We traveled to Connecticut with our two infants (11 months old) on the busiest travel day of the year and survived. We are now planning our next trip in October with two toddlers (will it be worse? better?) and I've been referencing our last trip to make our lists. I am also pulling from advice we have gotten from friends and family who have been there/done that!
Our two travel posts are here, and here.
1 - Gate check: You can get check strollers and car seats and they will be there waiting for you at the gate at your destination. Having your stroller through the airport is a fantastic way to free up your arms and contain little one. Especially welcome when we had long hikes at gate changes. My brother works the tarmack at Ottawa airport (YOW) and recommends taking advantage of early boarding - if the baggage handlers aren't rushed, they are less likely to beat up your stuff. Also, secure any small or loose bits, as they are likely to get lost while shuffled in the belly of the plane.
2 - Travel bottles: A friend suggested the Playtex Drop Ins for our travel, so we wouldn't need to sanitize or clean bottles through our flights and our stay. All we needed were 2 bottles and a bunch of drop ins, and it took up so little space. These were a lifesaver when the seat belt light was on and it was time for a bottle feeding. We just ditched the old sleeves in a plastic baggie and popped in new ones and made the bottles.
3 - Pre-measured powdered formula: If you are formula feeding, splurge on some of these little pre-filled packets to make your life easier and more compact. We used these during travel and excursions at our destination. Once you get past security, just buy a large bottle of water to use to make bottles throughout the rest of your travel.
4 - Ship essentials to your destination: We used Amazon to ship diapers, wipes, formula and baby food to our destination. It was all there waiting for us when we arrived. This may be a bit trickier if you aren't staying near or with family, but if you are, then this is a great way to go. Some hotels will happily accept packages for you and have them waiting for you at your arrival.
5 - Use the hotel pack n play: We called way in advance and asked the hotel to put two pack n plays in our room. We not only used these as cribs, but we also brought them with us when we were visiting friends whose homes weren't baby proofed or needed a spot for naps.
6 - If you can, bring your car seat on to the plane: We didn't do this going to Connecticut, our thinking was we would rather have a whole row to use as a couch for all 4 of us. On our way home we did use the third seat we had purchased for the car seat and it was great. It allowed one of us to have our hands free to make bottles, go to the bathroom, etc. while the other held a baby. Better than us both having a baby to control. Also, Josie slept the whole time we were flying, and was very content in her seat. Note that getting the car seat onto the plane was a hassle, since both our arms were full with babies.
7 - Bring a click-on frame or umbrella stroller: We had a frame stroller on which our car seats clicked on that we brought. I highly recommend that over a bulky stroller PLUS car seats. In the fall, we plan to check our convertible car seats with the ticket desk and use our umbrella strollers through the airport. So much easier to pack in the rental car, plane, hotel room, etc.
8 - Rent your baby needs: There wasn't a baby items rental near us at Christmas, so we didn't do this, but most major cities have a local baby supply rental company that will drop off your needed items at your destination so they are ready for you when you get there, and pick them up after you leave. I have heard nothing but rave reviews for this type of service.
9 - Buy cheap and donate: A friend shipped two portable $20 high chairs to her destination via amazon to use with her twins while on vacation. At the end of her trip, she donated them to charity. You could do this with any reasonably priced baby item.
10 - Get a travel car seat: I have heard many recommendations to buy a light, travel car seat specifically for the trip. This is a great way to avoid potential damage to your nice every day car seats, and having a light version certainly wouldn't hurt! The Cosco Scenera is regularly recommended for this purpose.
11 - Bring a roll of masking tape: Cover the seat with masking tape for your little one to rip off for at least a few minutes of distracted entertainment. Also entertaining: a favorite toy, a few extra plastic cups from the stewardess, hand over the safety guide or in flight magazine, let baby look out the window, bring fully charged ipads, kindles or phones in airplane mode loaded with baby specific games. And make special exceptions for all day use of a nap/sleep time only items like a lovee and pacifier.
12 - Take advantage of a luggage cart: Some airports allow you to take the luggage cart (the one you get at baggage claim) all the way to the gate! I am going to test this theory in a few weeks, and grab a luggage cart before we even try to make our way through security and the airport.
13 - Take two cars: When we flew for Christmas before the girls turned 1, we had to bring a very bulky stroller, two infant car seats and a ton of luggage that didn't fit in the trunk with everything we had. James drove his car with luggage and parked it at the airport while my sister drove my car with me and the girls in it (plus stroller, carry ons, diaper bags, luggage, etc.) and dropped us off right at the curb of the airport with our car seats. It was nice to have our car seat bases in the car on drop off and pick up!
14 - Ditch the Base: Infant seats come with a base that we tend to rely on. We were so reliant on the bases that I was planning on packing them and bringing them with me, until I realized there was no way they would fit in our luggage. No need. Watch a few youtube videos on how to install your infant seat into a car without the base, then do that in the rental car. You will get super good at it in no time!
15 - Rely on the kindness of others: If anyone offers to help, seriously consider it. Common sense should prevail - don't leave your kid with a stranger while you use the bathroom - but otherwise, take advantage of all friendly, well meaning offers.
16 - Don't stress: I remember thinking that security would be our worst hurdle - unlike the check in lines and bag check, I couldn't just stand to the side with the girls, we had to go through it together. We also had a massive amount of stuff, and would have to hold babies while loading stuff on and off the conveyor belt. It was tough but we made it. Once we got through security, I let myself relax. I am a believer that the babies can sense your tense mood which will get them nervous and cranky. I even treated myself to a glass of wine on the plane.
