KIDDOS AND CARRY-ONS

One of the more challenging aspects of traveling (or… life?) with children has been dealing with inevitable sleep debt. I probably should be sleeping right now.

Before having kids I viewed jet lag as an inconvenient part of travel— temporary disorder that’s part of the exciting nature of it. But now that I’m dealing with my own lost sleep as well as my children’s it can be more of a burden.

Of course my husband and I are no strangers to lost sleep these days. He’s completing his fifth year of medical residency (which means five years of very little sleep on top of the lost sleep from medical school) and we have two kids under two to boot. We relish any sleep we get and seem to be functioning these days on giant cups of coffee… BUT, I’m going to go ahead and dish out some sleep advice because, as they say, those who can’t [sleep], teach [about sleep].

Here are our top five ways of handling the sleep debt accrued during travel:

Stay in one location, and opt for an apartment/house over hotel room.

This is one major way our trip planning has changed since having kids. Having a “home base” from which we can take day trips has several benefits. The extra gear doesn’t have to be packed up each day, we don’t have to check-out by a certain time, our children can become better accustomed to the sleep location, and we all have a place to nap during the day. We road tripped in Iceland from town to town and had to rely on car naps for our toddler. It worked okay but we learned our lesson. The reason I opt for apartments over hotel rooms (aside from obvious benefits like the availability of a kitchen) is that the extra sleeping space replicates sleep arrangements at home and allows for better sleep for everyone. When we’re all in one hotel room we try to move the crib as far away from our bed as possible.

Reset brain’s melatonin release ASAP.

…which means switching over to the local time immediately and keeping the same bedtime as at home, even if children had a long nap on the plane. It also means waking up at the normal time instead of allowing everyone to sleep late. The adjustment can be especially hard when traveling across multiple time zones (and especially when flying east), but the sooner we get on the new schedule the better. It also helps to get as much sunlight as possible and to be active during the day. At bedtime, block out light to promote sleep (you can use black garbage bags as described here).

Stick to the normal bedtime (and naptime) routine .

If you have a good routine at home you should keep that routine when you travel. We do the same nightly routine wherever we are: brush teeth to Raffi’s “Brush Your Teeth” song, a few books (that we bring with us), and the girls’ goodnight song. We pack a white noise machine from home but have also used a free white noise app on our phones when we had to pack especially light. We were recently gifted this portable white noise machine and it’s awesome. Bring a favorite blanket, stuffed animal, and books (or consider buying books as souvenirs).

Also, skipping routine naps means trouble. Before having kids I thought I’d be super flexible and wouldn’t need to plan our schedules around a nap. Boy was I naive. I sometimes try to sleep during nap time (especially if we’re in one small hotel room and don’t want to disturb the kids) in order to work on my own sleep debt.

Fill up the sleep bank before departing.

Plan to get lots of rest before traveling. (I know- haha). Easier said than done but it’s usually my intention. I try to start packing days in advance so I can get a good night’s sleep the night before travel day. I recently read this article on NPR that recommends a “Nappucino”- drinking a cup of coffee before lying down for a quick nap. Even twenty minute naps can help fill up that sleep bank.

Ensure you get sleep so you can safely care for your children.

This can be especially difficult when flying east and your kid sleeps on the plane but you don’t. When you get to your destination you’re going to need to sleep but your child’s going to want to party. We often prefer a red eye which makes it more likely the children will sleep on the plane so that we can sleep, too. Then, when we reach our destination my husband and I will take turns napping while the other one hangs out with the wide-awake children.

Blog, Travel Tips

Checklist for Flying with an Infant

April 7, 2019December 4, 2019 Bethany

Infants are some of the easiest travel companions– seriously! Some babies are more fussy than others, but compared to crawlers and walkers, infants are a whole lot easier to manage on flights IMHO. They don’t need snacks or Daniel Tiger, they sleep a lot, and they stay in one place. Aside from some necessary documentation, all infants really need for a flight is to be fed, clean, and warm.

