When Flying with Babies: The Carry-On

Warning number one: If you can bring another adult with you, please do. You will appreciate the extra pair of hands when flying.

My list:

1) A big carry-on (as big as they will let you have). Pockets are amazing, have as many as possible. If it has interior pockets as well, even better.

2) A SEPARATE diaper bag. This is important. If you have your carry-on in the over head compartment, you will want the diaper bag within easy reaching distance. And you won't want to haul your huge bag with you to the bathroom every time you have to change a poopy diaper. Use to store diapers, wipes, soothers, baby tylenol, bottles, etc. Keep everything else in the carry-on.

3) Diapers. Lots of diapers.

4) Wipes. Don't skimp out on the wipes. They will function as diaper wipes, face cloths, clothing cleaners for when your baby inevitably pukes or spills food all over you, cleaning the tray, etc.

5) Toys. Baby will likely get bored. Bring at least two different age appropriate toys for your child.

6) Book. Great for distracting a bored child.

7) Colouring book and crayons (if appropriate). Kids love to colour. My daughter coloured for half our wait in the airport. Wonderful.

8) Change of clothes. At least two for baby and one for you. Include extra socks. Don't forget the socks.

9) Hat. Depending on where you are flying from or flying to, this could be a sunhat or a toque. Use your discretion obviously :)

10) Snacks. Buying food at the airport or on the airport costs an arm and a leg. Bring your own. Those baby food pouches are great. Anything that you can toss the bag/container is great. Less empty containers to tote around. And try not to worry about the "health factor". If it keeps them calm and quiet, bring it. You will be thankful that you did. Suckers are awesome.

11) Extra soothers. Do it. Your baby will thank you. (Side story: we lost a soother on the first flight. Thank goodness I had a spare or the second flight would have been awful.)

12) Blankets. I recommend at least two, one heavier and one lighter. Bring receiving blankets if necessary.

13) Baby tylenol. They can get crazy earaches from the plane taking off. This is not necessary of course, I didn't end up using it. But its nice to have just in case.

14) Bottles. At least as many as you think you will need plus a couple extras. They will let you bring it even if it surpasses the limit of 1L of liquids in your carry-on. Try to warm it before you leave home/your hotel, because they won't always have the means of heating it on the plane.

15) Sippy-cups (if age appropriate). Planes can get dry. Keep the little one hydrated.

16) Infant car seat. I took mine in case they had an empty seat next to me. The time they didn't, they let me gate-check it. But when they have an extra seat, it is so helpful to have the car seat for baby to sleep in.

17) Stroller. I skipped this on the first flight. I will never skip it again. You can gate-check it, and use it to tote your baby along with all your stuff. You will regret not having one. Check your airline's rules for stroller sizes that you can gate check. Often if it folds up relatively small you will be okay. I took a Safety First sit-and-stand type stroller (car seat adaptable and with a seat for my toddler, which I used for my carry-on because my toddler wanted to walk through the airport anyways.)

18) Sweaters for you and baby. Planes can get chilly.

19) Headphones. Helps distract toddlers, or relax yourself while/if baby sleeps. Often there will be an in-flight movie for longer flights. Bring your own music/movies if its a shorter flight.

20) Stickers. Holy poo, I almost forgot stickers. They will distract kids for hours sometimes. Bring a book or paper for stickers, and try not to get stressed if they end up all over the seat, bags, you or even the person next to you.

21) Hand sanitizer. Planes and airports are disgusting sometimes. You will want to keep your hands and everything that goes in or near your baby's mouth clean.

22) Bibs. Always helpful.

23) A change pad. There isn't always a change table in the plane's bathroom. And when there is, it is usually yucky. Bring a change pad to protect your baby's little bum.

24) A designated pocket for boarding passes, passports, ID, moneys, etc. This is important. I almost loss my boarding pass. Yikes.

TIPS:
- Take the early flight. Baby will likely sleep through it.
- Bottle or breastfeed during take-off and landing. It will limit the amount of ear-popping. For toddlers, try a soother. For older kids, gum helps. It makes a difference. Trust me.
- Wear comfortable clothes, in layers. You never know how hot or cold the airport/plane will be.
- Pee BEFORE boarding.