Traveling with Baby

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Since I was on maternity leave all of December, I took Little C to Minnesota a week early and my husband met us later to celebrate Christmas with my family. My parents had flown to DC when baby girl was first born but the rest of my family had not met her. I knew we would have a lot of family and friends to see and was looking forward to spending more than a long weekend there.

Before our trip I asked numerous friends for their tips on flying with a baby, specifically by yourself. My husband would be with me on our way home from Minnesota but I was on my own on our way there. After much research I decided to check a large suitcase, bring a backpack for a carry on and carry her on me. I purchased the Infantino Sash Wrap specifically for the trip, as it was smaller than our ergo baby and could easily fit in my backpack. It was also easy to get her in and out of, specifically when we first got to the airport and when we landed and were de-boarding. I have a moby wrap (which she loves) but have not mastered how to make it tight enough where I am not always using a hand to support her. It also takes longer to put it on. I had purchased the Infantino Zip Travel Carrier and Infantino Swift Carrier to test before the trip as well, but didn’t love the material of the travel carrier and the fit of the swift carrier. The infantino sash wrap was perfect and I plan to keep it in the car for quick trips into the store.

When I was pregnant I got on a sewing kick, making burp clothes, nursery decor, and these travel bags. They were a combination of many things I had found on Pinterest, customized to what I thought I would need. I use a few of them in our diaper bag and can easily grab what I need when taking her out in our stroller or to throw in my purse when she’s not with me. They all came in handy for the trip since I was using a backpack that had one large compartment. The colors also make it easy to find which one I need.

FOR BEBE: diapers, wipes, pacifier, burp cloth

FOR MAMA: nursing cover, kindle, phone charger, chapstick, gum

EXTRA GEAR: plastic ziplock with change of clothes for Little C, swaddle blanket, hat and mittens for when we landed (it’s cold in Minnesota y’all)

SNACKS: larabars, trail mix, grapes, Good Earth tea (my ultimate favorite)

FIRST AID: tissues, hand sanitizer, band aids, nail clipper, Tylenol

I also had my favorite hydroflask water bottle and her Boden blanket. Of all of the blankets we bought and received for her, this one takes the cake. It was a part of a newborn gift set and is the perfect size and weight when we are out. I always have it in her diaper bag to go with her in the car seat. I also found this great Kate Spade cell phone case that fits my license and credit card so I didn’t have to bring a wallet.

Because I had an infant in arms, we could have boarded the plane first. But I didn’t have a bag that needed to go into the overhead bin and preferred to be up and walking around as long as possible, so I waited until the very end to board. I lucked out and Little C slept the entire flight, waking up to nurse on takeoff and landing.

Tips for Traveling with a Newborn

• Check your suitcase and bring a backpack as a carry on.
• If you don’t need a stroller and car seat at your destination, baby-wearing is the thing to do.
• Use the restroom at the airport before takeoff, as airport bathrooms are even smaller when wearing a tiny human.
• Bring a water bottle and snacks with you so you don’t have to stop on your way to the gate. It’s just one less thing to worry about.
• Wait to board until the very end to minimize the time you are stuck in a seat. You have a reserved seat I want to yell to everyone who is anxiously trying to get in line, blocking people whose turn it is to board, even though they are in Group 3 and haven’t been called yet.
• If possible, feed your baby on takeoff and when you start to descend so their ears will pop.
• Pack light! You don’t need much for a quick flight.

You can download this free travel checklist by clicking on the image below or here.

Happy Packing!