Traveling With a Baby: What I’ve Learned as a New Mom & Travel Advisor

One of the first places we went after my son was born was the post office.

Not for stamps. For his passport.

I recently became a mom, and from the beginning, I was determined that having a baby wasn't going to mean giving up something I love so much: traveling.

I want to take my son around the world with me. I want him to grow up experiencing new places, and I want us to make those memories together as a family.

Since becoming a mom, I've already learned A LOT about traveling with a baby. And as a travel advisor and a flight attendant, I also know how overwhelming airports and airplanes can feel when you add a baby, stroller, diaper bag, bottles, formula and everything else into the mix.

But I promise: traveling with a baby is doable.

You just have to know a few things before you go.

First: Your Baby Might Cry. And That Is Okay.

I think one of the biggest things parents worry about is, What if my baby cries on the airplane?

They might.

Your baby might cry going through the airport. They might cry during boarding. They might cry on the airplane.

They are a baby.

And I promise you, the crying sounds approximately 100 times louder to you as their parent than it does to everyone else.

Most people genuinely do not care. A lot of the people sitting around you have had babies themselves. They've been there before, and they understand.

Of course, we all want our babies to be comfortable and happy. But don't spend your entire vacation worrying that your baby might inconvenience someone else by simply being a baby.

You are allowed to travel too.

Feeding During Takeoff Can Be a Lifesaver

One thing that has worked really well for us is timing a bottle around takeoff.

I try not to feed him too early while we're sitting at the gate. Once we start taxiing and we're getting closer to taking off, that's usually when I start getting the bottle ready.

The sucking and swallowing can help with those pressure changes in their ears, and there is also a pretty good chance you'll end up with a sleepy baby shortly afterward.

Obviously, babies don't always cooperate with our perfectly planned schedules, so if they're hungry, feed them. But when the timing works out, a bottle around takeoff has been one of my favorite tricks.

You can do the same thing again during descent if your baby wants to eat.

Yes, You Can Bring Formula and Breast Milk Through TSA

This is something I think intimidates a lot of new parents.

Formula, breast milk, toddler drinks and baby food can go through TSA in quantities greater than the normal 3.4-ounce liquid limit.

When you get to security, just tell the TSA officer that you're traveling with formula, breast milk or other liquids for your baby. They will let you know what they need you to take out and how they want it screened.

Sometimes it may need additional screening or testing, so don't panic if your bag gets pulled aside. It doesn't mean you've done anything wrong. It may just take a few extra minutes.

My biggest advice?

Give yourself extra time.

Everything with a baby takes a little longer anyway.

Airports Are More Family-Friendly Than You Think

Don't be afraid to ask for help.

Procedures vary by airport and airline, but there are often options that make traveling with children easier.

Some airports may direct families with young children differently during security, especially when lines are busy. Many airlines also offer some form of family or early boarding.

I LOVE being able to get onboard early with a baby.

It gives me time to get our bags situated, get the diaper bag where I want it, make a bottle for takeoff and get settled without feeling like I'm holding up 100 people standing in the aisle behind me.

Just remember that family boarding and preboarding policies vary by airline, so check before your trip.

What Do You Actually Need to Pack for a Baby?

This is where I think we moms get ourselves in trouble.

We start thinking:

• What if he needs this?

• What if this happens?

• What if he goes through four outfits?

• What if we need this completely random thing we've used twice in his entire life?

Instead of packing for every possible "what if," think about what your baby actually uses on a normal day.

Babies really don't need as much as we convince ourselves they do.

For toiletries, we keep it pretty simple: baby lotion, soap, sunscreen if we'll need it, butt paste and any medications we normally keep on hand, like infant Tylenol when appropriate for our baby.

You can buy travel-size containers for a lot of this stuff, and that's really all we need.

How We Organize Our Carry-Ons

One thing that has really helped us is having a system for our luggage.

We normally have one carry-on dedicated to our son and one carry-on dedicated to us.

His suitcase has his clothes, pajamas, diapers, bottles, formula, toiletries and the other things we know he's going to use during the trip.

Then we have another carry-on for our stuff.

Now, if there is extra space in his suitcase, am I putting some of our stuff in there too?

Absolutely.

We are using every available inch.

We personally try not to check bags if we don't have to. I like having everything with us, being able to get off the plane and go, and not worrying about waiting at baggage claim.

But carry-on only is definitely not going to be the best choice for every family.

If the thought of dragging multiple carry-ons, a diaper bag, stroller AND a baby through the airport already has you stressed out, check the bag.