Before having kids I would often pack for trips at the last moment— now, I start packing days in advance to alleviate any last-minute stress before leaving for airport (…for more about handy gear to pack, click here).

Here’s a quick checklist to help prepare before your first (or 30th) flight with a little one:

Birth Certificate. The rules are different for each airline but it’s always a good idea to have it on hand just in case. (Even for older babies/toddlers it’s a good idea to have ID on hand because many airlines require proof that the baby is under two for “lap child” status, even when it’s obvious).

Passport (if flying internationally). Apply well in advance (at least two months unless you want to pay extra to expedite). Baby passport photos are one of my favorite things.

Global Entry Card (if you use that service). While babies can piggyback on their parents’ TSA precheck, they must have their own Global Entry card to use the service when flying internationally. Babies must go through the interview process, which is kind of hilarious. It took longer to process and receive our baby’s card because she wasn’t able to be fingerprinted (too squirmy).

Proper Clothes. At least two extra outfits for baby plus a change of clothes for yourself. I suggest footie pajamas to keep baby warm on plane and so that you don’t have to worry about losing tiny socks. My two month old had a diaper blow-out in the first hour of a fourteen hour flight, so… changes of clothes are a necessity for both you and baby.

Blanket. We use lightweight muslin swaddles (like these ones by Aden and Anais– they’re not cheap but after being used by two babies and having countless washes they look brand new) to keep baby warm on flights, clean up spit up, and as a nursing cover.

Breastmilk or Formula (plus accompanying bottles and nipples). For more on feeding baby in flight, click here.

Diapers, wipes, and changing pad. You know your baby best and about how many diapers you’ll need, but pack for worst case scenario (i.e. stuck on tarmac for hours and then a missed connecting flight).

Hand Sanitizer (wipes or mini bottles) for yourself and to rub down your seat tray (most bacteria-ridden spot on plane) because baby’s immune system is immature.

Medicines in a ziploc bag. We pack Benadryl, Ibuprofen, and Tylenol. Don’t forget a measuring syringe. TSA will likely open the medicine to check it.

Pacifier and clips (and extras!) if your baby likes them. These are good for relieving ear pressure on take-off and landing, although nursing or drinking from bottle has same effect. We use pacifier clips so they don’t get lost/drop on dirty ground.

Plastic bag for dirty clothes or dirty diapers.

Sling or soft carrier for travel through the airport. I use a Boba, Solly or Wildbird Sling but they are all pretty comparable. This allows you to have two hands free to carry luggage, present your boarding pass and ID, etc. It also often keeps baby snuggly and calm/asleep.

On some long domestic flights and international flights you’re able to request a seat assignment with a bassinet for your infant (with a surcharge of course). We haven’t had the opportunity to do this, but think it would be a game changer on long flights.

If you’re flying with more than one “lap child” we think it’s worth choosing two seats that are across the aisle from one another. We do this for two reasons: a) some planes don’t have enough face masks to accomodate more than one baby in each row and therefore don’t allow two lap children in one row and b) this gives you a better chance of having at least one open seat next to you.

Okay parents with infants, what have I missed?

Blog, Travel Tips

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up Your Souvenir Buying

April 1, 2019December 4, 2019 Bethany

I’m about to talk about Marie Kondo-ing your souvenir buying.

Alright, I know it’s called the KonMari Method and Marie Kondo isn’t a verb, she’s the cutest Japanese woman with a much better sense of style/grace/organization than I’ll ever have. I know this because I both read the book (The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up in case you’re unaware) and watched the show (“Tidying Up with Marie Kondo” in case you live under a rock). Her methods interest me because my husband and I differ in our valuation of “stuff” (he’s sentimental and I don’t have a heart) and an upcoming cross-country move is proving challenging when it comes to purging belongings. I’ve been looking to Marie as my guide. She’s all about asking whether things in your home “spark joy” and I think this same process can be applied to souvenir buying.

