Traveling with a Baby : All Your Questions Answered by the Experts

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I am at that age now, mid-twenties, where a lot of my friends are settling down, buying houses, getting married, and planning to have a baby. Well. Some of them are planned.

Anyways, it’s a big step in someone’s life, no matter their age, gender, race, or occupation. A big FINANCIAL step too. Money will now be reallocated to new life pursuits instead of video games, eating out every day, and travel.

Wait – WHAT??

Do you have to STOP TRAVELING when you have a baby?? Is it too expensive? Not enough time? Not enough ENERGY???

While I am personally not having -or planning to have- a baby any time soon, I know a lot of my friends and followers ARE. Which is AMAZING!! Like @theordinarycouple – congratulations again!! But…there are also a lot of questions surrounding the topic of travel and babies. So, in order to answer some of these questions, I’ve rounded up the experts on baby travel.

If you are planning on having kids, or have recently had a baby, please continue reading to see how you can keep up with your travel goals! Or, if you’re just curious, it’s also a good read! (and you can share it with your friends having kids!)

Panelists

In today’s panel, I have a four wonderful mommas that are actually WELL SEASONED travelers, both before AND AFTER having children! Give em a round of applause!

Sara: I’m Sara, a single mama from Oregon. Born and raised Oregonian. I love to stay active and hiking anytime I can get out, and traveling whenever we get the opportunity. I’ve been a solo traveler for years and love showing my little nugget the world. My baby, Wyatt is just about 9 months old right now and he’s changing by the day! He just got his first tooth yesterday!

Shakira: My name is Shakira (yes yes, I know.) Yes, I can dance. No, i don’t have two kids with Piqué and never partied with Sean Paul. And I’m not from Colombia, either. But I do speak Spanish as I am Dominican! Living and working in Germany though. My child’s Name is Emilia. 16 months old (almost One and a half) and I try to raise her in both languages, me speaking Spanish and her dad speaking German to her.

Angela: Hello! I’m Angela Montierth.  I have a approximately 1.5 year old daughter (20 months to be exact for all of you moms/dads out there!).  We travel mostly just us two girls, but our favorite trips are when my husband can come along with us! I am a flight attendant and have a flexible schedule, so I travel with our daughter any chance I get.  There’s nothing like being able to open the world to yourself and your baby.  It fills you with wonder and lets you return to your childlike self as you experience things for the first time through their eyes.

Chris: Hi! I’m Chris, mommy to a beautiful baby girl. I also work full-time in public administration. But I am also an entrepreneur, fitness addict, student, and self-proclaimed travel expert. I created my blog to share my journey and to hopefully inspire other mommies and moms-to-be.

After hearing…”Oh you’re pregnant?? Get ready to give up (insert any and everything here),” “Get ready to give up traveling,” and the classic “You can’t possibly have enough time/energy/money to work and have a business and travel while you’re pregnant/after you have kids!” IGNORE THEM. I believe we women CAN have and do it all

1. At what age did you take your first trip with your new bundle of joy?

Sara: Wyatt was 5 months old when he first flew, we went to Hawaii. The first time we left town overnight was to Seattle though, when he was about 3.5 months old. His first international flight was at 7.5 months.

Angela: Justina Jane, or JJ for short, first hopped on a plane when she was 2 months old.  I took her for a week-long vacation in California to see family, relax at the beach, and go to Disneyland. Her first international flight was a transoceanic flight to Amsterdam.  It probably  sounds crazy to you, but we only went for 24 hours to stay with one of my best friends on her layover. #flightattendantlife

Shakira: The first time we hit the road with Emilia was for my birthday in November. She was 3 months old. We went to an cool little island in northern Germany called Rügen, where we stayed for a few days.

The first time Emilia entered a plane (beside when she was in my belly on our last trip “without baby” to Ireland) was in April. She was 8 months old and we went to Portugal. Really cool trip as a little family and everything went super.

Chris: My fiancé and I took our daughter on her first road trip at 10 weeks old. Her first international trip was at 5 months. I still can’t believe I flew from Los Angeles to Nice ALONE with a five month old. It seemed like everything was a concern for me, especially when taking her on international trips.

