This post has been a long time coming. Back in January, Ada Verastic was only 3 months old, and we embarked on our first trip together (to Austin, Texas). It was my first time ever traveling with an infant. I did my best to prepare for it, but there were some things I failed to prepare for. If you are planning to travel with a baby on a plane, here are some things you should consider before you do so:
This was exactly what Ada Verastic and I looked like
1. Unless you are an early morning person, don’t schedule your flight for too early in the morning: our flight was at 6:40 AM, which was a terrible idea because I am not at all a morning person — and yes, we ended up missing our flight.
2. Remember to plan feeding time: Just because you are traveling does not mean that your little one will change his/her eating habit. Remember to plan time for feeding him/her and time for pumping, if you have to.
3. Pack a little more than you need: You know how you travel and you pack an extra underwear or an extra outfit, just in case? Well, do the same for your little one. Pack more diapers, more wipes, more formula than you think he/she might need – just in case. Alternatively, considering weight restraints while flying, you may pack light and plan to buy more products when you get to where you are going.
4. Speaking of weight restraints while flying, be sure to weigh your luggage before you get to the airport: Consider using a luggage scale, like this best-selling one from Amazon. It’s currently on sale for $7.99.
5. Arrive at the airport earlier than recommended: Remember you are checking in for two people, not one, and naturally, this will take longer than when you are checking in for yourself alone.
6. Bring baby’s birth certificate: For international travels, you will need a passport. But if you are flying locally, be sure to bring baby’s birth certificate. It’s usually free for the baby to fly, if he/she is younger than two years, but they still need to see a copy of the birth certificate. Keep it some place handy where you can pull it out easily. Ada Verastic was 3 months and obviously did not look like she might be two years old, but I still had to show a certificate. Also, your baby should be visible. If you have him/her covered up in a car seat, you will be asked to uncover him/her. They have to make sure it’s an actual baby in there.
7. Wear your baby: Because I was running late on our way to Austin, I didn’t take Ada Verastic out of the car seat while we were going through security, and that ended up biting me in the ass and wasting more of my time. You have to take your baby out of the car seat when you’re going through the body scanner. If you are already wearing your baby, then this makes it easier. Also, wearing your baby frees your hands to carry other things, especially when you’re traveling alone. I’m wearing this really affordable one from Infantino.
With Ada Verastic when we landed in Austin, Texas. She was hungry and in no mood for selfies
8. Have ways to distract your baby while flying: Ada Verastic was only 3 months old, so all she needed to distract her (and put her to sleep) was her milk, and I had plenty of that. But if your baby is older, then you will need other things: snacks, toys, tablets, etc. By the next time I travel with Ada Verastic, I’ll need way more than milk to distract her.
9. A backpack diaper bag will be easier to carry: Not compulsory, but if your diaper bag is a backpack, it makes it easier to run through the airport. I bought this one from Eddie Bauer. Love it!
Have fun traveling with your little human, and I hope these tips on traveling with a baby on a plane are of use to you. Here’s a recap of our own trip.
Lovely.
Thank you, Chinonso!