Joy. (…And yes, that hula skirt is also a souvenir…)

With two kids under two we try to pack as lightly as possible for trips. While we think it’s important to bring back souvenirs for some family members and friends, we also believe memories are the best souvenirs, and almost as good as memories are the photos we take to accompany those memories. Photos = pure joy.

We’ve invested in a DSLR camera (actually purchased from my niece who no longer wanted it- a win for both of us). While it’s bulky and can sometimes be a pain to find space for in luggage, I’ve never regretted bringing it on a trip. My iPhone takes nice pictures but can’t handle the cat-like reflexes of my toddler or the wildcard movements of my three month old. The DSLR is noticeably better in this way.

Aside from photos, we gravitate towards a few items to purchase on our trips.

“La Casa del Mundo” is a cliff-top hotel in Jaibalito, Guatemala and is one of the coolest places we’ve ever stayed.

Mugs. We love coffee and often buy mugs from our travels. They get used at home because we drink a lot of coffee. I love the nice reminder of past vacations while sipping coffee and sparking joy in the morning (and afternoon…) They’re breakable, but we’ve had good luck packing them in our luggage cushioned by clothes.

Christmas Tree Ornaments. We have several ornaments from past travels and it’s such a nice way to remember trips and spark joy as we hang the ornaments on our tree each year. We think this will be especially fun for our girls when they’re older and can choose their own ornaments wherever we go.

Books in Iceland are very pricey (a surprise to us) but we consider them treasures because they… spark joy!

Books. I’m mainly referring to kids’ picture books, although I also value reading books by native authors when traveling abroad. This is especially great if you only pack a couple of books from home for your kids and want to add books to your collection while traveling. Our toddler still loves Íslensku Dýrin, a book of farm animals from Iceland.

Hats. I love how different countries often have distinctive hats. Mexico has the sombrero, Panama has the panama, France has the beret, and the U.S. has that floppy sun hat that says “wine o’clock”. I have a fedora I bought in Spain 11 years ago that has accompanied me on every single sunny vacation since then. It’s my go-to hat and I bought my daughters matching ones because I’m reallllly into the matching clothes. To me, hats spark joy, and often get used both on the trip and back at home.

One of our favorite paintings from
Lake Atitlán, Guatemala

Art. You don’t have to have a lot of money to pick up nice prints abroad. We have a gallery wall in our home where we display art and photographs from our travels. It just takes up wall space and is, in my opinion and I’m no Martha Stewart, the best kind of decor. There’s a story behind most of the art in our house- like that painting I haggled off a guy at the Austrian market for a “really good price” before coming across the same one for a quarter of the price at the next kiosk. Such a fun story to tell that sparks so.much.joy.

What are some of your favorite souvenirs?

Our daughter reading
*Íslensku Dýrin* on our Icelandic road trip

Blog, Travel Tips

Milks on a Plane

March 26, 2019July 10, 2019 Bethany

Bad title, important topic. No matter whether you nurse, pump, or formula feed your baby, figuring out how to do it in the air can be intimidating. Just writing this post is bringing back negative feelings from when my first child was an infant and I tried to figure out the logistics of feeding her on a twenty hour journey.

I nursed, pumped, and bottle fed baby #1, so I now have a good grasp of how to do each of these on planes (but would love advice from others– comment below!) I feel like the larger discussion around this topic, the better for all of us. Below is my break-down for how to feed your baby en route and at the airport, as well as the best way to acquire cow’s milk at the airport for your older baby/toddler:

En Route

Nursing

Duh, if your baby nurses well you are obviously going to want to nurse her per usual. I just completed a fourteen hour flight with my two month old and she easily nursed like normal throughout the flight. It’s hands down the easiest way to go if you can manage/are comfortable nursing in public. Just think of all those bottles you don’t have to pack and sanitize! If you don’t feel comfortable nursing in public this is tricky because airplane bathrooms are not conducive to nursing and there’s virtually nowhere else to go that’s private. If you want the most privacy, opt for a window seat. I’ve found that a soft baby carrier (Moby, Solly, Boba, K’tan, etc.) thrown over you can provide more privacy and I always travel with my baby in a carrier through the airport anyway. Remember, even people against breastfeeding in public (who are these monsters?!) should be glad you’re attempting to keep your baby quiet and calm along the journey.

