Okay okay, I know I have been a little MIA but I can explain. I was traveling from the end of June till early august ( practically). I went to visit my in laws in Texas and then came home and left for my cousin’s wedding back home in NJ. My dad got sick a bit so we got a little occupied with that plus the wedding. I have not had time to sit down and recollect my thoughts to actually sit down and write.
We made it through our first flight with little Azlan in June. My hubby and I were freaking out, wondering how we’d keep him entertained for a whole 3 hours. I mean, this kid can’t sit still for more than 2 minutes! But guess what? The flight went smoother than we thought it would. Even the trip back was a piece of cake! It was our first time traveling that far with him, and we brought along all this baby stuff, only to find out we only needed a few things. I gotta tell other newbie parents planning a trip soon about our over-preparedness!
Travel Bottle Cleaner Kit with Baby Bottle Drying Rack
This bottle cleaner kit is an absolute must-have for all parents! I purchased it last year and it has made traveling and day-to-day life so much easier. The silicone material makes it simple to clean and sanitize, and the added drying rack is incredibly convenient. I especially love the small bottle included for carrying dishwashing soap. With three different sponges, it ensures that every part of the bottle is thoroughly cleaned. Its space-saving design is truly impressive, making it a fantastic addition to any parent’s essentials.
Purchase here: https://amzn.to/4dvuF1z
PopYum 9 oz Blue Anti-Colic Formula Making/Mixing/Dispenser Baby Bottles
These bottles are an absolute lifesaver for me when it comes to feeding Azlan. I swear by them because they allow me to easily prepare the formula, just by shaking and pressing a button to mix the water and formula. It’s incredibly convenient and saves me a ton of space, as I don’t have to carry a separate formula dispenser. This was a game-changer during our flight – I simply prepped three bottles, and when it was feeding time, I could quickly mix the formula and water for an instant, hassle-free solution. The best part? TSA had no issues with it, as the bottles were already prepared, sparing me the agony of having to discard pre-measured water.
Link : https://amzn.to/4fPVOhn
Busy Board Montessori Baby Toys for 1 2 3 4 Year Old Boys Girls Gifts
This is something I was thrilled to have for the trip, but I completely forgot to pack it at the last minute. Luckily, I had packed a few other toys to keep my little one entertained. However, I did bring this along on a 3-hour ride to NJ, and I can confidently say that it is baby approved! It’s important to note that this is suitable for a wide range of toddlers, as the skills of a 1-year-old will not be the same as those of a 3-year-old, right? Nevertheless, I found that this activity board kept him happily occupied for a good amount of time.
Link: https://amzn.to/3ABSJS3
These were some of the products that really made my flight and overall trip less hectic. I do want to say that traveling with kids (no matter the age) is hectic and stressful but so worth it when you look back at all the amazing memories that you create. I do want to share some tips that I have to make it a little less stressful:
- Work around their nap time: Our flight was at 11 am/12 PM and he usually takes a nap anywhere between 12:30 – 1:30 pm. I decided to wake him up a little earlier than usual at 6:30-7 am the day of our flight. I made sure to tire him out quite a bit during our ride to the airport and before boarding. As soon as we took off, he fell asleep and stayed asleep for majority of the flight!
- Pack light: I am someone who always overpacks his diaper bag because ” you never know”. However, that is definitely not a good idea when traveling because you will be running around with a baby and your shoulders will hate you because of how heavy the bag is. Pack as light as you can with a few emergency items that you might absolutely need and skip the rest for your luggage.
- Toys on the plane: A week before our trip, I went to the dollar store and got a couple of new toys that were small enough to fit in his diaper bag. These were our emergency toys- in case he gets restless on the plane or throws a fit etc. I did not give him these toys until the flight so that they were brand new to him and he preoccupied with it a little more.
- Avoid Take off cries: Take off can be scary for just about anyone. This is especially true for little ones. Their ears may pop they might feel some sort of pressure and chances are they might cry… alot. I was advised to give him some tylenol before take off. This helps with any discomfort he may face during take off. Also, if you forget to give him tylenol, give them their pacifier or bottle. This is what we did on the way back. This will keep their jaw moving and help reduce the effects on take off.
- Don’t forget to enjoy. Traveling with a baby means that not everything will turn out perfect. It may not be like you had planned. That is totally okay. This took me a while to understand and honestly I am upset that it took as long as it did. But, the memories will be precious none the less.
Kainaat&CO 