strapped to you and having to take all your stuff like computers out of your bag …ya might as well stay home! LOL no but seriously, get Pre-check! Guaranteed shorter lines, less hassle and it will save you time and unwanted awkward stress of holding the baby while taking off your shoes and tryin to put your computer on the belt! (Side note, You can pack bottles, water, aquaphor etc…almost anything goes when you have a little human with you!)
3. Make the flight close to their nap time
If you can , making the flight close to nap will ensure your little one gets some rest and doesn’t become cranky adjusting to the flight, new city or country and their surroundings!
4. Family Line during boarding
Most airlines will have a special time for those boarding with little ones so that you have time to get settled before everyone else. If you are not sure, ask at the counter at your gate.
5. Switch to a baby carrier and put your extra bags in the stroller
I keep my little one in the Ergo Baby Carrier which frees up my arms while walking through the airport and push his stroller with the diaper bag in it. We like to travel with the Doona which is both a carseat and stroller and perfect for breaking down and traveling with!
6. Sanitize!
My son wanted to touch EVERYTHING on the plane. I brought lysol wipes and hand sanitizer and gave everything a good wipe down for my own sanity! I strongly advise if your little one is curious!
7. Feed them a Bottle or Boob during takeoff
This can help when the change in cabin pressure happens and prevent their ears from popping during take off. It can also distract them!
8. Keep them Busy!
My Diaper Bag can hold a small house in it and I Love it! Besides Diapers, wipes, and a change of clothes, I packed all the things to do. They aren’t at the age that you can give them an iPad and turn on a movies but they are at the age that foods fascinate them and takes up time! I got him this Snack container, put Cheerios in it and it kept him occupied for 25 mins trying to figure out how to get the Cheerios out! I also brought 4 of his favorite books as well as a few of his favorite toys and brought everything out one at a time like was a big surprise! If your little one sleeps with a lovey or certain blanket, bring it on the plane to comfort them for when they are ready to take a nap.
9. HAVE FUN (Bonus!)
I know it may seem stressful, but all in all traveling with your little one is fun! You are showing them different cities and countries and giving them adventures of a lifetime! Will they remember all of it? Probably not, but getting them in the habit of traveling sets them up to be great travelers down the road! It is a great time to bond and make memories that will last forever!
Have any more traveling tips or fun trips coming up with your little one? Let me know in the comment section!
Thanks for reading Fam!
-Dalijah