Traveling with Babies - Top Five Baby Needs You Should Pack when Flying with Babies

When planning a family vacation with babies most parents are either clueless to the problems that await them, or filled with dread from the memory of their last trip. Leaving the comfort of your home where you have all your baby needs close at hand and confining yourself in an airplane with your baby for several hours can make any parent nervous. If you prepare properly, traveling with babies on an airplane can be an enjoyable experience. Since individual baby needs vary greatly, a complete list of what to pack for your baby is not possible. With increased limitations from the Transportation Safety Administration and increasing costs for carryon and checked luggage, packing what your baby needs to have a happy trip can be difficult. The following top five needs are important regardless or where you are flying or how long you will be on the plane.

#1 Diaper bag - When you leave your home to go somewhere for the day with your baby, what do you pack in your diaper bag? These are the same items that you need to pack when you are traveling with babies on an aircraft. Since you need to fit all your items in a smaller bag than usual, you should pack smaller versions and less items than normal. Items like: Diapers, Wipes, pacifiers, diaper creams, changing pad, a zipper bag (for the dirty diapers) and medications like Tylenol and any prescriptions.

#2 Food items - When traveling with babies you need to pack all the food and beverages you think your baby will need during the flight. Relying on the airplane attendants to supply the specialty items your baby needs is never a good idea. In addition to formula, breast milk, baby food and juice, you should also consider several types of finger foods like Cheerios, goldfish crackers and Yogurt bites. When you pack these foods ensure that they are factory sealed to ensure that you will have no problems with security. You should also pack plastic utensils, a sippy cup and a small plastic bowl.

The Transportation Safety Administration website has a complete list of all items that are not allowed to be taken on planes. According to this website baby bottles, formula, juice and breast milk do not fall under the TSA's 3-1-1 plan which limits quantities of liquids that can be carried on. This exemption means you are not limited to 3 oz. of liquid per container sealed in one quart sized bag. Juice, milk and formula will be allowed in reasonable quantities. Also according to this website neither you nor your baby will be asked to test formula or breast milk as had been reported in the past. Although the TSA does not expressly prohibit metal spoons, taking a plastic spoon to feed your baby might be a better idea. Knowing the TSA's rules when deciding what to pack for your baby could save you a lot of time and trouble at the security checkpoints..

#3 Entertainment needs - One of the best ways I found to relieve stress when traveling with babies is to ensure that they are surrounded by familiarity and activity. Remember that just like at home, your baby needs to be entertained. Unless you are lucky enough to have a baby that sleeps for the entire flight, you need to pack several small items to keep them busy during the flight. Familiar items like small toys, books, crayons, coloring books and portable DVD players are all good ideas.

#4 Child Restrain Devices and strollers - While most major airlines will allow adults traveling with babies to carry children under two years old in their lap at little or no cost, The FAA recommends that all children under 40 lbs. ride in a Child Restraint Device (CRD). If you chose to fly with your baby in a CRD, you will have to pay for a ticket for your baby, adding to the cost of your trip. Before you purchase this ticket make sure you contact the airline you are traveling with as most airlines offer discounted fares for babies and children which are not posted on their internet sites.

Choosing to bring your own car seat can be a great idea allowing your baby to travel in a seat that they are both familiar with and comfortable in. If you bring your own car seat ensure that it meets the FAA requirements and qualifies as a CRD. CRDs manufactured after 1985 will have markings on them indicating that they are certified for both motor vehicles and aircraft use. Even if your car seat meets the requirements, make sure it is not too big. A seat wider than 16 inches will not fit in most airline seats and will be required to be checked. Also keep in mind that the FAA does not allow backless booster seats of any kind.

While your child cannot sit in a stroller during your flight, it is nice to have when you arrive at the airport and when you arrive at your destination. Most airlines treat strollers different than checked luggage allowing them to be "ramp checked" as you board and returned to you as you get off the plane. Having a stroller for your baby to sit and ride in during long airport waits at security, ticketing and baggage will allow you to have your hands free while your baby is comfortable and secure.

#5 Required paperwork - If you are bringing your baby as a "lap baby," you may still need a boarding pass or in the case of Southwest Airlines, a Boarding Verification Document (BVD). If you are travelling with a baby on your lap with a BVD you will need your baby's birth certificate to prove that your baby is under two years old. You will also you're your baby's birth certificate as proof of age when purchasing tickets. Depending on your destination you may also need a passport or other identification information for your baby if you are traveling out of the country.

Going on vacation with babies should be fun. As long as you know what to pack for your baby, both on the plane and when you arrive, you can not only survive the trip but even enjoy it. Planning ahead to make sure you pack not only items that your baby needs, but also items that will make your baby feel as much like home as possible will make your family flying vacation an enjoyable trip..

Sources:

Transportation Safety Administration

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/index.shtm

Southwest Airlines

http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/infants.html#boarding_pass