‘Tis the season for many things, and air travel over the holiday period is one of them. While it is a fun experience to travel, it can also be a stressful and logistical nightmare to do it with that precious cargo in tow – your kids!
If you scan the internet on the myriad of parenting sites that are out there, you will come across many articles related to traveling with tots in tow. It’s no mean feat, traveling with little ones is no fun way to start (or end) your vacation! But with a little planning (ok, a lot of planning) and all the information you’ve amassed from reading up on the experiences of those that have trod the boards before you, you’ll be a seasoned traveler with tot in tow in no time.
Before having kids, my husband and I had both done a fair amount of traveling – domestically and internationally – and had packing, dealing with check in and security and passing the hours before take off and in flight down to a fine art. Enter traveling with children and it was a WHOLE another level of organization! We took our daughter on her first flight at 13 weeks – just a few days after turning 3 months old – and have since done 10 flights with her in her first year.
Like being an adult, kids come with plenty of baggage! But you can make traveling relatively stress free if you follow these simple steps (they are by no means the only tips you should follow, but a few that I have found useful!)
1. Pack plenty
While this may go against what everyone else says, your child is entitled to their own checked baggage. Use it! This is one time when less isn’t more. When you think you have enough clothes, especially when you’re not traveling to family that you can off load dirty laundry with once you’ve arrived (yes I’ve done that!), your kid could go through a day of needing to change 5 times, even if they NEVER do this at home. Ensure you have enough onesies which are perfect for days when trying to wrestle your angel into the gorgeous outfit you had planned to meet *insert grandparents/aunts/uncles/friends here!* in and just can’t hack it. Onesies rule and are just easy to put on anywhere anytime, even if the outfit was given to you by *insert grandparents/aunts/uncles/friends here!*. Sometimes you just have to take a photo of them in it back home to show them rather than in person
2. Pack your diaper bag with precision
This will be with you ALL THE TIME from leaving home, in flight and to your final destination – you need quick access to diapers, wipes, spare onesies, cloths, toys, snacks, medicines etc. When in doubt throw in an extra diaper, snack and toy and my personal favorite – plenty of hand sanitizer wipes to wipe down every surface you come into contact with
3. Changing preprep
Plan ahead for flight side and on board diaper changes by placing diapers in small bags (small dog poop bags work well and cost less than scented diaper ones!) and have plenty of wipes on hand. A small carrier bag with wipes and a change mat and you’re good to go for changing in small, yes, very small, spaces!
4. The Gate Check Bag
Plan ahead what you don’t need once you get to your gate (eg. stroller) and place in the best invention ever – the Gate Check Bag! We bought ours from Target but they (or similar type bags) are available at most large stores and online. For under $20 it keeps your stroller and car seat clean – it won’t protect from damage as they can man handle a little at airports, but at least it will be clean/dry
5. Baby wear
You need all the hands you have (so all 2 of them, though you feel like you could use more!) and so baby wearing in a sling or carrier is a must have. I have a Baby Bjorn infant carrier which after collapsing and gate checking the stroller, pop my daughter into to board onto the plane. Even if you aren’t traveling alone, carrying your kid, diaper bag and walking what feels like 5 miles to the actual plane door is tiring before you have even embarked on the flight
6. Early boarding
Take advantage of boarding first with families. Feel like a rock star does in first class and get on that plane first up even if you’re turning right and not left! It will give you plenty of time to get organized, place what you don’t need in the overhead bins and get organized, especially when you have a lap infant who isn’t in their own seat
7. Take off and Landing
If you are breastfeeding/nursing, plan your feeds to ensure you have good supply for take off and landing. I have been lucky my daughter has fallen asleep a few times during both with the change of air pressure while feeding, but if you are not, giving them a bottle or pacifier/dummy will do the same trick as adults sucking on a sweet so your ears acclimatize to the pressure once you have leveled out
8. Oh no are they sat near me?
Pre kids you are not alone in spotting the family about to board your flight and saying a quick prayer that they are seated no where near you! But despite what most new parents think, other travelers and cabin crew are supportive to you when they see you struggling in flight and offer a sympathetic smile or ‘been there, done that’ story. And if your tot doesn’t have a good flight, rest assured you’ll probably never see those other 200 people again!
So yes, gone are the days of the pre flight tipple, leisurely boarding and settling into your seat to enjoy a movie or two or taking a nap – no siree! Traveling with tots is hard work, but can be done relatively stress free with some pre flight organization.
Have you traveled with tots and have tips you’d like to share? Let me know!
Happy and safe travels!
The Hill Country Mom 