3 Tips for Traveling with an Infant

Rhett has been on a couple of trips in his short 5 months, and while we aren’t experts, we have found some really awesome tips that work for traveling with an infant!  At 2.5 months, Daniel and I flew with Rhett for the first time and even though we way overpacked, I’d say we did pretty good.  A couple of weeks ago, I took my first solo flight with him, and even though I was alone it went great!  So today I’m sharing my top 3 tips for traveling with an infant to make life much easier from packing to day-of!

Baby Wearing

Wearing your baby through the airport is the absolute easier way to get around!  I have traveled both with & without the stroller/car seat, but both times wearing him was definitely the easiest way.  If you need your stroller/car seat at your destination, definitely bring them, but check them at the gate.  We bought these travel bags for our stroller and car seat because they are essentially an insurance policy from UppaBaby if anything happens to either piece while in transit.  After checking them, my hands were completely free the entire time I was at the airport and going through security.

They allow you to wear your baby through security and the metal detector.  I have TSA PreCheck, and definitely recommend it…especially with a baby.  But regardless, wearing your infant keeps you hands free to hold your ID, boarding pass, etc.

As far as specific carriers go, on his first flight (2.5 months old), I wore him in the Solly Baby wrap (similar to this Target version).  It is a soft wrap that is perfect for small infants who you want close and away from airport germs!  On his second trip, I wore him outward facing in this wrap from Amazon.  It’s only $29 and the best!!!  Babies can face in or out and the carrier itself is super lightweight!  It does not have a much back support as the ErgoBaby carrier that we have, but is a lot lighter and fits my petite frame much better!

If you are traveling alone, definitely wear a backpack like this one that I wore!  you can have your hands free at all times and don’t have to worry about bags falling off of your shoulder.  This is the backpack we have, and its made by the same company as my diaper bag.  Everything that TwelveLittle makes is awesome!  It has insulated side pockets for bottles and a padded sleeve for your laptop.

Packing

Whether it’s a nearby weekend getaway, or your trip requires you take a flight, my #1 recommendation for packing for an infant ism to use drawer organizers.  You have to bring so many things with new babies, and these drawer organizers have been so convenient for keeping everything organized in my suitcase.  Once everything is folded and in the organizer, I just put the whole thing into the suitcase.  When we arrive at our destination, I take it out and stick it right in one of the hotel dresser drawers.  And if there isn’t a dresser, you can literally just put it right on a countertop.  So convenient!!

With a new baby, you have to bring so many things, so I just packed random things in ziplock baggies.  That way, the monitor and all its cables didn’t get mixed up with other electronics.  I also found that bringing a full pack of diapers and wipes is the easiest way to do it, or just grab some at Target once you get to your destination!

Sucking on Ascent/Descent

This tip is specific to airplanes, but I always make sure that Rhett is sucking on something when the plane is taking off or landing.  When you are sucking, it naturally causes your ears to pop and prevents pressure from building.  Babies obviously don’t know to pop their ears and the pressure can really hurt, so allowing them to nurse, have a bottle, or suck on a pacifier does this automatically.

I try to time Rhett’s feedings with the take off and landing, and then just nurse him at those times.  But, if you are supplementing or strictly formula feeding, try to time feeding times with take-off and landing!  If not, a pacifier works as well.  I’ve done both and he’s never had a problem with his ears!

What are some of your tips for traveling with an infant?  Leave them in the comments below so we have a whole library of tips to help each other!  Traveling with babies is no easy feat, and I’m sure anyone will take all the tips they can get…I know I sure will! 😉.