Flying With a Baby? Here Are 5 Items You Never Knew You Needed
Amma Cocoon (Photo: Amma)
Dear parents who have yet to fly with their babies: Throw away any preconceived notion that the plane ride is the most onerous part of family travel. While littles older than a year usually require some reining in — cue my longer list of tips and products to help you survive flying with a toddler — flying with babies can be a breeze as long as you cater to their needs.
To meet those needs in the most efficient way possible, there are a handful of products designed to help keep your little one comfortable during naps, feedings and diaper changes — all while making life easier for parents (especially first-timers) and caregivers. I’ve curated a list of my five favorite, non-gimmicky must-haves below. But first, take note of these quick tips on how to fly with a newborn:
Pack only a few diapers in your diaper bag.
Bring two lightweight outfits, in the event of blowouts and other messes.
If you’re not nursing, pre-portion out food and store it in the bottle to save space.
Pack your baby’s favorite toy or teether.
Bring baby-safe, anti-bacterial wipes, which are especially useful for dropped pacifiers and toys.
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1. Travel Diaper Bag
Birch Bag Mini (Photo: Parker Baby Co. via Amazon)
That big, clunky diaper bag you carry around every day, with its over-abundance of space and hundreds of secret pockets, would likely end up being a pain in the butt during your flight and travels. One of my top tips for flying with infant gear is to invest in a more compact and no-frills bag like the Birch Bag Mini from Parker Baby Co., for which I can vouch makes it super easy to find necessities on a whim.
If your little one needs a quick drink to alleviate “airplane ear,” their favorite toy is calling, or that 36,000-foot elevation opened up the hiney floodgates, the last thing you want to do is panic-search for something inside a black hole. The Birch Bag Mini answers prayers thanks to simple features like a single, main compartment design; two insulated side pockets; and a front pocket with a key (or binkie) holder.
2. Portable Bottle Warmer
Baby’s Brew Portable Bottle Warmer (Photo: Baby’s Brew)
When it comes to bottle-feeding on a plane, some parents might wonder how they can provide warm milk with minimal effort. The Baby’s Brew Portable Bottle Warmer is one of my favorite items when traveling with a baby, for not only flying but also long outings (when hot water isn’t always accessible) once we reached our destination. This item is particularly useful for those wondering how to fly with a newborn who still demands frequent “comfort feedings.”
Within merely five minutes, if you’re using room-temperature water or milk, to 10 for colder liquids, you can heat and whip up a bottle up to the highest setting of 110 degrees Fahrenheit. If mixing water and formula, adding the formula can naturally bring down the temperature. Otherwise, you can select lower, preset temperatures as desired.
Bear in mind: The same goes when heating up water or milk any other way. Always check the temperature before feeding your baby. The portable bottle warmer is sold on its own or as part of a bundle with a formula dispenser. My advice to formula parents is not to bother with the dispenser; it’s wonky and portions were always inconsistent.
3. Breathable Nursing/Nap Cover
Amma Cocoon (Photo: Amma)
You don’t have to be nursing to reap the benefits of Amma’s Cocoon, a wearable, breathable cover that doubles as a cozy hideaway. Whether your little one is breast- or bottle feeding, or winding down for a nap, this soft and versatile piece dims the lights and provide a sense of calm and security. It can even function as a stroller or car seat cover elsewhere along your travels.
Fun colors and a sustainable creation (Cocoons are made and sewn in California, in small batches) up the lovability factor for “Amma Mamas” -- a moniker for the product’s loyal users -- while its ability to “transform” into a scarf, poncho and cape easily make this a wardrobe staple. Not your style? A muslin baby blanket works just as well for shaded naps and feedings.
4. Portable Changing Pad
On The Go Changing Pad in Deep Sea (Photo: Pehr via Amazon)
Pee-pee diapers don’t really need to be changed until after the flight, but poopy diapers are another story. The latter undoubtedly can present challenges, but having a portable changing pad on hand makes the process much more seamless. Your baby is already in an uncomfortable situation, so your goal is to change their diaper as quickly and stress-free as possible.
Having a soft, cushiony surface for your little one to lie on -- like Pehr’s On the Go Portable Changing Pad -- will make for a happier tushy compared to the airplane bathroom’s small, hard, flimsy changing table. The attached pocket also can be used to hold your diapers and cream.
Note: Many standard diaper bags come with a roll-out (or some other variation) changing pad, but if you opt for a more compact bag, you’ll want to get your hands on a nice quality, portable one. If you opt for a more compact diaper bag -- one of my top tips for flying with infant gear -- you’ll want to get your hands on a nice quality, portable one like this, which doesn’t take up a lot of room.
5. Noise-Canceling Earmuffs
Banz Baby Earmuffs in Maroon (Photo: Banz via Amazon)
Thank your lucky stars if loud, startling noises (like pilot and flight attendant announcements on the plane) don’t wake your baby from a sound sleep. If you’ve got a light sleeper or want to play it safe, look no further than Baby Banz Earmuffs. Designed to snuggly fit over little heads, these ear muffs significantly tone down surrounding noises to help your little one can catch uninterrupted ZZZs.
What I love most about Baby Banz Earmuffs is that they don’t completely block out ambient noise, which makes for a more natural sleeping environment. Even better: If you have plans to attend a sporting event or concert during your trip, these earmuffs will come in handy.
