Tips for Traveling With an Infant

For those who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises against nonessential travel. “The problem is, vaccines aren’t yet available for children under age 5,” general pediatrician Gary Kirkilas said on the American Academy of Pediatrics website. “This means that while parents who are vaccinated are protected, traveling now may still put their younger children at risk — especially with highly contagious variant spreading.”

Parents who are traveling with infants will of course want to ensure everything goes as smoothly as possible once you’re on the road. This infant travel checklist includes a few things to consider before your trip:

• Schedule a check-up. Air travel is typically safe for infants but it’s always a good idea to visit your child’s pediatrician before booking a flight to ensure your baby is healthy enough for travel.
• Research amenities at your destination. Less is more when traveling with infants, so plan to shop and do laundry at your destination. Consider leaving bulky baby gear at home. Many rental companies will deliver to your destination; your hotel might also supply cribs or playpens.
• Figure out the best time to travel with your baby. If planning a road trip, consider your baby’s regular schedule and try to drive during your baby’s nap or sleeping schedule.
• Create a bedtime routine early on. Your infant may have a hard time sleeping in unfamiliar places. Get baby used to a sound machine or hang a mobile over the crib at home, then bring these items along to make the hotel stay feel more comforting.
• Consider baby-wearing if you don’t already. If your baby is used to being in a sling carrier or wrap, now may be the time to upgrade your stash. If you’re not wearing your infant, you might consider starting. Wearing your baby is ideal for hands-free mobility.
• Try a two-bag system for carrying baby supplies. Pack one suitcase with all the gear your infant needs for the trip and a second bag for a single day’s worth of supplies. This will help you attend to all of your baby’s needs quickly.
• Plan out feedings ahead of time. If you use formula, measure the powder into bottles at the beginning of the day to make bottles easy to mix on the go. A travel bottle warmer can come in handy if you’re keeping bottles of milk or formula cold in a cooler.

There are a few things you can do to make your flight with your baby easier. If you’re traveling with an infant internationally, as noted above, check with your pediatrician to make sure your child is up-to-date on routine vaccinations. Also, be sure to check your airline’s guidelines and FAA safety requirements for checking your stroller or car seat. You won’t, however, need to purchase an airline seat for children under the age of two and some international flights even offer a travel bed for infants if you book or arrive early enough.

The TSA Pre-check program streamlines the security process and children under 12 are allowed through when accompanied by an adult Pre-check member. TSA Pre-check alleviates much of the stress associated with standard airline security procedures. You’ll also want to acquaint yourself with the airline’s guidelines for carrying on breastmilk or formula.

Finally, assuring baby’s comfort is paramount to a more enjoyable flight for everyone. “One thing that helped when flying with them as babies was ensuring I nursed on take-off and landing. This helped provide relief especially with the change in air pressure,” mom of three, Marina John told Mom.com.

Your mini travel companion may not seem to be fully on board with your dream to travel the world, but some destinations are better than others when traveling with infants. The key is to start early and travel as often as possible.

“My husband and I nurtured our marriage while making time to enjoy our favorite hobby, traveling, right from the start with our newborn,” travel enthusiast Jen Reyneri wrote on Babywise.com. “As baby got older, road trips were just part of life, and taking early road trips with a newborn baby made it easier through toddler, elementary, and now even young adult years.”

Theme parks are a great option when traveling with infants. Walt Disney World offers a multitude of perks and amenities for families traveling with babies like baby care centers with cozy breastfeeding rooms, as well as extra diapers and formula. National Parks often have paved trails suitable for strollers and plenty of open space for social distancing. Cities with quality public transit like Washington DC and San Francisco, California, are also convenient when traveling with an infant, especially if you’re baby-wearing.