How to Travel With a Baby

Having a baby can disrupt almost every aspect of your life. Things that you used to be able to do on a whim now take preparation and can even become difficult now that you have to incorporate a little one. Even just a simple trip to Target can become a nightmare! Some people believe that traveling with an infant is nearly impossible, but trust us, it’s not. Traveling with a baby doesn’t have to be stressful- it can even be fun if you know how to handle it. The biggest thing to remember when traveling with a baby is that preparation is your key to success.

Here’s what you need to know:

BRING ALMOST EVERYTHING

You may think that traveling with a baby is more difficult than traveling with an older child, but this is where you are wrong. Babies are easy to carry and cannot wander off. They often take many naps and aren’t interested in more than just looking at their surroundings. However they do have a lot of needs, and as I’m sure you know, if those needs are not met promptly, EVERYONE will hear about it. When you are packing for your trip with an infant, you’ll want to make sure you have the essentials and then have extra of everything. Especially diapers, clothes, wet wipes, bottles, go to toys and snacks, etc.. If your child uses a pacifier, do everyone on board a favor and bring extra, just in case one gets lost. Trust us; you don’t want to be the victim of dirty looks because you forgot your little one’s pacifier. One thing many parents don’t think about when traveling with an infant is the extras for themselves. If your child were to get sick on you, you don’t want to walk around with baby vomit on you. Go ahead and pack an extra outfit or two in your carry-on, just in case.

IT’S TIME TO FLY

One of the biggest benefits of flying with a baby? Children under the age of 2 can fly in your lap and don’t have to have a ticket! While some people prefer to purchase a seat for their baby’s car seat, many elect to hold their baby throughout the trip. If you go the car seat route, just make sure it’s an FAA-approved one.

You never know how your infant will react once the plane takes off so it is important to do everything you can to help them be comfortable. This may mean feeding during take off to lower the chance for their ears to pop, or it may mean rocking them while letting the suck on a pacifier. The air is also dry, so hydrate. There’s no way to tell how your baby will react to being in the air, and chances are it will change each time you travel with your little one. The best thing to do is to do everything in your power to settle your child and make sure that you stretch every so often, so you too, do not cranky on the flight.

TIME IS KEY

One of the biggest adjustments you have to make when traveling with a child involves how much time you allow yourself for simple tasks. It is always best to plan for the worst so that you do not end up missing your flight. Everything you bring your child has to be tested by TSA, so it will take you longer to make your way to the gate. The cool thing though, is that when it comes to boarding, families with small children often get to board first, so you have a little extra time to get everyone situated before take-off.

REMEMBER TO RELAX

No matter how much you prepare, there is always a chance something unexpected will happen when flying with a baby. Babies are known to be hard to control, and it is key to remember that no matter what, you will eventually make it to your destination and the fun can truly begin.

One thing to keep in mind is the reward you will get from traveling with your baby. You get to make lifelong memories, as well as introduce your little one to the great big world!

Now that you know how to prepare for flying with a little one let us be your choice for travel. Get your tickets to your next destination today!

Happy Travels!