I’ve always had a bug for traveling ever since I was a kid. Of course the allure of a new place and exciting activities/plans make a vacation more enjoyable. But I also like planning my airport days so that they are the most enjoyable for me as possible. Now as a FTM traveling intimidates me a bit more. A baby in an airport and on a plane could be either a breeze or a disaster. (And this isn’t always determined by how well I’ve planned!) Valerie has now been on over a handful of flights (including one international trip) and here are the tips I’ve discovered on flying with an infant:
Call the airline to find out your specific airlines policies on traveling with a lap child.
Make sure you call the airline you will be flying with after you’ve secured your tickets to add your little one as a lap child. Ask about any specific policies they have about traveling with an under 2 infant. If not mentioned, as about any extra bag allowance or stroller. I would also ask about a breast pump bags (if you carry it separately from your diaper bag). Some airlines allow them to travel with you and not count as your included carry on or personal item. Or, if you will have formula, I would ask about what you can bring with you.
You will want to double check that your departure and return flights are with the same airline also! You may need to call a second airline to ask about their policies. I would make sure that your little one is added to your flight back home and assure that you wont run into any issues with anything on the return trip because of policy differences.
Dress for Success! Planning your travel attire can make all the difference.
So far each time I’ve planned a day of airport travel I’ve tried something a little different each time. What I’ve found is what I choose to wear can make the biggest difference. When I am picking my airport outfit I have a couple clothing preferences: Shoes that are easy to get on/off, a comfortable nursing specific top/sweatshirt combo, and a wearable baby carrier. If I keep these three things in mind I will be as prepared as possible for flying with an infant.
Comfort for me really is the key.
Ultimately, if I’m comfortable in my clothes I can push through most airport irritations. I will always wear slip on shoes of some kind WITH SOCKS! Even if its hot, or if it’s a short flight and I can shower when I get to my destination I make sure I have socks on for going through security. It could just be me, but I am not a fan of being barefoot in the airport. Having socks is also convenient on the plane in case you end up feeling cold on the plane, so for me they are a must.
Give baby easy access to their milk on tap.
Flying with an infant for me as a breastfeeding FTM means that I also need quick/easy access getting her milk. Also, knowing that I will most likely wearing a baby carrier most of the day means that I need a nursing friendly shirt for certain. I don’t want the hassle of trying to pull my shirt up enough for her to feed in a carrier while we walk through the airport. (Nor do I want that much of my midriff exposed while I breastfeed anywhere really.)
Breastfeeding access can get complicated if you don’t consider what layers you might need while you are traveling also. Because we will traveling, I invested in a couple different sweatshirt options that are nursing & baby wearing friendly. This way I can add/remove a layer to keep us both comfortable and keep nursing access even when I am wearing Val in a baby carrier. (If I didn’t have a nursing specific sweatshirt, my alternative choice for a layering garment would be an oversize zip up sweatshirt with a hood or an oversize cardigan.)
The right carrier choice is important!
The final piece of my airport wardrobe is a wearable baby carrier. I want it to be “wearable” so that I can have it on under my sweatshirt to save space in my carry on if possible. There are multiple different carrier options that fit this requirement that I personally like for the airport. My favorite for going through security would have to be my Mumsie overalls though. There is no fuss getting baby in and out of my Mumsie and they are technically my pants so I can’t take it off and forget it somewhere. They also cause the least amount of extra bulk since its the least amount of additional fabric to wear. (If you haven’t seen these yet, check them out!) I will do another post to talk about the different carriers I like to use for different reasons, because it is honestly kind of killing me to list a favorite here.
The only kind of carrier I am sure to avoid in the airport is my ring sling. The metal part of the ring causes you to have to take it off going though security. Other carriers like wraps or half buckle carriers that only have plastic clips can be worn through security which is much easier. Nothing is more stressful than trying to juggle your shoes, laptop, stroller, and a baby in a security line. Whew!
