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Lisa our resident fine living expert answers your questions each Thursday.
If you are a blogger, this is a great chance to have us feature and link to your blog!
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I am getting ready to travel with my baby solo for the first time and to say that I am nervous is putting it “lightly”. Do you have any best practices or tips for traveling with a baby? I know that I am probably overreacting but I feel like it is justified. Help!
Molly, New New Jersey
Get Some Rest
The night before your flight, both you and your baby need as much rest as possible. That means no staying up late the night before doing any last minute packing. Set a deadline for yourself for packing and be done with it. Items like diapers, wipes, sippy cups and changing pads should be packed from the night before.
Other things that you will need in the morning can be tossed into your carry-on bag before you hit the door. By the way, make it easy on yourself and carry a larger handbag that can double as your diapers bag. Put in things like snacks (for you and baby), pacifiers, toys, nursing cover, baby bottle, items for diaper changing and anything else you may need.
Pack Light
It’s a thin line between being prepared and over packing. Therefore, save some space where you can. For example taking an infant carrier on your trip instead of a stroller is a great way to save space and minimize unnecessary bulk.
See: How to Travel light with Young Kids
Ask for Help
Whether it be paying a baggage handler to help check in your bags or asking an on-board flight attendant to hold your baby briefly while you use the bathroom, airline staff is there to help. As a matter of fact, flight attendants often willingly offer assistance when they notice a parent traveling alone with a little one. Take advantage of family boarding that airlines like Southwest have which allow families with young children to board the aircraft early. Etihad airlines even offers a flying nanny service on long flights.
The point is, you are not alone even if you think you are. Most passengers are quite helpful if you ask politely. I once heard of a plane passenger offering her lap so that the lady next to her could let her little boy stretch out to sleep.
So take a few deep breaths and start packing… your journey awaits.
Come back on Thursday for another edition of “Ask The Domestic Life Stylist”.
You can also tweet a question to Dlifestylist on Twitter or email me at ask{at}thedomesticlifestylist{dot}com. I will select one question to answer every Thursday.
If you are a blogger, this is a great chance to have us feature and link to your blog.
Lisa is a pharmacist turned fine living/travel writer & founder of The Domestic Life Stylist, following her passion for all things food, family and travel. Read more of her lifestyle tips on her blog, learn effective fine living strategies, family travel tips and expand your culinary horizons.
Jill Myrick says
This would be a great article for my oldest daughter who will soon be traveling with our new grandbaby. Here are some great tips here for her to follow.
jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com
katklaw777 says
I’ve never experienced flying with a child…thanks for the tips.
Christina G. says
I’ve had good and bad experiences flying with babies. Thanks for these tips.
Mia Dentice Carey says
More power to anyone who travels especially on an airplane with a baby!
Barbara Platt says
I was a teenager and flew overseas with a baby alone so I know how to handle that one
Rebecca Parsons says
I’m glad I have never had to do this but these are great tips in case I ever do.
anne hill says
packing light is a great tip!
Jessica Medina says
Great tips. Traveling light is a must do for me!
DEBIJOT says
I never had to fly alone when the children were babies, but these are great tips.
mrsshukra says
I’m sharing these tips with my friends!
Caitlin McClure says
Great tips, thanks! I’m not great at asking for help sometimes
Nancy says
I once hear this quip : There are two ways to travel – first class or with children. These helpful suggestions would make flying with a baby a bit easier.
Angela Saver says
Those are some great tips! I have never flown alone with my children, but these tips would certainly help a parent who had to.
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vickie couturier says
thanks for some good tips,I may be doing some traveling with one of my grandchidren
Lisa says
I’m glad it’s just one. Hope it’s a success story.
Meagan bs says
these seem like good tips, thank goodness i’ve never had to fly with a baby
anne says
Excellent feature and helpful advice.
Lexi says
Those are great tips. I’ve never been brave enough to fly with one of my children and I don’t know that I would want to do it alone.
Lisa says
I definitely wouldn’t choose to do it alone either. Two pairs of hands are always better than one.