The first time I got on a plane, (from what I can remember) I was 20 years old. I was terrified because I was older and aware of what could happen. So, I told myself that when I have children, I would expose them to traveling at a young age. Howeverrr, I was too hype booking Ry’s 1st flight that I didn’t think about the process of traveling with an infant by myself.
So, in this blog post I’m going to share with you all our traveling experience and provide tips on what made things a lot easier.
Packing:
I absolutely hate packing. So, packing for me AND Ry, for a week trip, was ROUGH! As it got closer to the trip, I decided to make a list of things I needed and add on to it when I thought of others. I figured this would make things easier when I started packing. I shipped pampers and bibs ahead of time because it would be one less thing I would have to pack. The week of our trip, I started getting Ry’s things together first. My husband washed all her clothes and I picked out her outfits. I laid out everything I planned to pack and went through the list as I was putting her things into her bags. After going over it a million times, I spoke with my mother in law who made a great point. She said, “as long as you have the baby, your wallet, and yourself, whatever else you don’t have, you’ll figure out when you get there”. Now, that advice did two things. 1. Made me feel a whole lot better and 2. Made me feel like I didn’t really have to think about what I needed anymore. Lol! After getting Ry things together, I packed my suitcase and left everything by the door. The night before our trip, I put everything in to the car.
Take away: Make a check list. Packkk lighhttt *Erykah Badu voice*. Ship any items you can to your destination ahead of time (if possible). Give yourself a lot of time to pack. Make sure you put extra clothes at the top of your bag for baby in case he/she has an accident. Load up the car the night before.
Traveling Day:
- Preparing to leave: I planned to wake up early but got up even earlier than I was supposed to because I had anxiety. I made myself a smoothie, ate a banana, and started getting myself together. Since I already had everything packed and in the car, all I had to do was get dressed and then get Ry together. About an hour until we had to leave, Ryann woke up. This was perfect because I didn’t want to wake her up myself anyway. I wiped her down, fed her, changed her pamper, and got her dressed. I put her in the car seat, and it was time to go!
Take away: Get yourself together first. Try to eat a little something in case you’re not able to before you get on the plane. Get baby together in enough time it takes for you to fed, dress, change, and put him/her in the car seat to leave.
- At the airport:
This was my first time flying out of Norfolk’s airport and boy, it was definitely an experience having Ry. I’m always risky when it comes to flights (getting there an hour to 45 minutes before my flight leaves lol) but I knew it wouldn’t be smart to do that this time. Once I got to the airport, I parked and had to come up with the best technique to carry everything inside. I had to carry my duffle bag, Ry’s baby bag, Ry, AND her car seat. (Can you say workout for the day?) The best decision I did was brought her carrier. I put Ry in front of me, her book bag on me, rolled my duffle bag, and carried the car seat with my other hand. I am not going to lie, it was a lot. Anywho, once we got into the airport, I went straight to check in to free my hands a bit. I was able to check her car seat for free and that helped A LOT. Fast forward to the gate. I grabbed a bite to eat, changed Ry before boarding, and was offered a complimentary bag check. Usually I hate checking my bag because I like to be out after the flight however, since I already had to get the car seat, this made it even easier while getting on and off the plane. I was one of the first people to board the flight since I had an infant. (Probably THE best thing about traveling with a baby)
On the way to Texas 
Leaving Texas
Take away: Get there early. Find the most comfortable way to walk through the airport. Grab some food. If offered complimentary bag check, TAKE IT. Change the baby before getting on the plane and you go too. BOARD FIRST.
- On the plane:
We had all connecting flights. (Whomp whomp whomppp) BUT when I tell you, the flight attendants were looking out for us on ALL. FOUR. FLIGHTS. (2 going to Texas and 2 coming back) The first two planes we were put in a row where the middle seat was empty and coming back home, we had the entire row to ourselves! I made sure everything I would possible need (her headphones, pampers, wipes, extra change of clothes) were easily accessible. I purposely waited to feed her so that I could nurse her on the plane just in case her ears started popping. (Apparently nursing or pacifiers helps to prevent babies ears popping on a plane) This worked perfectly on the first plane but not so much on the second one. Lol! She was pretty awake and active. And of course she waited 10 minutes before we landed to poop… up her back. Since we couldn’t move, that was the first thing I did when we got off. I changed her clothes and we boarded the next one soon after. I let her look out of the window and watch Finding Nemo until she fell asleep 20 minutes before we landed.
The flights home had me feeling like “I does this”. Lol! I was so proud of Ry but sad at the same time because she got sick during our trip. She slept the entire first plane ride and most of the second one. AND SHE DIDN’T HAVE AN ACCIDENT. #ProudMamaMoment
Take away: SAY NO TO CONNECTING FLIGHTS. Lol! Have baby’s essentials easily accessible. Get some quiet headphones for baby. Nurse/feed when plane is accelerating and landing. Find something for baby to keep them entertained in case he/she does not want to sleep.
Overall, the plane ride wasn’t bad. I’m pretty sure as we travel more, I will find the most effective traveling prep and eventually I’ll be a pro. Lol! (I will say Joel will definitely be with us on the next one though lol)
The goal: Travel to as many places as possible while my babies are under 2 and can fly for free!
I honestly can’t wait until we’re heading on our next trip. Of course there’s always room for advice/suggestions so comment below and tell me some of your traveling tips!