We did it. We traveled across the country with a 6 month old. We made some mistakes. We also did some things right. Here’s what we learned…
The first time we traveled with Ollie, it was a 4 hour flight to Pittsburgh from Las Vegas. And I don’t mean just traveling on an airplane. I mean traveling ANYWHERE outside of 30 minutes from our house.
Overall, he was a VERY good baby, but there were still some things we could’ve improved upon and tips we picked up along the way. Hopefully this post will help all you moms and dads out there traveling with a little one!
#1 TRY TO KEEP WITH YOUR BABY’S ROUTINE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE
This is my first tip because this is the first thing you can (somewhat) control. When booking your flights, keep in mind your baby’s schedule. Yes, it may not always be possible, but if you can keep your little one on a somewhat similar routine things will be a lot easier for you. A sleepy baby doesn’t always fall asleep easier (ours definitely doesn’t!) Instead, Ollie gets over-tired and it can be difficult to get him to sleep, especially when he’s not used to his surroundings. It doesn’t have to be to the minute, but try and book your flights as close to their nap time as possible.
#2 PACK A BABY BAG FOR THE FLIGHT: SMALLER IS ACTUALLY BETTER
So here is one mistake we made. Learn from us PLEASE! Instead of bringing Ollie’s normal diaper bag, we decided to pack a bigger carry on that could fit underneath the seat. Sounded like a good idea at first, but this proved to be difficult because it was tough to get anything out of it. It was unorganized and tough to get in to. If possible, pack a bag that has outside pockets or at least easy-access compartments. It makes things SO much easier.
#3 HAVE BABY SUCK ON SOMETHING DURING TAKEOFF & LANDING
I was so nervous that Ollie’s ears were going to bother him during pressure changes, so we made sure to give him a bottle or a pacifier at takeoff and landing. (Breastfeeding works too!) He didn’t fuss once! This sucking motion helps equalize their ears, similar to when adults chew on gum.
#4 HAVE THEM GET OUT THEIR ENERGY BEFORE THE FLIGHT
At six months old, Ollie turned into such a wiggle worm! Helping get that energy out before a flight will definitely help them calm down. If there’s a family room or VIP area that you belong to that would be great. If not, simply laying down a blanket at the gate area with a few toys could help your baby get out that extra energy before the trip.
#5 BRING EXTRA TOYS
If your 6 month old is anything like ours, he needs to entertained all the time. Bring plenty of little toys to keep him occupied. Better yet, why not get a new one to peek his interest!
We flew Southwest, and they required a proof of age before we got on our flights. You can bring their birth certificate or you can just take a picture of it on your phone. I have a habit of losing important papers, so taking a picture is much safer in my personal opinion. If you’re flying internationally, you’ll need a passport for your baby.
#7 REQUEST AN EXTRA SEAT
If the flight isn’t full, sometimes you can request an extra seat for your baby. We actually had an entire row on our flight out and let me tell you… it made things SO much easier. Before boarding, just walk up to the desk and see if there’s any availability. They’re pretty compensating because a happy baby equals a happy flight… for EVERYONE!
#8 PACK AN EXTRA OUTFIT, DIAPERS & BOTTLES
If you’re breastfeeding, you already have your supply of food. But, if you’re using formula, you’ll definitely want to pack extra because you really never know when delays will hit. Also, extra diapers and an extra outfit is always a good idea. Blowouts are no fun.
#9 BRING SOME ZIP LOCK BAGGIES
This is actually a great tip that I learned from other mamas on Instagram! Whenever Ollie has a stinky diaper, I throw it in a ziplock bag before throwing it out. It keeps the stink sealed (and you avoid some dirty looks from other passengers!
#10 SELECT YOUR SEAT
My favorite spot to travel with a baby is the window because we have a wall that Ollie can brace against if he wants to stretch his legs. He also really enjoyed watching us take off. If you’re flying Southwest, it’s worth it to get the early-bird check in. Aisle seats are also a good idea if you feel like walking your baby will help him/her feel more comfortable.
#11 IPHONES AND IPADS WILL KEEP THEM OCCUPIED (IF YOU WANT)
If you are against screen time, then you should probably avoid getting out your iPhone or iPad. At this age, 6 months olds seem to be more interested in anything colorful on our devices. If you aren’t a stickler for no screen time and your baby is being fussy, it may buy you some minutes of calm. I try and keep Ollie away from screens, unless it’s a baby show that teaches colors and words. But, on the flight back (which ended up being 5 hours in the air and 8 hours gate to gate) Mike played some angry birds and Ollie was content. Desperate times am I right?!
#12 DON’T PACK ANYTHING TO KEEP YOU OCCUPIED
A BIG lesson I learned… you’ll be occupied just trying to keep your baby occupied. Rookie mistake: I packed two books for the flight. They took up much-needed room in the in-flight baby bag and I never once used them.
#13 TAKE TURNS HOLDING BABY
This wasn’t a luxury we had on our outbound flight because my husband had food poisoning. Again, we had the entire row, so it wasn’t that bad. But, on the flight back it really helped having my husband there to trade off with. Just being able to stretch your legs or pee was such a stress reliever.
#14 DON’T BE TOO HARD ON YOURSELF
You can do everything right, follow all the pieces of advice, and your baby may still have a rough flight. Try not to stress yourself out too much. I actually saw a really good twitter post about parents that typed up a little letter to give to whoever was sitting next to them on a flight. It basically explained how old the baby was, and thanked the passenger for their patience. It was in a ziplock bag that also included some earbuds “just in case”. I think that’s such a great idea. Even if your baby is fussy, at least the person next to you knows you’re doing everything you can to make sure others around you have a smooth and enjoyable flight.
Hope this helps you! As babies grow, their needs for easy travel change. We’re flying with Ollie again in a few months. Any tips you have for me? I’d really appreciate it!
Love, Lindsey
