Tips for Traveling with a Baby

It's summer time! Many people take trips or family vacations during this time. If you are traveling with a newborn or infant/toddler, here's a few tips that may be helpful. Having lived overseas for the entire time my children were little (under 3), we have flown and traveled a lot with them and I'm hoping I can pass on a few tips that may help:

• if you have a newborn, you may be tempted to stay close to home and not go anywhere. Don't! If this is your first baby, NOW (less than 6 months old) is the time to get your travel on! Babies are soooo much easier to travel with than an antsy toddler or an infant who is just learning to be mobile and has no interest in sitting still.
• Worried that baby will cry on a flight? Try to time your flight when you think baby may most likely be napping or sleeping. Or, when they are the happiest. You know the witching hour that happens frequently in the evenings for the first few months, I'd recommend avoiding that time to hop on a plane. But, if your baby consistently naps about 10am I'd try a flight that leaves around 930. And if baby cries, offer the breast. Most likely he or she will fall asleep quickly - if not from feeding then from the ah-mazing white noise that planes offer!
• Speaking of, there are pros and cons to airplane seating. A window seat will give you more privacy to feed for sure, but if you think you might be getting up often for diaper changes or bouncing baby, an aisle seat may be easier versus climbing over passengers to get out.
• Regarding diaper changes, there are changing tables (usually fold down from wall - located above the toilet) on most airplanes. Sometimes smaller planes may not be equipped with one, but usually bigger planes will have at least one. It could be in the lavatory at the front or rear of the plane indicated by a sign on the door. If you're unsure, ask the flight attendant.
• Wear baby - being hands free is so much easier when dealing with luggage, a carry-on, a diaper bag, etc. Especially for a short visit somewhere, baby wearing is the way to go over a bulky stroller. Plus, you'll likely be hauling an infant carseat which is also not exactly small. I recommend front wearing baby and using a backpack instead of diaper bag/purse for optimal hands free abilities!
• If baby is old enough for solids (or if you have a toddler in tow), have some snacks readily available for the plane in case no one is interested in sleeping. Cut-up fruit and veggies, some cheese and crackers, cheerios, goldfish. I always erred on the side of lots of little things to keep them engaged longer over a pouch of applesauce that will be gone in 2 minutes.
• Liquids. Here's some info from the TSA website on traveling with expressed milk or baby foods: Formula, breast milk and juice for infants or toddlers are permitted in reasonable quantities through the security checkpoint. Remove these items from your carry-on bag to be screened separately from the rest of your belongings. Inform the TSA officer at the beginning of the screening process that you carry breastmilk, formula, and juice in excess of 3.4 ounces in your carry-on bag. These liquids are typically screened by X-ray. Ice packs, freezer packs, frozen gel packs and other accessories required to cool breastmilk, formula, and juice are allowed in carry-on. If these accessories are partially frozen or slushy, they are subject to the same screening as described above. You may also bring gel or liquid-filled teethers, canned, jarred and processed baby food in carry-on baggage. These items may be subject to additional screening
• Bring some small books and toys too - something to keep them from being bored. Maybe something new to (hopefully!) keep them interested for more than a few minutes. This is more applicable to an older baby or toddler, your young baby will most likely be happy just being close to you ❤.
• Bring at least one extra set of clothes on the plane for both of you. I learned this the hard way when we were moving to Belgium, my then 5 month old had a major blow-out while we were waiting at passport control once we landed. She blew out her diaper, went through her clothes and on to the sling I was carrying her in. Good times.
• Throw out all expectations for sleep when traveling - especially if you are crossing a time zone. Just expect to be somewhat tired and be sure your destination is relaxing. A friend of mine once said, "we are exhausted no matter what - we might as well be exhausted on the beach!".

Hope this info help a little! Don't let baby be the reason you stay home and miss out on summer adventures! What tips do you have for traveling with little ones?

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