**I am not affiliated or sponsored by any of the companies or products mentioned in this article. They are all based on personal use and experience only.**
Does the very thought of traveling with your little one cause you to wince and make your stress levels leap sky-high?
When you think about what it’s like traveling solo, with your partner, or with friends, compared to traveling with your baby, it can feel like a comparison of a breeze to a hurricane.
Rest assured though that it can be made into a more positive experience for both of you. Here are five ways to better travel with your baby and leave you more comfortable with traveling in the future with your little one.
#1 – Be Prepared
From what you pack or don’t pack, to getting your baby’s passport, to knowing when your baby is ready and able to travel, can all help in making or breaking your travel experience.
When to Travel
First off, although you might hear some say you can travel as early as 2 weeks, it’s recommended that you travel with your baby after their first round of vaccinations at 2 months old. Overall though it is best to talk over traveling with your baby’s pediatrician.
Some airlines have different policies on when a baby can travel, so it is always wise to read those over or call in to inquire before booking any flights as well.
Also, different airlines have varying policies on infant travel, but buying a ticket for children under two years old is usually optional. Without a ticket, the baby has to be held on your lap throughout the flight, and some airlines charge a “lap child fee,” especially for international flights.
If you’re planning to fly with a child on your lap, you should inform the airline in advance. But if you’d rather have a separate seat for your baby, you can book them one at a child fare.
Baby’s Passport
Another way to be prepared even before booking that flight is by receiving your baby’s passport. Most people can be under the assumption that a baby has no need for one or any form of ID.
However, it is required that babies and children who travel nationally have either a passport or birth certificate in order to travel nationally, and to travel internationally, no matter your age, all must travel with a valid, legal passport. Even traveling nationally, some airlines require a passport, whether you’re a baby, child, or adult.
Receiving a passport for your baby can take a few weeks and can only be applied for by filling out the proper forms in your country, as well as sending in a copy of your baby’s birth certificate, which can also take a few weeks to get.
It is best to save time to fill out the paperwork while awaiting the birth certificate to come in and also to get the baby’s passport pictures done.
Once that has all been completed and finalized, then you can more freely make your travel plans and not have to feel stressed out over whether your baby’s passport will arrive in time for you to travel.
There’s no need for that kind of overwhelm in your life. Being prepared honestly works wonders. Which leads me to the last area of being prepared that will see you through so well when it comes to the main event of traveling with your little one.
What Essentials to Pack
Dear parent, just like you know you need your phone charger, a good book, and/or that beverage of choice to keep you hydrated and happy, your little one needs certain items packed to make their travel experience go much smoother.
Listed below are a few essentials, along with some further detailed tips and reasons to pack them for your little one for traveling:
- bottle
- baby formula, or better yet pre-made baby formula (I’ve personally found that Enfamil is a great brand to choose from.)
Bring as much as you’ll need if you’re flying. Baby food, formula, and milk are exempted from the 3-ounce rule for liquids, but you do need to declare it at security so it can be inspected separately. They run a harmless test on excepted baby liquids, and once they’re done, they will reseal it and give it back to you. - a few snacks, for you and baby
- a couple of toys, keynote on a couple!
If they’re old enough, have your little one choose a couple of their favorites to entertain and comfort them, or if they’re too young to do so, you know what they are drawn to the most that will make traveling a happier, easier experience for them. - a soother, I’ll talk about this later, but this will be a huge help, especially if you’re flying.
- a mini first aid kid
- a carrier or easy to use stroller
- diaper changing mat
- enough diapers, but don’t go overboard.
Only pack enough for the day to have on hand, or for the amount of time you’ll be in the airport and flying. - an extra package of baby wipes
- a little washcloth or two
- a stroller or car seat protector bag
The link above is the one I purchased and love. It has made traveling with my baby’s car seat so much easier. - a nursing cover if you’re going to be breastfeeding.
However, I’ve found even using a car seat cover works wonders and easier to travel with and use. - a few spit-up rags
- have at least one change of clothes for your baby, just in case.
- a little bassinet if your little one has their one seat on an airplane.
However, ask your airline beforehand if they provide any childcare seating. Some airlines do offer them so it’s one less item you may not have to worry about bringing.
