tula

TRAVELING WITH A BABY – TIPS + FAVORITES

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The past few months have been filled with tons of travel with Joshie AKA Lil Intern. Road trips are my fav, but the last few trips have been plane rides with just the two of us. I must say, he’s an excellent traveler, but he definitely was O V E R it  at the end of the last plane trip!! Having good gear and being prepared was a huge help. Also just as important, the better relaxed I was, the happier he was. Hopefully these ideas will help you on your next trip. Joshie is now 15 months for your reference, but we’ve been traveling with these products since he was teeny tiny.

 

I’ve purchased and used all of these products for myself after extensive amazon review reading and youtube tutorial watching. I can honestly say that they’re all lifesavers! When you’re flying on an airplane solo with baby, you want to travel light! I didn’t have anyone helping carry all the junk… just me. I ended up checking our suitcase (one that we shared) and a TRAVEL STROLLER (love this one because it folds up super tiny and comes with a backpack bag!!). I rented car seats at the rental car company. No need to schlep your own! All I had was my backpack on my back, and my baby in a carrier on my front.

 

#1 JUJUBE BACKPACK and WHAT TO PACK IN IT – This backpack is large and in charge! There’s enough room for my laptop, ipad pro, all the baby stuff AND all of my stuff! I love the straps are padded and wide, making it nice and comfy. There’s a little phone pocket and lots of inner organizing pockets. It has a secret back pocket with a changing pad, but I like to bring THESE because airplane bathrooms are ick. If I’m not bringing my computer, I can fit several thin books in the back pocket. THESE books are my fav because Joshie can open and close the flaps a million times, plus there’s so many words to practice with him- it keeps us busy! THIS toy is thin, light, fun, and takes up lots of time. I pack one diaper per every 2 hours of travel (from the time I leave my house), baby wipes, hand wipes, diaper bags for poopy diapers or wet clothes, an extra romper in case of blowouts, snacks for him (I put crackers in a hard Tupperware so they don’t get smashed), snacks for me, sippy cup, hand sanitizer, my fav hydrating lip gloss, super thin and functional wallet, other mom stuff!

 

#2 RYAN AND ROSE PACI AND CLIP – These are simply gorgeous. Have you ever seen a more beautiful paci?? The white ones are my fav, but that’s only because the black ones are brand new… time to go shopping. I love their simple leather paci clips not only because they’re chic, but also, they save them from dropping on a gross airport floor! When you’re flying with a baby, it’s always good to have them suck on something when they’re going up or down in the air to help their ears. If I can’t get him to drink his milk or water, the paci is a great alternative. The other nice think about these pacis is that the other side is perfect for teething! Smart and chic.

 

#3 HEMMING BIRD BIBS – If you follow us on Instagram, you’ve probably never seen Joshie without a Hemming Birds bib. Josh started out having acid reflux as an infant, and has now just transitioned into a major drooler. These bibs are SO pretty and of course save his clothes from getting gross. I admit I have an addiction, but look at all the patterns she offers!! You will too! THIS style of bib is better for when he’s really drooly as it soaks up everything. THIS one is good for eating or spit up as it catches everything in the bandana style.

 

#4 MAMA AND MINI SHIRTS – I mean okay… I’m a little bit biased on this one. Simple, cute, and clearly announcing “Helloooo I’m an amazing mom, comin’ through!”. They go with everything and are super yummy and soft. Travel comfy always! I love traveling in THESE pants sooo much and THESE comfy shoes which look cute with the sweatshirt!

 

#5 BABY TULA CARRIER – I find it MUCH easier to keep him strapped into my carrier for handsfree movement. Then there’s not rushed folding of the stroller at the end of the jetway. The Tula is SO comfortable. I tried another carrier which killed my shoulders!! I put the Tula on and immediately the pressure dissipated from my shoulders. It’s super simple on the front, not fussy at all. I LOVE the pocket on the waist. It’s where I kept my phone so it was in easy reach. It’s also super cute so…

 

#6  MOON AND BECK ROMPER – If you’ve seen any of my stories ever, Josh is usually in a Moon and Beck romper. They’re soooo soft and chic, and considering that I mostly wear black, he always matches me! I love that they snap at the bottom for easy diaper changes. They last forever because you can buy them one size bigger, and the length just looks like cute harem pants. Then when your baby grows, they look like a more fitted romper. Super smart! I like to tuck his paci in the pocket when he’s not using it. Because seeing it drag along the airport floor… ew! I always like to travel comfy, so I assume Joshie would like to be comfy a well- no waist bands for us please and thank you. The fabric is so soft and roomie, not to mention light weight, so it’s comfy for the both of us.

 

#7 STARRY KNIGHT DESIGN SHOES – Yet another baby goodie I have one million of… it’s an addiction! The leather is buttery soft and in the most beautiful colors too! They slip on easily but for some reason, Joshie can’t pull them off. He’s tried “real” shoes, and they’re super distracting for him- he always tries to take them off! Since these moccs are leather, they don’t take up room in the suitcase and are super light. I squish them flat and am able to pack several pairs. They’re not only easy and comfortable, but again… they’re super chic. Sense a theme here?

 

WEIRD GAMES THAT KEEP HIS ATTENTION:

* Wash wash – I pump a little bit of bubbles on his hand, and he rubs them together. I know this seems… strange… but he loves it and asks for wash wash over and over and over again.

*Wipe Wipe – Ummm this is where I give Joshie and hand wipe and he wipes things like the seats at the gate, or the tray…..sense yet another theme here?

*Cup hand – ask the flight attendant for a few empty cups and put them on his hands, feet, head, etc. I put the cup on my head and pretend to sneeze it off. He’s a great audience.

*OTHER TIPS – When we’re waiting in the airport for our flight, I like to pick an open space where he can crawl around. Since I don’t have bags that would go on the overhead space, I board very last (as long as I have an assigned seat)! It just gives Josh more time to move around and get energy out. If you’re on Southwest and can pick your own seat, go all the way to the back row. There’s a really good chance no one will set next to you! Babies on planes are kryptonite.

 

Good luck with your travel!! Hope this helps!

xo

Leah