Traveling with a Toddler

My darling Olivia was born in the US just 3 weeks before we moved to Dubai via London (2 months training in London). In these last 2 years, Olivia has visited 12 countries (I did too) and I can't even begin to count the number of flights we've been on. Now, I can't say that I would be a pro on a flight with multiple children but I've pretty much mastered the art of traveling with one. So this is a post in response to alot of emails asking for traveling tips...I apologize that for some, it's overdue! 

#1- The Travel bag. 

This is key...I like having a bag that can sit underneath the seat so I have access to everything that I might need on a 16 hour flight. Change of clothes, diapers, wipes, food, bottles, activities...you name it. I've tried alot of bags and the large Longchamp bag (The Pilage) is by far my favorite. It's huge yet I can still carry it down the aisle of the plane with Olivia in my other arm, whereas a rolling bag gets difficult to carry with a baby. Not to mention that it can hang on the handle of the stroller. I even got livi a mini version so she can keep her toys and snacks in it ( a fake version of course:) Tip- I like to put a smaller purse inside of the big bag so I can separate my stuff from Livi's stuff once I am on the plane cause after 16 hours, it gets messy! And don't forget ziplocs for trash and food:)

#2 The stroller. 

Don't even think about bringing a big stroller when you're flying or traveling. These days the stroller has to go through security and most of the time it acts as a cart anyway, on international layovers, it saves me! I love my Maclaren Triumph. 

#3 Traveling Essentials.

~ Socks for Olivia & me. 

~EmergenC- I always get sore throats after international flights so I try to take a couple of these. 

~ Ponds facial cleansing wipes so I don't have to wash my face in the bathroom. 

~ Colgate Wisps (mini disposable toothbrushes)

#4.  Activities- colored pencils & paper, coloring books, ipod touch/ipad and STICKERS...I'm a big fan of sticker books. 

This sticker book is awesome by the way- They take off a sticker and have to find where it goes in the book, it keeps Livi and my older nieces busy for hours! 

And a few extra tips: 

*I rarely get drinks on the plane...it's just asking to get wet whether it get's bumped or Olivia wants to drink it and it get's dumped. So I always buy a couple bottles before I get on so I don't have to wait or worry about spills. (Some international flights will actually give families big bottles of water for the long flight- just ask!)

*Olivia is allergic to dairy so I have to bring almond milk on the plane everytime I travel. Don't worry- you can get any liquid through security with a baby! I also love these little cold pouches to keep the bottles in so they don't spill in the bag and then you can keep it in the airplane fridge. I got mine at muji. 

*Jetlag- that's always the big question. It's inevitably terrible every time but as Olivia has gotten older I started using Melatonin. It's a natural supplement that's totally safe- it just shouldn't be used all the time. When she wakes up in the middle of the night, I give her a half of a 1 mg tablet and within an hour she generally falls back asleep. It just speeds up the adjustment time so in a few days we're on a normal schedule (make sure you don't use Melatonin for more than a couple of days so your child doesn't become reliant on it). 

While I've gotten pretty speedy at getting through security with one arm, I must say that I am quite relieved that my international traveling days are going to be on hold for a couple years. I have no plans to travel anywhere for a while once we get to Philly- but when I do, I'll be prepared! Feel free to ask any questions in the comments and I'll respond! 

Happy Travels!