Air travel Tips For New Parents
Traveling with family is rewarding but getting to the destination can be grueling. To lighten the load in preparation and enjoy the plane ride I have a few tried and true travel hacks for parents with small children. You will nurture the idea of travel being easy and fun the more you travel with your little one. As your child grows, travel will foster independence, teach responsibility, patience and adaptability-all wonderful traits to learn and practice through life.
Family travel is a total adventure waiting for you.
Traveling with family is rewarding but getting to the destination can be grueling. To lighten the load in preparation and enjoy the plane ride I have a few tried and true travel hacks for parents with small children. You will nurture the idea of travel being easy and fun the more you travel with your little one. As your child grows travel will foster independence, teach responsibility, patience and adaptability-all wonderful traits to learn and practice through life.
Make checking in easy with an infant by taking full advantage of curbside check-in. There is a small fee(around $4) to check your bags curbside however, doing this lightens the load immediately and helps you skip any line inside the airport to check bags. Curbside bag check will tag your bags and issue your boarding passes straight away. Headed to security and you’re in!
Best friends in the airport with baby:
My City Tour Stroller -gate check stroller in backpack or place it in the overhead bin.
Bottles with pre-measured formula in them. Once on the airplane you can ask flight attendent for half hot/half cold water to mix it. Bottle or breast feeding at ascending and descend of plane will help with those little ears not popping from the altitude adjustment. For an older baby sucking on a pacifier will help with ears adjust to altitude change.
Comfy, easy to change outfit for baby with an extra to spare for those diaper changes. No one wants to be fussy around with 50 snaps in an airplane bathroom.
A lovey for baby & light organic muslin blanket to use as a changing pad or to keep baby warm on chilly airplane.
Snack & water for parents.
Traveling with a baby is the easiest stage if you are set up for success and pack with intention. Pack 10 diapers in your carry-on and get the rest once you arrive. Make sure enough snacks, water and formula/milk are in carry-on for you to arrive at destination well-fed and hydrated. Flight attendants are a great resource. They generally love holding a baby, are happy to get you water and show you how to use the changing table on board if needed. If you request bulkhead seats, there are bassinets you can request when available.
Safe travels to you and your little family! I can’t wait to hear where you adventure next!
Perinatal and Postpartum Support for Mom and Dad
Parenting takes strength you never knew was within you. Resources are available when you need help along your parenthood journey. Maternal Health Resource List.
During the Fourth Trimester new moms and fathers need support just like their baby.
Perinatal and Postpartum Resources
Whether you are pregnant, a new parent or a seasoned parent needing support there is support available for you. Below are local and international resources for parents, tailored to each parent's unique need. Find a group that suits your family's unique circumstance.
Postpartum Support International Peer Support Groups
Free Postpartum Support: Trained, Peer-led support groups are held online and are free for parents who register. A limited number of seats are available for each mom support group and parent support group.
https://postpartum.net/get-help/psi-online-support-meetings/
Support for Dads
Postpartum Support International (PSI) Dad Support Group
https://postpartum.net/group/psi-online-support-meetings/
Families Touched by Psychosis Support Group
Meetings are held for moms and dads as well as care takers needing to process past experiences and current challenges.
https://postpartum.net/group/support-for-families-touched-by-postpartum-psychosis-ppp/
"Being a mother is learning about strengths you didn’t know you had, and dealing with fears you didn’t know existed.” -Linda Wooten
Support for Women of Color and Minority Groups
Shades of Blue supports women of color and minority groups through all stages of birth.
https://www.shadesofblueproject.org/
Fussy Baby Network supports moms who would like some guidance through challenging moments with a fussy baby. Services available over the phone and at home.
https://www.erikson.edu/fussy-baby-network/
Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance offers a phone hotline for any mom who needs immediate help over the phone.
Depression and Anxiety Around Pregnancy
National Child and Maternal Health Education Program
https://www.nichd.nih.gov/ncmhep/initiatives/moms-mental-health-matters/moms
“Once you commit to motherhood, you are always in mother-mode. You are always on the line and always on-call. And, that’s fine with me, as I find motherhood endlessly fascinating, endlessly challenging, endlessly fun and endlessly fulfilling.” -Maria Shriver on Motherhood