Hello everyone. Finally I have got my hands on writing this post. I am well excited to share my knowledge and experience with you on how to travel with your baby, what gear to have with you, what to pack when you travel with your baby  and much more, so get yourself a cuppa (most probably a cold one by now) and let’s get started .

Whether you’ve newly welcomed a new life into this world or your bump resembles a watermelon, if you’ve always loved to travel you may be thinking, “Can you travel with a baby?” Of course, you can travel with a baby, but once part of the mummy club, the question seems to become “Should you travel with a baby?”

Me and Milana were travelling quite a lot in her first year. By a lot I mean we have been on at least 14 flights in a year that I can remember, not to count in travelling by bus or a train. Me, my husband and Milana live in England but originally I am from Lithuania where all my family lives, and now Milanas family live, thus where a lot of travelling comes from. Travelling with your baby can be overwhelming and stressful, especially if you travel just you and your baby, like me and Milana did most of the time. My husband was working a chef job and could not get time off a lot. Thoughts like how am I going to carry everything by myself, how am I going to feed my baby in a busy airport or train station, how will my baby sleep on the overcrowded plane and etc were worrying me, or even stressing me out a lot. I will try to cover everything in this post and try to make your travels as easy and as smooth as they can be. Keep reading below for my tips & experiences, packing list, a list of related posts, and for photos of Milana’s first year growing up travelling! Keep in mind, what worked for us won’t work for everyone, but here it comes.

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When can a baby safely travel?

Different airlines have different policies. Some require an infant to be at least two days old, others at least 2 weeks old. Doctors recommend you wait until your baby’s immune system is more developed before flying, usually at least one month, though most recommend anywhere between 3-6 months. We didn’t fly with Milana until she was 4 months old. Our first International flight was London – Vilnius to visit my family in Lithuania. And it was great! 

Passport comes first

Make sure you start the process well before your travels if you’re going abroad. No one likes to rush travel documents. Sometimes there are issues where you need to provide more information for the baby’s passport to be approved so it takes more time than you expected.

There is a FEE for an infant

Some airlines don’t charge an infant fee until they are 2 years old. But some of the airlines do, especially budget ones. So be prepared to pay a fee for your little one. 

Get travel insurance 

Maybe before you had a baby you travelled without one as you are an adult and you know how to take care of yourself. But things have changed now. You never know what small or big things can happen during your travels and you need to see a doctor in a foreign country. Trust me the fees they are charging sometimes are ridiculous. So be smart and get travel insurance and be calm.

Get direct flights if you can

If you can get direct flights to your destination just do it. It is so much easier than doing the same stressful airport hassle again and again, trust me. If it’s a long flight (10-14 hours) your baby will sleep most of the time if you plan your trip well with timings.

Check with your pediatrician

*If you do injections*

If the family is traveling internationally, it’s always a good idea to check with the pediatrician at least two weeks before to see if your baby would require any extra immunisations

Take as little baby equipment as possible

The lighter you travel, the easier your travels will be. There’s nothing more exhausting than dragging a bunch of stuff you don’t actually need around and unpacking & packing it up as well. Especially if you’ll be doing things like catching trains or traveling just you and baby 

Wear your baby if you can (No Stroller)

*Attention, it did not work for us, but might work for you* 

It’s so much easier than a stroller. You can move around easily, do stairs, and generally be faster. Plus the baby loves to be close to you! 

Bring a sling

*This worked for us well, as we were always taking a stroller with us* 

Slings can help you carry the baby, keep your hands free, and don’t take up too much room when stored. They can also substitute as a blanket, changing pad, or nursing cover.

Take a stroller (Gate Check/Lightweight)

When you’re traveling, a stroller is not just a stroller, it is a highchair, a bed, and an all-around stuff-lugger. The type of travel you prefer will dictate whether a lightweight or an all-terrain stroller would be more appropriate but don’t cheap out here. Good strollers are easy to push, and most are easy to fold up when needed. In warmer climes, slings and carriers can become uncomfortable, so a stroller can offer some shade as well.

You can take these all the way to the gate and they will check them in for you for free at the gate. Sometimes you do need to get a tag for them when you drop your luggage off, so make sure the customer support gives you one. Check this amazing, lightweight , not expensive stroller by Hauck. I absolutely love it and have even done a review on it. I am sure you will love it too.

Dress comfortably

It is very important to wear clothes that you are comfortable in. Because you will be travelling and moving a lot so it is better to wear something more casual. Same goes for a baby. You need to dress him or her comfortably and with easy access. You don’t want to get through 100 layers until you get to the bottom line if you know what i mean. 

