Tips for Flying with a Baby
- Bulk Head - Beg, steal or borrow for these seats on the plane. Pay more if you have to. The extra space to maneuver and option of a wall-mounted bassinet on international flights will make all the difference in the world.
- Layers - Regardless of the season or the part of the world you are traveling, planes can get cold at 30,000+ feet. A blanket, a zip up hoodie, socks are a good idea which brings me to...
- Clothing - Consider carefully how your +1 is dressed. You will find yourself changing diapers in some of the most random, uncomfortable and inconvenient places known to man. Make it easier on yourself by putting baby in something easy to change and bring a spare outfit.
- Lose the Pride - Especially if you are traveling solo with your +1 (or 2, or 3, or...god help you if you have that many kids!). I was surprised at how helpful some flight attendants and fellow passengers were. Let people help and don't be to proud to ask. Help with your bags, opening doors, hell, even a knowing smile can really make the difference.
- Ship Ahead - Someone had the brilliant idea to offer cheap and quick shipping of baby items direct to your hotel for your arrival. Do it. Pack less = stress less. Diapers.com is my preferred choice but I've heard Babies Travel Lite offers the same services.
There are many more, but I think these are crucial in making baby comfortable. I know it sounds like a no-brainer but when you have a crying baby on your hip while folding a stroller with one hand, trying to dig out your boarding pass with the other and wincing in agony from desperately needing a pee....you'll forget comfort even existed.
And then an amazing thing happens. You start to get better at juggling these things and you discover that your baby's comfort while in transit is in direct correlation to the success or failure of the journey.
I'll report back soon on traveling with a toddler. In the meantime, I'm open to suggestions!