We’ve gone on our fair share of trips with a baby and now toddler, and I often get asked the best things to pack. This week will be our first time flying with both a baby and a toddler, so below is a run down of what I’ll be taking with us. (Although at this point I feel like the list of what I’m leaving at home would be smaller.)
We’re staying at a resort, so we don’t plan on leaving or renting a car this time. Although we won’t have our own car, we still need the car seats since we have to travel from the airport to the resort. If you ask people how to fly with car seats, you’re going to get some heated opinionated answers. I’ve mentioned this in travel posts before, and I’m not looking to get into a debate about it. I’m just telling you what I do, and do what you want with it.
We have the Nuna Rava that we use for daily use, and for anyone that has this seat, it’s pretty heavy and definitely expensive. For those two reasons, it’s not ideal for air travel, so we bought two new seats specifically for travelling. We use this Evenflo seat for Theo, and just bought this convertible Cosco seat for Reece. They are extremely basic, no frills (aka minimal padding), very light weight and relatively inexpensive. But fun fact, all car seats in the US have to pass the same safety standards so they’re no less safe than the seats we have at home. We bring these two seats with us in car seat bags, and check them at the gate. The reason we gate check them and drag them through the airport, is because they’re less likely to get damaged when they’re the last baggage items loaded into the plane. If they do get damaged, its a $50 seat you have to replace and not $400+.
The reason we don’t use our seats on the plane is because both our kids HATE the car seat. I know for many babies, it’s a place they easily fall asleep and if that’s the case for you, then by all means just bring them on board. But for us, it’s a no-go. Theo is over two now, so he gets his own seat, and Reece will sit on my lap. We will also gate check the double stroller (and stick it in this bag to keep it protected). Then we bring our baby carrier, the diaper bag and then this tote bag as a carry on with us. (Side note- a diaper bag IS NOT considered one of your carry on items. So if you are traveling alone with a baby or toddler, you can bring both the diaper bag and a carry on for yourself if needed.)
So to recap, once we get to the airport both kids go in the double stroller. Underneath is the protective bag to stick the stroller in, our diaper bag, and the baby carrier. Drew and I will each carry a car seat on our back, and I’ll also carry our tote bag across my chest. I’ll push the stroller and Drew will push our two suitcases. Once we check in we’ll drop the suitcases, so he can take over pushing the stroller. Once we get to security both kids have to come out. (You can baby wear them if you prefer). So once of us will carry both kids, while the other folds up with stroller and loads the bags and car seats onto the x- ray machine. We then walk to the gate and ask for gate check tags for the stroller and two car seats. We wait until the absolute last minute to fold up the stroller and put it in the carrying bag. Then we drop the car seats and stroller bags before getting on the plane and say a small prayer for minimal tears.
Okay I’m already tired just writing that out.
Now back to what’s actually in our bags…
Typically we bring two large suitcases, a diaper bag, and a carry on. While you can buy diapers just about anywhere, it’s typically more expensive if you are going to a resort and don’t have means to go to a local grocery store to pick them up. For that reason we’re packing all our diapers (day time diapers, over night diapers, and swim diapers). They also make good padding for anything breakable like cameras or sunglasses and can be squeezed in just about anywhere.
I started using packing cubes when we first started traveling with Theo, and they make it much easier to organize and find his things as soon as we get there. I have a cube for sleep things, swimming gear, outfits, snacks, bathing items and then a first aid cube with medicine, nail clippers, band-aids etc.
We also packed a baby float for Reece to use, sunscreen, a UV cover for the stroller, stroller fans, and I usually hide a small new toy for Theo in there too.
In the diaper bag I have the items listed below:
- portable sound machine– we have two of these and take them everywhere
- noise cancelling headphones– a pair for each of the boys. Theo’s also have blue tooth capabilities to pair with his tablet
- diaper and wipe clutch with changing pad- if you forget one thing, don’t let it be this
- hand sanitizer- because #germs
- sanitizing wipes- because #coronavirus
- burp cloth– we love this brand because they’re so absorbent and dry quickly
- bibs– more bibs equal less outfit changes
- two outfits for Reece- it’s inevitable that he will have at least one blowout
- outfit for Theo- because #toddlers
- pacifiers- Reece needs one to sleep, but offering one during takeoff and landing is a good way to relieve the pressure in their ears
- Theo’s water cup- we’ve had this one for a few months and has been a great spill-proof option
- teethers and toys for Reece- for passing the time while he’s awake.
- swaddle– I use this not only as a blanket, but if you need some extra shade to block out the light for sleeping kids
- nursing cover– Reece is at the distracted nursing stage so this helps prevent milk spraying everywhere. It can also be used as a high chair cover too.
And the tote I carry has my things with a few overflow items from the kids:
- Theo’s tablet– we download a few shows on Netflix for the flight, and then with wifi we love the Noggin app and he can also watch Disney+
- power bank– nothing worse than said tablet being dead when you’ve promised him a show
- bag of snacks- granola bars, freeze dried fruit, veggie gold fish (yup, it’s a thing) veggie straws, and apple sauce pouches are a hit right now
- wristlet with IDs, passports and tickets- also another thing you don’t want to leave behind
- toiletry bag– I keep infant Tylenol, adult Tylenol, band-aids etc- all the things you don’t think about until you need them. Also I know the infant Tylenol is more than 3oz, however it’s still approved to take as long as it’s in a clear bag.
- Extra t-shirt- if both the boys need an extra outfit there’s a good chance my shirt is also ruined too
- Headphones- if they’re asleep then hallelujah I’ll even listen to static
- Chargers- phone, tablet, camera, all of them
- Theo’s small bag of plane activites- I’ll have a whole post with this soon but inside is water wow books, a small car, magnetic wood blocks, and reusable stickers
ARE YOU TIRED YET?
I’m just kidding, it honestly seems crazy when you type it all out. But I mean you’re basically relocating your life for a week. I feel like the hardest part of our first trip was figuring out what to bring, and now that we know what works for us it’s really not bad.
If you’re travelling for the first time with kids- set your expectations low. The actual travel is a tiny amount of time in relation to your total vacation, and if it doesn’t go well it’s very unlikely you’ll ever see any of the people on your flight again so #whocares.
After 10+ flights with a one year old, I won’t apologize for a crying baby and I won’t put up with other rude travelers who like to make you feel bad for inconveniencing them with a stroller. For every a-hole, there are about five other well-meaning people that will offer you help. (And probably try to hold your baby, but I’d offer them a bag to hold instead because refer back a few paragraphs to ew #germs.)
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