Traveling can induce anxiety but throw a baby into the mix, and it takes it to a whole new level. I was a hot mess a week before we left for Spain, trying to convince myself that packing up Maxwell’s entire room was a logical idea. Thank god I had two good friends who advised me it wasn’t and made me ditch half the items I planned on bringing along. And you know what? It all worked out just fine. We are so over this cold here in Toronto, we actually just booked our next family vacation to Mexico for my birthday and Mother’s Day. Here’s a few tips for infant travel I learned when Maxie was a newborn that will be sure to help you when you’re ready to take your first adventure with your baby.

HOW AND WHAT TO PACK

Babies don’t really need as much as we think they do so don’t even think about paying extra to pack an additional suitcase for them. Everything should be able to fit in you and your partner’s suitcases and carry on; you just need to be strategic. To make sure all the babies belongings stay clean and uncontaminated, I suggest roll fold everything and put them into zip lock bags. These bags also can come in handy for the trip back home for any items that get soiled with spit up or poop.

When it comes to diapers and wipes, just like any other mum I am attached to a particular brand. Max has been wearing Huggies Little Snugglers since she was born and on a 9-hour flight to Barcelona and long days of sight seeing, these diapers provided extra protection that gave us the confidence we needed as new parents traveling as a family of three for the first time. While changes may be less frequent during travel, it’s important to have a diaper that provides a gentle layer between your baby’s skin and the mess. When your baby is still in the stages of poo explosions, Huggies Little Snugglers pocketed waistband and proven leak lock system helps to keep messes inside where they belong. While in transit though, it’s the wetness indicator that was the real MVP. There was no guessing game when it came figuring out if Maxie needed to be changed. The minute she got a bit fussy, we immediately checked the diaper’s wetness indicator for the blue line and made a beeline to the bathroom to change her.

As an infant, babies can go through approximately 12 diapers a day and to be honest, they can take up a considerable amount of room in your luggage. We packed the daily amount of diapers plus a travel pack of Huggies Natural Care wipes inside our carry-on luggage, just in case we got delayed or something and an additional 12 with another travel pack of wipes in our checked baggage for the return flight back. We stayed in an AirB&B in Barça so we actually shipped a pack of Max’s Snugglers down to the owner of the property so they were waiting upon our arrival. I know this is not realistic in every situation. You can also always check ahead of time to see if the diapers you use are sold in the city you are traveling to so you can buy them there.

Here’s a Sample Packing List For You To Use As a Guide

Navigating Through the Airport and Getting Through Security

While most airports have a separate security for those traveling with young children, I still advise to arrive a bit early to avoid any unnecessary stress. To be honest, we have been whisked through separate security when we’ve had Maxwell in tow and it’s like traveling VIP style so I no longer get stressed about her getting fussy waiting in line ups. There’s always the dilemma amongst new parents in regards to whether or not to check the stroller when traveling. We choose to gate check ours instead of checking it in with our luggage for convenience. If this is the route you go, just ensure to bring along a stroller that can fold down in one piece. Trust me! If your stroller has to be broken down into two separate pieces, you run the risk of something going missing while in transit. Some people fear that their stroller may get damaged if it’s gate checked but I would much prefer to know I have the stroller with me and available as soon as we deplane, than running the chance of it getting lost or delayed. It also makes getting around the airport until boarding time easier. That being said, it will have to go through the X-Ray machine when you go through security. Our goal is always to travel lean, with as little as possible. If a car seat isn’t going to be necessary during your travels, leave it at home. Renting a car seat at your destination is the best way to go if you’re going to need it.

The last time we traveled I was breastfeeding exclusively but Max is now eating solids, drinking pumped milk and formula. Regulations that limit the amount of liquids you can bring through do not apply to breast milk or formula. Let the TSA Agents know you have breastmilk, and be careful of packing gel coolers they aren’t allowed through. A great suggestion that we were given is to pack your breastmilk in frozen peas for security when you travel. Don’t let them send your breastmilk through the x-ray machine.

Boarding and In-Flight

Boarding: Most airlines let families who are traveling with young kids board first, but this is a courtesy not a right. Check with the agent beforehand to let them know you are traveling with a young child and when you should board. As nice as it sounds to get situated early before everyone else gets on and not standing in line behind all the other passengers, once you are on that plane you don’t have anywhere to hide or much room to move around if they decide to start screaming. The best option is if you are traveling with your partner, have them go on early with your bags and get a seat, and then you can meet them on closer to take off.

Seat Selection: A baby under the age of 2 doesn’t require a seat, which means they travel for free – yay!  We plan to travel as much as we can during this time. However, this means your little one will have to be in your arms or wrapped to you throughout the flight if you choose not to purchase an extra seat. A useful tip when booking your flight and selecting your seats, if you’re choosing two seats in a row of three, select the two end seats leaving the middle one empty. Chances are, if it’s not a full flight, nobody is going to willfully choose to sit in between two people, which will leave the middle seat empty. Huge win. On our flight down to Barcelona, we were seated in a bulk head row so I was able to request a Baby Bassinet (or Sky Cot). This was brilliant. A bassinet is secured to the wall panel for babies under 8 months in front of you so they can sleep peacefully and parents can rest, eat and drink with extra leg room. I also elected Réjean to be the designated diaper changer during the flight so I made sure he was the one sitting in the aisle seat.

Feeding: You can relieve pressure on your baby’s ears during takeoff and landing by feeding feeding them. It worked for us like a charm. However, I also advise that you have a bottle on hand as they may reject the boob on the plane. I don’t know why but it happens and I’ve heard it from plenty of other mom’s. I like to also book our flights during Maxie’s nap time so feeding during takeoff means she usually falls asleep shortly after.

Consider The Season

Before flying with your newborn or infant make sure to consider the season. You might want to avoid taking a young baby on a plane during flu season. If you must take them on a plane, bring sanitizer wipes to clean the hand rest and other areas around the seat that the baby will put their mouth on… because we all know babies will touch everything and somehow it will end up in their mouth!

If you’re headed somewhere warm, make sure to bring along a sun hat, child safe sunscreen, baby sunglasses to protect their eyes from the sun and swimming diapers for the pool or beach – we have been using  Huggies Little Swimmers for Max’s pool and beach time.

Don’t Be Afraid

Don’t be afraid of anything. If you need help, especially if you’re a mama traveling alone…ask a flight attendant for assistance. Also, forget the fear of what other passengers will say if your baby cries or gets fussy. You will always have your one grumpy passenger who is incredulous that babies cry and angry that it is ruining his business trip. Ignore him. Babies cry, and many people on the flight are parents and grandparents and they understand. So before you go apologizing to everyone on the plane, relax and don’t let a crying baby stop you from future travel!

Photography by Jess Baumung

To learn more about Huggies or to find a diaper and wipes to fit your baby’s needs, visit: https://www.huggies.com/en-ca/diapers.

This post has been created in partnership with Huggies for monetary compensation and/or product. however all views and opinions are my own!