The Only Way to Fly

Our Mom Blogger goes on holiday and takes too much stuff with her.

By Julie Feinstein Adams

When flying with baby:

1.) Do get lucky and score an extra seat even though you thought for sure that this time you would fly with a "lap child."

2.) Don't pack your car seat travel bag full of extra stuff anticipating that you're going to check it because you'll have to unpack and repack all that stuff in the aisle of the airplane in order to get your seat out.

3.) In fact, don't buy the carry bag with the backpack straps and no wheels. No matter how much tougher and more-sturdy the non-wheeled bag seems. No matter how many wheelie bags you have which makes it seem impossible that you could ever drag one more wheeled thing, and even though you're pretty sure you're going to check that seat (see #1).

4.) If you bring the Pack 'n Play, do pack the organic mattress you insist on bringing in a duffel bag and check it, not in the car seat carry bag (see #2).

5.) If you have any sense in your head during your third trimester, do register for the smaller, "Travel Lite" portable crib, rather than the full-size play yard, to reduce overall schleppage.

6.) If possible, do have friends or family on other end buy or borrow an in-chair high chair for your visit. This one is okay. This one is better. This one is nicest but doesn't convert to a booster seat later, or fold up for "portability" -- this term being used over-liberally given the size of said boxy plastic items.

7.) Do pack an entire trip's worth of disposable diapers with your stuff rather than buying them when you arrive. You'll have so much more room for souvenirs on the way back.