Flying with a baby is a whole new ballgame as we quickly discovered during our first flight with our firstborn (Click here for the full story.). Since then, we’ve clocked in countless hours flying with babies, so I thought I might share some of our lessons learned.
#1 If your commute to and from the airport is tricky, be mindful of how much you pack. During our first flight with Donovan, we towed two colossal suitcases and three carry-ons, but it was still manageable because we only had one bus ride to the airport, one direct flight and one bus ride to our lodging. If you have multiple layovers or a tricky commute to or from the airport, you might want to consider packing as light as possible.
#2 Bring baby toys. If your baby is old enough to enjoy toys, consider bringing some small toys for him or her to entertain themselves with. Maybe even buy a new toy specifically for the trip. There are some fun and creative, plane-specific baby toys out there that might be worth splurging on.
#3 Bring plenty of diapers and expect a blowout. For whatever reason, babies often have blowouts on flights, so bring a generous supply of diapers and wipes. I also bring at least two extra outfits. For especially long flights, I bring three.
#4 Maybe don’t bring your car seat on the plane. Some people feel strongly for bringing the car seat on the plane, but hear me out. We brought our travel-friendly, flight-approved Doona car seat once, and it just barely fit. It also made things feel even more cramped within our already tight-knit area. For this reason, I recommend booking a plane seat either in the emergency section of the plane, or don’t bring the car seat at all. The car seats, although safer, are bulky and sometimes the baby just doesn’t want to be in one.
#5 Ask for a bassinet. They’re free! Just request one when you book your plane ticket. Bassinets are not always available on domestic flights, but even if you can’t get one, you’ll still be seated in one of the plane’s emergency rows, so you’ll have plenty of extra space for you and your family.
#6 If you’re planning on breastfeeding, know the airline company’s policy on breastfeeding in public. Also keep in mind that many airports now offer private breastfeeding rooms for moms and their babies.
#7 Bring formula or expressed breast milk. During our first travel experience with Donovan, I didn’t bring any milk because I figured I’d just feed him whenever and wherever I could. But this turned out to be easier said than done when our bus ride to the airport cut it a little too close to Donovan’s feeding time. For this reason, I wish I’d brought expressed breast milk, so I could have fed him on the go.
Thankfully, U.S. security allows you to bring breast milk and formula through TSA as long as you declare it during inspection. For other countries, check in advance, but most have similar policies. In other good news, most airlines consider breast milk to be a “medical device” and therefore do not count it as a carry-on. But again, check with the airline in advance just to be sure. You’ll need to keep breast milk cold, so be sure to store it in a cooler, and consider bringing your pump for extra-long trips.
#8 Try to stick to a semblance of your regular routine. If your baby is old enough to have a routine, try and stick to it as much as possible during your travels. I always wear a digital wristwatch, so I can keep track of the time at our original location. This way, I know what time my baby should be sleeping for nap time and bedtime. I also bring a pair of pajamas and sleep sack or swaddle for the flight so they can sleep in their usual bedtime attire. I even try and stick to the same bedtime routine as much as possible. For instance, I might read books to them and sing their bedtime song before rocking them to sleep.
#9 Hope for the best; expect the worst. Some babies do amazing on flights and sleep the whole flight. Other babies…not so much. Just remember that your other flight mates will survive the trip, even if it’s a bit loud, just as you and your family will.
#10 Remember that no matter what happens, the flight will end. You will reach your final destination. This too shall pass (eventually).
Living the Holloway 