My journey of continuing to travel after welcoming a baby

Prior to becoming a parent, I had explored nearly 60 countries and boarded a flight every other week.

An avid supporter of solo adventures, yoga retreats with friends, and thrilling getaways with my husband, I was constantly on the go. With the flexibility of remote work, traveling was effortless. Then came COVID-19, and shortly after, I found out I was expecting.

Life shifted, and so did my travel plans.

However, as travel is resuming, I’m diving back in — now with my eight-month-old by my side.

Here’s how — and why — I’ve embraced travel with my baby.

The reasons I travel with my baby

Because it’s essential for both of us

I reside in Europe while the rest of my family is in the United States. Whether we like it or not, my child will need to travel between these two continents regularly, and I want this experience to feel natural for him. I began flying with my little one when he was just three months old. He’s already completed his 15th flight and taken his 4th high-speed train ride — plus a few road trips in his stretchy pants.

Have some flights been a breeze? Absolutely. Have others been challenging? Yes, that too. But in the grand scheme, it doesn’t really matter because we need to travel to be with friends and family back in the United States. Most flights, with a few minor hiccups, have actually been quite enjoyable.

Even if you don’t have to travel with a baby, know that it’s entirely possible. It might not always be a walk in the park, but you can definitely manage it if you set your mind to it.

I want him to discover the beauty of the world rather than focus on material possessions.

Recently, my apartment was broken into. As upsetting and invasive as it felt, I realized I was able to move past the items stolen (cash and jewelry) fairly quickly, even though some of the jewelry were family heirlooms.

While I’m still grappling with the emotional impact of having my space violated, the robbers couldn't take away what I hold most dear: my family and the memories we’ve created together, especially through our travels.

I hope my son will grow up embracing these lessons and valuing experiences and relationships over material possessions. The best way to instill this in him is by demonstrating the same values myself, which often inspires me to organize our next family getaway.

Simply because it’s enjoyable

Playing with my son in the tranquil Caribbean waves, watching his amazement at the Chicago skyline, or seeing his joy in front of the iconic Eiffel Tower are moments I’ll cherish forever. While he may not remember these adventures, we certainly will — and we’ll have plenty of photos to share with him later.

Tips for making travel with my baby smoother

Traveling with a baby can be quite challenging. From diaper disasters during landing and sleepless nights with a jet-lagged little one to glares from fellow passengers when my overtired son cries during takeoff, there are definitely hurdles and complications. Here are some tips I use to ease the journey.

I bring along a helper

I know I’ll eventually travel solo with my child as he grows. For now, whenever I can, I prefer to have another adult with me — whether it’s my partner, a family member, or a friend.

While I don’t expect my companion to handle a crying baby or his tantrums, it’s incredibly helpful to have someone to assist with luggage, remind me not to leave my jacket at the airport, hold the baby while I use the restroom, or help fold the stroller at TSA.

These small acts can significantly improve the travel experience. Once my child can walk on his own, I’ll start taking trips just the two of us.

I aim to travel as light as possible

It’s a fact that kids — especially babies — require a lot of gear. However, there are essentials I don’t want to be without on a long flight, like diapers and snacks (more on that shortly).

When I travel with my baby, I strive to bring only what I need without overpacking. I rely on lightweight travel strollers and always carry a baby carrier and diaper backpack for a more convenient airport experience.

I prefer to book rental accommodations that already have as many baby and kid-friendly amenities as possible, like a crib and high chair, to minimize the extra items I need to bring. I’ve also used rental services at our destinations for crucial items such as car seats.

Always pack these essential items — especially when flying

What you’re allowed to carry when flying is clearly different from what you can bring on a road trip, where you have more room and flexibility. That said, here are the must-have items I always include in my carry-on when flying with a baby:

• Spare clothing for both you and your baby (trust me, a backup outfit is a necessity).
• Layers of clothing or blankets (as airplane temperatures can fluctuate).
• Pacifier and clip (and an extra).
• A comfort toy or blanket.
• Additional diapers (enough for unforeseen delays).
• Formula, breast milk, or a pump.
• Snacks (for you and/or your baby).
• Baby wipes.
• Sanitizing wipes.
• Bottles.
• Extra bibs.
• Ziploc bags for dirty clothing (or a reusable, waterproof bag).
• Baby Tylenol or other infant medications.
• A simple first aid kit.
• Small toys.
• Anything that can assist your baby in falling asleep.

