Flying Low-tox with a 10 month Old
Low-tox Travel with a 10 month old –
Traveling with kiddos is an undertaking at any age, but each stage comes with its own blessings and curses. Flying by plane is such a nice privilege, but you have to pick and choose what’s worth bringing in your small bag.
As a mom of 3 littles, I’ve taken my fair share of flights with and without help. From weddings, family trips, holidays, and moving across the country I feel like I’ve narrowed down the essentials to fit in my carryon bag.
Let’s dive in!
Front Carrier AND Stroller! – My favorite carrier differs on what size babe is but I prefer having baby in a carrier, especially through security. Having a free set of hands is preferable! You don’t have to take the baby out of the carrier through security either!
Newborn: baby bjorn mini (up to 12 mo 7-24 lbs)
Baby – Ergo Organic (inward, forward, back, and hip carry 7 – 45lbs)
Toddler + – Ergo 360 NOT the Omni ((inward, forward, back, and hip carry 7 – 45lbs with infant insert)
My favorite place to look for carriers in on facebook marketplace! I haven’t bought any of my carriers new.
And the stroller is so wonderful even if it’s just to carry your baggage and carseat! Otherwise if baby is too squirmy, wants to eat or play, you have a safe place for them. You can bring your stroller all the way to the plane and check it right there so it’s ready for when you step off! As well as your carseat, because nothing is worse than reaching your destination and your carseat was lost at baggage claim.
The type of stroller you travel with doesn’t matter as much. I like a stroller that has cup holders, lower storage, easy to fold, the carseat clicks in and that wasn’t that expensive. Because more than likely it’s going to get banged up in the airplane hull.
Birth Certificate – Some airlines still require a birth certificate to insure that your lap child is below the age of two, so don’t forget this! I’ve even had tsa ask for it in addition to the boarding pass.
Diapers – PACK MORE THAN YOU THINK YOU NEED for the flight because you never know if your plane is going to get delayed, you have a longer layover. Or that the elevation messes with their digestive track and you’re stuck in blowout central. My favorite diapers are Pura! They’re so soft, organic cotton, and no yucky stuff and easily accessible!
Wipes – You might think these are a no-brainer for traveling with a kiddo, but I’ve got to add them just so no one forgets! For everything diaper, food, spit up, cleaning surfaces. These things are so helpful! I have tried SO many wipes and find Pipette to be the best for sensitive butts!
Diaper Cream – Nothing is worse than traveling and I have a baby with a sore butt. Whether it’s from teething, food, numbers twos, or just because sometimes babies have butt rashes, these are my three go to’s!
Motherlove Nipple OR Diaper cream – I had so much left over nipple cream and read that it also is great for diaper cream, turns out IT’S WONDERFUL. It’s also cheaper than the diaper balm. Its very smooth with olive oil, beeswax, and shea butter as it’s main ingredients.
Dr Bronners Magic Balm – This cream can double as diaper cream, lotion, basically all of the above and it’s thicker like aquaphor.
Earth Mama – This stuff is SO clean and more of my “everyday use” diaper cream. Creamy like the motherlove, and containing Jojoba oil, which is one of my favorites.
Each have a different price point but honestly I don’t go through that much diaper cream, because I don’t use it every diaper change.
Active Skin – I also love using Active skin in a pinch for diaper rash! It has so many uses so I keep it on hand even when I don’t travel. Bug bites, sunburn, rash, acne, scarring, the list goes on. This stuff is GOLD!
Extra outfit (or two pants) – If your baby does get affected by the travel and elevation there’s a good chance they might blowout, or meal time can get extra messy in confined spaces. I prefer to travel in a jumper or pajamas. The less clothing items and the easier accessible diaper changes are, the better! Plus if they’re in their comfy pjs, they might be more likely to nap! Here’s my favorite outfits for travel:
Two Way Zipper Cotton pjs Girl Organic Rompers Boy Organic Rompers
Filtered water bottle – Even if you don’t have a water bottle with a filter, bring a refillable water bottle so that you don’t have to pay an arm and a leg for the bottled water after security.
