TRAVELING WITH A BABY
Traveling with a little one can be a lot. The first time Patrick and I flew with Brooklyn she was three months old. She is eight months old now and has been on 6 flights so I have a few tips for you guys!
PRO TIPS
Packing cubes. If you know me at all you know I can’t live without my packing cubes for the whole family. Wild how much of a difference they make
If you are using formula, after going through security, go ahead and fill water up in your bottles via the filtered water machine *make sure you have the bottle top to cover the nipple not only to keep it clean but just in case for no spillage. Fill the water so you don’t have to deal with waiting for water on the plane to make a bottle, potentially leading to a fussy, hungry, baby who is ready to eat
If flying solo, use a baby carrier through security. It’s also nice to have it on the plane if you want to let baby sleep on you in it. My solo flight from LAX to CLT Brooklyn slept in it 2x on me which was amazing. We have this one
Minor detail but if you are using a carrier try not to wear anything that has buttons or anything uncomfortable for bebe down the front of it
Mark ‘flying with infant’ when booking your ticket so you don’t have to deal at the airport. Anything that can be done ahead of time only helps you
The Doona fits through the conveyor belt at security just fold down the top handle backwards towards the top then flip it upside down. I like to have my stroller with me up until we get on the plane so I just gate check it. Note you can check it with your luggage. Once you get to your destination you don’t have to have a base with the Doona - you can just seatbelt buckle it in which is beyond convenient. When BHB gets older I will most likely get this stroller for travel - it folds up wildly small and has a strap for carrying
If you are flying solo and can afford to, buy bebe their own seat. It is a game changer when they have their own seat to play/sleep in, especially when they are a bit older. When they are 3/4 months or younger they will just sleep a lot so I’m not sure I would recommend spending the money in that scenario. I also wouldn’t recommend their own seat if it’s a short flight, but for my 5 hour flight out to LA with B alone, it was amazing that she had her own seat
Portion out your formula ahead of time so you can just dump it into the bottles that already have water in them. You’ll want something like this holder
Organize clear pouches into different categories - food, diaper/wipes/extra clothes, toys, etc.
FOR THE PLANE
I used my little black bookbag that I keep Brooklyn’s go-to things in then I packed a canvas tote bag with a blanket, changing pad, and a few different clear bags categorized by 1. toys and lovey 2. eating 3. diapers/cleaning 4. electronics
Wet wipes to wipe down the seat and tray - you should be doing this with or without a baby IMO
Sticky placemats to cover tray and armrest. I only started covering the armrests when B started teething because she would bite it… You might not care but on a plane I’m a bit more worried about germs than in other scenarios
Formula dispenser
Bottle(s)
Feeding spoon and food pouches. This spoon is an absolute game changer in general but especially for a flight it is ideal for feeding pouches
Bib and burp cloth
Toys - try to be conscious of the ones you bring. Nothing that makes noise and I liked things that all stuck to a ring that way there was less of a chance things were getting thrown all over the place
Change of clothes for bebe (and a top for you if bebe is 3/4 months or younger because spit up)
Diapers and wipes
Changing pad
Ipad or tablet. I brought one for the first time when B was 8 months old for a 5 hour flight and am glad I did. Even though she couldn’t hear anything, it kept her distracted for two 20 minute time periods. That’s 40 minutes. 40 minutes is close to an hour. In mom mind that means almost an hour of distraction! Make sure you have a tablet stand to prop it up on the tray
Pacifier holder + pacifiers + paci clip so it’s not going on the airplane or airport floor
Diaper trash bag holder - I keep this in Brooklyn’s clear diaper pouch I use as her ‘diaper bag’ 24/7. That way I can put her dirty diaper in its own bag if I’m at a friends, out to eat, on a plane, etc.
Loved this for when I was breastfeeding on the plane
IN GENERAL
Travel brush cleaning set - have really loved this
Travel bottle and dish soap
Inflatable bathtub - only for a baby who can sit up solo. I know this is totally extra and absolutely not necessary but helpful for a longer trip if you don’t want to get into the tub every time with bebe or use the sink
Baby bath wash
Babybjorn travel crib - by far the most lightweight and easiest to set up. Love it. I only bring with if we are driving somewhere that doesn’t have a crib available. I always call a hotel and request for a crib in our room and just bring my own sheets
Crib sheets
Nanit travel monitor
Router to use for Nanit*
Washable, waterproof bag for dirty clothes on the way home. I use it to carry the bottles, formula, food packets, etc. for the way there in case anything spills.
You can bring breast milk on a plane - I never did it but saw several girls with small coolers and their milk
*If you have the Nanit note that you can only use it if where you are staying has a private wifi network and password. We bought a router and link our Nanit up to that when traveling. I just love this specific monitor and am used to it so am fine to take the extra step vs using a different one for travel