For additional tips on what to pack and how to get ready for traveling with a baby, check out this article.

Utilize points and miles for a more enjoyable and budget-friendly journey

This might be an unpopular view, but I really enjoy using my points and miles to fly in business class with my baby.

In fact, he often behaves better than some other passengers. Plus, having the extra room to stretch out is a huge advantage for all of us, especially on long-haul flights where getting enough sleep is crucial for the whole family.

I’ve also used my points and miles to purchase three economy seats, bringing along a car seat so my baby can sit safely in his own spot, even though it’s not a requirement at his age. The bassinet used to be an option when I had enough points for just two seats, but now my baby has outgrown the weight limit.

If you’re interested in using a bassinet, always contact the airline to check if this option is available and to confirm the weight and size restrictions, as these can differ by airline or even route.

I prepare my baby for our travels through conversation.

I know my baby may not fully grasp my words yet, but as he grows, he’s beginning to recognize language. I want him to learn the word "airplane" as soon as possible. In the days leading up to our trips, I gently and thoughtfully explain what’s happening each day.

I tell him we're going to soar through the sky in an airplane and that we need to be calm, quiet, and happy. I explain that we will be in a small space with many others, so it’s important not to scream or kick the seat in front of us and disturb other passengers.

I share that we're heading to a specific destination or visiting family or friends, including where we’ll stay and how long our journey will last.

One day, he will start connecting these explanations with our trips. Children are naturally curious and want to understand what’s happening, so I hope that my explanations will help him feel secure and in control as he matures, while also getting him excited about flying and traveling.

I travel by plane or train with my son at least every couple of months.

Having worked remotely for over a decade, I enjoy the flexibility to travel often and bring my son along. I'm teaching him good eating and sleeping habits, and soon we'll start potty training, so I’m also preparing him for travel.

Thanks to the availability of low-cost airlines and high-speed trains in Europe (along with a nice collection of points and miles), it’s easy to get my baby on a flight or train every few months, helping him become accustomed to traveling as part of our routine.

I reduce travel stress by arriving early, maintaining elite status, and enjoying lounge access.

Rushing through the airport with a baby and luggage is overwhelming, and it’s not how I want to begin our journey.

I’ve noticed that when I stay calm, it has a calming effect on my entire family—especially my baby, who seems to pick up on my energy and mood. Arriving at the airport with plenty of extra time helps me feel at ease and in control, which then influences everyone traveling with me, particularly my son.

Having elite status and lounge access is a huge advantage, as it lets me skip long lines and relax in the lounge if I have some time to spare before my flight.

Both The Platinum Card® from American Express and the Chase Sapphire Reserve provide lounge access. Since my home airport, Madrid Barajas (MAD), features several excellent Sala VIPs within the Priority Pass network, I find this credit card benefit extremely useful.

My Oneworld Sapphire status enhances my experience with airlines like Iberia, allowing me to check in at the business class counter, board early, and check a bag without extra fees.

I try to schedule flights around my baby’s bedtime and nap times whenever I can.

While my son generally sleeps well on planes, I prefer to choose flight times that coincide with when he’s already fed, calm, and well-rested. Although I can't always align this perfectly, I do so whenever my schedule and flight options allow.

I also plan our sightseeing and beach outings to accommodate his nap times.

When we travel, I always aim to arrange our activities so my baby can nap either in our hotel or vacation rental or while we stroll with him in his stroller.

The cobblestone streets of Europe are particularly effective at lulling my son to sleep in his stroller, as the vibrations seem to soothe him. I bring along various items to promote sleep on the go—a portable sound machine, a night light, his favorite lovey, a tent for the beach, and our own sheet for the travel crib to help him feel at home—essentially anything that can aid in his napping and sleeping, keeping both him and our family calm and content.

In summary

Although I’m not catching flights every couple of weeks like I used to before the pandemic and before having a baby, my travels haven’t come to an end.

I understand that traveling with a baby can be more challenging and costly, but I now view travel through a different lens. It’s a chance to connect as a family, provide my son with new experiences, and nurture his growth into an adaptable and enthusiastic young traveler.

I hope that by introducing these experiences to him while he’s young, travel will become a regular part of his life, much like going to school or playing with friends—something he becomes accustomed to and learns to cherish and enjoy.