Pumping

This is more complicated but totally doable on the plane, if need be. Know your rights. Pumps are considered a medical device and should not count against your carry on allowance. Some airlines require you to flag a medical device 48 hours before your trip– check with your specific airline. If you need to pump on the plane, I’d also check with your airline about the availability of a power outlet at your seat.

I imagine that pumping would be extremely difficult if you were not flying with a partner to hold the baby while you pump. My only suggestion would be to buy your baby a seat (and bring the car seat on board) so that you could manage the space to pump. Pumps can be cumbersome and I opted to use a manual pump on the plane so I didn’t have to worry about cords, the noise, etc. But do keep in mind that planes are loud once they’re up in the air so even the noisiest pumps probably wouldn’t be very noticeable. There are also pumps that are verrrrrry quiet. The Spectra is almost silent compared to the Medela Pump-in-Style which is relatively loud. If you’re going to need to pump several times over the course of a long haul flight, portable pump cleaners are a way to sanitize the pump parts between sessions. I have these ones, and they’ve worked well. You can also buy “Pump and Save” bags so that you don’t need to worry about packing and sanitizing extra bottles. Also keep in mind that flight attendants are there to help you, so you could always ask the attendant for help making this work (perhaps space in the galley could be curtained off).

*My advice is focused on traveling with kids but I also want to note that you don’t need to travel with a baby to travel with your pump or breast milk.

**If you’re traveling abroad, make sure your pump will work with the voltage at your destination or will work with a travel adapter. Or bring a battery operated pump.

Bottle Feeding

In order to bottle feed baby on a long flight, you’ll need to make sure to bring enough sanitized bottles and nipples to last the entire journey plus a few extras in case of delays. Same goes for breast milk or formula: pack more than necessary for your journey. There is really nothing worse than being hours from your destination knowing that you’re completely out of milk. TSA liquid regulations don’t apply to formula or breastmilk. In order to avoid a hectic situation in a long security line, I would recommend flagging down a TSA agent while you’re in line in order to declare your baby’s liquids and separate from the rest of your belongings. I would buy room temperature bottled water once I was through security if I needed it for formula. I pre-measured formula into my clean bottles so they were ready to go minus the water. If the bottle needs to be warmed you can ask the flight attendant for hot water during the flight.

You’re allowed to travel through security with a “reasonable amount” of breastmilk. TSA agents often will ask to open the milk to test it. If you don’t want them opening it, you can ask for “alternate screening procedures” which I think consists of a pat down and bag inspections but I’m not completely sure. I advise carrying the milk in a small lunch bag size bag (I have this one and it works just fine and fits nicely in a diaper bag) with ice packs or frozen grapes as coolers and also bringing empty sandwich bags to fill with ice at the airport or on the plane. In the name of packing lightly: breast milk storage bags make great ice packs. Also remember that frozen milk bags are, in effect, ice packs.

In order to cut down on the number of bottles I packed, I took one trip using Playtex bottles with liners. I only had to pack one bottle, nipples, and liners for each feed. This allowed me to forget about sanitizing bottles.

Navigating the Airport

Some airports have “Mother’s Rooms” where nursing moms can nurse or pump in private. I’ve seen very few nice ones, I’ve seen terrible ones, and more often than not I see that these don’t exist or they’re located too far to walk to before or between flights. The Friendly Airports for Mothers Act was passed in October 2018 and requires all medium-sized and large airports to provide lactation rooms in each terminal and they must be a non-bathroom space. So that’s a step in the right direction. In addition, these awesome pods are gaining support around the country and will hopefully pop up in more places: https://www.mamava.com/ (There’s even an app that allows you to locate a pod in airports around North America).