Did I pack enough of her supplies? Can she eat the food in other countries? Will I be able to breastfeed/pump? What immunizations does she need? I did plenty of research, consulted with her pediatrician and just kind of dove in head first. I was nervous about her first long-haul flight, but we survived! Now it feels like we are both pros.

2. How often did you travel before having a baby? Were you nervous about your ability to travel changing?

Sara: Before having Wyatt, I traveled about every two months. I knew the way I traveled would change, but that was always okay with me. And honestly it hasn’t changed as much as I thought it would.

He’s a pretty chill and happy baby for the most part, but he is getting a little more wild as he becomes more mobile. When we are home, we don’t really have a set schedule. I own two business and work another job from home, so my hours are crazy and all over the place. He’s used to sleeping in the car, missing naps, etc so he’s done pretty great with traveling. 

For reference though, I traveled internationally twice while I was pregnant (5 months and 6 months) and it was more difficult than traveling with my baby. The long haul flights while pregnant were killer on my back and lugging all my crap around was one of my least favorite things.

Angela: Before having a baby, my trips were quite spontaneous and full of “go”, “see”, and “do”.  I was pretty nervous when I was pregnant about how my baby would change my travel plans.  Mostly nervous I wouldn’t be able to travel much anymore, and that it wouldn’t be as much fun if I ever actually did travel.  Having a baby has definitely slowed my pace, but in a good way.  It’s made me more grateful for travel and grateful I can experience it with her.  My daughter keeps me connected and present, and gives me the gift of experiencing travel with a new sense of wonder as I see the world through her eyes.

Chris: I traveled fairly often before having my daughter. It is one of the things I enjoy most in life. I was actually determined to travel with her once I found out I was pregnant. Many people told me that I would have to give up traveling after having children. Kids are expensive, you can’t afford to travel with a baby, flying with a kid is too difficult, blah, blah, blah. That only made me want to prove them wrong! I want to be able to share these experiences with my daughter and allow her feel the joy that traveling brings.

Shakira: Before I had the baby I traveled like a lot. Road trips/ weekend getaways whenever possible. 2 or 3 Backpacking trips through Europe. One big trip to Dominican Republic or Africa very year. At the beginning I was nervous. Super nervous. When you are pregnant you think everything would change. And it will. But not for the worst! If you stay focused and plan a bit more, it will work out.

3. What is the process like getting a passport for a baby?

Sara: Getting a passport for a baby is pretty easy. I’m a single mom so I had to get his dad to sign/notorize a form saying he’s fine with it. Other than that, it’s just having his birth certificate, my own personal IDs, and taking photos.

The photos are probably the trickiest part, especially if your baby isn’t old enough to sit. They allow you to take your own photos (because Walmart/Walgreens, even AAA didn’t really know what to do with an infant). You can lay baby down on a white sheet or blanket and take a photo, just can’t have dark shadows, have to see both ears and eyes have to be open. They are surprising lenient. Now if your baby is rolling over but can’t sit up, it’s going to be more difficult to get a decent photo of them, so good luck with that. Luckily Wyatt was only about 3 months when I did his, so they look like baby mugshots.

Chris: The process of getting a passport for baby wasn’t complicated. We actually began applying shortly after her birth, knowing that we had an international trip coming up. The only hiccup I had was due to the fact that I waited so long to order her birth certificate. Also, it was pretty difficult getting an acceptable picture of her since she couldn’t sit up on her own! A seasoned pro gave me the following tip: cover baby’s carseat with a white sheet, place them inside and snap your picture! It was the only way we could get a decent shot.

To get the passport, fill out a DS-11 available at www.travel.state.gov. We were all due for renewals, so we took all of our applications to a post office. They require both parents to be present. If one parent is not present, they must fill out a consent form, also available on the US Department of State’s website.

Shakira: In Germany you just have to go to the District Office: take the baby’s birth certificate with you, some pics (biometric) and the parents IDs too. Also the parents birth certificates and 14,50 €. That’s it.

Angela: Getting a passport was pretty easy for us, but took some coordination.  First, we got her passport photos taken.  She was a tiny baby and couldn’t hold her head up, so we had to hold it for her and hide our arms and fingers behind her body so they didn’t show in the picture.  You can also take the picture with the baby laying down on a white towel. 

