Traveling with baby &/or toddler- UPDATE

I can’t believe I actually have an official toddler now. Whoa, when did that happen?! How does time all of a sudden fly by so quickly I get whiplash?! It’s surreal sometimes how quickly life goes isn’t it? Well this week I find myself packing up for our month-long trip stateside to visit with family & friends. It made me stop and think about to all the flights we’ve taken with our girl this past year, especially her first trip to the states back when she was 12 weeks old and boy have I learned ALOT. Seriously, so much has changed. You can read about the over-packing, nerve-wracking, novice parent flights to the states here. Since then, if you can believe it, our little rockstar world traveler has accomplished the following feats in a mere 12 months:

– been on 35 flights (actually in only the past 9 months alone)!!

– done 2 road trips (New Zealand & Cameron Highlands)

– Visited 8 countries

– slept in I  can’t even count how many different travel cots/cribs in I don’t even know how many hotel rooms.

– Survived 2 bus trips (2 hrs each way)

– Been on a wooden boat

– ridden in multiple tuk-tuks throughout SE Asia

Crazy right?! And every time we’ve packed up to go, I’ve learned something new about how to make all the wheels work easily and smoothly on those trips with a babe in tow.

So, I thought I’d give you an update on my BEST TIPS & TRICKS of traveling with baby/toddler, since as you can see from the first time I blogged about traveling with baby that I grossing overpacked and had no idea what I was doing or what I would need- haha. Keep in mind this is for carry-on luggage, I’m not talking about checked luggage here. I should also add as a disclaimer that we also typically allow for 1 checked bag each, unless its a shorter 2-5 day trip, then Ava and I usually share a suitcase. David is in charge of his own carry on backpack and checked bag :). Since this is a big long-haul USA flight, we are adding in 1 more suitcase for items we plan to buy there and bring home- LOL.

First of all, make a checklist of what you will need and most importantly, get rid of that super cute diaper bag and get yourself a sturdy and roomy backpack for your flights! Seriously, it will save you in more ways than one- mainly its very easy to cart around (on your back) even with baby on your chest! Secondly, if your traveling with an EBF babe, lucky you, you don’t have to worry about any other bags nor food. If your baby is fed via formula and/or eating solids, I also highly recommend a small travel cooler to keep snacks and food in, so that you don’t have to rummage around the backpack and risk smashing things or having things leak all over everything else (airlines will let you travel with bottles of sterilized water and/or breastmilk). Finally (and most importantly) get yourself a super comfy baby carrier (the ERGO is our go-to for flights). It helps while in the airport (we put our carry-on bags on the umbrella stroller- LOL), it helps while getting situated on the flight, it keeps baby safe and secure at takeoff & landing, and it helps baby feel comfy so that he/she can sleep and so can you, hands free! Easy Peasy right?!

Here is a shot of what we are currently bringing on the flight we are about to take: We are almost ready :).

Now you are probably wondering what’s actually INSIDE the backpack and the cooler right?! Ok here goes:

Cooler:

I have 3 sippy cups for her formula, 1 straw cup for water. I have multiple pouches of fruit/veggie/bean/carb baby food (love the happy baby brand), cheerios & rice cakes, and a couple of snack size ziplock bags with instant oatmeal & raisins inside & a few granola bars. Pouches of food are an absolute MUST for travels. It’s also great to bring along a couple bananas to mix into the oatmeal, along with some fruit from a pouch. Make sure you bring along enough formula (if you use) and food, to get you through the flight as well as any layovers, etc. From that amount, pack in 1 or 2 extra bottles or meals worth. Trust me. Just do. You never know what mess you may find yourself stuck in and being without formula is a huge risk! Now, as you can see, this is quite the cooler but remember I’m heading out on 3 flights totally over 30 hours until I reach my destination. I use a smaller cooler for shorter trips. I also highly suggest you pack in some trail mix, granola bars, etc for yourself too. Will help curb the hunger better than those nasty in-flight meals.

The Backpack:

Ok in here is my traveling world. Beyond the usual suspects of the passports & cash/cards, I also have a smaller little bag filled with baby wipes, ointment, a disposable changing pad cover, hand sanitizer (for me) and nappy/diaper bags that are scented. I also always keep 2 diapers in here. That way when I need to do a quick change, I just pull this one bag out for everything I need to change Ava (I keep more diapers in the backpack and pull out when needed). I typically pack about 1 diaper for every 2 hours travel time (remember to keep in mind taxis, layovers, etc). I also have a change of clothes for Ava & a shirt change for me (again, depending on travel time you may need more than 1 change for you and/or baby). I have a select few smaller (and no noise) toys (add in a couple new ones) for her (dole out along the way for fun surprises), a mesclun blanket for warmth & cuddles, a fax book, my IPad (GO DIGITAL- for both me and her, all rules out the door on flights, do whatever to keep them happy and quiet), headphones for me, more sanitizing wipes, personal toiletries (paired down- chapstick, moisturizer, deodorant, tooth & hair brush), a pullover or a pashmina is also great for mom’s. I also take along 2 gallon & 2 quart size ziplock bags to store any soiled clothes and I also bring along some baby Tylenol in the event of an illness or teething pain and (don’t judge me), I am also bringing for the first time (I’ve tried at home already) some baby Benadryl along to “take the edge off” for Ava in hopes she will sleep and relax a bit more, a huge hint from experienced moms to toddlers! Also make sure you wear super comfy clothes and dress baby in comfy clothes as well. Layering is essential for success and socks are a must for both baby and mommy. Don’t worry about packing bulky blankets, just use the airline blankets. If you are stressed about germs, please don’t, you’ve got much bigger things to worry about. Also take advantage of the flight attendants….most are super helpful with babes, especially if you are a mom traveling solo. If you baby is smaller than 6 months or just small for his/her age and under he age of 1, take advantage of the bassinet row for sure- those little things are great for sleeping, eating, and playing!

Does this help? I sure hope so. I am a part of a mommy group here in KL and recently we met up to discuss everyone’s top travel tips so some of the above include their input too (thanks TOTS ladies!!). You never know what gem someone has up their sleeve that will change your traveling-with-babe life! And if you read the above and only travel once or twice a year and can’t be bothered, then by all means do what works for you, just wanted to share my travel tips from the past year with baby A!

Well, that’s it, signing off so I can get back to packing. Until next time, happy & safe baby traveling~

Kimbra