They even sell just the filter straw that can fit on other water bottles!
Be sure to empty the bottle before going through security and you should be all set. Most airports now have water bottle fill stations. They are not as filtered as I prefer my water for babe and I, so Clearly Filtered is probably the best one currently on the market. I have also used the Lifestraw one that is more accessible for last minute ordering (they have a stainless water bottle or plastic) and I still noticed much better water quality and it filters out plastic. Win!
Dechocker – This is of course in case of an emergency. I hope I never have to use this, but having it for piece of mind, especially with little who are still learning to chew is so invaluable to me. This product is a small business based out of Colorado, but there are other options on Amazon and such. I cannot speak to their quality as highly as this one. They offer three different sizes. We also keep the adult one on hand at home incase we start to choke and are home alone. I’m even glad I have these on hand in case a child around us starts to choke as well.
Thermometer – Hopefully you won’t need to use this, but sometimes kids get sick at not so fun times and it’s important to know how high they’re temperature is. I am an advocate for treating symptoms and not the fever, but in case there is an emergency it’s good to have on hand. Especially because thermometers that fit in little ones ears aren’t as easily accessible.
Which brings me to my next controversial item.
Motrin – As a lower tox family this is definitely not our first choice when treating our kids, but there have been one too many childrens motrin shortages recently for me to not keep this on hand. My youngest used to spike 104+ fever every single time she was sick and sometimes became lethargic so having this in our back pocket for emergencies was important. In my mind, I would rather have this handy than rushing into an unfamiliar urgent care if I can’t find any at our destination. Or even worse if you’re in the airport. OF COURSE I’m ideally not traveling with this sick of a kiddo, but prepare for the worst, pray for the best!
Now onto the first grab cold/flu remedy I prefer…
Cold Calm/Allergy Calm – I LOVE all of this stuff. Not only do my kids love taking it because they think it’s a fun treat, but it also can be used as a preventative! So if you’re wanting to be extra cautious before a flight or sit next to someone who appears sick, cold calm is great! I also love to keep the allergy calm on hand because I never know how they’re going to react to new places that we visit.
Xlear Nasal Spray OR Saline drops – Nothing’s worse than getting to your destination and then allergies hit you like a ton of bricks. Xlear and Saline drops have been a lifesaver for nasal congestion on the go or at home.
SOAP – Yup so strange, you might think, hand soap is everywhere and for free! But I CANNOT STAND when I use the restroom at the airport and leave with my hands feeling like sandpaper. I also can’t stand when we stay somewhere with overly scented soaps. So instead I bring our own travel soap. It’s so easy to just plop a drop on my hands, know the ingredients, love the smell and how they make my hands feel, rather than using the free stuff. Dr Bronners makes most of their castile soaps in a travel size, and this has been so helpful! My favorite is lavender.
Sunscreen – Even if you’re not planning a beach vacation it’s important to pack sunscreen. Im also a big advocate that the sun is medicine and not bad for us, but there is always a time and place for sunscreen over burns. Since finding a clean, reliable sunscreen in stores is tricky. I just pack ours. Pipette is my favorite. It doesn’t leave a white cast and is 50spf. We actually use it for the whole family.
Snacks/Food – Yes, there’s most likely food wherever you’re traveling, and even a food court at every airport, but is there food that I know will make my body feel great?? Not so much. Or food that I can feed to my baby?? Probably not. So packing pouches, or premade sandwiches, fruits, cheese, stuff like this is SO helpful! And cost saving! I love the Serenity pouches! Almond butter sandwiches are my kids favorite, and a good Aloha bar is my go to. Plus when you’re on the plane food also keeps kids SO occupied.
