Traveling with a baby . . .
We recently made our way to Mississippi to spend a week with my parents. It was Mary Jane’s first airplane ride, and it was my first experience with everything that goes along with it. Traveling with a baby isn’t easy–here are a few things I learned the hard way so you don’t have to.
Don’t forget the car seat
Cybex gifted us this Cloud Q just in time for our trip. I love the sleek design and the 180 degree full-recline position. From airport terminal to a destination lunch, Mary Jane can nap to her heart’s content. Plus, this car seat is ranked among the highest for it’s safety features + sun protection. And, the fold away canopy is the perfect combination of function and fashion. Multiple peopled stopped to compliment the design. (You can learn more about it here.)
I knew we HAD to have the car seat when we got off the plane, so I decided to gate check it rather than chance the car seat getting lost or delayed as a checked item. This heavy duty travel bag kept our car seat safe/clean, and it’ll easily fit a toddler seat when we need to swap for the next size up.
Carry on as little as possible
You only have two hands, so all you can realistically manage is a well stocked diaper bag and your baby. To keep things organized, I separated Mary Jane’s essentials into pouches inside the bag. I had pouches for extra clothing, soft toys, baby food items and diaper changing necessities. I also stored my phone, wallet and keys in the front pockets. This made it really easy to reach in and find exactly what I was looking for.
Always bring nap time favorites
I can’t stress this enough. If your little one needs that special something to fall asleep, you better bring it. The crying baby of your future isn’t worth the extra luggage space. Mary Jane likes to snuggle with a soft blanket when she naps. These styles by Little Giraffe are currently our favorite, and the ‘Blanky’ size is ideal for traveling.
Snag a window seat near front of plane
If you plan to nurse your baby during take off and descent, I highly recommend sitting in a window seat. It’s the most private location, even on a packed plane. Luckily, we were able to get a seat towards the front on our Southwest flight. This made trips to the lavatory a little bit easier (their baby changing station is usually located in the front restroom). If you’re flying another airline, make sure to ask the flight attendant if there’s a changing station on board. You’ll be glad to know exactly where it is when the time comes.
Always pack a snack
Air travel is unpredictable, and I’ve found myself stuck on the tarmac more times than I can count. This can spell trouble if you and/or your baby are hungry. Make sure to pack a snack for yourself (I brought a couple of granola bars + water) and a snack for the baby. Mary Jane is starting to enjoy solid foods, and these 1 oz. Gerber baby foods came in handy. Plus, they don’t have to be tested when you go through security. I call that a traveling with a baby win.
Remember to sanitize
Germs are EVERYWHERE in airports, and it’s hard to stay completely clean. To minimize the risk of catching a cold, I brought these sanitizing wipes to clean our airplane seat, tray table and arm rests at the start of each flight. Mary Jane’s fingers are constantly in her mouth, and it gave me peace of mind that our spot was a little less germ-y.
Take care of yourself first
I’ve saved the best tip for last. I’m talking bathroom break, fueling up on food and stretching your legs before you board your flight. This will most likely be your only chance to think about yourself for the next few hours. FYI . . . I spent an entire flight bouncing Mary Jane so she wouldn’t scream. It was the longest arm workout ever, and I didn’t dare taking a break to drink my complimentary in-flight beverage. #momlife
Have your own tips for traveling with a baby? Share your secrets with me!
This post is brought to you in collaboration with Cybex.
Leave a Reply