- Back pack: The backpack is essential if you like me have to travel with a laptop. Put your purse inside the backpack, laptop and if your backpak has side pockets, put there your id, cellphone, keys, and boarding passes. It will save you some time since you will know where everything is beforehand. Backpacks are unobtrosive and you will forget that is there. Please don't make it too heavy!!
- Now that the laptop/purse problem is solved, then get your baby/diaper bag ready! All of these things depend on the lenght of your flight. My recommendations are based on a three hour flight which is what I usually travel by myself. More than that, ha!, I don't do it without my husband!!:
- Diaper bag: I always use a Vera Bradley Get Carried Away Tote since I can fit everything here plus it fits the overhead compartment. This way I don't have to travel with a diaper bag plus another bag with everything else. Verabradley.com
- Birth certificate. They usually don't ask for it and if your baby is like mine, BIG!, they will not believe that she is still under two years old! So keep one copy close.
- Get a small first aid kit. You can buy them at any pharmacy or baby related store. They ususally come with important things as band-aids in different sizes, ointment, aspirin or ibuprophen and other small first aid things.
- Diapers: two or three.
- Diaper change pad. Take the one that came in your main diaper bag.
- Bibs: two is more than enough.
- Cloths: One complete change of cloths for the baby and one for you!! Yes, babies can get sick and anything can happen over you. You should be ready to change your cloths otherwise you will be miserable, trust me!
- Baby food: One serving of lunch/dinner (depending on the hour of the flight) and one serving of dessert.
- Formula/Milk: Two servings and have your formula pre-measured. You can buy one of those containers that you can separate the formula pre-measured or simply put the exact measured formula inside the bottles. Don't pack water bottles since they aren't permitted in many airport security checkpoints. You can always buy them at the airport and if you need warm water for the formula, most of the Starbucks or any other restaurants can give you hot water for free. Just remember to mix it with the cool one to avoid burning your little one.
- Wipes. The small package is sufficient for a short flight.
- Pacifier(s).
- Buggy wipes: they sell the travel size ones so you don't have to travel with the whole package.
- Toys: small toys to keep them entertained. Get a new one just for the trip and they will be surprised.
- If you have an iPhone or another phone with video capabilities, download some of their favorites shows. I downloaded a few of the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse shows and transferred them to my device and it was a sanity saver!!
- Diaper rash paste. Small tube.
- Tissues. One small package is enough and put them in any outside pocket (if available).
- I also carry with me: teething medicine, tylenol for babies, thermomether, Mylicon, Aleeve (for the mother) and prescribed medicines if she is taking any at the moment of the flight.
- My Kindle! If I have time and Amanda is sleeping, I read!
