Flying with a Baby: What Worked for Us

In the airport

• Don’t check your pram with your luggage – you can use it in the airport for your child’s naps and for getting around, take it to the gate and it can be stored on the plane so you can use it straight after landing.
  
• Check your car seat with your luggage – a car seat is essential for the transfer and journeys throughout your trip unless you only use buses as transport. Ubers/Lyft aren’t very reliable with baby seats – you can select one on the app at a premium cost but it will often be the wrong size when it arrives with a long wait.

On the flight

• Feed on take-off and landing to help with ear pressure. You are allowed to do this even if you are breastfeeding.
  
• Ear defenders can be helpful for loud noises in the airport and for pressure on takeoff/landing. We didn’t have to use these Muffy ones we bought, however it is a good back up incase your baby gets upset.
  
• Take new toys to keep your child entertained, we used these for our 8 month old – but these are a winner with all ages to stick on the window or seat.
  
• Snacks snacks snacks, pack your own or you can buy them at the airport. This kills a lot of time in between naps and passing around your child on the plane.

Park Days with a Baby

Here’s what made our theme park days easier and more enjoyable:

• Start early. Your baby will likely be up early and the time difference aids this. Get to the parks early and head back by noon before it gets too hot and crowded. You could also go late in the afternoon, let baby nap in the buggy, and stay for the fireworks.
  
• Plan feeding and nap times around when you might go on a ride.
  
• Pram shades help with naps day or night on the go. My child didn’t nap well in the pram at home, but Florida heat wiped him out multiple times a day with no issue.
  
• Character meals are a relaxed alternative to long queues for meet and greets.
  
• Rider Swap or single rider if you or your partner want to go on bigger rides that you can’t take baby on.

Queue hacks

• Baby wearing – You can’t take your pram in the queue, rather than just carrying your child in your arms, using a sling will save your back. We tested out two and this one worked the best for us.
  
• Bubble guns were great for entertainment in the queues. Click here for the bubble gun we used.
  
• Portable fan to stay cool in outdoor queues.
  
• Frozen snacks — cool frozen snacks such as frozen lemonade last a while in a long ride queue and can be shared.

Sun Safety for Baby

A few sun-related tips:

• Aerosol sun creams are good for necks and bodies if your baby hates being rubbed, but be careful when spraying — cover eyes and check for wind direction.

• Test your sun cream before the trip. To avoid irritation and avoid any extra stress.

• Avoid putting suncream too close to their eyes—use a makeup brush or roll-on stick for the face. We used this one which made life a lot easier.

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