1. Just relax - The first time I traveled with Harper I cried while walking off of the plane. Harper had cried the entire way and not only were my nerves shattered I thought everyone on the plane wanted to kill me. My parents were traveling with me at the time and laughed a bit while I huffed and puffed about my terrible flight, they then told me to relax, "don't get so stressed about it" they said otherwise it's going to be hell. My parents know a thing or two about flying with babies, when I was Harpers age they lived in Australia and did a lot of long haul traveling back to Canada to see family. Needless to say, on the way back I relaxed and things went much better.
2. Bring your stroller - This is an essential point and probably one of the most important for me. Unless your baby does well in a front carrier or sling I wouldn't suggest traveling without your stroller. The reason Harper cried so much the first time is because I didn't bring her stroller and she hated being toted around in the Bjorn. Another reason, have you ever tried to run for a connecting flight with a baby strapped to your chest? It doesn't work, however running with a stroller does. The stroller can also do double duty helping you carry the mountains of stuff you thought baby would need on the flight.
3. Don't over pack - The first time we traveled with Harper her stuff took up most of the suitcase and I didn't use half of what I brought for her. A good roller suitcase will also come in handy when you don't have many hands to carry baby and suitcases.
4. Going through security - The article I mentioned above had a great tip for going through security. It's always chaos trying to get through with a baby, even more if you're by yourself. The number of ipads, baby foods, gadgets and shoes that have to be taken out of your bag for security is a monumental task in itself, add a baby and a stroller that has to be taken apart and it makes climbing everest look easy. I loved the idea of putting baby in one of the bins for a minute while you organize yourself, it keeps them in a safe place for the 60 seconds you need both hands. Even better than the bin is when you are traveling with someone else, instead of both Kyle and I trying to get things sorted I tell him to take Harper and just go through, I take care of all the other items and it makes life much easier.
5. Limiting intake of liquids for mum - Have you every tried to pee with a baby on your lap? Where does the stroller, diaper bag and baby go when you try to get in a stall? The whole situation just doesn't work and so limiting the intake of liquids while traveling is an important key to successful and stress free flying. If you're by yourself on the plane the flight attendants are usually pretty happy to hold baby for a minute but in the terminal i'm not sure anyone would or should trust a complete stranger to hold your baby.
6. Flying early - I thought that flying at a time when Harper would have normally been sleeping was going to be horrendous but wen we flew on a 6AM flight she slept the whole time! The article mentioned above gave some great reasons why the early flight is great and I wouldn't change a thing about her advice.
7. Flying more comfortably - Having a baby or toddler on your lap for the entire travel day can be exhausting, but luckily, there are a few things that can help make traveling a little more comfortable. We use the Flyebaby and I love it. Not only does the flyebaby give your little one somewhere to sit other than your lap, it free's up your hands for a few minutes and if you get really lucky, baby might even fall asleep in it (this has not happened with Harper yet but i'm still hopeful). See Harper having fun in her flyebaby below. Some planes also have cots that make flying with baby more comfortable. On our most recent long haul trip, while walking Harper up and down the isle I spotted a mum with one of the cots, her and her baby were sleeping comfortably. You have to call ahead of time to reserve these seats but it's worth it.
Anyone else have any more tips?
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