I've traveled to over 50 countries — but once I had a baby, I realized I still had a lot to learn.
I'm all about jumping in and going for it, so when my daughter was five months old, we spent three weeks in Jamaica. We flew to LA when she was eight months and we'll be flying to France when she's just over nine months old.
So while I still have a lot to learn, I've picked up a few tips and tricks that have made traveling with a baby, not only doable, but fun. Here are some!
1.Get to the airport 30 minutes earlier than you normally would.
2.Check in for your flight in advance and if you're checking bags, use curbside check-in.
3.Always bring a few different snacks, including ones that take time to consume.
4.Feed or give them a pacifier during takeoff and landing.
5.Attach a teething necklace or toy to the baby carrier.
6.Put their diaper bag — stocked with extra clothes, toys, snacks, and plenty of diapers and wipes under the seat in front of you.
7.And since reaching for the diaper bag every few minutes with a baby on your lap isn't feasible, put the little things you'll need on demand in your purse or fanny pack.
8.And after a mid-flight diaper blowout on the way home from Jamaica, I bring a change of clothes for myself, too.
9.Pull out one toy or snack at a time, so you have something to distract them with when a meltdown is about to happen.
10.When your baby is young, put them in a carrier rather than lug around a stroller.
11.That said, checking a stroller and car seat is free — just make sure both are travel-friendly.
12.Just make sure and take a photo of your gear before you check it. It will get damaged at some point, and a photo will help you get reimbursed.
13.To keep the checked car seat from getting dirty, I bring a giant garbage bag and twist tie to the airport.
14.Scope out where the baby oxygen masks and life vests are.
15.Make use of the nursing rooms at the airport.
16.Bring a blanket for the airport floor — and potentially the airplane floor.
17.If you're traveling with another adult, board the plane separately so you can get everything stowed, but don't have to spend any extra time on the plane.
I'm still new to this, so I'd love any tips you have! Please share below!