Rent a car with a carseat 

You can usually get a carseat with a rental car. It means you don’t have to drag that car seat with you through customs (especially if you travel just you and your baby). If you are not planning to rent a car and have family or friends who will be driving you, make sure you sort the car seat with them. Maybe your friends have one?Or your parents can buy one for you to use when you travel to visit them? Or you always can rent one.

Not renting a car? Take the train.

This is the safest mode of public transit. 

NO to a lifetime supply of nappies

Buy nappies and wipes at your destination. Travel with enough to get you to your destination and maybe a day or two after just in case flights get delayed or there is any other issues with your travels

Consider driving to the airport

No one loves riding buses and trains with heavy bags and strollers and car seats. And I think car drive or lift  with your family or friends is less stressful and more pleasant.  Be sure to price out airport parking ahead of time .

Breastfeed if you can

It obviously makes it easier because you won’t have to bring baby bottles and formula with you. Be willing to feed anywhere, don’t be shy. If for some reason you can’t breastfeed or don’t want to, don’t worry. Air planes have allowances for breast milk/formula/baby food, and they will warm it up for you.

Priority Boarding & Fast Track Security

When you are buying your tickets , make sure you are getting priority boarding and fast track through the security line. It really does make a difference being able to get your stuff in the overhead compartments and settle in before most of the passengers. Especially if you’re traveling alone with a baby. The same goes for security lines. You don’t want to queue up in a long line with a baby.

Avoid boarding boredom

Even if you’re flying with an infant, think twice before pre-boarding. True, you’ll be able to get situated instead of having to hold your baby behind a long line of passengers, but you’ll have to entertain your baby from your seat while everyone else boards (on top of the rest of the time you travel with an infant). The best idea: If your partner’s with you, send him ahead with your bags while you walk around the wide-open terminal with your baby.

Plan Security Line check ahead

Usually you will need to take your baby out of the sling or stroller to walk through the metal detector, and usually they will want you to collapse the stroller and put it on the belt. If you’re flying alone, I recommend getting everything out you need to get out *before* you get in the security line. Stash your laptop under the stroller, liquids in a ziplock, and that way you can just throw it in the tray and not be struggling to get it out while wrangling a baby *and* folding a stroller if you have one. In other situations they want someone to walk through with the baby, hand the baby off, and then walk back through alone. It helps to have a partner for this otherwise a security officer can hold the baby.

Are there any empty seats?

When you’re ticketing for your flight if you are flying with an infant in arms (if you haven’t purchased a separate seat for the baby, which we don’t intend to do until we have to!), ask if there are any empty seats on the flight and if you can be seated next to them. If there are, chances are they’ll be obliging. The extra space is a lovely little luxury to have, especially as they get older and squirmier.

Save a spot

If you can swing it, purchase a seat on the plane for your baby (the airline might have discounts for children). Because you can bring his car seat and strap it in, it’s safer, and often easier on you, since you’ll have a secure, familiar place to stow the baby instead of having a squirmy worm on your lap for the entire flight. Or use it as an extra space for you and baby. Milana used to sleep on that extra seat or you can always keep your important stuff close to you like toys, bottles, dummy and etc. Also you can always change a nappy with more comfort with two seats instead of rushing to the on board changing room. 

Change the nappies ANYWHERE!

So maybe it’s not perfect and maybe people next to me won’t appreciate it (95% of people there are understanding ) but you change your baby where you can. You have to do what needs to be done so just do it. I have changed nappies in the seat next to me, on the tray table, on my own seat and me standing up all squirmed and Milana half laying on my seat, on my laps! Sometimes you can’t wait for that long queue to that tiny bathroom they have on board, so just do it where you can! ( Think about that you won’t see those people again if you feel uncomfortable or shy).Milana, for example, cried her eyes out every single time she was put on a public baby changing table, whether it was a private nursing room, or private changing room, she did not like it!  I came up with an idea of leaving her in her stroller laying down, as she was comfortable in it, and taking her into disabled toilets with me if I needed one. 

Keep them entertained

Bring a goody bag containing a few of your baby’s favorite toys, plus some surprises (they are the best if you can see that your baby can’t settle with his every day favourite toys and they can be anything, plastic water bottle for example). Only take a handful to make packing easier.  Also consider taking one colourful baby book. Babies love bright colours and feel new stuff. Especially if it has tags on it. Try out these 10 books your baby will love. 

Ease an ear pressure

Most children are usually okay with changes in air pressure during takeoffs and landings but since infants can’t swallow, pop their ears or yawn, the only alternative is sucking. Breastfeeding, a bottle or a dummy are good, especially during the initial descent, when the biggest change in pressure occurs. 

Bring your baby’s Birth Certificate (or have a photo of it with you)

If you and your baby have different surnames, if you are not married or preferred not to take your husband’s last name, be prepared to be asked for your baby’s birth certificate. It’s just a formality on the border but it happens quite a lot.

