The first thing you need is something you cannot buy. It is patience. You have to go into your day of traveling knowing that you have the possibility of EVERYTHING going wrong, your child WILL throw a trantrum at the most inopportune time and all the meanwhile you will be hot and sweaty and flustered and embarrassed and PISSED OFF. But I promise you, it will be so much better if you keep your cool. Calm down, take a deep breath, eventually your traveling will be over and you can laugh at it later. You will look back and laugh at how you had to bring a screaming infant through the security, and that the TSA agents wouldn't let you change a blowout diaper, and that you would have to throw away a cute pair of pajamas before even boarding your first plane. You will laugh at it, eventually!
You will also want to make sure you have all the information you need for your airline. For example, we usually fly Southwest and their plan for flying with children is that two years and younger fly free on your lap. Once they are over two you have to buy them their own seat, though they might offer a cheaper price for you (you have to call). Please remember this: YOU HAVE TO BRING YOUR CHILD'S BIRTH CERTIFICATE, This is extremely important. They might not let you on the plane if you do not have this or some other official documentation of your child's cage. It's almost funny because they do not care about identifying the child to you for safety purposes or to check that you are not kidnapping this child, they are checking the age of the child to see if they can charge you or not...Ridiculous, but still, don't forget to bring it!
Next is, well at least with Southwest (check your own airline) is that even if you do not buy your child a seat of their own on the plane, they might have extra seats and you to use. So if you are bringing a car seat (which I highly recommend, and that is coming up soon) you can put your child in their own seat and you will have extra hands and it will change the entire trip for you. Always ask when you are checking in for your flight if there are any extra seats.
As for what to bring with you, this is what I would start with:
-Travel documents, ID for yourself, Birth Certificate, Wallet, phone and phone charger
-Normal Diaper Bag with extra of nearly everything especially diaper, wipes, bottles/sippy, and binkies
-Extra outfits for child and extra shirt for yourself (if traveling with a baby)
- Stroller (you can check this at the door of the plane. It is so worth bringing it with you)
-Moby wrap or equivalent baby carrier, especially if you are not bringing a stroller
-Car seat (You can check this at the door of the plane also. I recommend bringing it with you even if the plane will be first because you do not want it to become lost luggage and you will be left without a car seat at your destination!)
-Bring lots of toys and books and snacks! Fun toys, new toys, new books, favorite books! You cannot have enough of any of these things. Make sure the toys aren't too loud for the passengers around you.
-Ipad or tablet or phone if you child likes that sort of thing. Load a tv show or movie on it. Remember your charger!
-Blanket or changing mat so you can change your child's diaper if there isn't a changing station in the bathrooms. Also a blanket comes in handy for layovers to let your child sprawl out and play in the terminal without getting the airport germs all over them.
-My newest item to bring for my toddler is a backpack with a leash on it. Yes I said it. Yes it is happening. He is so independent and wants to walk on his own and God forbid you try and hold his hand. He will not be controlled! Haha, so we bought him an Eddie Bauer backpack that he wears and it has a little harness/leash on it and he doesn't even know he isn't in control of the show! Plus he can carry his own toys and misc. items so it clears out space in my carry on bag!
(purchased ours at Target)
-My last piece of advise is to remember what you packed, write it down, type it up and use it EVERY single time. Make note of what works and what doesn't and make appropriate changes. It makes packing so much easier the next time around. I've attached a copy of my current packing list for vacations. On this list I include everything, from confirmation numbers for hotels and flights to phone numbers of people we are visiting (if needed) and what will be in my carry on bag. I am a list maker but even Ryan respects the list!
Hope you find this helpful!