#2 – Talk Through What’s to Come with Your Baby
It may seem silly, but whether they fully understand or not, talking your baby through what they’re about to experience and describing what’s going on as you go will help reassure your little one through very well.
Being open and communicating with your little one will give them a heads up of what’s to come, will give them guidance and understanding through all the new and different sights, sounds and smells, will reassure them through these changes that everything is ok, and will also add a stronger bond of trust towards you as their parent that you cared enough to inform them and are there to see them through this new, ever-changing experience.
#3 – Soother or Bottle at the Ready While Taking Off & Landing
If you’re flying or going through roadways where there is an intense increase and decrease of elevation, the best tip to help your little one’s ears to pop, to ease their pain, and that will lower any discomfort is to make sure you have a bottle and/or soother at the ready.
When you’re about to lift off, making sure they are sucking on their soother or bottle, helps relieve the pressure buildup in their ears and soothes them as they soar into the sky, or make their way through elevation as you’re driving.
#4 – Ask for & Willingly Receive Help
Now, no matter how prepared you are, especially if you are flying solo with your little one without the help of a partner, family member, or friend, it is ok to ask for and willingly accept help. I actually encourage it.
You don’t have to be super wo(man) and go at this on your own.
There are people around you that are placed there to serve you and your child. I encourage you to reach out and utilize them.
Whether that be from the flight attendant to the person sitting next to you on the plane, to the gas station cashier, or the airport cart drivers, you can ask for help. There is no shame in doing so.
More often than not, people are willing to help you.
Whether it’s asking the person beside you to please grab your little one’s bottle from the side of your backpack, to getting or accepting a ride to your gate from the airport cart driver, to asking for directions or advice from the gas station attendee, or allowing your flight attendant to make sure you and your little one are comfortable and taken care of before and during your flight, ask for help and more often than not, you will be met with an understanding and willing heart.
Not to mention, you will feel more at ease, plus your little one will see from your example that it’s ok to ask for and receive help.
#5 – Breathe, & Let Go of Expectations
No matter how much you may plan, properly pack, get a goodnight’s rest the night before, leave early, etc. situations and influences outside of our control can get in our way of our travel plans going smoothly without a hitch.
Your little one may be in a bad mood because of teething or being overwhelmed with so many changes taking place, or there may be a vehicle accident ahead slowing traffic, you may run into vehicle problems, and the list goes on, and you can end up feeling frazzled to frustrated to wanting to join your little one in slumping to the floor and having a mental breakdown.
But, even if things can or do go wrong, instead of letting it stick out at you like a sore thumb and build and build internally, take a moment to breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth a few times.
Even when you first wake up the morning you are set to travel, breathe, come to terms with the fact that you have prepared to the best of your abilities, and come what may, do and be your best.
As you breathe and let go of expectations, your stress levels will lower, your mind will be more clear and able to face what’s ahead, and making that conscious choice will already set yourself up for success.
Traveling Better with Your Baby
As you take the time to prepare and pack the essentials specifically for your baby, talk them through what is to come while traveling, having a soother or bottle at the ready to help with any pressure from elevation, asking for and willingly receiving help, breathing and letting go of expectations, your travel experience with your little one will turn out to be a better and even more pleasant experience for the both of you.
No matter what may come, utilizing these steps will make traveling a breath of fresh air and something your little one will come to look forward to and give both of you peace of mind.
Now I’d love to hear from you, what has been an essential step or product that has made traveling with your little one easier?
Please comment below and share this post if it has been of value to you or could to someone else.
**If you enjoyed this article, feel free to. check out these other great & insightful posts:
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🎉https://stephanietracywrites.com/how-to-help-children-parents-enjoy-the-holiday-season-to-ease-stress-and-anxiety/
🎉https://stephanietracywrites.com/7-fun-meaningful-family-traditions-thatll-unify-encourage-teach-both-you-and-your-child/
About the Author
Hi there! I’m Stephanie Tracy, a freelance writer and blogger for hire. I specialize in physical and mental health, parenting, and self-development. I create engaging, inspiring, and useful content to help businesses progress in making their viewers into customers. When I’m not writing, you can find me on the floor happily playing with my baby boy, walking in the park with my family, or indulging in a movie marathon with my husband.