As people who love to travel- and travel a lot ( my husband is a young adult pastor at our church) when we decided to try for another baby, after 9 years…we knew we would still be traveling a lot! Travel with a baby is not for the faint of heart- but it is sooo worth it! I love traveling and experiencing new things as a whole family. Sometimes it’s ok to leave baby behind, but for the most part, I love to make the extra effort to bring our kids along on trips! We make fun memories that last a life time! 
In our baby’s first 18 months, he’s been on 2 airplane trips- one to Hawaii with our family on Spring Break and to Oklahoma & Texas on a Missions Trip to the Dream Center.
He’s been on 4 10+ hr Road Trips to Redding, California and 4 hr road trips across Washington State.
Guess what? We made it through them all!!
I’ve found a few tips and tricks that can help you thrive while traveling with a baby- whether you are flying on a plane or taking a road trip with baby!
Travel with a Baby
Remain calm!
One of the things about traveling is that it can get stressful at times. Maybe you are like me and might get a little stressed if you forget something important or are late for your flight. I’m so thankful for my husband that reminds me that the world
won’t end if we don’t have 7 extra binky’s or the perfect timeline of events. Kids and babies feed off our energy, so doing things that will help you to remain calm will help everyone in the long run. Keep your voice full of sweetness and your positive energy up and that will go a LONG way when traveling with a baby.Give Yourself Extra Time.
Everything about babies takes longer. They do quite unexpected things sometimes, like puke all over their clothes, or poop all over their clothes…2 things that adults don’t tend to do! They require lots of care and lots of gear that has to be carried around- so plan to give your self extra time getting to your gate, packing up your stuff, eating, nursing, changing clothes and diapers and the list goes on!
Bring Extra Hands-
If it is at all possible, try to bring extra hands when you travel with a baby. I know that isn’t always possible! I tried ended up on a connecting flight without my husband on one of my trips and let me tell you- it was much easier with him than without him. Husbands and our moms (sometimes our kids) can read our faces and can sometimes tell what we need before we say something. This is a huge help!
Bring LOTS of BINKYS!
Pack those pacifiers! I packed some in every single zipper pocket, rather than packing them all together. Sometimes you can only grab one pocket in the heat of the moment (you know, your baby starts to combust right before your very eyes??). I love to use these binky holders
too- that way, they can’t roll under the seat in the airplane or the car- its just stuck on your kiddo! I never was one of the moms that used those binky straps- and i don’t normally use one, unless I’m traveling. They are a lifesaver when on the go!
Bring Extra Wipes & Diapers-
I do the same thing I do with binkys for diapers and wipes! I stash a few diapers and wipes in a whole bunch of different places – different carry-ons, different pockets. When you need a diaper and you need it fast, its nice to have one at your fingertips!
Bring Lots of Snacks-
On vacation (and LIFE), one of my mottos is, “Choose your battles!” Sometimes keeping baby busy and happy with a few cheerios or squeezable fruit is just what I need to stall for a few minutes. Whether on a plane with baby or on a road trip snacks are so important! Pulling out a little baggie of cheerios can bring tears to a screeching halt! I love the power of a little baggie- and I always keep one in my diaper bag!
Bring Toys
I like the idea of bringing some toys that baby loves- and a few that are new. I go to Ross and pick up 2 or 3 $3 toys to surprise baby with. I also figured out on our trip to Oklahoma that Elijah loves to play with these drinking straws
– he loved to use them like drum sticks. He was 8 months old at the time and still loves playing with them now at 18 months. I keep these stashed different places again- they are light-weight and disposable. You can also pick them up for free and any restaurant. ***Of Course, always be watchful and aware when baby is playing with straws!***
- Bring A Lightweight Blanket I use these to use to change baby on, to cover the car seat if he’s having a hard time sleeping, to cover him in a baby front pack or whatever! I love these lightweight blankets
. You can shove them in a pocket or carry-on!
Use A Diaper Bag Backpack-
I didn’t do this at the beginning, but about 6 months ago, my 14 year old daughter was sick of me asking her to carry around my big diaper bag (AKA large yoga bag) and she told me that if I got a backpack diaper bag, she wouldn’t complain any more! When I heard that, I hopped right on amazon and snapped up this awesome backpack diaper bag
. I love this diaper bag so much! I can’t believe it took me this long to switch out my monster bag to this cute little backpack. Having both hands free is so great when traveling with a baby. It has all kinds of wonderful little pockets! I’m actually planning on taking this bag as my carry on WITHOUT baby this summer because I love it so much! Its a perfect travel bag!
Bring a Sense of Humor!
Sometimes traveling with an infant or toddler can be stressful- remember to keep your sense of humor and just laugh at the untimely poopy diapers, the crying episodes and that darn stroller that won’t fold up when you are being watched in the TSA line! Things happen! Keep your sense of humor! Everyone will enjoy their time on vacation so much more!
I would love to hear your tips for travel with a baby! Let me know in the comments! I would love to hear what has worked for you!