Second, I ordered and picked up a certified copy of JJ’s birth certificate. Next, I downloaded the passport Form DS-11 online, filled it out, and took it to the passport office.  This was the part that took a little coordination because it required me to match my schedule with my husband’s so we could both be present. Once we coordinated a day to go, we took both of our ID’s with us, along with the passport photos, the birth certificate, and the Form DS-11. There are a few hoops to jump through, but overall it was pretty easy.

4. What is ABSOLUTELY necessary to pack for your baby when traveling?

Sara: This really depends on their age SO MUCH. They change constantly, so it really depends on what stage they’re in. Also international vs domestic makes a difference too.  There’s a popup baby tent that was great for our trip to Hawaii. He wasn’t crawling yet, so he just laid in there and played with his toys while we were on the beach.

A travel stroller is like 100% necessary for me. I know a lot of mamas prefer to baby wear when they are in the airport but I only can do so much with him strapped to the front of me. I like the stroller because I always bring his carseat, and it fits into the stroller, and then I can shove his diapers and other baby stuff underneath. It’s also nice because once baby starts learning how to reach for things, it’s like non stop when they’re in a carrier.

The main thing that’s important for me with the stroller is being able to fold it up with one hand. I still bring the carrier for the destination. I also highly recommend a padded bag for the car seat if you are counter checking it, or a regular bag if you are gate checking it. Renting a car seat from a rental company can come with a lot of issues, so bringing your own is the best option.

For me it’s really important to have a small bag with infant medications he may need, but hopefully not (especially when traveling interenationally). I bring infant Tylenol, infant Motrin, thermometer, diaper rash cream, and that gross thing that sucks snot out of their nose. For flights.. A new toy or one that haven’t played with recently is good, a teether, paci, extra set of clothes in case of a blowout… and little treats like puffs if they’re eating solids.

So back to the blowout thing. He didn’t have a blowout… but he hadn’t pooped like the whole trip I swear, and I knew it was coming soon. I was just hoping it wouldn’t be on the flight. Well, he pooped, and I mean everyone could smell it. No big deal, whatevs. I get up to change him in the tiny bathroom on the tiny changing table and he starts pooping WHILE I’m changing him. Like his diaper is open and he’s pooping. Luckily I was able to contain it. So I get him cleaned up and put a new diaper under him and HE STARTS POOPING AGAIN. And literally I have like 2 wipes left with me in the bathroom.

I start thinking about what happens if I run out of wipes and picturing baby poop being all over everything in the bathroom and on me, trying to clean it up with paper towels. Thankfully I was able to get him cleaned up without it getting on stuff, but that was pretty disgusting.

Chris: In my opinion, it is absolutely necessary to have a baby carrier. I tried traveling with a stroller, which I ended up losing at baggage claim. It is so much easier to navigate an airport or stroll through a foreign country with baby strapped to your chest. It is also great for responding to their needs quickly (i.e. feeding and snacks!)

Angela: Besides your basics such as hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipes, clothes, a blanket, diapers, and wipes, I think that baby travel necessities change depending on the stage they’re in.  

I tend to overpack and stress over keeping track of everything and remembering every single thing.  To counter that, my philosophy is to stay as minimal as possible while still taking into account your child’s needs at the current stage they’re in. 

It’s amazing what objects you can turn into a toy and what creative games and interactions you can come up with while traveling with your baby when you don’t have all of your easy toys and gadgets you’re used to at home.  For me it’s such a hassle to have too many items and bags to keep track of, and that’s why I recommend going minimal while still striking a balance so that both you and baby are still comfortable and entertained.

Right now, as far as small items go, I have been packing more lately, especially for the plane because my baby is passing into toddlerhood and is very busy. So for my last few trips I have been packing some kind of toy, a stuffed animal, some small packable books for the plane ride (I also use the safety information card and in seat magazine as a book for baby to look through), LOTS of healthy snacks, a toddler cup for her to drink water without spilling it all over herself and everyone around her, and a small packable bib.

As far as big gear goes, I love my Uppa Baby G-Luxe umbrella stroller because it folds down super nicely and maneuvers quickly around the airport.  It also lays back for baby to easily fall asleep.  I also bring my Nuna Sena Aire travel crib unless I have a place to stay that offers a portable crib.  The last thing that I bring if I will be using a car or taxi is my Uppa Baby Mesa carseat.  