Sometimes having less stuff physically attached to you while trying to navigate an airport with a baby is completely worth it.

There is no prize for packing the lightest.

Figure out what is going to make traveling easier for your family.

Bottle Cleaning While Traveling

Before traveling with a baby, this was one of those random little things I wondered about:

How am I going to wash bottles in a hotel room?

Honestly? It's been really easy.

Some resorts have bottle sterilizers available if you ask. We've used them before, so it's always worth checking with the resort or asking concierge once you arrive.

But most of the time, we keep it incredibly simple.

I pack some Dawn dish soap in one of those little travel-size bottles you can get at TJ Maxx, and we bring a silicone bottle scrubber.

Then the bathroom becomes our little bottle-cleaning station.

We wash the bottles and all of their parts, rinse everything really well and lay them out on a clean towel to dry.

That's it.

If we're somewhere where we aren't comfortable using the tap water for the baby's bottles, we can use bottled water provided by the resort instead.

You do not need to bring your entire kitchen with you.

Diapers Will Take Over Your Suitcase

Let's talk about the real space hog.

Diapers.

They take up SO much room.

The good news?

They disappear throughout the vacation.

Every diaper you use means a little more room in your suitcase on the way home.

Suddenly we have souvenir space!

I'll take it.

I also don't think you need to pack enough diapers to survive for three months.

Unless you're going somewhere extremely remote, there are stores. You can buy diapers. You can buy wipes. You can buy baby supplies.

Pack what you realistically think you'll need, add a little cushion and go.

What If You Run Out of Formula?

This actually happened to me in Mexico.

We needed more formula, so I went down to concierge and asked them for help.

Concierge arranged to have formula Uber delivered to us. We obviously still had to pay for it, but problem solved.

That's something I remind parents of all the time:

Just because you're traveling doesn't mean stores suddenly don't exist.

If you run out of formula, diapers, wipes or something else, there is usually a way to get it.

Is it ideal?

No.

Is it the end of the world?

Also no.

And that's another reason I think having a travel advisor can make family travel less stressful. If something comes up while you're away, you have someone who already knows your trip who can help you figure out what your options are.

Do Babies Fly Free?

Children under two can generally travel as lap infants without purchasing their own seat on many U.S. domestic flights.

International travel is different.

Depending on your airline and itinerary, you may have to pay taxes, fees and sometimes an infant fare even though your baby doesn't have their own seat.

And make sure you actually add your lap infant to the reservation. Don't just show up at the airport with an extra tiny human.

Another thing to keep in mind is that some airlines may ask you to prove your child is under two.

I recommend traveling with a copy of their birth certificate or their passport, depending on where you're going, just in case.

Even if I don't need it, I'd much rather have it with me than be standing at the airport trying to prove my baby's age.

Always check your specific airline's requirements because every airline can handle lap infants and documentation a little differently.

And, of course, if you're traveling internationally, your baby will need the appropriate travel documents.

Hence why one of the first places my son visited after leaving the hospital was the post office.

We had places to go!

Sometimes Buying the Baby a Seat Is Worth It

Yes, having your baby travel as a lap infant can save you money.

But once they get a little older and realize that sitting still is apparently the worst thing that's ever happened to them, holding them for an entire flight can be A LOT.

Once our son got past those really tiny newborn months and wanted to move around more, having him on our lap for a longer flight became much more work.

So purchasing them their own seat isn't a horrible idea, especially if they are comfortable in their car seat.

It gives them their own space, gives you more room and can give them somewhere familiar to sleep.

The FAA also recommends children under two fly secured in an approved child-restraint system in their own seat because it provides better protection during unexpected turbulence.

If you plan to use your car seat onboard, check that it is approved for aircraft use and look at your specific airline's policies before traveling.

What If You Need a Car Seat at Your Destination?

This is another one of those things that depends heavily on where you're going and what kind of transportation you're using.

If you're renting a car and don't want to haul your car seat through the airport, many rental car companies have car seats available to rent.

Just reserve one ahead of time. I wouldn't show up and assume there will automatically be one sitting there for you.

If you're not renting a car, things can work differently.

In international destinations like Mexico and Costa Rica, child-restraint requirements can vary depending on the type of vehicle and transportation being used. For example, rules applying to a personal or rental vehicle may differ from certain taxis or commercial passenger transportation. Mexico's regulations also distinguish between private vehicles and some public-transport categories.

