Travel Tips with Baby

Hi all -

I recently put an updated list together of my travel tips for parents who are traveling with a baby! Here is that list for you!


Tips for Traveling with a Baby:

1. Relax and take your time, do not worry about anyone waiting behind you in the security line or on the plane if your baby cries...9 times out of 10 they have been there themselves, and if not, they will get over it!
2. Buy baby a seat if you can, especially for long trips. If you don't buy a seat (because let's face it, flying is expensive on our own not to mention adding in another person), bring your car seat to the gate with you just in case there is an extra seat you can get. If the flight is open and the gate agents are nice, they will work to get you a seat with an open seat next to it so you can put the baby in a seat! From personal experience, a short trip is OK with the baby in your lap, a long trip can be very tiring and tough on you to keep a baby in your lap the whole time. On a sidenote, when booking flights, try to fly on a day or time where it is not as busy as normal ( Tues - Thursday mornings and Saturdays). This will greatly increase your chances of getting an open seat!
3. If you are flying local or anywhere Southwest flies, check them out. I am an avid American flyer but flying Southwest last week was the best for baby! We got an open seat both ways, they have special family lines at security and you get to board after the A group. Plus no one gives you a dirty look for having a baby on board (this sometimes happens on American).
4. If you are bringing the car seat on the plane (if you did not buy a seat and they don't have an open seat for you, they will check the seat at the gate), I highly recommend bringing your Snap and Go or another stroller frame with you through the airport. I used the Bjorn on our first trip and it was so hard walking through the airport with baby, bags and delays! The gate agent will check the stroller at the gate as well and you just leave it when you are getting on board and they will have it for you when you get off. I HIGHLY recommend doing this!!! You can throw your carry-ons on the stroller as well and you can roam the airport freely. Again, a good solution especially if you run into a delay (which I have twice now) and you want to keep the baby comfortable and calm.
5. For your carry-on, bring a fully packed diaper bag. Bring a few extra sets of clothing, plenty of diapers and wipes, toys, a few bottles, a carrier just in case you don't get an open seat, and a travel changing pad for the airplane changing tables (very uncomfortable for baby)! Plan for anything that could happen including delays, blowouts and lost luggage.
6. Bring some things for yourself too if the baby sleeps - iPad, magazine, water, snacks and so on. You want to be comfortable so baby is comfortable. I usually bring a diaper bag and a personal carry-on.
7. Bring some identification for the Baby. I was asked on my last flight and did not have anything, so make sure to have a birth certificate, social security card and/or medical shot card.
8. Be friendly to the airline employees and they will help you out! Even the security, which I had someone help me put the stroller on the security belt when I was by myself once. And flight attendants love to hold babies, so don't hesitate to ask them if you need to go to the bathroom and you are on your own!
9. Feed the baby during takeoff and landing...I have not really needed to because Riley has slept through most of the takeoffs and landings, but have a bottle ready just in case if baby has their own seat or nurse if you are holding them and you are nursing. Riley has not really been bothered by the air pressure, but you never know.
10. If you have or get a seat for the baby, you cannot sit in the Exit Row with a youngster and you will need to put the baby car seat at the window.
11. RELAX - don't stress about traveling, just go with the flow and do your best. Stressing will be tough on you and the baby!