Travel Tips

One of my very good friends just asked me for my 'travel tips' since I spent a LOT of time traveling with my daughter when she was young; and a lot of it was travel by myself. So, I actually have a list of tips that help with airport travel. Here it is:

Tip #1: Pack more diapers and wipes than you think you need in your diaper bag. If you don't have enough you're going to find that FINDING more diapers in airports is next to impossible. Most places don't sell them.

Tip #2: Bring your own car seat. You can check it all the way through or you can gate check them, no extra cost. And we absolutely love the "Go, Go, Babyz" car seat attachment. The attachment gives your car seat wheels and you can use it to wheel your child through the airport. The child then gets the added comfort of their own car seat when you get to your location.

Tip #3: Bring food or formula, and bring a bit extra. Like the diapers (and wipes) airports don't generally sell baby food so, if you get laid over for whatever reason you may not have many options for food. The boone spoon is fabulous for airports because you essentially do it 1 handed (and that is a REALLY good thing when you're holding a baby on your lap and trying to feed them on the airplane).

Tip #4: Let them run around as much as possible before you get on the plane and/or during the layover. If they are crawling let them crawl on a blanket, if they are walking let them walk in circles around your bags, but let them move!! One, it will wear them out and two it makes them less antsy on the airplane.

Tip #5: Look for the family security lines. Usually a bit faster, but even if they aren't, people in that line at least understand why you're taking a while. And be prepared for extra searches, and all of your carry on bags being hand searched. I even had an airport pat down my child.

Tip #6: Look into renting a port-a-crib. Most big cities have decent rental places that are clean and will provide sheets. If you are going to a location where you know people you can also just ask to borrow one from a friend. Most people don't use them on a day to day basis so they might have one laying around. We also borrowed a stroller from a friend that way, but you can rent those as well from places that rent out children's equipment.

Tip #7: On take off and landing give your child something to drink (or nurse), or even have a sugar free lollipop to help get your child to suck and swallow. This will help with the pressures in their ears. I've never tried the 'ear plugs' and such that are supposed to help. My daughter would most likely just pull those out until she was old enough to understand they were helping.

Tip #8: Bring a soft blanket. Not only will your child be happy to have it with them in the airplane but it can be used as: a place to crawl on, or have tummy time, a pillow, a blanket, and also (and most importantly) as something to put between your child and the marble changing tables that seem to be the only things provided for changing your kid. I have yet to find a changing area that isn't just a shallow basin made out of marble (or hard counter material). So, bring a blanket to protect your child's head.

Tip #9: Bring a couple books and toys (not too many, but a couple). Airplanes can be boring and sometimes you can't get up out of your seat and so having something to entertain them is good. (So is peek-a-boo with the people in front or behind you if they are willing.)

Tip #10: Don't let the crabby, obnoxious travelers who look down their noses at you bother you. You have as much right to be on that airplane as they do and you are doing the best you can with a small traveler who doesn't understand the changes. If someone gives you a hard time look at them in the eye and say, "I understand. I'm doing the best I can. If you leave me alone I'll be better able to do it."

Happy Travels!!!