This past week Richard and I flew to Vegas for my side hustle’s Global Training Conference.  From NYC that is about 5 hours on a plane, with a baby.  As a non parent I’ve taken many a trips and always over-packed and always felt like I was taking everything but the kitchen sink.  This time I was a bit concerned that if I were to over-pack, RJ and I would never, ever, ever get there in one piece… or better yet, I would get there and be bald from pulling out my hair.

I used a couple of my Mama FB groups to ask for help/suggestions (Thanks Mamas!) and let me tell you, those ladies helped!  It is always incredible to me the community out there available to us if we just look for it, and ask for help.  I received a ton of tips, and even more support in the days leading up to our trip.

In an effort to give back, I want to provide a couple of my tips for a smooth flight.

1. Make sure baby is fed.  RJ is a monster when he is hungry.  I made sure to feed him before we left for the airport.  While it is only 30 minutes (with moderate traffic) from our apartment, I wanted to be sure I didn’t have an angry baby before even arriving.
2. Use a backpack.  I have to give credit to my husband on this one.  He insisted I use his backpack as a catch all for all of RJ’s stuff.  I hate backpacks.  They make me think I’m 10 and back in school.  Its a personal schtick, one I realize is silly, but it is what it is.  BUT, I will tell you it was a huge help.
3. Use gallon size Ziplock bags to compartmentalize everything.  I realize this seems a bit tedious, but it made digging around and grabbing what I needed seamless.  Bottles (already prepped)?  Easy.  I had 3 in one bag.  Protein bars for me?  No problem!  Extra clothes for RJ if/when he peed out, had an explosive diaper, drooled all over his clothes?  No worries.  The other major benefit?  If said bottles exploded or leaked, they were in one place and the mess was contained.  I didn’t have to worry about formula leaking all over the rest of my stuff.
4. Have a copy of baby’s birth certificate.  Since we were flying domestically Jet Blue suggested I have this on hand just in case.  So I did.  And while it was never necessary, I had it just in case.  I put it with my wallet and license for easy grab and go.
5. Bring extra clothes.  A couple of the Mamas suggested this one and honestly I never even thought about this as a necessity.  Why would I need to change?  What could possibly happen?  Oh I don’t know… leaking milk bottles… baby drool… sweat from sitting with baby on my lap the entire time… While I didn’t have the time or necessity to change, I’m sure glad I had the extra clothes.  Plus, what if they lose your baggage?  What will you wear?
6. Toys.  I didn’t want to be the Mama with the screaming baby from boredom.  I don’t know about you, but my baby manages to become bored in .5 seconds.  Literally.  So we had a couple toys to keep him occupied when he wasn’t smiling and flirting with everyone around him, or sleeping.  I’ll admit he spent more time flirting with the lovely ladies on the plane than playing.
7. Smile.  I was so nervous I was going to be “that” mom with the screaming baby.  Why was I scared?  Because as a non parent I couldn’t stand babies on planes.  I immediately saw them and cringed.  Literally.  Chills up and down my spine thinking, “oh no, I’m never going to get <insert whatever task I felt was necessary to do on a flight> done because this baby is surely going to scream the entire time.  I made an effort to be as polite as possible on the flight.  I tend to try and be polite no matter what, but I knew if my kid was a screamer a smile would go a long way.  Of course the crew have experience with screaming babies.  Of course everyone else on the plane cringed when they saw us.  But the minute RJ smiled his gummy baby smile, most people softened.  Plus, smiling went a long way.  RJ was able to meet the pilot (and therefore so was I), and sit in the cockpit after his first flight.
8. A good book.  So I’ll admit I love to read.  Its been something I have loved doing for as long as I can remember.  But when you have a sleeping baby on your lap, there isn’t much else to do.  I recently got into the books on electronics trend.  Honestly, I don’t love it, but since I’m going to be taking said electronics with me on the plane, there is no point in schlepping a physical book.  It just adds to the weight in your backpack.
9. Water.  This probably goes without saying but some people tend to forget.  On an airplane you only have small bottles of water which for this lady just isn’t going to cut it.  I purchased two 1L bottles after security.  They are a huge help.  Wondering why?  Besides for drinking purposes?  When your infant is on your lap and is being his/her own personal heater, and overheating his/her parent, they come in handy.  Take out a cloth diaper, or a cloth something, and pour some water on it.  Then put said cloth item on baby’s neck and forehead.  He/she will calm down immediately and hopefully go back to sleep.  Melting from baby heat?  Do the same thing for yourself and take a big swig.  This way you don’t have to wait for a crew member to pass by, ask for water, wait for water, then drink/use water.
10. Grace and Patience.  These two I’ve left for last for a reason.  Getting on an airplane with a baby is no easy feat.  I, for one, was the naive Mama who thought, “eh no biggie.  RJ is super easy 95% of the time this will be a breeze,” up until 48 hours before the flight.  At that point panic kicked in.  While I panicked I did my best to pack lightly, make sure I had all the necessities (whatever I forgot I could purchase anyway), and panicked some more.  Then it hit me.  I’m not the first, nor will I be the last Mama to travel with a baby.  Heck, RJ and I are headed to Paris in a few weeks sans Papa.  As long as I do my best to be kind with those around me, those around me will be kind to us.  As long as I do my best to speak to Richard in a way where he knows screaming and a temper tantrum are not appropriate, I am teaching him a valuable lesson.  As long as I remember that many of the individuals on the security line, in the gate waiting area, and on the plane are probably parents, I will be okay, and may even learn a thing or two.  Be patient with yourself.  Take each step one at a time.  Remember that you aren’t the worst Mama on the planet with your baby in tow.  Even if he/she is screaming.  Most importantly, remember its okay for them to cry.  It is the only way they can tell you something isn’t right.  It is also okay for you to cry if you have to in the moment.  Sometimes letting it all out enables you take a moment and collect yourself.  As a Mama/Parent/Grandparent/Human, flying with a tiny human isn’t easy and people are far more forgiving than you may realize.  Breathe girlfriend.

I hope these helped, and even made you chuckle a little.  My intention is for you to continue traveling with your tiny human(s).  These are life experiences that you and they will cherish for a lifetime.  Flying with a tiny human may be stressful in the moment, but people are lovely and are more than willing to help.  Heck, I think I had 4-5 people holding RJ while I went to the disgusting bathroom (wth people?  Clean up after yourselves!  Were you raised in a barn?!).  And you never know, you may be on a plane with someone who is terrified to fly, and your tiny human brings some joy to that person and helps him/her forget his/her fear.  I know my little RJ helped the woman across the aisle from us, and I am grateful he could do that for her.  One day, when he is bigger, I will tell him all about the lovely Nellie across the aisle who was afraid to fly, and by flirting with her he helped her not be so afraid because she was distracted.

Life isn’t always easy people, but sometimes we forget our tiny humans can bring an immense amount of joy to those around us… even when we are on an airplane, crammed with 145 other people… in a metal box… flying at 500 mph.

Love,

M