Traveling with A Newborn

We are back from a fabulous trip to the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess... with out little princess in tow. She traveled like a rock-star, {ok - I think actual rock stars travel in first class, so this was a little different, but she was so good}!  We did a little research before the trip to gather some tips for successful infant travel and I thought it would be helpful for others to share.

Traveling Tips

• The easiest way for me to carry little bit was in my Ergobaby 360. It allowed my hands to be free and was comfy. It also kept her away from any wondering hands wanting to see the baby. I purchased the infant insert just in case, but actually didn't need it. She is probably about 10 lbs. now and 23 inches long and was fine without it.

Ergobaby 360 Bundle - $179.00

• Most airlines will let you check a stroller, car seat and bassinet for free. You can choose to gate check them or check them through to your final destination. We had a connection in ATL, and I didn't want to be dragging both a stroller and car seat through the airport, so we checked them through to our final destination. 
• We purchased bags for the car seat and stroller so they wouldn't get beat up on the trip. You can choose to leave them out of bags, or place them in a clear plastic bag provided by the airlines, but we decided the investment would be worth it since we'll be traveling again with her soon. I did a little research on what travel bags held up the best for their price, and these are the two we decided upon: 

Britax Stroller Bag - $36.99

Jeep Car Seat Bag - $18.99

• I purchased a paci clip to be sure we always had a paci on hand and off the floor. Just in case. This one from Bella Tunno is cute and seems to hold up well.

 
Bella Tunno Paci Clip - $8.00

• Traveling with milk or formula is easy. I am breastfeeding, so I used my Medela cooler pack and packed two 3 oz bottles of breast milk and kept two empty for pumping. They tell you to only bring on what you will use during your travel day, but on the way home I traveled with four full bottles {since I didn't want to dump any} and it was just fine too. I was lucky to not have any issues. But they do open the bottles and swab them - so you just have to be ok with that. I ended up feeding her most of the time, because it was just easier. A couple if the airports actually had lactation stations too - so nice and private if you're not comfy with nursing in public. I actually found that it was easier to feed her in my seat on the plane rather than the airport. I was also traveling with my husband, so I knew the person next to me. That would be the hardest part of feeding on the plane. I would pick a window seat to give you a little more privacy just in case. A tip to keep your ice pack frozen for the trip home, pack an extra ziplock bag and pack ice around your frozen ice pack every day to keep it frozen. 

• Traveling with formula? They make those great travel packs already measured out for you or a formula dispenser so you can have it pre-measured and ready to go. 
• Be sure your ticket has "infant in arms" listed on your reservation. You don't have to purchase a ticket for them until they are 2 years old, so take advantage mommas!! 
• Finally, a very helpful site from Delta on traveling with children. 

What to Pack

• Feeding. I packed our bottle brush, a small travel grass for drying and a mini bottle of dish soap to bring along. This was probably the most used items on our trip and pretty light to travel with. I traveled with 4 regular bottles and 6 Medela storage bottles, just in case. This was plenty. You could probably make due with 2 regular and 4 for storage, and just wash them. I'm not sure we ever actually had all of them in use. 

• Diapering. I packed 75 diapers and 2 packs for wipes for a 5 day trip. This was the perfect amount. I came home with maybe 5 diapers and plenty of extra wipes... but actually left a pack on one of our flights, so the back-up pack was nice to have. I carried just what I needed for the day in my diaper bag (10 diapers and 25 wipes) and J carried extra in his carry-on, just in case! We love the munchkin changing pads and couldn't survive without them. I keep one in my diaper bag, rolled up in my changing pad and also use them at home on our changing pad. They are a life savor! We also had plenty of arm-n-hammer diaper sacks and Desitin on hand!
• We set up a nice little changing station in the room - which leads me to another tip - ask for two queens instead of a king bed. We used the other bed for a changing station, a pumping station and a place to sit and feed. It's also where we had the newborn lounger, for little bit to chill.  Yes, we brought along our Boppy Newborn Lounger, and I'm so glad we did. We were able to fit it in the bag with her car seat, so it was checked for free too. 

Change station on the bed.

• Sleep. We called ahead and were able to reserve a crib for the room for free, the even included sheets and a baby blanket, so sweet! We brought our own blanket, but used their sheets and it was great. I didn't have to worry about size and fit, or packing them up for the trip home. We were also able to ask for a fridge for the room - free of charge - to keep breast milk. 
• Spills. Oxi-clean has been our go-to for stain removal, so for the trip I orders a small travel size stick and packed it with a toothbrush to clean any stains we encountered on the trip. We also packed lots of gallon and quart ziploc bags for dirty clothes while out and about. A few came in handy for sure! 
• Bath Time. We just packed one baby towel and enough wash cloths for one a day. I also packed a travel size baby soap from the honest company, along with laundry detergent, lotion and hand soap. 

Honest Essentials Travel Kit- $13.95

• Mom. I found a small freezer bag/pack that we got free and packed it with my Brest Pump and accessories. Also packed lots of lanolin cream and breast pads. The essentials for momma's! 
• Other Essentials. First Aid Kit, Sleep Sacks, Muslin Blankets, Onesies, Burp Cloths, Bathing Suits, Hats, Socks, and enough outfits for 3 a day. 

We had a great trip and honestly, had exactly what we needed for the trip. It felt like a lot - of course, but having it all made the trip really easy. She traveled like an old pro and we are excited for our next trip soon!