So over the past two weeks, we have taken our 2 1/2 month old infant on 2 trips and in 3 different time zones. I have learned many, many things while traveling and thought I'd share my tips!
1. First make sure that you call the airline and let them know that you are traveling with an "infant in arms" so that they put you in the appropriate seat, one with a child oxygen mask. Then if your little one could possibly be mistaken for under two, then I would bring their birth certificate.
2. When going through security, you have to carry your baby in your arms and send your ergo or seat and stroller on the belt. Make sure you take your wipes out and put them on top or they will have to go through your bag, touching all your stuff with their dirty hands!!
3. Make sure and change your little ones diaper just before you board because there is no where to change a diaper on an airplane unless you are tiny enough to do it on your lap in your seat!
4. As far as traveling around and carrying baby, I found these two options the best. Use a carrier if you have a car seat and stroller already at your destination. But if you were like me and needed your seat and stroller once you got there, then you can do like I did and purchase a cover for my car seat and a cover for my stroller. This way I was able to carry her through the airport in her stroller (giving my arms a much needed rest) and then gate check them and feel confident that they would come back in the condition that I left them! These covers saved my seat and stroller from totally being beat up like our luggage is because lets face it, flying is rough on our belongings!
5. Nurse, nurse, nurse!!! I nursed Riley on take off and landing of each leg of our flights and she never even flinched with ear problems! But if your aren't nursing then give a bottle or pacifier. Make sure that they suck the entire time during take off and landing and you should be good to go! I used a nursing cover for privacy and because you never know who will be sitting next to you! It's a 50/50 chance its a female! And another life saver is a travel nursing pillow. This thing saved my life!! Remember, you have to hold your baby the entire flight so if it's a long one, you will want somewhere to rest your arms with your little one in your arms.
6. I also made sure to have lots and lots and fun and stimulating toys! Books, bright toys, anything really that keeps your little one entertained for long periods of time and of course a pacifier!! Whew, don't know what I would do without that life saver!
7. Pre-ship diapers to your destination! I didn't think of this but learned this tip from a friend! What a great idea because let's face it, babies go through a lot of diapers and they sure do take up a lot of room in your luggage!
8. I don't know about you, but I refused to rent a crib at a hotel so I borrowed a pack n play from a friend at my destination. But had that option not been available, I was looking into purchasing a travel crib which would have worked just fine in a hotel room and certainly would take up a lot less space than a full size crib or pack n play!
9. Also, cleaning bottles/pump parts can be challenging in a hotel room but I just put a little bit of my Tommee Tippee soap in a travel bottle and checked it with my luggage to wash bottles and pump parts. But as far as warming bottles in the room, we just used the coffee pot! Make a pot of coffee minus the coffee and bam you have hot water for warming a bottle!!
10. As far as bathing goes, I just put her in the bath tub with me and she had a ball but you can also use an inflatable tub for the older ones or a collapsible sling if you really want to be fancy!
I think that just about sums it up! I hope that at least one mommy gets some worthwhile advice from this, I sure do wish I had this when I was trying to pack and plan our trips! Oh and allow yourself about a whole entire day to pack! Lol!!!
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