I’m getting ready to take my son Jack on his first plane ride! His passport just arrived and I’ll be signing him up for NEXUS/Global Entry and TSA PreCheck later today.
Since I’ve never traveled with a baby before, I’m looking to compile—on one page—a big list of tips for traveling with a baby as a first-time parent. Add your tip in the comments (with how you’d like to be credited), and I’ll add it to the list. Thanks!
Share your tips for traveling with a baby in the comments below!
Say Johnny,
I started traveling with my Toddler daughter when she was only a year old. By 5 years of age she had been to every Continent at least once, except for Antarctica. She’s now 29 and a 1 million+ mile AA frequent flyer, with many more miles logged on other carriers. I bought an “Umbrella Stroller” back then that folded down to a small size that fit in the overhead. Also, it was compact in width and traversed airplane aisles easily… Lightweight, compact, comfortable for Child as well as Parent!
Wow! Impressive! Thanks for the tip
-If your son is used to sleeping in his car seat, try to get a seat just for him on the plane and install the car seat- he will take more naps and keep your arms free for more time.
-Bring little bags of snacks and age appropriate activities such as toys. Some people even wrap up new little dollar store toys in newspaper or old wrapping paper and the child may spend a lot of time just unwrapping.
-Some babies experience the painful ear pressure with take off/landing despite drinking during those times. Consult with the pediatrician if would recommend keeping over the counter medicine such as baby ibuprofen handy in a carry on in case baby seems to be in pain.
-At your destination, mimic baby’s home environment as best as possible! Items such as having the same sound machine, same crib sheet, using a similar type of crib go a long way. Bring baby’s favorite comfort items such as a pacifier or lovey, and of course rent some of the baby gear so you don’t have to bring it all from home!
Vicky Lucas
Independent Trusted Partner, Babierge Tacoma
Thank you for the tips
1. Have him be drinking at takeoff and landing – allows his ear to pop.
2. Bring a change of clothes for yourself! Everyone always remembers a change of clothes for the baby, but bring one for yourself…just.in.case!
3. If possible, schedule the flight around his sleep schedule so your son will spend as much time napping/sleeping as possible.
4. If he is going to be sleeping in a different type of crib or pack n play while on the trip, practice at home a few nights before you travel. Get him used to the new sleeping arrangement.
Nicole Kitzman
Independent Trusted Partner, Babierge DC
Thanks for the tips!
A few tips for getting a good night’s sleep when traveling with your toddler.
1. Babies get jet lag too. If you’ll be changing time zones, in the days before you travel nudge your baby incrementally closer to the new time zone by gradually changing nap times and bedtime.
2. Rent a crib with a mattress similar to the one at home. Just like you, babies develop a preference for mattress types. Very young babies need firm mattresses for safety, toddlers can have more variety.
3.Bring the sheet that your baby slept on the night before you traveled. This way, you bring the feel and smell of your baby’s bed along with him, which will help him acclimate to a new location.
Trish McDermott
Babierge
Great tips! Thank you
Johnny,
If your wife is breastfeeding before you leave, have her check with the pediatrician for a formula. Sometimes breast will dry up with travel and you will need formula for the baby. I traveled all over the world with 3 kids. With two I had no issue with one one my breast dried, but luckily my doctor had prepared me and I had formula ready.
Thanks for the advice!
Johnny, for us it’s all about being lions in the airport, but lambs on the plane. This is a little different at Jack’s young age, but I still think entertainment is important. My baby trick of last resort was a balloon. I’d blow it up on the plane, and we’d pass it back and forth, entertaining our son for a long time. We’ve even sent it down the aircraft rock-concert style.
I was worried that people would flip if it popped, being afraid of the loud sound. But when it happened, no one even flinched as planes are so loud.
Stick one in your pocket and good luck. Few people are as well suited as you are for making travel go well.
Great tip! Thank you
Excellent advice Dwmtl, we have found this to be very true with pets.
“The baby feels your mood and if you are calm, he will relax quicker.”
Don’t try to roll down the windows. It is OK to leave the baby in the plane with the windows rolled up when the plane is parked
I have traveled with children and rule number one – force yourself to be relaxed even if the baby is screaming. The baby feels your mood and if you are calm, he will relax quicker.
Tips for traveling with a baby . . . DON’T!! I think it’s too disruptive for the baby and causes more harm than good. If you’re just going away for a week or so, just leave the kid with the grandparents. It’s better for him and they get to see the kid. Just my opinion.
Tons of great advice in these comments, many of which I’ve used.
The best suggestion I found was to have a gallon size bag that holds a complete change of clothing for Jack (shirt, pants, socks, onesie, etc). If Jack has an accident that gets him dirty, all you have to do is grab the plastic bag and you have an entire outfit at hand. Reuse the bag to put in the soiled clothes. This suggestion came in handy many times. I never had to go searching for a clean outfit while on the plane; it was in the bag ready to be used. As he gets older, you can include a change of underwear in the bag too.
You’ve got lots of good advice about the plane part of traveling, so I’ll focus on the “destination” side.
1). Slow down. Whatever you used to do when traveling at your destination, you’ll not be able to do as much when you have a small child. We needed to schedule in times for naps and, when our son was a toddler, time for him to just “hang”. I’ll never forget how fascinated our son was just looking at squirrels and cats in Recoleta Cemetery in Buenos Aires.
2). Consider suites (separate living/bed rooms). When our son was in the same room as us on trips, my wife would bolt upright every time he coughed or moved in his crib. Not a lot of sleep was had. Having him in the living room (where we could easily hear if he cried out) helped sleep a lot.
3) I found traveling in France with a toddler much easier than traveling in Britain. The higher end UK hotels wanted no part of small children. French higher end places were the opposite. Dogs, kids, you name it — all were welcome. And, the French have real food for kids — a lilltle poulet, some petite pois, pommes de terre — wonderfully prepared and delicious.
Our son remembers only a few things from trips before he was 8 or 9. But, he became very adaptable. Things out of the ordinary didn’t phase him, and still don’t. He learned to appreciate that not every place is like home. I’m very glad he traveled with us.