Traveling With a Baby

Happy Tuesday!!! It's travel week for the Riddicks!! This week will mark flights 11-14 for Jane including her first out of the country flight! And I thought today it might be fun to document a little what we've learned and also ask for any tips from all of you experienced travel parents out there!! 

In those first 10 flights under nine months, Pierce and I learned quite a few things, but we are still taking all the advice we can get!! Especially with a growing little one on our hands!! So here are just a few things we've learned and then if you have any, we'd LOVE to hear them too!!! 

1. A great carrier. 

This is just a must in my mind. I didn't realize how HELPFUL this would be in the airport/getting through security, etc. It was a game changer. I put it on right as we were unloading the car outside the airport and Jane pretty much stayed in it until we sat down on the airplane (depending on how long we waited for the flight or our layover was), but it was so, so helpful! And you are able to wear a baby through security, which has was SO helpful! 

I know everyone has their favorite carrier, and I LOVED the Solly Wrap for around the house, but this Ergobaby one was gifted to us, and we have used it more times than I can count!! I couldn't recommend it enough. Pierce and I both love wearing it, and it's always been so comfortable for us both. 

2. A good list. 

This is something that I've done for every trip we've gone on. And now we just have a little running document that we'll add to or take things off if we don't need them, but it's helpful to have everything in one spot. Especially things like the carseat cover or birth certificate that sometimes could be easily left behind in the rush of packing everything. 

3. A cozy blanket. 

A few flights in, I realized that she immediately calmed down when I wrapped her in the little blanket I always do at night. I think it just made her feel cozy and ready to rest and from that flight on, I always tried to have that blanket handy. It always seemed to help naps go a little smoother on the plane. A good nursing cover is a must too!! 

4. Flexibility. 

Oh my, flexibility. How true this is for life, for traveling, and especially for traveling with a little one. I snapped this as I was walking around after a two-hour delayed flight. Sometimes you just have to roll with the punches, take a nap or two when you can get it, and just know that the travel day won't last forever, even if it feels long at times haha We also realized that long layovers weren't always a bad thing with Jane - sometimes it was nice to have a little extra time in the airport after being in tight quarter on the plane for a few hours! 

5. And when I asked Pierce if he had any tips or things we've learned he said, "I still stand by 'stay calm' hahah though I don't always 😂😂😂" So, number five, stay calm... 

This one made me laugh, and there were only a few times that it came into play in a big way, but even when Jane wasn't loving the plane ride, it really did make a difference when we were calm versus when we were stressed beyond belief hahaha A crying child at the end of a thirteen hour travel day and a three-hour plane ride isn't the best thing, but when we were calm and even had a good perspective and could laugh and smile, it really did help the travel day as a whole!! 

A few other random tidbits: 

1. The nursing mother's lounge is an amazing part of any airport. So helpful even if to just take a break from all of the sensory input! 

2. Going through security with any and all baby items has always been such a breeze. They are so lenient and helpful every time we have gone through! 

3. We invested in this carseat cover before our first flight, and now we have used it more times than we can count. It's been so helpful and has kept our carseat clean through all of the flights! 

Goodness, this little one has done her fair share of car traveling too - this was our nine hour trek to the beach last fall. (Also, please note TWO of my top three Amazon Baby favorites from last week's post 😂 I laughed when I saw that. And I'm sure our number three was in our bag haha You can find those here.) Maybe I'll have to do another post about road trips one day...

But for now, that about does it for our travel tips over here when it comes to flying... Have you flown with littles?! Know someone that has?! Have any advice to pass along?! We are off this Thursday morning on a new adventure, and while I'm in the midst of getting everything ready, I'd love to hear any tips/advice/items you recommend!! We truly treasure every email, comment and message we get - we are always so grateful for your wisdom, encouragement and insight!!!  Thanks for coming along in this journey with us!! 

I'll be back here tomorrow morning!! 
Here's to all the fun, hard, and good in traveling with littles!! 

Lots of blessings, 

Tab