When people see me traveling with my kids they always wonder how I do it alone. Traveling with one was a breeze and I would highly recommend taking full advantage of “traveling light” while you can. The more kids you add to the bunch, the more chaotic traveling becomes. Here are some travel tips that I used when I had my first child. Honestly, I still use all of these tips now:

1. Ziploc Bags

Ziploc bags will be YOUR BEST FRIEND! I literally use them for everything. I would recommend buying them in bulk! I mean, wet/dry bags are nice (which I have quite a few). Would you really want to store an outfit that your little one has had a major blow out in inside of a wet/dry bag that you would have to clean later? Think about the smell of the bag after the fact. Not only that, it’s super unsanitary! I usually use my wet/dry bags for pool usage only! Ziploc bags can be disposed after the fact. I also use Ziploc bags to put extra changes of clothes in, packing, disposing dirty/smelly diapers, etc. I recently started traveling with a roll of my dog’s scented poop bags. I discovered that it helps mask the smell of poop diapers! As far as packing with Ziploc bags, I put an outfit for both Xiomara and Jeremiah in one bag, squeeze all the air out of it and there I have it … a cheaper version of those vacuumed packing cubes! People swear by those things BUT when you make it to your destination, how are you supposed to vacuum the packing cubes to travel back home?? Anyway, Ziploc bags are just as good and you can recycle them!

2. Extra clothing for yourself

Always pack an extra shirt for yourself (in a Ziploc bag)! My son had acid reflux and was constantly throwing up everywhere. When in doubt pack something that is versatile and can match whatever bottoms you would possibly be wearing.

3. Wipes

ALWAYS have more than enough wipes. You never know when you’ll experience a blow out! Walking around smelling like poop isn’t a good look.

4. Long sleeved & footed outfits

I always dress my kids in long sleeve/footed outfits simply because I’m a germaphobe when it comes to them. Also, it’s usually pretty cold on a plane. I make sure my kids travel with something on their heads as an infant. I keep some sort of beanie or hat in my diaper bag at all times.

5. Extra pacifiers…

Keep a spare pacifier in a ziploc bag (snack size). The last thing you want to do is have a pacifier fall on the floor while changing your little one in a bathroom. If that ever happens you’ll always have a spare one on hand.

6. Vaseline!!!

Go grab a travel size Vaseline! Being that I hate changing my kids on airplanes, I would change them literally right before we had to board. I smother them down with Vaseline to add a protective barrier between their pee & skin while flying. If they don’t poop while flying, I won’t change them unless I absolutely have to. I also keep a pack of travel size Lysol wipes in the zipper compartment of my changing pad.

7. Feeding tips

Feed or nurse your little one during take off/landing. If they’re not hungry offer a pacifier. The sucking motion will help with the popping of their ears during air pressure changes. Traveling with a toddler? Offer them a snack or drink.

8. Sleeping tips

Noise cancelling headphones work wonders! I still keep mine in my bag to this day. I also travel with a portable white noise machine. My kids will sleep through anything with the portable white noise.

9. Swell Bottle

I swear by Swell bottles! Being that it keeps the temperature of whatever you put in them for close to 24hrs, I literally use them for everything … breastmilk, juice, water (usually for myself), almond milk. I travel with at least 2-3 bottles! If you don’t breastfeed and your little one likes warm bottles, I would recommend traveling with both cold and warm water in a bottle. Pre-made bottles are great to have but then you have to worry about lugging around a bunch of bottles which can become pretty heavy and take up more space. Trust me … DON’T DO IT!!! You’ll hate yourself later and so will the person traveling with you! The ready-made formula bottles (that you can buy at the store) are great to have but I wouldn’t travel with those either. Those also can become heavy.

When I switched My daughter to formula, I bought a can of dry formula, put it in a Ziploc bag (don’t forget the scoop) and packed it in my luggage. I didn’t have to worry about running to the store to buy formula, taking the risk of them not having it OR the bulkiness of the formula can/bottles. My daughter had to use a hypoallergenic formula so I never wanted to take risks. So if I were you, I would travel with 2-3 bottles. Keep one ready-made bottle, one with powdered formula in it and a spare one that could be packed in your checked luggage. All you’ll have to do is add water from your Swell bottle and everyone’s happy! I’ve traveled with ready-made bottles but having to ask the flight attendant for hot water to warm a bottle on the plane, wait for it to warm up … while your child is cranky/screaming … yeah not a good look and not practical!

10. Security check

Getting through security with my Swell bottles is never an issue because I’m traveling with children. They will check/test each bottle. It’s not a huge deal, I would just recommend being present when they do test your bottles. Some TSA workers will check your bottles with you being present and some will attempt to check your bottles without you being present. I’m adamant about being present because I always request for them to change their gloves before fumbling with the kids bottles and/or testing my Swell bottles. Put all of your bottles in a security bin by themselves. If not they will literally check your entire diaper bag and it will take forever!!

Okay … so I lied … I really have 11 tips …

11. Strollers/Carriers

Ask for TSA workers to check the stroller instead of breaking it down and putting it on the scanning belt. It’s just too much work! Some workers are lazy and don’t want to do it. If that happens to me, I usually tell them it’s hard to fold down and usually get away with not having to. I would recommend using a carrier for your little one while going through security. It makes it easier for you (especially if they’re sleeping). They won’t make you unstrap them but if they’re in the stroller TSA will make you take the baby out of the stroller. Meanwhile, wear shoes that are easy to put on and take off. I ended up getting TSA Precheck because it became too hectic to do everything while traveling alone with my daughter (while pregnant with my son).

If you’re traveling with someone that doesn’t have TSA Precheck, you can still go through regular security and leave your shoes on. Just tell them you have TSA Precheck and keep your boarding pass with you. As it states that you have TSA recheck and won’t have to take your shoes off. Don’t rush when going through this whole process! You have a baby! The people behind you might be a little irritated (as I have been before having kids) but it’s okay! Kindly offer them to go around you until you get situated. In no way shape or form should you feel embarrassed by taking too long or feel like you have to rush.

Hopefully you find this helpful … Happy traveling!