Tried and Tested Travel Tips

It’s inevitable—especially with the holidays around the corner—parents, at some point, must travel by air with your kids in tow. When that day comes, knowing what and how to pack for the flight and trip can save you time, space, effort, money and your sanity! Don’t be worried that your flight with the kiddos will be nothing short of a total stress-fest. With a little planning and organization (and face it, patience!), your holiday travels will be smooth sailing. Here are a few of my tried and tested travel tips just in time for the holidays:

Travel Bag Essentials:

• Travel hand sanitizer
• Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen (and measuring dropper) and doctor-approved decongestant. Also, pack medicine in an outside pocket, as you will have to remove it (all liquids) when you pass through security.
• Tissues in a Ziploc bag
• DVD player, iPad, Gameboy, or other gadgets to keep the kids busy for hours
• Wipes
• Two changes of clothes for baby and a full change of clothes for all children under age six. Change of T-shirt for older kids.  It’s smart to have an extra shirt for yourself, as well, in case of spit ups.
• Diapers (divide the amount of hours from when you leave your house until you arrive at your final destination by two)
• A pacifier clipped on baby, plus one spare set of pacifier and clip
• Blanket for baby
• Your child’s favorite blanket or lovie to help her feel like she has a piece of home anywhere you go.
• Sweaters, fleece jackets, etc.–It can get cold on the plane at any season
• Bottles for baby, empty sippy cup for toddlers and small empty 8-oz. spout water bottles for kids three years and up. Airline regulations do not allow you to bring drinks in, so fill the bottles once you get on the flight.
• Bring snack foods such as sandwiches cut into bite-size pieces in Ziploc bags. Snack foods that do not melt, get sticky or crumble. Cheerios, animal crackers, pretzels, cucumber sticks, or chicken fingers.
• Drawing paper, color books, crayons, books (depending on your child’s age)
• Chewing gum, pacifiers or drinks to help alleviate air pressure before the take-off and landing

Must-Know Flight Basics

• Get a roomy travel bag for the kids that will not exceed the airline’s hand-carried luggage limit.

• Pack efficiently. You shouldn’t have to access the overhead storage more than once before landing.

• Prepare the kids before the flight, especially if it’s their first time. Telling them what to expect and how they should behave can eliminate or at least keep the inconveniences to a minimum.

• Dress your kids in comfy clothes such as soft cotton leggings/trousers and t-shirts. They also don’t take up much room in your luggage.

• Before packing stuff to entertain your kids, check first what your flight offers. Do you have a charger at your seat to keep gadgets working? Do you have personal screens so the kids can watch programs during the flight?

• Airline-certified baby gear, like lightweight strollers, that meet luggage standards can help you go through security in a speedy and fuss-free manner.

Happy Travels!

Julie McCaffrey

Parenting expert Julie McCaffrey is a proud mommy to 3 kids and owns BabyNav Baby Planners where she offers personalized consultation to new and expecting parents along with functioning as the Chief Brand Officer at PishPoshBaby.com—the high-quality baby store that supplies the facts and advice, along with the right choice, to parents who are completely lost in the whirlwind of baby gear. She loves to help moms and dads navigate everything from baby gear, preparing for multiples, getting back to work and getting the whole family on a routine.