A Note Re: Cow’s Milk

My husband and I have been surprised by the number of airlines that don’t carry milk on board flights. If you have an older baby or toddler who drinks cow’s milk, it can be tricky to ensure you have milk for your flight. Many of the little marts in airports only carry skim milk (or don’t carry any milk at all), but we’ve had success asking coffee shops (Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts, etc.) for cups of whole milk. We carry this type of thermos which keeps the milk cold for more than 12 hours and then we bring along our toddler’s favorite no-spill cups on the plane and pour the milk from the thermos into her cup as needed. We also have these silicone lid covers and straws that allow us to cover any cup (like the plastic ones on the plane) to make them spill proof.

How have you managed flights with your nursing or bottle fed baby or toddler? I’d love to hear more tips!

Blog, Travel Tips

HOW TO ENTERTAIN TODDLERS ON FLIGHTS

March 7, 2019April 29, 2019 Bethany

Our 22 month old has taken dozens of trips in her short life, so we’ve had the opportunity to test out many forms of entertainment while in flight. We’ve determined that all you really need to bring is an iPad with Daniel Tiger seasons 1-10 downloaded and ready to go.

The End.

Just Kidding. But do not discount the importance of screen time during travel. We swear by it (…and my husband’s a pediatrician and we limit screen time in our home. When we travel we’re in survival mode and all rules go out the window). Our favorite shows for toddlers are Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, and Sesame Street. It’s even better when kids are not used to screen time so it’s a reaaaaal treat.

As for headphones for small ears: These are great because they are soft and cover the head like a warm headband. Bonus: they make your toddler look like a cute panda or other equally endearing furry animal. If your child rejects all headphones you can always just put the device on a low volume. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: other passengers would rather hear your device (at a low volume) than your fussing toddler. Also, the other passengers should (if they’re smart) have noise cancelling headphones with them, anyway, and if they don’t they can ask to borrow some from a flight attendant.

We also like age-appropriate apps. There are lots of apps we like… this will take an additional post.

Beyond screens, we opt for toys and games that a) do not take up precious luggage space, b) we don’t mind getting lost, and c) are not messy.

My mother, who is an expert family traveler in her own right, always packed our carry on backpacks with wrapped toys from the dollar store. My siblings and I looked forward to unwrapping our surprises on the plane and then spending hours playing with our new toys. For toddlers it takes time and focus to do the unwrapping and can (possibly) buy you a few minutes of peace during the flight.

Some of our favorite toys for the plane are:

A couple of dollhouse people or figurines that our toddler enjoys playing with at home. (We have duplicates at home in case one gets left behind).
Melissa and Doug Water Wows are awesome. Remember those invisible ink books you had as a kid? These are the 21st century version and so much cooler. We fill the small brush with water before getting on the plane in order to prevent a wet mess in flight.
Mess-free Crayola materials like Crayola Color Wonder. You can even buy half-size markers (with invisible ink) to fit compactly in backpack.
A Matching Game in a small ziploc bag. I print out pictures from the internet, laminate, cut them, and stick in a sandwich bag. Maybe this seems too time/labor intensive, but our toddler loves it.
Colorforms.
Small board books or magazines. Hidden pictures are especially popular with our toddler and you could even surprise your kid with a new one they’ve never seen. Our favorite magazines are High Five by Highlights and Babybug by Cricket Media.
This plastic book is great because you can put in your own family photos and switch them out regularly for new entertainment.
Do you know about Lacing Boards? Easy to pack and a total hit with little ones (for those over two years old, I’d say.)
Travel-sized Magna Doodle.
Sticker books.

