20 Tips for Traveling with a Little One – With or Without the Husband

Everly just flew on her, well probably, last “FREE” flight. With over 35 flights under her belt, I’d say we took full advantage of the opportunity of a lap child. On most flights, however, she got her own seat, thanks to the wonderful Southwest Airlines. 🙂 I would have NEVER, in a million years, thought that I would have traveled so much with a young child, but since we live very far from both families and extended family and my husband travels often for work, circumstances have allowed all of this travel. My husband and I love adventure, so being able to go places with our young child, while it may be just a season, has been a blessing and a gift. There is nothing quite like seeing things through the eyes of a child. Everything is way too exciting!

Anyway, in today’s post, I’m answering all those questions I have received over the last few months about traveling with a little one! I truly hope that this answers everyone’s questions. I have broken it down into tips, what to bring, and fun stories. After all, traveling can be very stressful in general, why not make the most of it and just have FUN! 🙂 I truly believe that travel days with Everly come down to mindset! Anyway, hope that you enjoy! Happy Thursday, everyone!

Xo,
Christine

What We Pack/Check List:

1. Stroller/Stroller Bag: For trips where I am doing a ton of walking, I bring this stroller {bag here}. For most other trips, I bring this light-weight stroller. {Bag here and full review with UBBABaby here.}

2. Travel Bed: We love this one by Nuna {smaller size here}. You can also get a set of sheets too, which makes longer trips a little more cozy! 🙂 {We are looking into getting a more heavy-duty bag now, as this one took quite a beating from so much travel.}

3. Carseat: Carseat Bag here as well, which helps to protect it. {I have used this one for the infant seat as well as the toddler seat.} Some people would say NOT to check a carseat, but we have always checked ours with no issue…knock on wood! 🙂 I do, however, always consider “the what if” should it not arrive at our destination. Car rental places have carseats, most of the time. And, when visiting family, they could always run to Target to get a carseat in case of an emergency.

4. Carry on: Definitely prefer a backpack since I can be hands-free that way! It is seriously a lifesaver!

5. ERGOBaby Carrier or something else in order to be hands-free: I loved my Solly Baby when Everly was young. I use the ERGO now since Everly is much bigger and also extremely wiggly.

What to put in the backpack:

Personal stuff like wallet, computer, camera, etc.
Snacks for little one{s} and mama
Extra Wipes and Diapers
Water bottle
Extra clothes {especially when have a baby}
Nursing Cover and extra blanket {especially when have a baby}
Toys and coloring books/markers. She has recently been loving LeapFrog as well as watching movies, especially Curious George, on planes. {Make sure to have headphones.} As I mentioned above, I do pack some of her things in her own little suitcase.
Camilia – definitely helps to sooth her, especially when she is teething
Hand Sanitizer
Medicine, in case of an emergency
That special lifesaver, easy-access product. {Everly’s favorite is chapstick and it can distract her. Parent trick. :)}

6. Checked luggage: Normally 1-2 bags, although depends on length of travel {Check out below pix for when we were gone for weeks.}

20 TIPS/LESSONS LEARNED:

1. Pack a FEW days in advance: I have learned the hard way. Things always come up with a little one, in general, and time goes way too fast, so plan ahead. You will thank me later. Haha. The one time I tried to pack the night before starting at 8pm for a 4am wake up call, it was kind of a disaster. Thankfully, we did make it to the plane, but I promised to never do it again. Packing a few days in advance allows for you to think about anything you might have forgotten and allows time, for say, Everly taking everything out of the suitcase when it was all ready to go. Yes, it’s happened! 🙂 {And, she loves suitcases so much that when my husband bought a new large one on sale, she jumped right in!} Everly and I normally share a large rectangular suitcase since the shape allows for more space. In general, planning ahead just allows for peace of mind! 🙂

2. Southwest: Can’t speak more highly of this company. The employees are great and fun and the customer service is amazing. While some people don’t like the fact that you don’t have an assigned seat, having that flexibility with a child is amazing, and you are able to board early with family boarding. Plus they don’t charge baggage fees. Their rates are reasonable and their rewards program is amazing. You can rack up points way fast! 🙂 Who doesn’t like using reward points for travel anyway?! Alaskan Air {partners with American} is also a favorite since Southwest certainly doesn’t fly everywhere. You might consider signing up for their credit card bonus, and if you fly often, they have a great companion pass option for the year. A shout-out to the numerous flight attendants who have made special toys for Everly or given her wings for flying. They are so sweet!

3. Bring Something Interesting or New for Entertainment: So, on those long five hour flights to CA when Everly and I are traveling alone, I bring out something new for her on the plane. Doesn’t have to be expensive. Post-its kept her entertained for two hours on a recent flight. I believe that the entire window had post-its on it. Everly wheels all of her things now in this little suitcase {other options here}. {She loves imitating us.} Post-its or something else, you get the point! 🙂

4. Travel Wallet: {other options here} This thing has been a lifesaver! It’s longer than most wallets and designed for travel. I keep our luggage paperwork, boarding passes, Everly’s birth certificate, and passports/other important stuff all in ONE place! Everly knows it is off limits {most of the time, at least} By the way, Everly loves holding her passports when we go through customs, or acting like a big girl with holding her ticket {when we’ve had to buy one}. It is adorable and you realize how much these little ones observe their surroundings.

