Flying with a baby sounds like a sweet little adventure in the skies, until someone’s screaming, snacks are flying, or there’s a diaper blowout! But with smart planning and a few insider strategies, you can avoid the turbulence.
Consumer Reports shares expert tips from seasoned parents and travel pros to help make your journey smoother for you, your baby, and everyone else onboard.
Rule number one? Go heavy on packing diapers. Think one per hour of travel, plus extras for delays. It sounds like a lot, but when you factor in layovers, delays, and unexpected messes, you’ll be glad you did!
Also, pack extra clothes for everyone! Not just your baby! You can tuck extra outfits into 1- or 2-gallon zip-top bags—that makes grabbing clean clothes easier.
Next: Snacks! Lots of them! Bite-sized and easy to eat– dried fruit, cereal, pouches, are good choices. And don’t forget extra formula or milk for your baby. TSA liquid limits don’t apply to baby food and formula, so bring what you need!
Use a backpack-style diaper bag so your hands stay free! Consumer Reports named the Dagne Dover Indi best for travel. For strollers, the Ultra-light Nuna TRVL is perfect for gate-checking and folding with one hand.
Safety experts recommend using an FAA-approved child car seat; it is the safest option during turbulence, and it can make naps much easier too!
And to keep your baby busy, pack a new small toy for every hour on board.
And CR says not to stress if you forget something, airports usually have last-minute essentials. Other smart extras? A thick blanket that can double as a nursing cover or play mat, plastic bags like doggie poop bags for dirty diapers, and a tiny pair of nail clippers, they can come in handy for everything from cutting snacks to opening packages.
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