It might seem obvious that you need to plan ahead when
traveling with tiny people but if you are going on a long trip, seriously, plan
ahead. Being the most organized mom on the block will really help with any
stress related to traveling with kids. Write down a list of the things you
need, do a test run of your packing, and run to the nearest Target and get
stuff for your baby’s airplane bag; stickers, books, food, a water bottle, mini
stuffed animals, blocks. If you still have time maybe even sign up for TSA Pre
or Global Entry. For $100 you will have Global Entry that comes with TSA Pre on
all flights for 5 years. If you are flying with little ones it makes the
process just that much easier to get through security without making a scene.
My planning ahead looks like this…
After finishing all of the laundry I start compiling all of
the items I will need on my trip in one room. I pack based on whether or not I
am going somewhere with a washing machine. It’s just too hard to pack too many
extra clothes for my spit up monster if I don’t have to. If we are going for 7
days, I pack 9 outfits and 3 sets of pajamas. My child is 18 months
old so we are past the 3 outfits a day stage but man that kid gets dirty fast
if he finds something he likes, but I still don’t think it’s worth bringing
more than 2 extra outfits. If he can get through a day of daycare with the same
outfit he should be good on vacation. If we are going on a beach vacation I
also pack 2 swim suits, a monkey mat, sun hat, and a Sport Brella beach
umbrella. I always pack Boon sippy cup lids, a small water bottle, enough
diapers to get me through 2 days, a travel pack of wipes, a wash cloth, mini
soaps for baby baths, medicine (Tylenol and whatever else he might need to
take), a soft blanket, and 3 books. I bring enough sunscreen for the week, pack
extra apple sauce squeeze packs into my checked luggage, and his favorite
stuffed animal. If we are going to be on the move and there is no chance I will
have access to a washing machine I will pack a few extra shirts and one extra
pair of pants. I don’t bring beach toys or enough diapers for the week because
it is easier to just buy once we arrive. It doesn’t seem to matter which
country you travel to, they will always have diapers and usually have the lifesaving
squeeze pouches and other baby snacks. Remember, if you are going to Europe,
they have higher regulations on their food in many countries so the food you
buy over there is most definitely better than packing a bag full of food and
lugging it around.
https://www.amazon.com/Sport-Brella-Versa-Brella-Swiveling-Umbrella-Firebrick/dp/B00HA2ZKFQ/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1499790986&sr=8-4&keywords=fold+up+beach+umbrella
https://www.amazon.com/Boon-Silicone-Sippy-Orange-Green/dp/B016L0TBCA/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1499809081&sr=8-1&keywords=boon%2Bsippy%2Bcup%2Blids&th=1
https://www.amazon.com/Portable-Lightweight-Outdoor-Repellent-Blanket/dp/B00V5IYU7K?th=1
https://www.amazon.com/Portable-Lightweight-Outdoor-Repellent-Blanket/dp/B00V5IYU7K?th=1
I have my baggage down to a science now because we have been
on so many different types of trips. I purchased new luggage to fit the travel
that we do which is not necessary but it has helped. My first bag is a
waterproof North Face Basecamp Duffel in the medium size. I love this bag because it allows me to use it
as a backpack. This has come in handy when you are trying to move everything at
the same time or walking from the car. It is just too hard to push a stroller
and pull a wheeled bag at the same time. My second bag is a Le Sportsac large weekender bag. There’s really nothing special about this bag other than it’s a
sturdy duffel that has a good strap that can go over the handles of my
stroller. I put the backpack on and have the duffel sit over the handles of the
stroller with my purse so I’m only carrying one bag and pushing the stroller. This
is what I use for longer trips. If I roll up all of our clothes I can fit so
much stuff in these two bags that I don’t need to bring anything else. I typically
check the North Face bag and use the Le Sportsac Duffel as a carry on. I also
always bring the mini Pottery Barn Pre K backpack I talked about in the last blog post and put it
inside of the carry-on duffel. It is important to have a bag that you can just
pull out quickly so if all you have is a green bag, use it. Put all of your kid’s
airplane essentials in one bag so you can easily store it under the seat in
front of you on the plane for easy access. My husband uses a wheeled bag, his
backpack, and our car seat bag that is also a backpack. We usually check our
car seat and his luggage so we can get through the airport more easily. You
will also need to purchase a bag for your stroller if you choose to walk
through the airport with one. It’s important to buy this inexpensive item to
keep your stroller from getting trashed. Our bag has a ton of holes in it now
and is super dirty so I’m glad we have it.
 |
| Lo & Sons Catalina Bag, Pottery Barn Pre K Backpack, Le Sportsac Large Weekender |
For weekend trips, I use
my Lo & Sons Catalina bag and a mini duffel we got as a gift for my kid.
The Catalina bag can fit 4 days’ worth of stuff for me and is a great carry on
and the right size to fit in the trunk of your car. For weekend trips, I bring
everything because it is much easier to have everything with us so we don’t
have to waste precious minutes stopping for diapers.
Once I have our bags packed for our trip, usually at least 3
days before we leave, I prep my kid. I always give him a bath before we leave
so I don’t have to sit with a stinky kid on my lap for hours. Then I dress him
in the most comfortable clothes he has, pack his sweatshirt in my carry on, and
give him tons of food. This buys me some time so we can make it from our house
and through the airport before I have to feed him again. We buy Pampers Baby
Dry or overnight diapers for plane rides and they work perfectly and can last
up to 12 hours. Once we get to the airport and through security we do a quick
tire change so that we don’t’ have to change diapers on the plane. I also
explain to my kid that we are going on a trip over and over again because he
cries as soon as he sees the luggage because he thinks he’s getting left
behind. It’s important to let them know that you are going on a trip for a
specified amount of time and will be coming back. I know it doesn’t seem like
they understand but I think they understand more than we give them credit. When
we came home from Europe when my son was a year old he heavily cried for 5
minutes as soon as he saw his room and it broke my heart. Ever since I have
been explaining to him where we are going.
If you are over prepared for the actual travel part of your
trip things will go more smoothly. In my next post, I will walk you through how
to get through the airport without pulling your hair out!
https://www.amazon.com/North-Face-Base-Camp-Duffel/dp/B00WI09NQC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1499809116&sr=8-1&keywords=northface+basecamp+duffel
https://www.amazon.com/LeSportsac-Womens-Classic-Large-Weekender/dp/B00QGFNNVG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1499809138&sr=8-1&keywords=lesportsac%2Bweekender&th=1
https://www.loandsons.com/discover-catalina-deluxe-tote/
https://www.potterybarnkids.com/products/justice-league-backpacks/?pkey=dshop-all-backpacks&isx=0.0.8900
-Lauren Browne
Mom of a Toddler ❤ Frequent Traveler ❤ Avid Reader ❤ Lover of All Things Amazon.com ❤ NPR Listener ❤ Wanderlust ❤ Dancer ❤ ASL ❤ Frequent Click List User ❤ Pie Baker ❤ Sushi Obsessed ❤ Humanist ❤ LGBTQ+ Supporter ❤ Hot Air Balloon Lover
-Lauren Browne
Mom of a Toddler ❤ Frequent Traveler ❤ Avid Reader ❤ Lover of All Things Amazon.com ❤ NPR Listener ❤ Wanderlust ❤ Dancer ❤ ASL ❤ Frequent Click List User ❤ Pie Baker ❤ Sushi Obsessed ❤ Humanist ❤ LGBTQ+ Supporter ❤ Hot Air Balloon Lover
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