Tips for Traveling with a Baby

Thanksgiving is next week. It is undeniably my favorite holiday.  I have a huge family with lots of cousins and aside from weddings, this is the one time of year we all get together.  If you marry into our family, you quickly learn Thanksgiving in Miami is none negotiable. 

This is the baby's big coming out and I couldn't be more excited.  I am however, dreading flying with an antsy 5 month old.  Here are some tips I have been told by my jetsetting friends.

1. Many airlines have infant fares. In my case it was still $400 so he will be a lap baby. If you do buy the baby a seat, you need to bring a car seat.
2. Once you book a ticket and plan to have the baby sit on your lap, you need to call the airline and have the baby added to the flight manifest.
3. When you get the airport, bring either a birth certificate or vaccination record to get a boarding pass
4. Ziploc Bags: Separate out contents of your diaper bag into separate Ziploc bags that you can easily pull out.  a) diaper zip:changing pad, wipes, a bunch of diapers, and bags to throw out the dirty diapers. b) food bag with bottles, formula, burp cloth  c) toy bag
5. Tote bag: for under your seat, put all your Ziploc bags in a tote bag, also put a blanket in there.  It might be too tight to go digging through your zipped diaper bag wedged under your seat.
6. Feed the baby on take off and landing to help soothe ears due to pressure
7. Once you meet the unfortunate soul stuck next to you, make a light hearted remark, like "looks like you are the big seat assignment winner" and try to get on his good side. 
8. Bring at least one change of clothes for the baby and an extra shirt for you because 2 people have told me that their baby leaked on them and went through the airport a stained mess
9. Get Gate check bagsto cover your stroller or car seat when you check it just before walking on the plane. 
10. Some companies rent out baby equipment like exersaucers, baths,etc.  Contact your hotel.
11. Have food delivered to the hotel. Many hotels have arrangements with local grocery stores and can delivery milk, fruit, baby food. Ask the hotel prior to getting there.
12. Send yourself a delivery of essentials.  Before you get there, ship diapers, wipes, formula, food from a retailer like diapers.com and ask the front desk to hold it for you. If you can't do this, you can head straight to a Target or Babies R Us once you leave the airport.

Let me know any other tips you have and I will add them to the list.