Traveling with a baby is a lot different than traveling with a kid who can walk and talk. In some respects, it’s easier, since a baby can’t wander off on you or cry about not getting something. But in other ways, it’s a lot harder. You have to handle your own luggage, plus a diaper bag, car seat and your baby. {For purposes of this post, a baby is someone who can’t walk and carry their own backpack.}
I talked with several people who have traveled with babies, and of course you all remember my post about traveling with kids (mostly courtesy of my mom, as I don’t have kids.) Now, not to sound snarky or whatever, but we also agree that traveling with a baby is a lot like traveling with an elderly or handicapped person – you, as the able-bodied one, are in charge of *all* the bags. If you’re lucky and have your spouse with you, divide that up. But if you’re traveling solo to meet your spouse (like my mom did a lot) you are taking on a lot of stuff. Read on for her tips on how to manage traveling with a baby.
If you’re anything at all like me, your baby’s first trip is going to be someplace crazy cool. Yeah, they won’t remember doing it, but get ’em started young, I say. That being said, book a hotel that offers room service or a free buffet breakfast. You should also check to see if kids stay free in their parents room. You’re a parent. You need to save money. They understand.
Since we’re talking babies, let’s just skip ahead to the packing list. Your diaper bag will be your main carry-on. Gone are the days when you can toss all your clothes into a backpack and jump on an airplane. No, I’m sorry, friends, but now you have a baby and that takes priority. Your clothes are going to get checked. Do yourself a favour and in your diaper bag, pack extra onesies for the baby (hello poop,) a few extra shirts for yourself (hello spit up,) and diapers, diapers, diapers. You should also make sure you have wet wipes, bottles (check TSA regulations on baby bottles before you go,) and snacks if your kid is on solid foods.
As mentioned in several other posts, make sure you have enough diapers/wipes/baby creams/powders/etc for your entire trip. Nothing sucks more than a kid who is screaming because he has diaper rash and you can’t find anything to calm it. Worse, he got it from the diapers you bought in the farmacia in Naples because you ran out of the ones you brought from home.
Before you leave home, call the airline(s) to make sure they have your child registered as a lap baby. Your baby will need a boarding pass for security anyway, and you don’t want to have to be running from ticket counter to gate if you don’t have one. Also, some seats within the plane are not acceptable seats for a lap baby, because of oxygen masks. Alice, from Science of Mom, says that last-minute seat changes can wreak havoc on your travel plans if you get split from your spouse (but hopefully you have some fellow passengers willing to switch.) Bottom line: call the airline the day before you travel to confirm everything. Read about other questions to ask the airline here.
Regarding the airlines, my mom always said she carried the car seat with her and strapped the diaper bag into it. Now, with the luggage restrictions and all, they may flag that as too many carry-ons. But if you can, gate check the car seat. Checked luggage is never safe from damage and car seats can easily bounce around on the tarmac, which could damage them. Also, if they get lost, you’re out a car seat at your destination. Carry it on and gate check it.
While traveling, dress your baby for quick diaper changes. Alice recommends a onesie with (really adorable) leggings. It solves the problem of wrestling an entire outfit off your baby while sitting in an airplane.
Since I’m not a mom, I didn’t know this, but if you are still breastfeeding or bottle feeding, do that during take off and landing. Just like chewing gum helps our ears, the suctions can help acclimate a baby’s ears to the pressure (and stave off a crying baby because food = tired = nap, even in my adult world ;)).
With toddlers, surprise games/toys/snacks can be your lifeline. And other kids on the flight may be a big help too. If it’s a long flight, like an international one, your kid might find a friend in the kid across the aisle to watch a movie with. If you can sit near other kids (like a Southwest flight,) take advantage of that. It can give you a few hours to read your book.
At your destination, create a home away from home, especially if you have a really young one. Traveling with the baby blanket and a toy can help ease into the unfamiliar space. There are also a lot of products out there that cater to traveling babies, like pack and go cribs, that can give your baby a safe, familiar space (bonus, you can use these at home as “forts.”)
If you can, reserve a hotel suite that has a door between bedroom and living space, like an Embassy Suites. You can put the kids to bed and still sit up with a glass of wine and book or movie.
Have you traveled with your baby? What tips have I left out? Please comment below and share your stories! You might be featured in another post!