Shakira: Always try to bring more clothes (for the baby AND for you; the spit up a lot), pharmaceuticals, EXTRA diapers, a buggy your kid can sleep in when you are wandering around the city, a Baby carrier (some time babies feel insecure about the new smells, different noises and feel safer when they are closer to mum/dad.

Also, people love babies: so take also a scarf/blanket with you: you use is as a protection against the sun, people, and even as a protection for your shoulders when you enter churches/ mosques

5. The dreaded question : How do you deal when your baby starts crying on public transport?

Sara: Thinking about flying with my baby makes me tired. He’s exhausting. He was a great little traveler before he could move around, but now that he’s crawling and standing, he has developed serious FOMO. Like he wouldn’t sleep the entire flight to AMS.

By the time we got to Germany he hadn’t slept in probably 18 hours. I know some people look at me and probably cringe knowing my son could have a meltdown any second. But to be blunt, I don’t really give a shit. HE’S A BABY.

He’s not doing it to piss people off, he’s doing it because he’s uncomfortable or in pain or tired. If he’s loud or upset (which isn’t often), I’m just thinking about him and how to make him feel comfortable. He doesn’t cry a lot unless he’s hungry. So if he does start crying I usually try a bottle first, but if he’s not hungry, I’ll sing to him and rock him back and forth.

On our last flight he wasn’t really crying but would get really fussy every couple hours, so I’d walk up and down the aisle with him. He just wanted to move around and see what was going on outside of our seat. He would be calm and quiet as soon as I stood up and started walking with him. At the end of our last international flight, a woman gave me a really dirty look before getting off the plane. It just makes me think she’s incredible selfish and intolerant- and probably doesn’t have kids and maybe is having a bad day. But luckily we don’t get a lot of those looks because Wyatt smiles so much so people have a hard time being annoyed with him when he starts smiling or laughing.

One thing he was doing recently was making loud noises and random objects he would pick up and examine. I thought it was hilarious because he was so amused by said object and that was the only way he knew how to express it. I don’t know how everyone else felt since they were all trying to sleep…

Shakira: Well well… Emilia always fell asleep as soon and the airplane takes off. I’m sure myself and all the others in the plane won’t be so lucky in the future. There will be times where she wants to run and play or feel sick during the flight. I’ll take some toys with me and hope for the best 😂 if people get upset because of a crying kid, then I’m getting upset and I’ll probably start a conversation: do or did you have kids? Did they never cry?!

Chris: I WAS judged! I requested a bassinet (free upgrade to the bulkhead row!) and every time we sat in our seat, our neighbors immediately asked to be moved. Which was fine, it just meant that I often had empty seats next to me or the whole bulkhead row to ourselves! In my opinion, babies actually don’t fuss much in-flight. It seems like the lull of the airplane noise keeps them pretty calm. I noticed some looks on the rare occasion she did cry, but I honestly didn’t care. That’s what babies do! What was she supposed to do? Use her words!?

I got pretty stressed out once when baby was crying while we were going through security. I just asked the agents to hold her while I made a bottle. She loved it and so did they! It made me realize that people are quick to help moms and families who are traveling.

Angela: Traveling with a baby can be very stressful and make me feel anxious, but it’s worth it if I can travel somewhere cool! So I just muscle through it and focus on the fact that it’s only relatively a short time.  I’ve taken my daughter on over 100 flights and my biggest focus when flying is her! I see it as my time to interact and give her my undivided attention.  We play games, read books, eat snacks, and take trips to the bathroom to change her diaper—this also gives her some variety.  

I’m a flight attendant and something I always tell parents when they worry about their kids crying is, “We were ALL babies once, so don’t worry if they cry.  It’s normal and every single one of us did it at one point in our lives”.

6. Do you feel like traveling exposes them to more germs/sickness than usual?

Angela: It definitely does, especially on airplanes!  Because of this, I make sure to pack hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipes, and wash our hands every chance we get.  I’m kind of a germ freak actually, so I am pretty meticulous when it comes to wiping down airplane seats, tray tables, and seatbelts.  I also wipe down restaurant high chairs and make sure we wash our hands before eating, or if a sink isn’t available, I’ll use hand sanitizer.  

As far as safety, I’m cautious when traveling with my baby and try to pick safe destinations, and of course stay in safe areas, and baby proof the places we stay at.  