** You can also travel with liquid through security for your baby! Pouches are considered a liquid but approved by TSA. Having store bought pouches increases your chances of not getting flagged, opposed to homemade. Additionally, your milk is also approved by TSA, but I HIGHLY suggest having it completely frozen through security so you don’t have to combate with them about getting the liquid milk tested. **
Sleepsack – If your baby is a sleep slack lover, then putting them in one while in flight might help keep them calm or even get them to sleep! These are my favorite 100% organic cotton ones.
Portable Sound Machine – Yes the airplane noise itself is like white noise, but having a portable sound machine in flight, at the hotel, in the car is a LIFESAVER. I’ve tried multiple brands and the Hatch, Hushh, and Dreamegg are my favorites.
Portable Fan – I could almost argue that this is in my top three essentials! Winter or summer this thing has saved my life multiple times. If you get stuck on the tarmac, on a plane without AC, or a plane with the heat blasting, this thing is money! You can also attach it to carseats, strollers, or in hot hotel rooms. I’ve been in a scenario where we were stuck waiting for a gate, the AC was no longer working, it had to be 100+ in there, and the couple behind me had a newborn. I was so grateful I had an extra fan to share. My favorite one that shows the battery percentage!
** A power bank is gold as well for charging it on the go!
A Tablet – I don’t usually resort to screentime as my first line of entertainment, but when push comes to shove having it handy is so helpful. Some of my favorite shows for littles include:
Clifford (The Original)
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
Winnie the Pooh
Maggie and the Ferocious Beast
OR if your kids happen to fall asleep and you have some free time, you can watch a movie or read a book.
A couple other items that might be important…
TOYS!!! Bring new and exciting toys to keep them entertained. Here are some of my favorites!
Gum brush – not a toy but my babe LOVES holding and knawing on this
Honestly, the more random the item, the more my kiddo loves it!
Suction cup blackout curtain – If you’re going somewhere unfamiliar or with time change then having this suction cup blackout curtain for naps is SO helpful! It’s compact and can stick over so many window sizes!
Nursing cover: if you’re breastfeeding. I personally like to wear an oversized t-shirt and just tuck them under there! One less thing to pack! Otherwise this old lululemon forward flow poncho is my favorite, it’s very similar to the Cocoon cover. Only I got mine for a fraction of the price on poshmark!! Quince also has a similar one for less than half the price! Or a muslin very breathable one (under $20!) is nice for on hot stuffy planes!
Sticky disposable placemats: so nice for the tray in front of you and restaurants.
Noise canceling headphones: in case they’re sensitive to noise.
Comfy backpack to carry everything
Small purse in case the gate agents are strict about bag count, you want to be able to shove it in your bag.
Phone charger!
Car seat bag – This is not a necessity, but a nice to have in case it’s raining so your car seat doesn’t get wet or dirt.
Some other tips!
Don’t board the plane first at family boarding. Yup I said it. (unless you fly Southwest and have no assigned seats) If you board first, you’re on that plane for an additional 30+ minutes before you even take off. That’s 30 more minutes of confined entertainment. I’d rather board last and take the extra time off the plane.
Try to sit with a lap baby in the aisle seat. That way if you have a poopy diaper, need to walk to isles, or a baby who likes to grab, then you only have an easy exit and only one person next to you to worry about. On the other hand if your whole family has the row, the window can be nice entertainment especially with suction cup toys.
During takeoff and landing when there’s the biggest pressure changes, try to have your baby on the boob or taking a bottle. The sucking motion will help their ears to pressurize easier. If you do need to warm a bottle before the flight, find a coffee stand and ask for hot water. (Hopefully they don’t charge you if you let them know it’s for a bottle!) And then my favorite way to warm the bottle is a tommee tippee warmer. It keeps the water hot and provides a container to put the bottle in like a bottle warmer.
Try to check car seats at the gate so they don’t get lost!
I took videos when I personally traveled alone with my 10 month old and made an Instagram reel with them if you’d like to check them out!
Otherwise I hope this helps with your future travels!