Life
My daughter was only 6 weeks old the first time I took her on a plane. After years of trying (and failing) to conceive, her adoption had been an unexpectedly fast-paced surprise, and I had family in Arizona desperate to meet her.
As a single mom, that meant traveling with my newborn on a red-eye from Alaska, with a layover in Portland, by myself. I’ll admit: That first trip was nerve-wracking. I was anxious about everything, even as a seasoned traveler myself. But once we made it home, I realized everything had gone smoother than I’d expected, and I started planning our next trip right away.
Over the course of my daughter’s first year, she flew on over 15 planes. Some of that travel was for work, as my partner in crime had no choice but to tag along with me, but most of it was for pleasure. And as I learned new tips and tricks for traveling with a baby, each flight became easier than the last. Here are a few of those tips I picked up along the way.
Prepare For Delays
Air travel doesn’t always go as planned. You may deal with delays, missed flights, or extended time stuck on a runway. So you want to make sure you’re prepared for every possible scenario — and for an extra 24 hours of travel, in case things get really crazy.
That means packing at least two changes of clothes for your baby, and one for yourself (you never know when you’ll be the victim of a poop blowout). You also want to bring double the number of bottles you think you’ll need if you’re bottle feeding, and a bag full of Huggies® Plus Diapers and wipes, available exclusively at Costco. The diapers are designed with extra absorbency to help keep your baby's skin dry, and not to mention you can buy them in bulk so you won't have to worry about stocking up on more supplies at the last minute.
Bring The Carseat
There are a lot of arguments for why babies are safer in car seats than in your lap on a plane, but bringing the car seat also improves your sanity and your baby’s rest.
After about 2 months of age, holding a baby for an extended period of time on a flight becomes unbearably uncomfortable. They’re heavier, longer, and more wiggly, which means an aching back and the stress of trying to keep them from kicking your seat mates.
With the car seat next to you, you don’t have to deal with any of those concerns, and they’re more likely to sleep. That’s because the car seat is already their safe place — they know how to settle down and zonk out in it. Which means you can sit back and read a book knowing they’re comfortable and resting.
The bonus? Flight attendants like happy, relaxed babies. If there are any open seats on your flight at takeoff, they’ll happily move you next to that open seat, even if you didn’t purchase an extra ticket. Of course, that’s a gamble (one I lost only once, on a flight with my very big 18 month old — at which point I vowed I’d never get on a plane without getting her a seat of her own again). But if money is a concern, it’s worth a shot. Just make sure your car seat is FAA approved.
Make The Airport Manageable
Look, I’m not going to lie: Navigating the airport by yourself is hands-down the hardest part of traveling with a baby. Once you’re seated on the plane, everything else slows down. But dealing with luggage, security, and an infant as you work your way to the runway? It’s tough.
So be thankful for that extra pair of hands if you have a partner to help you. But if you’re doing it alone, don’t panic. There are absolutely ways to make it work!
First, don’t hesitate to ask for help when you arrive at the airport. Whether that be from the friend dropping you off, or a nearby airport employee. Having someone assist with getting your luggage to the check-in point can be invaluable when you’ve also got a little one in tow.
From there, give yourself options by bringing both a baby carrier and a stroller. Even if you wear your baby the entire time, you’ll never regret having the stroller to help you transport your other carry-ons throughout the airport. Plus, you can check the stroller at the gate, which means you’ve got it waiting for you as soon as you get off the plane — whether that be for a layover, or at your final destination.
Pack A Distraction Bag
Depending on your little one’s age and temperament, you can usually count on babies to sleep for the vast majority of a flight. There’s just something about the motion of a plane that lulls many of them into a restful state.
But you don’t want to count on that! The best way to make for an uneventful trip is to have plenty of distractions available for when they aren’t sleeping. Crayons, board books, sensory toys, play dough, baby finger foods (for those old enough to be on solids) — make sure you pack a carry-on for your baby filled to the brim with distractions, just in case you need them.
Don’t Forget The Comfort Items
A lot of parents make the mistake of leaving a favorite lovie or blanket at home for fear of losing it in the chaos of travel. But it’s important to remember this is an entirely new experience for your little one, and they may need that extra comfort. So bring it along and guard it like the prized possession it is. Then, when you get a chance, order a backup to keep in a closet at home — just in case.
The good news is, traveling with a baby is usually so much easier than you originally fear it will be. It’s 18 months to about 3 years of age when traveling with your little one gets hectic — the point when they’re old enough to want to be mobile but too young to understand why they can’t be. Keeping those little ones happy on a plane is a whole other adventure, but we’ll save those tips for another day!
This post is sponsored by Huggies® Plus Diapers.
