how to travel ALONE with a baby.

if you live away from family, we're probably in the same boat- traveling back often to visit. if not for fun, then for the holidays, the reunions, the weddings, etc. and we'll definitely be in the same boat if you have a little one under the age of 1. i've been fortunate enough to be able to see family about every 6 weeks since our little one was born, so i've REALLY had to get my ducks in a row when it comes to traveling with her. especially because i'm more often than not traveling alone!

^^^ this girl! traveling at 8 weeks!

so, although i'm no expert, i've definitely found ways to make traveling with a baby "easier". i'm not the only one though- there are hundreds of bloggers out there "swearing" by the same things- but i think the following things can make flying with a baby easier, while leaving the traveling parent and surrounding passengers SANE.

1. organize the diaper bag.
pack the essentials (and only the essentials) + "calming items".
essentials in my bag are:
10 diapers
wipes
changing pad
diaper bags - for those REALLY bad bombs.
8 binkies + binky wipes (they always drop on the ground - YUCK!!!)
disinfectant wipes (for surrounding area) (planes & germs - YIKES!!)
baby food pouches - not nearly as messy as the jars! i still squeeze it into a spoon though!
snacks for mama
burp cloth
1 blanket for laying on ground in airport + 1 blanket for sleeping
extra set of clothes for baby

calming items:
new books (something they haven't seen before will keep their attention longer)
new toys (same idea as the books) (no rattles or music toys - your fellow passengers might not appreciate that)
gripe water - just incase the usual didn't calm them


to be even more organized, i put smaller items of the same genre in a bigger bag to keep them together. there is nothing more stressful than having a squirming/crying child in one hand while searching for the binkies SOMEWHERE in the bag with the other! this is how i've organized my bag:

** although a little big, i LOVE my diaper bag. it's not technically a diaper bag, but it works perfectly as one. and it allows me to have one less roller bag with me. here's the kate spade saturday bag i use.

2. wear "easy" clothes. a shirt that is easy to breastfeed in + pants that are easy to "pull down for the potty" + hassle-free shoes.
i personally don't like button up shirts while traveling, i feel like it's still too exposed for me. so i go with big, flowy shirts that i can literally stick the little one under. bye-bye, baby! and pants that are easy to pull down if you have baby strapped to your chest- and trust me, you can't go 12 hours without using the loo- you shouldn't! that's not healthy! and to top it all off- shoes that make you look like a tourist! i wear my nike's so i can easily speed walk from gate to gate. *most airports don't require mothers with babies in carriers to remove their shoes- but wear easy ones just in case, focusing on comfort!

3. *ditch the stroller, bring the carrier! 
i use the baby bjorn which has proven to be heaven sent!!! i had the ergo baby, but this one allows baby to face every which way and is SUPER easy to use. plus, i LOVE the head support for when their facing in. *again, when baby is strapped in, most airports don't make you take them off to go through security! so that's one less thing to stress about! thank you, TSA! (never thought i'd say that...)

4. check all unnecessary bags.
i usually pack a small weekend bag for baby + one for me. but i'll check both bags except for the diaper bag. i have the WORST luck with flights and find myself ALWAYS running to catch my connecting flight. so only having to worry about one bag (with everything important) in it, is so helpful! and if the diaper bag is packed right, i usually don't need anything from the checked bags.

5. speaking of running to catch a connecting flight...
it might not be a bad idea to pick that "little bit longer" layover somewhere. it'll give you a chance to get some food and let baby stretch out on the floor before the next leg.

6. *TRAVEL LIGHT.
unless you're going to india or mongolia or some other super exotic place, chances are whatever you forget at home or don't want to bring, you can buy there. why bring 50 diapers when you can pick them up at target when you arrive? do you have access to laundry? skip the 9 different outfits, bring 4 and wash them halfway through the week.

7. last but not least: preserve what schedule you can, but don't hesitate to throw it out the window if need be.
sometimes, screaming baby "just wants the boob". and if that will calm her down, then give it to her! she might eat for 3 seconds, then want it again in 15 minutes, but if it consoles her, then that's fine. flying is a new (and maybe even scary) experience for these little ones, and we need to help them get through it. i used to get really stressed about even the thought of straying from our strict schedule, but there is always tomorrow to get back on track- and these kids are adaptable, they will. i promise. and as always- feed on the way up and on the way down.

^^ forget sleeping on this flight, there's WAY too much to look at!

** obviously depending on where you're traveling, you might need the stroller, carseat & portable crib. but you might be able to rent those items/borrow them from friends and family! if that's not an option at your destination, baby's away allows you to rent baby gear at certain locations in the US. seriously, what will they come up with next??

happy traveling everyone!! any other tips + tricks, send them over! us traveling parents need to stick together, for better or worse;)