5. Check with the Airline on Lap Child Requirements in Advance: Some airlines require you to call in advance and provide details of the child’s birth, etc. With other carriers, nothing is required. Southwest requires a passport or a copy of the child’s birth certificate. They are always so helpful when adding the lap child to the ticket.

6. Brush it off if People Stare or GLARE: I honestly have never encountered much negatively while traveling with Everly until recently {I wrote about it here}. Even when we were quietly sitting in our seats, I have heard comments from people under their breathe or said to others around us. It honestly was super hurtful, but I had to let it go. So, if you encounter anything like this, oh well, such is life. Brush it off and don’t let others ruin your happy time. On the other hand, we take it on as our obligation to be aware parents and ensure that little Everly is not kicking seats, screaming, etc. Of course, crying does occur at times and nothing is perfect, but we do try our best.

7. Bring Snacks/Buy Water: I pack a gallon-sized zip bag full of snacks and buy extra water in the airport! Oh and a coffee, too…if there’s time! 🙂 You can ask on Southwest for a full can of water, also, instead of just the glass they would typically pour. These are great snacks that you can order from Amazon!

8. People can wait for you/Don’t Rush: Some people may be annoyed in the security line when you are unloading and reloading all of your stuff, but who cares. Don’t rush. Rushing, for no need, creates stress, and Everly always picks up on if I am stressed, which is no good for anyone involved. Our amazing pediatrician had this as her key advice before we flew the first time {when Everly was not quite three months}. Don’t stress; be calm; carry on!

9. Get to the airport extra early: We have TSA-Pre now, which helps a ton, but security lines can be a toss-up. So, getting to the airport extra early has no downside. For a 6am flight, we normally leave our house by 3:45am to arrive to the airport by 4:10am at the latest. With little Everly and all the extra stuff, it takes longer in the security line, the checking in line, and the loading and unloading of the car. Plus, if you have time to grab a coffee, or stroll around the airport with your kiddie bag {yes, Everly is usually too excited to sleep at this hour} all the better. When traveling as a couple, we can carry everything with the aid of the carts; when traveling by myself I am able to tip a man to help me curbside.

10. Plan adjustment time/1-2 extra days: If we are traveling somewhere that has a big time zone change, it always takes at least a full day to get onto the time zone. This just sets the tone for everyone’s expectations. Similarly, if we arrive somewhere where we have never been before, our expectations are low on the first day. Setting reasonable expectations with a little one is so helpful when traveling, and we have totally learned the hard way! 🙂

11. Don’t be afraid to fly First Class with a little one: We were upgraded once, and while I was super nervous, the people in first class didn’t seem to mind at all. In fact, the gentleman that sat next to me admitted {at the end of the flight} he was a little nervous when he first saw us, but he actually enjoyed it very much.

12. There will be GERMS: At first, I was super nervous about everything in the airport and on the plane. Now, I really don’t care. I also bring hand sanitizer and bathe Everly when we get to our destination. I guess that it builds up her immune system?! She always takes some immune aids {as do we} when she arrives and before she departs. One of Everly’s favorite trips on the plane is to walk down the aisle waving at all the passengers to head to the restroom to get a tissue to wipe her nose, whether she needs it or not 🙂

13. Exploring/Car Rental: Think about the nature of your trip. Some places, we can walked everywhere. Other places, we have rented a car. I hate admitting this, but had a minivan on the last trip and it was a lifesaver. Always ask if there are any free upgrades available. Sometimes, they will give you a bigger car, in our recent case, it was a minivan. 🙂 If you are walking everywhere

14. Baby’s Schedule: I try my best to get Everly back on schedule when traveling but we try to have as much grace as possible and go with the flow. We also try to fly in the mornings since that is best for her. So, figure out what’s best for you and your kid{s}! {Also, try to plan ahead early to save money. The Southwest calendar when booking is great to utilize for flexible travel. Luv them!}

15. MINDSET: I think that mindset is everything with traveling with a little one. Believe me, an 8+ hour travel day leaves me utterly exhausted, but it’s totally worth it. Just remember that it’s an adventure, you will be tired, but it is a blessing to have the opportunity. Roll with it, drink coffee, and have fun! 🙂

16. Nursing: I have nursed everywhere. I always wore a baggier blouse or tee shirt, especially when traveling, which made things easier if I couldn’t get to my cover right away. Baby has to eat when baby needs to eat. I was very nervous the first time I flew without having the option to nurse as this ALWAYS calmed Everly down. The first time she was hardly nursing but still wanted to nurse on the plane; now she laughs at me…}

17. Think of yourself, too!: For longer flights, its fun to grab a magazine for some light reading. IF Everly falls asleep, it’s nice to take a little breather, too. And believe me, flying for 5.5 hours alone with a child is trying, so don’t forget something that you need as well.

18. Bathing in the Hotel/Playing in a Hotel: I really don’t prefer hotel bathtubs, even if it is a super nice pace. Something about not really knowing how it has been cleaned gives me the willies. So, I clean it myself with the help of Dr. Bonner’s. In regards to playing in a hotel, I always bring a few of Everly’s favorite toys and set up a little play area for her!

19. Engage other passengers: I don’t really like to talk with people on the plane, but you never know who you will meet! I recently met a very sweet family, and we have become great friends. Their daughter is around Everly’s age and they played together most of the cross-country flight! Those unexpected blessings in life are amazing, right?!

20. Work as a team: (when traveling together) Craig and I will always discuss who is doing what on travel days and it has cut down on stress between the two of us and makes things flow so seamlessly.