traveling with a baby

Baby Audrey just went on her first international flight and 8th airplane trip this past weekend at 11 months old. Her first flight was at 2 months old and just about every month after that she’s been on a plane ride. I think we’ve figured out just how to have a smooth trip with a baby, so I thought I’d give some of my tips on traveling with a baby that have worked great for us

Travel Tip 1. Check your carseat and stroller at the check in counter

Check your car seat and stroller at the check in counter, so you don’t have to lug it around the airport. We bought a car seat and stroller protector bag and after 8 round trip flights, we haven’t had any issues with our car seat or stroller getting cracked or losing it. It’s so nice not having to lug those things around the terminal, plus it’s free check in.

If you are concerned about something happening to your carseat or you’d prefer to keep it with you throughout the terminal, then I would suggest keeping the stroller too, especially because you can put your diaper bag or personal items on the stroller. There was one trip we did keep just the carseat with us, and it was so annoying to carry around, so I suggest checking it.

Travel Tip 2. Wear your baby in a structured carrier

Wear your baby in a structured carrier like the Ergo carrier. Some airlines ask that you take your baby out of the carrier, but when they’re fast asleep on your chest, the last thing you want to do is wake them up. With a structured carrier, you can just take the straps off your shoulder but keep them on your chest so they continue to sleep. I’ve done this with every trip and it’s so nice to have both hands free and then not have to wake her up if she’s asleep on my chest.

Travel Tip 3. Nurse your baby during take off and landing

If your baby is awake during take off and landing, either nurse them or bottle feed them to help with their ears and the pressure. Plus nursing or bottle feeding sometimes puts them to sleep so its a win-win. If they’re already asleep- keep them asleep! No need to wake them

Travel Tip 4. Wear a nursing top

Wear an easy nursing top. Covers don’t work for us and I can usually nurse just fine with a regular top, but being cramped in the middle seat of some flights, a nursing top is so easy and discreet. I’ve traveled alone sitting next to men, and I personally feel awkward nursing, but having a nursing top, it’s been easy to discreetly nurse.

Travel Tip 5. Bring cheap toys (bonus if they’re new cheap toys)

Before your trip, go to the dollar store and get some cheap new toys for the trip. Babies love new things, but they also love to drop and lose things, so buying cheap toys from the dollar store is a great trick. It won’t matter if they accidentally drop it in between the seat, because it was so cheap. I brought a bunch of new cheap toys, but Audrey was more interested in touching strangers and pulling the pamphlets out of the folders in the seat *sigh*.

Travel Tip 6. Find a nursing room or empty area where you can allow your baby to crawl

If you have a connecting flight, try to find a nursing room or a USO if you’re military affiliated or some safe clean spot for your baby to crawl around in. Letting them crawl or walk helps stretch their limbs or burn some energy. I used to be worried about the dirty floor, but just bring a change of clothes and wash their hands once you feel they’ve had enough on the floor, and just make sure they’re not putting things in their mouth

Travel Tip 7. Bring lots of snacks if they’re eating solids

Bring lots of snacks if they’re eating solids. When Audrey gets restless and wants to start screaming or move around, I pop out the snacks and she is super happy! Don’t worry about those puffs or cheerios going all over the place. The main thing is that your baby stays happy and doesn’t scream 🙂

Travel Tip 8. Put as much as you can in the overhead bin and only keep essentials in your seat

Put your diaper bag in the overhead bin and bring just your purse with a few baby essentials down with you like a few toys, burp cloth, and snacks. It’s too chaotic having all your bags in your seat plus your squirmy baby, so try to put as much as you can above. I have a small purse that I keep my wallet, boarding pass, 3 toys/teether toys, a couple snacks, and one burp cloth and my phone or magazine (for when she’s asleep). I’m also 5’10” so leg room is critical for me.

Travel Tip 9. Accept help from people!

Accept help from people! If someone offers to help you carry your bags or put something in the overhead bin or even put your seat belt on for you (this happened to me), accept their help. People want to help and it makes them “feel good” when they help, so accept it!

Travel Tip 10. Keep calm!

And lastly, Keep calm. I think we over analyze and go over everything that could go wrong. We also stress more about what other people think or how we’re making other people feel, when we really should  just be thinking about our situation. Don’t worry about what others are thinking. You’re doing the best you can. So try to relax and keep your cool, because your baby will mirror your emotions.

If you’d like support or have specific questions, please do not hesitate to contact me

What traveling tips do you have? What did/didn’t work for you? tell me in the comments