For those of you who have been brave enough to travel with your 6-7 month old, what were the items that absolutely saved you?
At 6 months I’m taking her to my in laws in Florida. Will be easier because I can send items to their place before hand.
At 7 months my husband has a work trip to Prague and I really really want to go. Obviously this will be a lot harder.
Bring a blue chuck for the airport bathroom, because they’re filthy. These blue chucks are sold on Amazon and they’re basically surgical chucks they use in the OR. It means even after wiping down the baby changing table in the airport bathroom you don’t have to put her butt directly on the table. You can have an absorbent disposable layer. Also highly recommend a a thin changing pad to put down before the chuck so that there are two layers between baby’s bottom and the changing table. People use those changing tables for more than just changing a baby so their filthy stuff like bags that have been on the floor were just on that table. I randomly came across this changing pad on everlane on deep discount and it’s great.
https://www.everlane.com/products/unisex-transit-baby-bundle-black-bone?country=us&variant=42243017998422¤cy=USD&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=pla-google&utm_campaign=23143465595&utm_content=779360622396&utm_term=aud-2376151752689:pla-362703747492&adgroup=189548254040&pid=15476-129648&device=m&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23143465595&gbraid=0AAAAADCXUrvVnup6Bs7VtWQywWiefZgwO&gclid=CjwKCAiA09jKBhB9EiwAgB8l-OVxgCErVY1y1lhvgZiC-lzVWIv8SCs_CsGoDh0peiWBpNmj5jGHBhoC0xQQAvD_BwE
Also highly recommend a portable white noise machine so baby can sleep. And layers like a cardigan that’s easy to get on and off because it can get much colder on the plane.
Thank you! I actually already do the chuck anything changing pad routine whenever we’re out. Those things are so gross.
This depends on your baby’s sleep preference but I always travel with our guava lotus (so easy to set up, take down, and travel with), slumberpod (my toddler always needed darkness or else she’d be up early due to the sunlight), sound machine, and monitor.
My SIL got us munchkin disposable diaper bins for our stay with them, and they were great for containing smells. They come folded flat and spring open to stand up more or less on their own.
They're not great for taking on the go once in use, more for when you've set up shop in a hotel/at someone's house for a few days. I believe there are orange sealable bags that are better for taking along with you.
I travelled when my toddler was about 6-7 months old. We also stayed with family.
From my experience, I would take the following items: - baby seat and stroller system. I would take this straight to the gate and check it in at the gate as you are loading the plane. - pack and play for safe sleep (check this in for the flight it’s free!) - baby monitor and sound machine x 2 (we used one in the room and one outside as a sign for the others that baby is sleeping so keep it down please!). - sleep sack - garbage bags and painters tape to blackout windows (since my kid only sleeps in the darkest of darkest rooms)
I also packed my pump and extra bottles for feeds. He wasn’t eating much at the time (so young!) but bottles were essential!
Otherwise, I made sure to pack his diaper bag with extra diapers and clothes. We had disposable diaper bags for messes. We had a few toys for entertainment, his lovey that he can’t sleep without and I did pack detergent so we could do laundry (definitely had to do laundry!).
Whether we travelled by plane or by car, this list was consistent.
I hope that helps!!
OP should check the airline's rules. The main airline at my airport will take a car seat and stroller or you can substitute a pack and play, bur they won't do all 3.
Good point!! We have flown many times. We have checked 2 baby items before going through security and checked the stroller at the gate. No issues. They think of the stroller as a wheelchair - essential. But it’s better for OP to check.
I've travelled tons with mine, including several trips to Europe, and I think that people really overcomplicate it. You could send diapers to your in laws beforehand since they are bulky. You also need to figure out the car seat situation (bringing it on the plane, checking it, etc.). I don't do any sound machines, slumber pods, blackout blinds, etc., but that is going to depend on your child.