Sara: I think flying in particular does because so many people are in tight quarters breathing the same air. But traveling, not really, unless you never leave the house. Babies will put EVERYTHING in their mouths. It’s pretty gross. I try to wipe things down but I mean, I’m not insane about it. I wiped down the tray tables and airplane seat backs/arms. So of course he put his mouth on the window. It is what it is. When we are home, he puts his mouth on the shopping cart. Equally disgusting.

Shakira: No, I don’t think so. I wouldn’t take a flight if Emilia was sick (fever and worse) and in Germany your kid usually gets all the vaccinations that are necessary. I take some precautions: we drink water only from bottles we buy, for example.

Chris: I am certain that traveling exposes baby to more germs and sickness. I often worry about it, but then remind myself that babies thrive all over the world! If babies live there, then my baby can travel there. I always check with her pediatrician and make sure she has the proper vaccinations. I only use bottled water when we travel to countries with a questionable water supply (try washing and sanitizing bottles in a hotel sink with only bottled water!) My whole family actually got sick when we returned from our last trip, baby included. I am assuming it was a stomach virus and we had to take her to the ER. But that could have just as easily happened here in the US.

7. What do your friends and family think about you traveling with your baby? Have you ever faced negative criticism?

Shakira: My friends say: You are so tuff, wow, i couldn’t travel with a baby but it looks so easy on you – NOPE! It’s not always easy, but I love it. I try to give some tips (if they asked for them) and talk about some adventures.

Angela: My friends and family are very supportive of my travel with my daughter.  They know it’s something I love and something she loves as well.  I’m sure the negative criticism is out there, but honestly, I just try to do what’s right for my family and no one else can determine that but me and my husband.  When I feel judged, I just try to focus on my confidence in my ability as my daughter’s mother.

Chris: My close family actually fully support me traveling with baby. In fact, we go as a group. It’s always nice to have extra hands or a babysitter when you want to go on a date with bae! The only criticism we have received is in regards to finances. People question how we can afford to travel fairly often, especially since babies are not cheap! (Traveling with them is cheap though!)

Sara: I don’t think anyone is brave enough to say anything negative about it to me. I traveled solo a lot before having my son, so everyone knows I’m at the very least, a competent traveler. But I assume they still worry, just like the worry when I take him hiking alone. I just know there is risk in everything we do, and being informed and aware is important but I’m not going to live my life in fear or teach my son to live that way.

8. While traveling, do people often strike up conversations with you because you have a baby?

Chris: People touch my baby’s face, play with her hair, and hold her often while I am traveling. Most countries we have visited are very baby friendly and I have no problem with people playing with her!

Sara: People usually talk to me if we are stuck somewhere together, like on a plane, in a line, etc. They typically talk to Wyatt first, since he’s probably flashing a smile at them. No one has asked to hold him, but people have offered to hold him while we are flying so I can take a break or use the restroom. Otherwise people like to touch his feet. The only weird thing that has happened, was I had a flight attendant hold him while I used the restroom, and when I came out there was a group of flight attendants around him, taking pictures with him. SUPER AWKWARD. Don’t take pictures of someone’s baby that you don’t personally know, especially not without asking.

Shakira: Past November in Munich Airport: “Oh, that’s an adorable baby! You (talking to my boyfriend) are the father, that’s really clear. And you (talking to me) must be the mother.. well I assume.. as you are travelling together and the baby’s eyes are brown. BUT this girl is 100% like her father” … and NO. We didn’t talk to this woman
before.. 🤣😂

Travelling with a baby is fun. BUT people think they can just touch the baby (are you kidding me? It’s a baby not a puppy!), talk to the baby (which is totally ok if she wants to “talk” to the people too) take pictures of the baby (noooo way, run bitch cause I’m a Latina mama and I’m gonna kick your ass!)

Angela: That’s funny you ask that, because I had NO IDEA that people would talk to me more with a baby until I had one of my own.  It’s fun to socialize over a baby.  I remember in our hotel in Iceland in 2017, we met a woman from the UK who struck up a conversation with us because of the baby. 

