Outfit details HERE
Hudson and I just returned home after such a nice trip to Anne’s were we saw family and his cousins! This last flight making it Hudson’s sixth time flying!! March and April were definitely busy months for him! The first time we flew I remember being so nervous, the flight was 3.5 hours long, I was by myself, I didn’t know what to expect, but one of my friends gave me the advice to just throw on a baby carrier and get out the door. I love traveling and especially going home to visit family so as soon as Hudson was old enough (first flight was around 2 months old) we headed back home to visit family for the first time! I am not a professional, we are still working through what works best and every trip has been different! Also, keep in mind there is no “right” way to travel, these are some things that have worked for us the past few months of traveling! I love being able to travel with him! Grace just traveled alone with her 3 kids too! Just be confident, you got this, it’s not that scary!
Things I don’t leave home without
- Diaper backpack
- Baby carrier– you can wear this + your baby through security (all they do is have to test your hands). You can’t wear it during take off and landing though so as soon as we are settled in our seat I take Hudson out.
- Pacifers, pacifier clip & pacifier wipes
- I always dress Hudson in a onesie- I like this little sleepies one because the toes can cover or not and doesn’t pull on his feet when he’s in the carrier.
- at least 5 diapers, smaller thinner packs of wipes & extra onesie
- swaddle blanket– I use this as a covering for him or if I need to change him
- burp clothes– I usually stuff into the side pockets to easily grab
Other random things (some applies only if you are traveling by yourself)
- Less is more- I’ve been lucky enough that my family has had pretty much everything so that we didn’t need to fly with anything like strollers or pack n’ plays.
- I always ask if it’s a full flight to see if there are any open seats if you don’t buy an extra seat (3 times we flew I had no one next to me and 3 times I did).
- Children under 2 can be added for free as a lap child or you can buy a seat and bring your car seat on (I haven’t used our car seat in the seat just yet)
- I have yet to go to the bathroom LOL I hold it until we land and I’m with family.
- Don’t forget your pump!
- I check one bag with our clothes & check the car seat at the front so I just walk on with our only a diaper bag.
- Try and get a direct flight
- You can bring breast milk or formula through security
- first few flights I waited to change him until we landed, but I have changed him on my lap quickly if no one is next to me. EDIT: I have used the changing tables in the plane restroom, I usually bring a lightweight blanket with me or just wash Hudson’s hands with a wipe when we get back!
Feeding on the plane
At first I was so nervous about feeding, just personally I felt uncomfortable in public or if someone was next to me, but our flights have been over 3 hours each time that I knew at some point during our flights I would have to feed and that was my # 1 priority! I have had no problems at all with feeding on the plane, honestly no one is ever even paying attention! Plus when baby needs to eat, he needs to eat! I usually try and grab a window seat to get more privacy and wear an open jacket and a light t-shirt, I always wear this nursing tank top too. The open jacket/sweatshirt is a great covering too- I tried out a swaddle as a covering and didn’t like it at all + felt like it drew even more attention! Don’t stress about this at all!
Getting to and from the airport
- Obviously, if you can have someone drive you to the airport and drop you off this is great- I try to plan with my husband (who is usually traveling so hasn’t been on the flight with us yet) to have him drop us and family picks us up!
- Uber- if you travel with your carseat you can request an Uber! We got stuck at the airport and luckily I had my car seat with me. I requested an Uber (premium one, or an XL), I messaged that I had an infant and installed the car seat in the Uber myself.
- Renting a car- worst and last possible case would be renting a car with car seat. This last time we flew is the second time we got stuck at the airport (long story short my husbands flight got delayed, again, and we needed to get back home instead of waiting 10 hours).
other questions I received:
Q: How was traveling alone, do you feel TSA provides support?
A: After our 6th time traveling alone, I feel like we have it down! TSA has let me wear him without taking him out of my carrier every time and just tests my hands while going through a separate machine (not the big round machines). Going through security has surprisingly gone so well! Just take your time, don’t feel like you need to rush through it would be my biggest advice! Also, be sure to ask if they can change their gloves before checking any baby items- water bottles, bottles, formula, etc! I’ve never had a problem and they are usually super nice!
Q: Do you guys bring things for him to do?
A: I pack toys from him for our stay, but honestly he’s at such a good age where he just wants to eat and sleep! As he is getting older he’s awake more and more so I always pack this book he loves to look at! Traveling with him 3 months and younger has been so great- I can’t imagine what he’ll be like when he wants to walk!
Q: Does flying hurt their ears?
A: Yes I believe it can like it can with adults. Everyone has said to make sure they are sucking on a pacifier or feeding for take off and landing to help!
Q: Best time to travel with babies? Early morning or night?
A: We have done early like 4:30 am wake up and we have done 3:30 pm flight (all flights being 3-4 hours). Part of me likes the early morning flights because you don’t feel like you’re missing the whole day and you don’t have time to stress you just wake up and go. My favorite flight time was probably one we took at 10am!
Q: how do you travel with car seats? I’m nervous it will get lost.
A: I have checked mine right at the front like you would a normal checked bag, but you can also gate check it before you board! If you have a stroller I usually, when I do travel with it, gate check it- just get a tag from the front counter before boarding!