That's why when I arrange your shared or private airport transportation, this is something we can look at ahead of time.

Depending on the destination and transfer company, a car seat may not be required for that particular type of transportation, or the transfer company may have one available to request.

If you want your child in a car seat regardless of what the local requirement is, that's completely fine too. We can figure out the best option before you travel.

The main point is: don't assume you have to drag your personal car seat around the world until we know what you're actually going to need it for.

That's one of those small logistics pieces I can help take off your plate.

Get a GOOD Travel Stroller

This has been one of my absolute favorite baby travel purchases.

Get yourself a lightweight travel stroller that folds up SMALL.

I have the MAMAZING Ultra Air Lightweight Baby Travel Stroller with the Carbon Fiber Frame from Amazon, and we love it.

It is SO lightweight, comfortable, great quality and folds up really small.

When the aircraft and available storage allow it, we can put it in the overhead bin. We've even been able to fit it underneath the seat on some aircraft with smaller overhead-bin space.

That is so much easier than dealing with a huge stroller.

Just know that overhead-bin space and carry-on restrictions depend on the airline and aircraft, so even a small travel stroller may occasionally need to be gate-checked.

What Does Gate Checking a Stroller or Car Seat Mean?

If you've never flown with a baby before, you might hear the words "gate check" and have absolutely no clue what anyone is talking about.

It's really simple.

Instead of checking your stroller or car seat at the ticket counter with your regular luggage, you keep it with you through the airport.

Use that stroller!

Put your baby in it.

Put your bags on it.

Take advantage of it until the last possible second.

When you get to the gate, the airline will usually put a tag on the item you're gate-checking.

When it's time to board, you'll take it down the jet bridge with you and leave it in the designated area, often near the bottom of the jet bridge before stepping onto the airplane.

The ground crew will take it from there and load it underneath the aircraft.

After you land, gate-checked baby gear is often brought back up near the aircraft or jet bridge so it's there when you get off.

Sometimes it's waiting for you immediately.

Sometimes you are standing there for a few minutes thinking, Where is my stroller?

It really just depends on how quickly the ground crew gets it unloaded.

And depending on the airline, airport or aircraft, some items may be sent to baggage claim instead, so always listen to what the gate agent tells you.

Your Diaper Bag and Baby Gear

Another thing I always recommend checking before you fly is your specific airline's baby-gear policy.

Airlines commonly have special allowances for items like strollers and car seats, and some allow an additional diaper bag when you're traveling with an infant.

But what counts toward your carry-on allowance and what can be checked for free varies by airline.

This is why I don't love giving one universal answer.

Check your airline.

And if I'm planning the trip for you, these are exactly the little questions you can ask me rather than spending your night Googling airline baggage policies.

You Really Don't Need to Overpack

This has probably been one of my biggest lessons.

You do not need to move your entire nursery to Mexico.

Think about your normal day at home.

1. What does your baby eat?

2. What do they wear?

3. What do they sleep in?

4. What products do you actually use every single day?

Start there.

Add a few backups.

Done.

Don't pack your suitcase based entirely around:

BUT WHAT IF...

Will something unexpected eventually happen?

Probably.

But you can solve problems as they come instead of dragging 75 pounds of just-in-case baby gear around the world.

"But They Won't Remember It..."

I hear this one all the time.

Why take them when they're that young? They won't even remember it.

Maybe he won't.

But I will.

I'll remember holding my son on the beach.

I'll remember our first flights together.

I'll remember getting his first passport.

I'll remember the family pictures, the places we went and the tiny little moments that happened in between.

Travel isn't only about creating memories your child can tell you about when they're 25.

They're my memories too.

And there is nothing I want more than to make those memories with my family.

Take the Baby With You

Traveling with a baby is different.

You might have to stop more often.

You'll pack differently.

Dinner might be earlier.

Your airport routine will change.

You may spend part of your flight bouncing a baby instead of watching a movie and drinking a cocktail.

But different doesn't mean bad.

And it definitely doesn't mean you have to stop traveling.

If you're nervous about taking that first vacation as a family, that's where having a travel advisor who understands traveling with a baby can help.

I can help you think through the flights, resort, room, airport transfers, stroller, car-seat situation, luggage, destination and all those little logistics that can feel like A LOT the first time you do it.

Because now I don't just understand family travel as a travel advisor.

I'm living it as a mom too.

So from one traveling mom to another:

Take the baby with you.

They may not remember every trip.

But you will.

Let's start planning your vacation today - with or without the babies!

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