She was having breakfast with friends at a table near ours and offered to hold Justina for me to eat.  It was super sweet and we chatted for about an hour as we ate and chatted about life.  Of course I don’t pass my baby off to anyone, but when the circumstances are safe and appropriate, I have made new friends and let people hold the baby.

9. Why do you travel with your baby now, even though they might not remember it?

Sara: People ask me this all the time. He won’t remember me holding him, or dancing with him, playing with him or reading to him either. That doesn’t mean these things aren’t important. He obviously won’t remember the trips we go on but he still enjoys it. New things to discover and look at and touch. They are constantly developing  and learning. They watch everything and are aware of their surroundings. He won’t remember being in Germany, but the change in our daily routine made him start crawling from army crawl to a normal hands and knees crawl in one day. In Alaska we were on a hike and I let him down and sat him in some moss that was unlike the kinds we have here in Oregon. He was just staring at it and touching at it so amazed.

Shakira: I travel with her at that young age because I love it. And I’m sure: if i keep doing what makes me happy, i am a happy and balanced mum. So it’s a win win. If she grows up travelling, i hope she if loved it as much as I do, keeps her big eyes wide open and is interested in other people, other places, food, situations, opinions in life.

Chris: People often tell me that baby won’t remember our trips. But that is not the point. First of all…I will remember our trips. Like the time me and my baby shared croissants in Paris, or when I swam her from our boat to the sandy shores of Cayo Icacos, or when I watched her walk through Wat Chalong. I hold those memories near and dear to MY heart. They mean the world to me. Secondly…I want to get her accustomed to traveling at a young age. I need to show her that it is a normal part of life, not just something you save for special occasions.

Angela: Although my baby may not remember details of our travels in her early life, I think she will remember feelings of love, discovery, and adventure.  I love to travel and wanted to share that with my daughter as early as possible, so hopefully instill in her a love for the world, different cultures, and people.  I also think travel continues to open my mind and challenge my world views, which I think makes me a better mother and more capable of teaching my daughter tolerance, understanding, respect, and curiosity.

10. What are the biggest hurdles for traveling with a baby?

Sara: It’s so easy to over pack when traveling with a baby. I’m someone who never packed much before, and would pack a few hours before going to the airport. Now with my son, it’s important that I think about everything I need to bring and what we can do without- or buy if we need it- and pack ahead of time.

Being a single mama and traveler, I also have to think about how I can hold and carry everything. There are times where I have to take him out of the stroller and fold it up while hold him and my carry on, and times where I have to push a suitcase, hold my carry on, backpack and push the stroller, so having the right gear that works for you is so important.

Shakira: When in Portugal: Right after we landed Emilia felt sick .. she was vomiting and she was very weak. It was horrible! It was all fine during the flight, I didn’t give her anything to eat that she didn’t eat before. And she was playing with us just minutes before her total breakdown ;(

We called the manager of the hotel and he came up to our room. He called the ambulance which came after 15 minutes. They checked her .. but she kept vomiting and after two hours she felt much better so the ambulance left.

I didn’t sleep that night. Emilia slept laying on me and I prayed she was all fine soon. The morning after: she acted like nothing happened. Kids are so stuff. 😂 we still don’t know what happened to her. Maybe the security guy, who tested her food for drugs made something 🤔 ♀

Chris: The biggest hurdle is exhaustion. It’s tough on you and the baby, especially when there are long flights and time changes involved. I just power through it with tons of coffee and I let the baby sleep whenever she wants (this is when the carrier comes in handy!) All routines go out the window, and that works for our family.

Angela: I think the biggest hurdles can change with each stage because your babies’ needs are constantly changing.  

The first hurdle was traveling for the first time—just getting it out of the way and facing the fear.  I struggled with things like how many diapers to bring, knowing what to pack, what gear to bring, and how much to prepare.  It would give me huge anxiety until I realized that in dire need you can buy MOST things you need if you forget something.  So I learned to let go and also realize that if I had the essentials, we could survive without the extras.

Right now, my biggest hurdle is keeping baby busy on the plane and getting her to sleep.  She doesn’t sleep well on planes right now, so it’s quite exhausting to keep her busy, comfortable, and happy.

11. Is traveling with a baby expensive?

Angela: I can’t think of anything that’s much more expensive with a baby. For example, airplane tickets for kids under 2 are still free if they sit on your lap,  I usually share my food with her when we eat out, entrances to parks and museums are generally free for kids under a certain age, etc.  I have found that I spend more money on snacks these days, but other than that, I can’t think of anything. 

