Airplane Travel with Baby

Over Labor Day weekend, we traveled to Montana for Sammi and Clark's wedding. Sam was just over 3 months old, and I left 2 days before Kyle did. I had 2 friends to help me out but traveling with a baby is exhausting! I read plenty of tips on how to prepare for the travel and after my first 6 day trip including 4 flights, here are my tips:

1. Diapers

Pack what you think you will need, and then some more. Sam pooped 3 times on 1 flight. And they don't sell diapers in airports (at least I have never seen them). I took enough to get us there, and then bought diapers and wipes when we arrived for the rest of the trip.

2. Bag of stuff

I put the following in a Ziploc for easy access: paci, paci clip, diaper cream, 3 diapers, wipes, gripe water, socks, Aquaphor and 1 toy. I then took that out of my carry on and placed it in the seat back pocket. It was so easy to just grab that when I needed something during the flight.

3. Baby carrier

I toted Sam around in our Baby Bjorn. We didn't take a car seat or stroller (we rented a car seat from the rental car company) and there was no need for a stroller. Having my hands free was crucial during this trip and Sam does really well in the Baby Bjorn. I will say, if you are in the market for a carrier, you might want to get more than just the basic one. I would love to have one that has better back support.

4. Aquaphor

This stuff is magic. I love it so much. Long before Sam, I used this on my lips and eyelashes at night. Now I put it on his face if he has redness, scratches, etc and his tiny rear end. It is a lifesaver for dry lips on flights.

5. Bottled water

My lips get really dry during travel and they are exceptionally dry now that I am breastfeeding. Keep a bottle of water handy because I hate using my drink tray and those tiny cups that they serve water in during the flight. Plus, unless you have a nice friend that lets you use her tray, you won't have room to use yours.

6. Flip flops

When wearing your baby, you do not want to have to bend down and remove/put on your shoes. Tulsa airport let me go through without taking my shoes off but Bozeman airport did not.

7. Easy clothing

If you have to change a diaper either on your lap or on the toilet in the airplane bathroom, you don't want to fumble around with a lot of clothing. We flew out very early Wed morning so he wore his jammies on the first leg and then I changed him into a onesie and pants. Think of the least amount of snaps, etc.
I wore a black tank top and a button up over it. Easy access to nursing.

8. Aden and Anais blankets

I cannot tell you how much I love these blankets. I use them for spit up, nursing covers, diapers changes, to cover Sam's face when he falls asleep.

Insanely early flight. I had been awake since 4:30

Before our last flight home. He was tired of being "bent" as my aunt would say.
Needed some room to stretch his tiny body