Tips For Traveling With Your Baby
Traveling with your baby can feel overwhelming, but with a bit of planning it will way less stressful than you imagine.
Booking Flights
When booking your flight, plan your flight around your baby’s schedule and plan your seating ahead of time. Try to get the bassinet if possible and try to stay as close to the front as possible. This avoids the battle to get to the back of the plane and the wait to get off on the other end! If you can afford to, book the baby their own seat and keep them in their car seat. Well worth the extra money!
Call the airline to find out if they offer any help to parents with infants, especially if you are traveling on your own.
Some airlines offer passes to get through the security lines, some airports offer family lines which tend to be shorter and if you ask nicely at the security line, they may even point you to the first-class security area.
Packing
You have to make a list! Think of everything you use on a baby throughout the day. Will they have any of these items where you are going? Can you get it there to avoid packing?
Before you set off, double check your hand luggage. Do you have diapers, wet wipes, pacifiers, everything for feeding, bottles/nipples/formula/muslins, extra clothes for you both, a few toys and a blanket.
Dress sensibly! Those days of wearing skirts and heels on a flight are long gone!
As for items to pack here are some must-haves:
a small first aid kit
a lightweight blanket for the flight
large muslins for protecting baby from the sun
a breast pump if applicable
disposable changing pads, which can go in your handbag and be used anywhere
2x extra onesies that are the easiest to get on and off, in your hand luggage for baby and at least one clean t-shirt for yourself
A few large ziploc bags to store any stained clothing or bibs
extra diapers and wipes for the flight in your hand luggage including antibacterial wipes (don’t pack 100's of diapers, you can buy diapers everywhere. Some companies will even deliver to your destination)
a few compact toys if your baby is a bit more active. Some suggestions are a small baby proof mirror, a plastic toy for chewing or teething ring, small finger puppets, touchy feely books, musical toys – although maybe keep this one hidden on the plane for the sake of the other passengers. ☺
Bring your Baby Bjorn in your hand luggage. This can then be pulled out anywhere/anytime and may even help the baby to sleep if feeling fussy and you can walk around the plane or airport without actually holding the baby!
Bottle Feeding
If you are bottle-feeding, you can either bring the already prepared milks in the mini bottles or if you are taking bottles you can get the sterilizer tablets or bring a microwave sterilizer if you are staying somewhere with a microwave. Use the space inside to pack smaller items like socks etc. Also worth bringing a small amount of dish washing liquid and a bottle sponge so you know your bottles have been washed properly.
If you are exclusively bottle feeding and are not sure about being able to buy formula where you are going, pack an additional 2-3 days of formula, just in case.
Pre and Mid Flight
Don't leave getting to the airport or to the gate to the last minute. We all know that those last-minute mishaps happen with the baby and if you leave yourself loads of time, it is much less stressful.
You know your baby. If you lay the baby down on a disposable mat and let them wiggle around before the flight and give them a chance to stretch their legs they may scream the place down if you put them into their carrier to board the plane. If so, then don't get them out. But if you know they will enjoy the time, especially if they are already crawling, let them crawl away while you are waiting to board.
Keep baby sucking on something for take off and landing if they are awake. Boob, pacifier, bottle. Be prepared to give extra milk as we all get dehydrated during flights.
If you know when you get to the other end, you then have an extended car journey, think about one of you sitting in the back with the baby. It will save a lot of stress if you can catch the baby before he/she starts to wail! Have a few toys to hand to keep them amused and of course bottles/pacifiers too!
Once you arrive at your destination
Keep your schedule light for the first few days of arrival if you can. See how the baby settles.
Ask the hotel if they offer crib sheets so you know to bring your own if needed.
If you are entering a different time zone. Don't try to change the baby's routine in one hit. It will take a little while to get them used to the new time. Aim to adjust by an hour or two a day if you can.
Traveling with a baby is almost never as stressful as you think it will be and is mostly a pleasant surprise. Try to stay upbeat and not get too anxious. Enjoy your trip!!