Other favorite activities include:

Scroll through family photos/videos on the phone.
Pretend like you live in the 1800s and do nursery rhymes and tell stories AND ALL OF THOSE GAMES YOUR GRANDPARENTS HAD TO PLAY AS CHILDREN because they didn’t have screens.
Bring Cheerios and some string and make a necklace- then eat the Cheerios.
FOOD. I cannot stress the merits of snacks enough. Bring cheerios. Bring puffs. Bring all-organic-pre-chopped carrot sticks if that’s more up your alley. Goldfish, Animal Crackers (you can do animal noises, too!), and fruit/veggie pouches (the smaller size to meet liquid regulations) are easy. Just bring food, lots of it, and let your kid munch away in bliss. You know what we pack? Those wafer ice cream cones (minus the ice cream, of course). Toddler loves ‘em. Pick snacks that take forever to eat. Salty snacks like potato chips are also good in that they make your kid thirsty so she’ll drink water to stay hydrated on the plane.
Walk the aisles.

Even if you’re not creative at all, try to adopt an inventive spirit and devise games to play in the air. I-Spy. Simon Says. My husband pretended to be the robot Alexa for two hours on a flight back from Iceland. Other passengers were confused but… whatever appeases your kids… Remember that this is a chance to spend quality time with your toddler so try to relish this special time together (ha).

Blog, Travel Tips

Top Ten Seventeen Tips for Traveling with a Baby or Toddler

March 3, 2019April 16, 2019 Bethany

This was supposed to be a Top Ten List but quickly became longer as I thought of more tips. In no particular order…

Our car seat backpacks are purple and grey to easily differentiate between each child’s seat.

1. If you bring a car seat, use it like another free checked bag. We use these car seat travel backpacks and they’ve been a game changer. They cost about $40 and are padded, but you can find less durable, cheaper ones. We only bought these after having our second child and knew we’d be doing a lot of travel over the next few years. Before buying these we always covered our car seat in bubble wrap and then put it in a big garbage bag. And this is key: before bagging the seat fill it with lots of diapers, wipes, and other baby gear, liquids, etc. that you’re not allowed or able to fit in your carry on.

2. TRY to travel as light as possible… although everyone knows traveling with kids means packing a lot of gear, it’s possible to downsize.

Borrow a crib or pack n’ play from your hotel/apartment rental. (I’ve never stayed at a hotel that won’t offer a crib, and to my surprise many AirBnBs/apartment rentals can provide a pack n’ play. Just ask).
If possible, leave the car seat at home. Rent one or take cabs that provide one (…yes, these exist and yes, they cost a bit more money).

3. Acquire a SinkBoss (portable sink and drying rack) if your baby/toddler uses bottles or sippy cups. This will be your best friend in hotels. It allows you to wash/sanitize bottles and pacifiers without putting them into the bathroom sink (whose cleanliness is often questionable). Then you can air dry them on its rack and hang it from the shower or towel rails (very helpful when you don’t have much/any counter space in the room). It folds up compactly and can fit nicely at the bottom of a suitcase. $35. www.sinkboss.com

Best place for a nap is the Ergobaby 360. (We love this carrier because baby can face in or out, or go on the back).

4. Use a baby carrier or lightweight umbrella stroller. My favorite carriers are wraps (Boba, Moby, Solly, K’tan, or sling wraps) for little babies and structured carriers (Ergo, BabyBjorn) for older babies. We brought our normal stroller along on one trip and it was nothing but a hassle. Another option is buying a cheap umbrella stroller (oftentimes you can find them at a drugstore for $10-15) at your destination and then donate it before you leave. I’d call around before your trip, though, to ensure a store carries them, especially if you need something within walking distance of your hotel.

5. If your budget allows, get TSA pre-check ($85 for five years) or Global Entry ($100 for five years). Global Entry membership is probably the most significant travel investment we’ve made and it saves a ton of time and hassle at the airport. It does involve a 20-30 minute interview as part of the application process. Note: Children can piggyback on parents’ pre-check service but they need their own Global Entry membership.

