Traveling with a baby can be stressful...

The thought of travelling with a baby alone gave me the blues. I have flown with my daughters previously, but as my family expands I am still learning what works and what doesn’t. I get anxious, and I get emotionally sick in advance. The whole idea of packing, going through security, losing luggage and the possibility that my baby will be uncomfortable on the flight, causes me lots of turmoil. The thought of other folks not wanting to be around a “crying baby” makes me go on total Momma Bear mode as well.

How do I pack to make the baby comfortable while we are not at home?
I not only pack for myself but I, pack for the children. Packing for myself is no big deal. Senior Hija (my oldest) packs her luggage and MVP (my middle baby) helps me to pack her luggage. Where the anxiety starts to build up is packing for JV (my son). My mind starts racing about the items I need, the things to check in, take onto the main cabin and exactly how much of each thing to bring.
 
I flew with Southwest out of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta airport to LaGuardia Airport. I flew with Delta out of John F. Kennedy Airport to return. Every airport and airline has different accommodations or not for parents travelling with children. I did forget some things, but by documenting this, you and I will have a better chance of not forgetting these important items in the future.
 
The items listed below are for a 2-hour flight. I arrived at the airport two hours in advance for the bathroom, nursing, snacking and boarding flexibility. You don’t want to have to rush through the airport hungry, bladder full with a baby crying, hungry, wet and dealing with a chaotic environment - all alone.

 
Day of Traveling with the Baby as a Soloist
 
1. The Travel outfit

· Shoes that are easy to slide on and off. I wore thong sandals

· Pants or shirts that have pockets to easily tuck your ID, boarding pass, cell phone and a few bucks for eating while waiting for your flight. This helps to keep me from losing my wallet. I wore gym clothes.

· Layers just in case you spill something or yourself, the baby throws up on you or your breast begin to leak. I wore a denim button down open over my gym top.

 
2. Bags - Personal, Luggage, Baby bag, and Milk storage bags

· Your personal bag for the cabin should be a mini combo version of your pocketbook and the baby bag. On the way to NYC I used a book bag that had lots of pockets and because I used a carrier also, I found that I had a lot of weight on my shoulders that I didn’t like. On the way back, I didn’t use the carrier so I could use my tote bag to carry my laptop, chargers, breast pads, 4 baby diapers, wipes, onesie, soft blanket and baby milk.

· Your luggage should definitely have wheels that allow you to push & pull it in any direction. I was able to push the stroller with one hand and push luggage with the other hand with ease.

· Book bags work great as a mini combo bag when used with strollers instead of baby carrier in my opinion. I have a 6-month-old baby weighing almost 20 lbs and wearing 18-month clothing. That's just my preference going forward. I don’t like wearing a separate bag for my personal items and then another bag for the baby items. It is a lot to keep up with at the airport to travel

· Compartmentalize your mini combo bag. I used large freezer zip lock bags to store milk aside from my laptop and other items.

 
3. Stroller/Car seat

· These items are free to travel with. You may check them in or take them with you to the gate. I found it easier to put the baby in the stroller and take elevator throughout the airport.
 

4. Nursing & Baby Needs

· Wear tops that allow easy access to your breasts

· Pump or feed right before you get on if possible

· Bring baby bottles with no more than 3oz of milk to prevent being slowed down by security

· Bring a diaper cloth or blanket to provide extra comfort for the baby in a strange environment. A blanket is also good for in the main cabin where its normally cool

· Baby toys

· Sit in an aisle seat just in case you need to stand quickly to soothe the baby by rocking or walking

 
5. Lip Moisturizer

· I need to have lip gloss to soothe my lips and to de-stress. The action of applying lip gloss helps me relax. I used a lip gloss that clipped on to my bag, pants or wallet like a keychain. It helped me keep track of it because normally I cannot remember where I put my things
 
6. Keep your cell phone charged

· Besides the obvious reason, you never know when you need to use it as a distracting device for your child or even soothe yourself with pimple popping videos!

For some uncensored Mom Advice from Veronice Vante, check out her blog Right By Them!

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