Essentials for Flying Solo with Baby

February 17, 2018 The Provident Princess 0 Comments

I have traveled cross-country many times with babies and toddlers. Over the years I have found what is really useful and worth bringing even if it takes extra space and what to do without. When I am traveling by myself, I have a diaper bag for my baby and a backpack for my personal item. I will put the diaper bag in the overhead bin because it is usually bigger than my backpack and I will pack that as full as I can of everything I will need once I get to my location but I will use my backpack exclusively on the airplane because I can shove that under the seat and that way I won't have to keep getting up every time I need something. Here are my top 5 must-haves for traveling with a baby along with a few extra tips to help things run smoothly.

1. Car seat Gate Check Bag

Airlines allow you to take carseats for your babies without charging you like a checked bag. I didn't know that the first time we flew with our oldest, so we left it in the car at the airport. For some reason I thought the car rental place would have them available for free but no, we had to pay to rent it for $45! So don't make the same mistake I did. I know I'm not the only one who feels like I have spent a fortune on baby gear and want my stuff kept nice. I don't want some TSA person ruining my carseat or stroller because they aren't being careful when they are tossing things around.

This Travel Babeez car seat gate check bag comes with shoulder straps to carry it like a backpack which is so handy when your hands are already full with baby, boarding tickets and diaper bags. It also has another strap handle making it easier for said TSA agents knowing where to grab instead of grabbing where ever and ruining something. I also love this car seat bag because of the bright color, huge ID label, strong material and also unlike most other car seat bags, this one has a zipper closure instead of drawstrings. I feel like drawstrings are just asking for trouble because they can get caught on other things so easily. You may also need a gate check bag for your stroller if you are taking one. My stroller requires us to buy their brand's padded stroller bag for the warranty to stay valid so you may want to look into that.

If you don't need your car seat at the gate or during layovers,you could just check it at the luggage check-in counter. Just one less thing to worry about. But, then again, if it is checked at the gate, you will know it's not going to be lost in transit or transfers and is on the same flight as you if you get delayed or something.  Just something to think about.

2. Sanitizing Wipes

Air flight is notorious for spreading germs and the last thing you want is to get sick while traveling. I'm not normally a 'germaphobe' but you have no idea who or what was touching the surfaces around your seat last. If you are traveling with a baby then you know they will be touching and sucking on everything in sight. A quick once-over with some sanitizing wipes will help set your mind at ease. These wipes are great for baby because they are alcohol-free.

3. Boppy Pillow

You might think I'm crazy with this one, but hear me out. If you are traveling with a baby, especially a nursing baby this will be a godsend. I once traveled with my 7 1/2 month old across the country and she did great, she fell asleep in my arms right after take off. Unfortunately, my arms and back couldn't take holding her for that long. It was so uncomfortable! My husband kept trying to wedge the diaper bag under her so that she could rest on that instead but all the jostling woke her up and it all went downhill from there. Fast forward a couple years and we were flying cross country again this time were going to be living in NYC for an extended period. I packed the boppy so I could have it at our apartment once we got there and it was just too big to pack in the suitcase so we shoved it in the diaper bag. Wow, what a difference! I was able to feed my baby then she just curled up against me and fell asleep for the majority of the flight and the best part was that I still had my hands free. It was so worth it. If I was bringing an older toddler, I wouldn't use it probably because it would just be in the way but who knows they like to be held too? If you think your baby will fall asleep for any amount if time I would bring it.

4. Easy Baby Sling

I love babywearing. It makes things much easier when you need all your hands free for other things. There are many different kinds of wraps and I use different ones at different times. The one that is the best for travel like this is a ring sling. It is the easiest to use while nursing. There is no fussing with tying and re-tying everytime you want to get baby in or out. There aren't any knots of fabric located on you back that would be uncomfortable to lean against in your chair. And any adjustments that need to be made are easily done by tightening or loosening the fabric right at your shoulder so you don't have to worry about elbowing anyone while trying to get situated. This baby sling is made out of super soft bamboo and doubles as a blanket which is perfect since airplanes get so cold and you won't have to worry about the extra room a blanket would take up in your bag. Your baby can even sleep in this if you aren't bring a boppy.

5. Snacks

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