17 - Know you and your baby: a few people wondered why we didn't red-eye it to the East Coast. I know that whenever I fly a red eye, I am worthless the next day. Even if it meant the girls sleeping the whole way, I didn't want to be useless AND in charge of them after no sleep. The girls ended up napping just fine on the way there during the day time, and I didn't feel totally wiped out. You just never know - what if they had been awake the whole night time flight? What works for others may not work for you, so don't stress over ignoring some inapplicable advice.
18 - Keep your documents handy: We brought birth certificates and immunization records for the girls with us, and I had my travel documents as well. I kept them all in a pocket of the diaper bag I could get to even if I had a baby in my arms, instead of deeper in the bag or in my purse. You don't necessarily need documents for domestic travel, but its nice to have them handy just in case, and especially if your lap sitting and need to prove your child is under 2. Also, note, that it does take 6 weeks to get a passport, so look into this early.
19 - Tylenol and Benedryl: First, keeping these first aid items handy is smart to do anyway, just in case. Second, some folks swear by a little Benedryl before a flight to get the baby to sleep. We gave the girls Tylenol in the hopes that that would ease any ear pain for the landings and take off, but may have also had a nice bonus side effect of some good naps.
20 - Liquid on Take Off/Landing: Have a small bottle ready for take off and landing, so baby can suck on something and pop their ears. Just a paci can work as well.
21 - Keep a change of clothes super handy: One of the girls had a leak and needed a change. I had put a diaper, wipes and a change into a ziplock bag, and appreciated simply having to take that out and hand it over to James in this emergency situation.
22 - Bring a change of clothes: Some people recommend bringing a change of clothes in your carry on for mom and dad, too. I would definitely recommend that for any spit ups, pukes, leaks, or even an unexpected layover.
23 - Have two diaper bags: Diaper bags are a "free" carry on, and don't count towards your items. For our longer flights, we had two. I packed one with what we would need in the next few hours that I kept under the seat in front of me, and the other with re-fill items that went in the overhead bin. At the layover, we restocked the one we kept close with items from the back up bag. (diapers, wipes, formula packets and bottle inserts). I also had our emergency layover kit (change of clothes & PJs) in the back up bag.
24 - Have your liquids ready: I had all of our liquids in a ziplock bag ready to pull out at security, including squeeze packs of food, jarred food, medicines, and butt paste. Just having it all ready to go is easier on you when you are in that rush.
25 - Bring a TON of plastic baggies on the plan: Large and small. We used these to contain poopy diaper smells, to throw away any excess liquids (like bottle liners), throw away trash we didn't want the girls getting into, for change kits to bring to the restroom, to store dirty clothes or bibs, to store dirty spoons and open squeeze packs, etc. etc. You think you have enough then you realize how useful they really are. Plastic zip baggies are great for poopy diapers in the hotel room, too.
26 - Bring some baby-proofing with you: Pack some extra outlet covers for the hotel room. One less thing to worry about in there. Babies seem to know where all of the outlets are and investigate them immediately. They don't take up much room and are a life saver. Other things to consider are door stoppers and finger protectors.
27 - Bring some giant binder clips with you: You can use the clips to string extra blankets or towels around the pack in play in the hotel room to keep it dark and make baby feel more cozy. Also so baby can't stare at you when the baby is supposed to be sleeping and you are watching netflix in the dark on your ipad.
28 - Bring baby's blanket: We used the blanket for everything - as comfort and warmth on the plane, for warmth in the car seat in the cooler climate (since you can't put bulky winter coats on in the car seat), and as their blanket in the pack n play. The hotel pack n plays had just a sheet in them, so we were glad to have a blanket to cover the girls with.
29 - Bring swaddle blankets: We used these in the airport as a spot to sit on for playing (airport carpet is so gross), for feeding so we could clean up any messes, to create a play spot in the hotel room, and as an extra sleep blanket in the hotel. The thin Aiden and Anais ones roll up so small, so they worked out perfectly.
30 - Carry the baby: Some moms swear by using a baby carrier rather than a stroller through the airport. This keeps your hands free, and some airports let you go through security with the carrier on.
31 - Use a car seat roller: Other moms have recommended a car seat roller to use during travel, which helps you move your infant or toddler through the airport. This is perfect for anyone who plans to use the car seat on the plane.
32 - Little Seats: While most restaurants had high chairs, we liked using our Little Seat in the hotel room to feed the girls. They were still doing purees at the time so this worked best. We wont be bringing it to Ottawa as, to our chagrin, the girls actually prefer eating while running around.
33 - Do breakfast in bed: Not necessarily literally, but with toddlers, it is nice to have breakfast done before leaving the room. We stocked up on breakfast bars and kept a container of milk in our hotel room, which allowed us to start the day at a slower pace, rather than running out to find breakfast each day. Also a great way to save money on a meal.
34 - Take n Toss: For toddlers who can't drink out of a cup yet, having a pack of take and toss cups is great for using at restaurants and even in the hotel room. The utensils are good to have on hand too, and there is no fear to lose them since they are all so cheap! They nest, so they are also great for traveling.
35 - Bring a shit ton of wipes with you: You will seriously use these for everything. I like having a pack of them in my purse, in the diaper bag, and in the seat pocket. I especially like my sleek wipes clutch case since it clips to things. Decide how many you will need during your travel day, then throw in an extra pack. Seriously.
Finally, trim the fat: if your carry on or luggage is out of control, its time to look at what you have and decide what you can live without and whether some things can do double duty. Packing light, as long as you have the essentials, is better than over packing and being burdened by too much stuff!
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