Top 5 Essential Items Needed for Air Travel with a Baby

Traveling anywhere with a baby can be a challenge, but it can become even more daunting when you have to face airport crowds and catch connection flights. What essential items should a mom or dad take along to make the air travel experience less stressful and more enjoyable for him or her and baby? In this article, I will suggest five necessities to have on hand when traveling with your precious bundle of joy.

1. Bottle or pacifier with breast milk or pre-made formula - My oldest son and I flew together when he was only two and a half months old. I took a bottle filled with formula onto the plane, and I was so glad that I did. After we had been in the air about 15 minutes, he was hungry and ready to eat, so it definitely came in handy.

If you are breastfeeding your baby, you have everything that you need to feed your baby and may just want to bring a blanket to cover up while you are nursing. Also, the blanket will come in handy should your little one get cold on the plane.

2. Diapers - It goes without saying that these are a definite necessity. Most babies become fussy when they have a dirty diaper, so having clean ones available to put onto your baby will help to keep him or her happy. Too, it is easier to change your baby's diaper while on the plane rather than in the airport bathroom. You avoid the chance of missing your next flight.

3. Necessary baby medications - I highly recommend taking Hyland's Homeopathic Teething Tablets and Motrin along on your trip. Even for day to day travel with my two-year-old son, I carry these two medications with me. The teething tablets are soothing to your baby and really help relieve the pain of teething. Motrin is good to have on hand should your baby begin to run a fever. Please be sure and consult your doctor or pharmacist before use of either of these medications, and as always, administer them as directed on the package.

4. Two changes of clothes - Extra clothes always come in handy when you have a little one. If your baby spits up or has a bathroom accident that soaks through his or her clothes, you will be glad that you brought these extra articles of clothing with you.

5. Sling or baby carrier - Since airports can sometimes be big, a sling or baby carrier is great to have on hand to help save your arms from having to carry the baby. When using a sling, you can actually tie the baby onto you, and with a front baby carrier, you can face the baby towards you or out to view the happenings around him or her.

There appears to be a difference of opinion in regard to whether or not to place a baby in a car seat for travel by plane, but it is really up to the preference of the parent. Parents are allowed to have children under the age of 2 to sit on their lap during the plane ride, but if they feel safer having their little person in a car seat, then, they should utilize that. They may be charged for an extra seat, or on occasion, if a flight is not crowded, they might be allowed to sit the car seat in the seat next to them.

When I flew with my oldest son during his infancy, I placed him on my lap during the travel on the plane, and I did not experience any problems because of that. Once I reached my destination, I rented a car seat at the car rental place where I obtained my car, and the seat worked out well for my son.

When traveling by air with your baby, remember that the main thing is to try to keep him or her comfortable and satisfied. If your baby's needs are met, then it will make the trip more enjoyable for both of you.