Lindsay Pinchuk is Founder of Bump Club and Beyond, Chicago’s first and largest social event network for expectant and new moms. She’s sharing her best tips for flying with a baby.
I was in a panicked state for weeks before we left for a family trip to Florida last month with our baby, J, who’s just five months old. I couldn’t figure out WHAT to pack or how was I really going to get all the necessities there. Being a frequent flier pre-kids, I was used to a small rolling suitcase and a purse with some magazines and my laptop. Traveling with a car seat, BabyBjorn, diapers plus worrying about the baby on the flight was an incredibly overwhelming feeling. I also couldn’t help but be concerned that Baby J would have a diaper explosion on the airplane and I’d have to change her in the tiny bathroom so the stench wouldn’t offend anyone. This was a legitimate worry as she always tends to do this at the least opportune times.
All that worry turned out to be unnecessary – our trip was a success and we had a great time. Now that I’m back, everyone has asked me how I did it, what I packed, and how was Baby J on the plane ride. Here are few of the suggestions I would share to any new parent traveling with their baby for the first time on an airplane.
1. Plan ahead
About a week before we left, I went to diapers.com and shipped diapers, wipes, and formula to our location so that I did not have to allocate precious suitcase space to these bulky items. Plus I saved on sales tax on the items and got free shipping!
2. Only take the essentials
Keep in mind you don’t need every baby gadget from your home. A lightweight stroller was my savior on the trip and the only equipment I truly needed. Baby J slept in her Bumbleride Flite everywhere we went, so we didn’t have to plan our outings around her naps. The stroller was amazing in the airport, but substantial enough to go on walks once we got to Florida. We bought a Graco Pack N Play when we got to Florida, but many places offer rentals of this expensive equipment.
3. Give yourself extra time
Allow yourself plenty of extra time at the airport and if you can, check your bags curbside. In fact, most airlines do not charge extra to check things like a car seat or stroller, even for a lap child. We pulled up to the curb and checked everything except my diaper bag and the stroller, which made security a breeze. At the gate we checked our stroller and it was waiting for us when we got off the plane. With enough time before your flight, you’ll also be able to visit the bathroom to change your baby before hopping on the airplane to avoid any aforementioned diaper explosions.
4. Don’t forget the liquids
I am not breastfeeding Baby J any longer so I made sure had had plenty of formula for the airplane. Whether it’s by your boob or bottle, I found feeding Baby J on ascent and decent helped her to swallow and feel better with the changing altitude.
Overall, I was SHOCKED by how easy it was to travel with a baby. I’ve heard all the horror stories, but J slept most of the ride and when she was awake she just hung out and played with the couple of toys I brought for her. I got through the nerves of traveling with a baby by planning ahead, staying calm and being organized. I was then able to enjoy myself once we arrived in the warm Florida sunshine!
Thank you, Linsday, for sharing your tips! You can find out more about Lindsay’s organization at: bumpclubchicago.com.
My daughter and I visit my family out of state every few months – we’ll be making our ninth trip about a week from now – the day after she turns 29 months old.
My partner has gone with us for 1 1/2 trips (we stayed longer once, she came back for work) but other than that, it’s just been the two of us.
My strategy is to wear her on my front (first in a wrap, and now in a soft structured carrie) and a backpack on my back, with diapers, snacks and toys for the flight.
I pack everything else we need in one suitcase, which we check.
For the first year or so, I carried her empty infant carseat over my arm, but once she outgrew that, I was lucky enough that my parents bought a carseat just like ours to have upon arrival, and we now use a CARES harness on the plane. It keeps her in place without taking up a lot of room, or requiring me to drag a full-size carseat through the airport.
Easy-peasy!
What about the fear that your baby will cry during the flight and disrupt all the other passengers? That was my fear and it came true!
One thing I did, before our ten hour trip to europe with my six month old, was I had an arsenal of things for her to suck on just in case her ears would bother her. Warm wash cloths, bottles, sippy cups, toys, food, the almighty breast. Luckily we had NO, and I mean NO crying both ways.
Just wait til shes 15 months old. Nightmare to fly with!
Definitely agree with #4, even if you ARE breastfeeding. You can find out why and more about my recent 1st time flying with my 2 year old and 7 month old here:
http://www.modernparentsmessykids.com/2011/03/how-to-survive-meltdowns-panic-attacks.html
The title of the post is “How to Survive Meltdowns, Panic Attacks, Delays & 2nd Degree Burns at the Airport” – Need I say more?
This post is a good confidence booster for me, even though it is concerning an infant. We’re flying tomorrow with our 20-month-old, so I’m nervous! He has flown one other time, when he was only 6 months old. Hopefully it will go as well as it did then!!
My son and I fly on Thursday, just the two of us. We have done it before when he was two months old….we had a bad trip there and a good trip back. Trip there, we were on a super small plane, which I hadnt realized (no changing station in bathroom and not an empty seat). The ride home the plane was larger and we opted for the extra legroom on Untied. I little more breathing room made a huge difference. I will also use LIndsay’s ideas……and fingers crossed for a easy breezy trip. Thanks for the tips, Lindsay!!