Have a good size nappy bag 

Ok so this is my favourite. Having a good size/ spacious nappy bag is a must. Its amazing what it can do for you. For example you are visiting your family and want to travel light , a spacious nappy bag is all you and your baby need to pack. Trust me, that’s how me and Milana travel most of the time. You don’t have to worry about carrying extra luggage, you don’t have to worry about finding space for it in the overhead compartment on the plane, you don’t have to wait for your luggage at your destination, everything you need is always with you. Literally it is amazing. If you can travel light , then choose just to travel with your nappy bag ( and a stroller like we did, and a sling as you always can put it underneath your stroller or tie it to one of your bags straps). Check our packing light list on travelling just with your nappy bag to see that it’s possible!

Travel with a four wheeled suitcase

Four wheeled suitcase is a must as it is easier to push and maneuver. If you are traveling with just you and your baby,it might be a stressful thought on how you are going to carry everything plus your little one. It’s not as stressful as it seems. Just put your baby into the sling/baby carrier and push your 4 wheeled suitcase to the bag drop. If you have a stroller, not an issue,push your stroller with one hand and your 4 wheeled suitcase with another until you get to the bag drop desk. As soon as you get rid of your suitcase you can breathe again. 

Same goes at your destination (you will have to push that suitcase only until your rented car/ taxi/pickup so don’t get stressed). If you are not getting picked up or not getting your transport and planning to travel by trains or buses I recommend to travel with a good size nappy bag. Check this one out. 

Accidents happen!

Baby clothing is compact and lightweight enough to overpack without drastically increasing your total baggage weight. Take advantage. Accidents happen very often so make sure you have enough clothes to be comfortable with your travels. Check our packing list to help you pack and get you more ideas

Plan to arrive JUST RIGHT

*Warning. Probably only works if you fly same route quite often, so you know all ins and outs of it*

I felt like this is one of the most important things to do. To arrive at the airport just right – Not too early and not too late. Arriving at the airport too early just gives you more time to stress about the whole travelling situation. But if you get the time just right and arrive at the airport, drop your check in bag off, go through security line, by this time your gate is already known and boarding starts soon, you come to the gate and can queue your half empty line that’s when you will feel accomplished and don’t stress about your airport rush. Simply you won’t have any extra time for this.

Prepare for boarding

I always recommend all my mum friends to change a nappy before boarding the plane and giving all the medicines needed. This way there is more chance of the baby not needing an on board change and (if the baby is unwell) the medicine will kick in just right on time for the descent.

Locate baby changing rooms at the airport

Before your trip, study a map of the airport you are travelling from. Trust me, having a rough idea where it could be is better than searching for it unknowingly. Baby changing rooms usually have a toilet and baby changing facilities in one big room with a separate door to WC. It’s amazing to have some privacy when you and your baby need some. And for some reason  ( probably because everyone is in the rush) it is usually unoccupied so feel free to use it for as long as you need. 

Babywear on the plane

Wear your baby on the plane if you can ( works well for infants around 0-6 months) . They are just close to you, always easy to breastfeed (and bottle feed, just turn them the way you need them) and they love it. And having spare hands to read your book or use your phone to look at baby pictures is always good.

Tie the knot

Just like when you’re driving with your baby, it’s wise to tether objects like his binky to something secure, since it’s even harder on a plane to duck down and retrieve lost items from the tiny space between your seat and your neighbor’s (plus it’s probably pretty gross down there). Another pacifier travel tip — if your baby uses one, pack plenty extra.

Pack extra supplies

Like baby formula or pouch food if your baby is on solids. You never know how long you might be stuck at the airport  – there might be a delay on your flight or a problem with departure that will make you be stuck on the plane for longer (BUT please don’t think negatively, everything will go smoothly with your travels) .Just take precautions and always be prepared.

Health and safety

Assemble a first-aid kit with the supplies you might need to deal with minor medical problems while on the road with your baby. Don’t forget prescription medications, even if your baby only needs them on occasion. Also fill out an emergency sheet with your child’s health information or save it on your phone. Include the contact names and numbers of healthcare providers and a list of any allergies your child has or medications he takes. That way, everything is in one place if you need it.

Take sunscreen!

Sunscreen is a must if you’ll be spending time outdoors – no matter what season. Use one with both UVA and UVB protection that’s at least SPF 15. (Sunscreen with SPF 30 is even better, especially for babies who have fair skin.) 

Phew! That was a long list to read! I would like to thank you for taking your time and read my guide on how to travel with your baby. I have used exceptionally my experiences on travelling with Milana. I hope you found it useful and I know that you will do great when you will travel with your children. You can do this!

Please let me know your thoughts below in the comments, maybe there is something you would like to share with us, maybe you have some tips or maybe you just want to chat.

Lets chat 🙂 with love Natalie

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