Hello and happy new year to you and yours!
I have been working on this article for months, but I didn’t want to be that person who just had a baby and all of the sudden becomes an expert at all things baby lol. Now the timing is better since she is 1 and we have done a significant amount of traveling. A. Road Trip Baby My baby went on her first road trip as soon as she turned a week old. We popped her in her car seat and drove on down from Kentucky to Florida while listening to my favorite songs. You can follow my top 4 tips below:
Stop on demand: Take as many stops as needed. For me, I can’t focus on the road when she cries or when she is fussy. I have to stop, get her situated, and then get back on the road. It is better to stop and regroup rather than to swerve off the road trying to see what’s going on back there.
Take care of yourself: Eat, use the bathroom, and stay hydrated. Also, stop and rest for a bit if you are tired.
Top off on gas: I go ahead and top off anytime we stop, that way I have piece of mind.
Toys Rotation: As much as she used to just sleep and eat when she was a newborn, now she is growing up and all alert. She likes to play with toys, and then toss them. Therefore, I keep a few within reach and give them to her one at the time.
B. Fly Fly Baby AJ has already flown several times to Nashville, Memphis, Lexington, Louisville, and overseas to Paris. The costs for infant/toddler fares seem to vary from one airline to another. We haven’t paid anything yet for her travels within the USA. All we have had to provide is her birth certificate at check in. However, we paid around $100 for her flight to France and passports are required for international travel. We have been able to bring unopened water bottles for the baby through security. We have also brought baby bottles filled with water through. We took them out of the bag and laid them on the tray though. The same goes for baby food. Prepare to hold your baby as you go through security. They check strollers separately either through the scanner or by hand. You can bring your diaper bag, stroller, car seat, and base free of charge. You can either check them at the same time as your checked bag, or you can navigate with them through the airport and have them checked right at the plane. All you have to do is get it tagged, fold the stroller, leave it in front of the plane, and they will give it all back to you as soon as you get off the plane. Some flights supply bassinets to use while on board. You can forget about neck pillow and noise canceling headphones, my daughter just snatches them off. Overall, if you think about flying with kids, it’s really not as hard as you think it might be especially if you do the following:
Pack light: You only have so many hands. Pack what you and the kids really need, the rest can be purchased at your destination or even at the airport. They sell diaper kits in newspaper shop.
Give yourself plenty of time: Anything can happen on your way to the airport and you don’t want to be that person looking crazy running through the airport with your kids.
Feeding: try to feed your baby before going on the plane. It can be hard to get situated for feeding once inside the plane. I heard babies should have milk or suck on a pacifier during take off and landing to prevent ears from popping, but I can’t tell you if it works or not.
Diaper Change: try to change your baby before going into the plane. There is a changing table inside the airplane’s toilet, but it’s very small.
That’s all I have for you guys. I have enabled the comments, so feel free to let me know some of your very own tips. I’m still learning!
Live Life Fully,
France MKB