Looking for tips on flying with a baby?I asked the same question last week and I wish someone had told me these helpful hints. Now that I'm a bona-fide baby traveler, here are some tips:
1) Take the carseat and stroller. Ditch the carseat base.
You can buckle in the carseat with any car safety belt. No need to tow the heavy base. Also, you'll be able to stroll your carseat and stroller through security, no problem. But they'll make you put in on the conveyer belt so be ready.
When you get to the gate, let them know you're there and would LOVE to be able to take on your carrier. They'll tag your carrier and stroller. You'll gate-check your stroller when you're entering the plane.
But if there is an extra seat, the flight crew will let you bring on your carrier. You must place it in the window seat. If there is room, consider it your lucky day! If not, make sure you have your wearable carrier so you can hold your baby hands-free on your lap. Because you'll be holding him/her the whole way.
2) Take a wearable baby carrier in your carry-on.
You'll want to wear your baby through security. Make sure it's light and comfy and easy to pack. I took a baby bjorn but wish I'd had a wrap that would have folded up even smaller. During your visit, wearing the baby also makes it easy to shop and sightsee in shorter bursts.
3) Take travel-friendly version of your baby's favorite stuff.
My son loves to bounce in his Exersaucer, but since it's too big to pack, I took a similar functioning toy, the Johnny Jump Up which was easy to pack and he could bounce away.
4) See if your hosts, family or friends have any old baby stuff you can borrow, like a:
- Pack and Play or Crib
- Carseat
- Stroller
- Exersaucer
- Johnny Jump Up
- Changing Table
- High Chair
5) Take advantage of curbside checkin.
Since it was only grandma and I with my son, this was super helpful. We flew southwest and could take 4 bags between the two of us. So we checked three bags: (1) grandma's stuff (2) my clothes and my baby's clothes (3) baby stuff, diapers, milk stuff (4) the pack n play. You can check in and get your tickets. Label your stuff and give a tip. And if you're returning your rental, you can do all that and then go return your car, taking the shuttle back to the airport.
6) Make it easy to get the rental car.
If you're getting a rental, let your co-traveler stay with the baby and bags and you go get the rental car. Drive back through "arrivals" and pick them up.
7) Going through TSA Security takes time. Give yourself an extra half hour.
I got lucky because grandma has TSA Pre-Check so she didn't have to wait in the long line nor did she have to disassemble the carseat and stroller. So I gave her the carseat/stroller and met her on the other side. If I had checked in saying the baby would be traveling with her (meaning the baby's ticket would have been stapled to her ticket), then she could have strolled him through without much examination. But I wanted to take the baby through security with his baby bag. But for some that might be a convenient option.
8) Breastfeeding moms, you can also use the airport breastfeeding room.
Most airports have a room designated for breastfeeding so ask about it.
9) Put all your milk in one bottle for an easier time through TSA Security. They will have to test any liquids that appear to be milk for the baby.
Because it's a liquid, they will have to wipe down and measure each bottle of milk or any liquids. Each bottle takes a couple of minutes, so reduce the hassle by having the milk in one bottle. You can take empty bottles but they won't have to scan them.
10) Consider taking individual-size travel packets of formula.
My baby is currently drinking breast milk, and I pump exclusively, but for the flight, I took individual travel packets of formula. On the other side of security I bought a bottle of water and made several bottles of milk for the flight. That was so much faster than having them scan tons of bottles of milk. And I knew I wouldn't run out of milk on the plane.
11) Put all your liquids in one bag (like the milk cooler), including medicines or vitamins. And keep your eyes on the meds through security.
In our unfortunate case, TSA absconded my baby's prescription bottle of meds, vitamins, and little dose syringes and didn't let me know. I had over a month's worth of medicine for my baby in there. But that was totally uncool and of course I didn't notice until we reached our destination. Good thing the meds weren't super critical and we were able to get a refill when we arrived.
Note: Make sure to pack in your checked bags, any liquids or frozen milk you don't need during the flight. Also, they will let you carry on frozen milk (supposedly, but I don't try) and will let you take milk on the plane, but like mentioned, they have to test it.
12) Make sure to have plenty of milk to feed the baby on taxi/takeoff AND on the descent.
It was easy to figure out the first one, but make sure to note when you're about to descend. On the baby's first trip, I couldn't tell we were descending so he didn't start eating in time and his ears hurt so he began crying intensely. I hated hearing him so uncomfortable. So on the next flight, I made sure to note when we were half an hour to arrival and had the milk ready. I even had to wake him to eat but I'm glad we did. He didn't have any ear troubles.
What you REALLY NEED for a flight. A list because I like lists.
Carry-on: diapers, thin blanket, wipes, milk, special toiletries, toys, smartphone w baby apps, ear buds, hand sanitizer/ wipes, teethers, formula packets, camera, 2 burp cloths (i like gerber organic diapers as burb cloths b/c they're super absorbent)
Baby Carrier and Stroller
Suitcase:
For Baby:
- Clothes: If you'll have access to a washer/dryer, pack lightly - this worked for me: 3 pairs socks, 6 onesies (half short, half long sleeved), 3 pants, 1 pair shorts, 1 shirt, 1 hoodie, 1 jacket, 1 pair shoes, 2 sleepers
- Other: 8 diapers per day plus some, washcloth, 2 burp cloths, extra pack baby wipes, little bowl w cap, spoon, plastic bib, teether, tide to go pen, and (optional) breast pump with bottles and cooler, frozen milk
For You: clothes, shoes, toiletries - pack lightly like your baby.
Extra things you don't really need for a trip:
- Changing pad
- Too many clothes - if you have a washer
~ Music City Mamacita
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