| After several long trips with my son in the first | | | | Make sure to pack enough diapers, wipes and |
| nine months of his life I have learned a lot about | | | | toiletries (diaper cream, baby wash, baby lotion, |
| what should and should not be brought along. The | | | | gas drops, Infant Tylenol) for the day of travel |
| process of packing what you use at home and | | | | and a couple of days after you arrive. This way |
| the reality of dragging it all around with you are | | | | you have time to find your brand of diapers, |
| completely different. From car safety to feeding | | | | wipes and products at the stores where you are |
| you don't want to miss a beat. Read on to find | | | | visiting. |
| out what you don't want to forget when traveling | | | | However, if you are traveling out of the country |
| with baby. | | | | then you might want to stock up in your suitcase |
| Birth Certificate | | | | so you don't have to worry about finding what |
| The only form of identification most parents have | | | | you use in the stores. |
| of their little ones is a birth certificate which you | | | | Clothing |
| need to travel. If you are traveling outside of the | | | | Packing clothes according to the weather report |
| country you should make sure you get your baby | | | | where you are traveling is a good start but make |
| a passport as they are required for everyone | | | | sure you pack long sleeved clothes as well when |
| now days. The airlines make you show the birth | | | | traveling to a warmer climate. While you may be |
| certificate to prove that the baby is as old as you | | | | wearing shorts and a tank top your baby may |
| say they are and so they can have them on | | | | need a long sleeve top in the shade. On the other |
| record in case of emergency. | | | | hand if you are traveling to a cold climate you |
| Car Seat | | | | probably only need cold weather clothing for your |
| The wonderful thing about airplane travel these | | | | baby. |
| days is that most airlines check your car seat for | | | | If you know there will be laundry facilities available |
| free if you have your baby on your lap. Since | | | | then you can bring about half as many outfits. |
| there is a fee on each checked item it can save | | | | This way you don't have to worry about running |
| you about twenty-five dollars each way. | | | | out or packing too many outfits. To be safe plan |
| However, if you bought a ticket for your baby | | | | to use about two outfits per day and a pair of |
| then you have to take the car seat on board to | | | | pajamas. |
| safely seat them. No matter what you need the | | | | Food & Drink |
| car seat on the other end so it must go. | | | | Whether your baby is drinking formula or breast |
| Stroller | | | | milk you will want to pack accordingly. For formula |
| As a huge convenience to you the airlines gate | | | | feeding pack three or four complete bottles, a |
| check your stroller when you travel. That means | | | | bottle brush, formula and buy bottled water once |
| you can push your child from plane to plane and | | | | you pass security for the plane ride. Pack enough |
| not have to worry about carrying them around | | | | formula to last the whole trip so you don't have |
| the airports. Then you leave it at the cabin door | | | | to worry about finding more. |
| when entering the plane for the airlines to put | | | | For breastfeeding mothers you will want to pack |
| with the luggage for the duration of the flight. | | | | your nursing cover, nursing pads and a bottle to |
| When you arrive at your destination it will be | | | | put some baby juice or water in for takeoff and |
| waiting for you when you exit. | | | | landing so their ears pop when pressure builds up. |
| Portable Sleeper | | | | Also the bottle of juice and water is great to help |
| There are several different items you can bring | | | | keep baby hydrated in between feedings. |
| for your baby to sleep in when they are very | | | | If your baby is also eating purees and baby |
| young like a co-sleeper or travel bed. However, | | | | snacks make sure you pack plenty for the trip. |
| when your baby starts to move around and | | | | Bring enough jars, bibs and spoons for the day of |
| cannot sleep unattended it is important to have a | | | | travel and the first day you arrive in your carry |
| pack and play along so they can sleep safely. This | | | | on in case they lose your suitcase. Make sure you |
| item you will have to check under the plane but it | | | | put all the baby food in one large zip lock bag so |
| is a must have for rolling around and mobile babies | | | | you can pull it out when going through security. |
| so they don't hurt themselves. | | | | Also since you have to pack quite a bit of baby |
| Self Soothing Items | | | | food for the trip the room it takes up in your |
| Some babies use binkies or pacifiers and some | | | | checked bag will be great for bringing home |
| use blankets. Whichever work best for your baby | | | | souvenirs and gifts. |
| make sure you pack it for the trip in your | | | | Toys |
| carry-on luggage. Grab a handful of binkies and | | | | When babies are small they are easily amused by |
| put them in a clean zip lock bag so when one | | | | a cup or ball which you can most likely find on the |
| gets dirty on the flight you can just grab another. | | | | other end of your flight. Do not take too many |
| There are also paci-wipes for sale at most big | | | | toys but a few favorite little ones are just fine. |
| stores in case they all make it on the floor or you | | | | Those links are great because you can hook |
| lose some while traveling. | | | | them onto the car seat or stroller and the baby |
| Baby Carrier | | | | can play with them and a few rattles, mirrors or |
| A baby carrier or sling work great for traveling | | | | teething toys linked onto them while you are out |
| with your baby, especially when you are traveling | | | | sightseeing or visiting. |
| alone. They help when you need both hands for | | | | Safe Travels |
| eating your own meal or going to the bathroom. | | | | While traveling can seem like a huge ordeal it can |
| It is also nice to have the carrier along if baby | | | | be lots of fun with baby when you pack right. |
| gets fussy and you need to walk the isles so that | | | | Hopefully you can use the list of items to help |
| you have your hands free in case of some | | | | pack for your trip and not feel that you took too |
| turbulence. | | | | much or missed something important. Good luck |
| Diapers, Wipes & Toiletries | | | | with your vacation and have safe travels. |