Tips for Traveling with a Baby

Traveling with a baby on board can be daunting. The constant crying, feeding schedules, diaper changes and puking sessions can not only be an inconvenience for you, but also the people around you. Here are some tips for keeping the calm when traveling with a new kid.

Wear your baby

Trying to take a stroller through an airport often creates more problems than it solves. Arm yourself with a good baby backpack or front carrier and practice carrying her around in it for a few days beforehand. She’ll have time to get used to the feeling and she’ll feel more at ease being close to you in strange areas.

Dress for a mess

By this, we mean both of you. Wear clothes that are easy to change in case your baby gets sick on your shirt. Also, slip the kiddo into a onesie that’ll be easy to remove on the plane when the diaper gets full. Have you tried taking off a baby’s pants on a moving plane? It’s not fun.

Wear her out

If you’ve got time before your flight, play with your child as much as possible until she can’t keep her eyes open any longer. A baby that doesn’t sleep on the flight is going to get irritable quick. The more you can do to keep her asleep, the better.

Bring new toys

Your baby might get bored quickly if you present her with the same old toys she’s used to. Come prepared with some new things to play with and even some new food. You’ll at least buy yourself a little time while new colors and shapes distract her.

Be prepared for rude people

No one wants to be on a plane with a screaming baby. Most people will be gracious about it but every now and then someone will pitch a fit. Be ready to get snapped at and let it roll off your shoulders. If you’ve got open seating on your plane, find another family with small kids and sit near them. They’ll understand.