The Doona is a game changer when flying with an infant
(and the storage bag attachments for things + storage sack for Doona at gate)
This may be singlehandedly one of the best investments I made for us when it came to traveling with a baby. Everything about a Doona simplifies traveling with your infant. It is both a carseat and a stroller. The wheels simply up/down to switch between use cases. Making adjustments as baby grows is super easy. You can use it with or without its base which just tops the cake for traveling more simply. The hardest part for me was figuring out how to get the carseat to release from the base when used in the car. The Doona folds up small enough to go through security on the belt with your baggage if necessary, although a couple airports have just manually looked over the Doona and brought it through a separate gate when I’ve flown.
Plus, there are multiple attachment accessories that really optimize it perfectly for travel. My favorite is the attachable storage bag you can use when the Doona is being used as a stroller. The Doona has a couple compatible options for drink/bag holders for the handle of the stroller. There is also extended sun shades, a rain cover, and multiple other accessories. I found that the storage bag for the back is the only real must for me. It is great to use for storage since you don’t get the typical bottom basket other strollers have. When flying I keep an extra blanket, an extra book or two, and the small bag I use to put the Doona in at my airport gate.
Make sure to bring only the essentials with you in your carry-on or diaper bag.
Want a pro tip on flying with an infant? Make sure you pack your carry on to allow easy access to your essentials. Depending on if I am flying with my husband or if I am traveling alone with the baby I may organize myself a little differently, but generally I want to make sure I can quickly grab the necessities: diaper change things (obviously), snacks (both for baby and you!), water and extra clothes for you & baby in case of a blowout or spill. Normally I also keep an extra baby carrier at the bottom of my carry on. It doesn’t need to be as easy to access since I wouldn’t need it unless a blowout really made a mess, but its always nice to have a backup plan.
KEEP. IT. SIMPLE. SILLY.
The last time we flew I brought SO many different things with us on the trip to entertain Valerie. While I had endless toys and snacks on hand, Valerie ended up being far more entertained with the airplane safety card in the seat back pocket and an empty cup from the airplane attendant. Other than some snacks and her sippy cup, she was not really interested in anything I had for her. (Also, we tried to use baby ear muffs we had Val, but she wasn’t down to wear them for long.) I learned to just keep it simple when it comes to entertainment and just bring a spill proof cup, some easy non messy snacks (Like crackers or melties), and 1-3 small toys/books (and a device charged for watching some Ms. Rachel for sure lol).
Breastfeeding during take off and landing.
One tip I got from multiple sources is, if breastfeeding, make sure to try and breastfeed during takeoff and landing. It is supposed to help the baby adjust their ears to the changing altitude. This definitely makes a positive difference in my experience. I will also add that I try to plan flights that depart between 9-11 so that I know Valerie will be up for a couple hours beforehand and therefore be tired and ready to nap around the time we board if thats an option. That way when she gets a good feed in during take-off she also might just take a solid nap.
In tough moments, take a deep breath and go one step at a time.
Thankfully I typically always travel with my husband. Nothing beats having help when you’re flying with an infant. We’ve had our share of tense moments while traveling through airports. In those overwhelming moments I have found it best to remind myself (or listen to my husbands gentle reminder) to just take a deep breath. Decide the next best step and then take it. Stay present and before you know it the stress will have subsided.
So far, I feel we’ve blessed by travel gods. Valerie has really made flying with an infant seem easy for the most part. And I’ve not encountered any unpleasant passengers while traveling. In fact, most of our flights Val has either been very social and had a blast interacting with the people around us or has slept through the flight entirely. It seems too good to be true. Now that she is really crawling and getting more mobile I know it will change things for us and I am a bit nervous to say the least. I will keep this updated as I discover new tips as we continue to travel together! If you have any tips that you think might be helpful for me on our travels please share them with me by leaving a comment or send them to me directly!
Until next time, Cheers!