Maybe I’ve gotten used to the fact that having a baby is just a bit more of an expense in general haha

Sara: It depends on how you travel. It CAN be expensive, but so can any travel. It doesn’t have to be expensive. You can travel for free with a baby under two years old on your lap on domestic flights. Something people may not know is that it’s not usually free for international flights. International lap infant tickets are usually  a percentage of the adult ticket price. For instance my last international flight was around $500 and I believe the additional cost for him to sit on my lap was around $50. It does vary by airline though, so it’s always good to check in advance.

Chris: Traveling with a baby who is under two years of age costs about the same amount as traveling alone. If your baby is flying as an infant-in-lap, the airline charges you 10% of an adult ticket. Not bad at all!

Shakira: It can be a bit more expensive, yes. If you want to do a road trip in another country you need to rent a car and a seat for your baby of course (like 30-70 EUR per week). Either you take aaaaall the stuff your baby needs or may need or you take only the most important things and buy the rest later

12. Are there any perks or special treatment you get for traveling with a baby? 

Chris: You get so many perks just from traveling with your baby! Most airports have a special line for families, so you get to bypass everyone and zoom through security! If you call the airline and request a bassinet (bed for baby to use during flight), they upgrade you to the bulkhead row for free (hello extra leg room!) You automatically get priority boarding for your flight, so we are usually the first on the plane. We’ve gotten free toys, extra food/snacks, etc. Also, people are generally really kind to families traveling with small children and will go out of their way to help you.

Sara: If you are flying with a baby, people don’t want to sit by you! So I’ve always been able to get our seat next to an open seat, which is awesome! Flying with a baby on your lap- alone – is rough. So having an extra seat for them to squirm is great, especially when you don’t have to pay for it.

Angela: People are usually really nice and helpful when you’re traveling with a baby! People always ask if I need help getting settled on the airplane, people have helped my stow my luggage, hold my baby so I can fold down my stroller, people have given up their sets on busses and subways for us, and I’ve even had flight attendants hold and comfort my baby when my mom powers didn’t seem to be doing the trick.

Shakira: Yes. Parents are allowed to enter the plane first sometimes. You are allowed to take your buggy to the plane and they hand it to you right after you landed. Depending on the airline, the baby’s ticket is free or only costs little money (until 2 years)

13. What is one or two pieces of advice you would give to new parents that are worried about traveling with their new family member?

Chris: Call and ask for the bassinet. Seriously.

Angela: I would say what works for one family may not work for another, so don’t get wrapped up in thinking you have to follow everyone else’s advice.  Seeing other people’s experiences and reading about different ideas is amazing!

There’s a wealth of helpful information available at our fingertips, making it easier than ever to confidently travel with your baby. Find what works for you, and don’t worry what others think.  You have a natural ability to parent and make the right decisions for your family, so be confident in that innate power.  Relax, be safe, and have fun!

Sara: Start out with somewhere you are comfortable with, or somewhere you’ve already been if you’re traveling solo with baby. Test out your gear before you go to the airport! Have a small bag with stuff you need for baby on the flight in your diaper bag. I have a bag with wipes, diapers, a paci, a teether and if he needs any medicine in a small bag, so I can easily grab it to find something or go to the bathroom to change him. Don’t be afraid! Don’t be afraid to ask for help from flight attendants or TSA. And don’t be afraid of pissing people off because you’re taking forever to get through security. And DEFINITELY don’t be afraid of people being mad because your baby is upset or crying. It’s a lot of change and stimulation for a baby, so it makes sense that they get upset.

Shakira: Just do it. Life, and travel, will change, but it will all be worth it! And relax! A relaxed parent makes a relaxed baby!

And there ya have it folks! If you have any other comments, questions, or concerns about traveling with babies, please drop them in the comments below! Or, reach out to one of these fabulous moms on their social media!

Sara

Instagram

Website

Chris

Instagram

Website

Shakira

Instagram

Angela

Instagram

If your children are getting a bit older, check out my post Traveling with Kids to learn how to keep them happy, entertained, and INVOLVED while they start to understand the world around them. Have any of you ever traveled with a baby? How was it?

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