6. If you’re traveling with a lot of gear or multiple children, bring a collapsible wagon instead of the stroller. You can check it at the gate just like you would a stroller but it’s able to carry more gear at the airport.

Car seat… baby… drinks… snacks… backpacks… throw it all in a wagon!

7. If you have multiple toddlers/babies pack their clothes in packing cubes and pack the cubes in with your own luggage. Toddler and baby clothes are small so they often don’t take up much room. Bonus: If the cubes are a different color for each kid you can easily pull out a specific kid’s clothes more quickly.

8. Dress your children wisely for the plane. Dress a baby in footie pajamas even if it’s not cold outside. Planes are often chilly for a baby and with footies you don’t have to worry about losing those tiny shoes and socks.

9. Use screen time to the max. This works especially well if you try to curb screen time at home because it’s a real treat for kids to get unlimited screen time on the plane. My toddler only knows that two shows exist: Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood and Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. She loves them both and will happily watch them all day if we let her (and spent like 9 hours watching Daniel Tiger on our recent 14 hour flight). Obviously, all kids are different and we just happened to get a toddler who loves these shows. Bring a tablet and make sure it’s charged. Bring an external battery. As for headphones, we’ve used these ones but also have no qualms about setting the volume low and letting her listen out loud. I’m pretty sure fellow passengers would rather listen to “It’s a Wonderful Day in the Neighborhood” than my toddler’s fussing.

10. Bring lots of snacks. Animal Crackers, Goldfish, Cheez-its and veggie straws are easy along with fruit/veggie pouches. Also consider that salty snacks help kids get thirsty so they’ll drink water on the flight which is important for staying healthy during travel. I try to avoid anything that can melt or get sticky.

11. Carry a two-day supply of everything in the diaper bag because what if your flight is delayed and you’re stranded in the Charlotte airport after stores have closed and you’ve run out of diapers and baby food and a clean change of clothes? Just sayin’.

12. Throw a few garbage bags into your luggage. They have so many uses in a pinch: blackout curtains for hotel room (if they’re black), dirty laundry bag, rain poncho, etc. I’ve also heard that if you line the bottom and top of your suitcase with a garbage bag then the slippery surface keeps your clothes from wrinkling…. I’ve never tried it because frankly I don’t really care about wrinkled clothes. We pack extra smaller ziploc bags, too, for leaky liquids, etc.

13. Count your suitcases, purse, backpacks, diaper bag, car seats, wagon, etc. and keep the number in your head. This is the quickest way to ensure you have all of your stuff when you’re hustling around an airport. (Bigger families may want to conduct a kid count as well. My mom was left behind at a gas station during a family road trip during her childhood. They came back for her, but.. yeesh.)

Find yourself an AirBnB with an awesome clawfoot tub (like this one in Montreal)!

14. At your destination, opt for an apartment instead of a hotel, if that’s a possibility. The popularity of AirBnB has made this much more feasible in the last few years and it’s often a cheaper option than a hotel. An apartment with a fridge and microwave can be a life saver with babies, especially if you’re pumping and storing milk.

15. Make showering with your little one a semi-regular thing if you plan to travel frequently, especially abroad. Chances are you will have to stay somewhere without a bath if you travel internationally. Might as well acclimate kids to the shower early.

Even tiny toddlers can carry their essentials… like stuffed puppy.

16. If kids are old enough, make them carry their own bag/backpack. If you have multiple children, give each kid a different color bag. We have our toddler carry her own small backpack filled with in-flight entertainment, snacks, and her adored stuffed puppy.

17. Try to relax, even if your kid is screaming. It’s likely that you are devastated and doing everything you can to help soothe your child. Nowadays, most everyone has (or can ask a flight attendant for) headphones on the plane to drown out the noise of crying babies. Many people will be understanding, and those who aren’t either don’t have kids or are terrible people so, really, who cares?

We have much more advice when it comes to family travel and will expand on these ideas in subsequent posts. What are your top tips for traveling with kids?