Hey ya'll! 
We hope you are enjoying your summer and have been able to go on some fabulous family vacations. As most of you know, I (ILA) recently enjoyed an amazing trip to both Newport Beach, California and Kauai. With all of the traveling we have been doing, I found it an opportune time to take notes on how to travel efficiently and effectively with my littles with the hopes of sharing the advice with our followers. As such, a few weeks ago, I posted my "travel tips" for traveling on planes with small children - which you can check out here. This post is extremely helpful, however, it was mostly directed at families with more than one child and also at families with a toddler. So, today, I wanted to discuss how to travel best with a BABY. More specifically, I will be sharing my top four products that will help you travel smoothly on a flight with a baby! Anyways, here we go....

First, I need to address the carseat situation. If you want a smooth flight with minimal fuss, purchasing an extra seat for your baby will help do the trick. The main reason why purchasing an extra seat for your baby will help with a smooth flight is because you can bring his/her carseat onto the plane. This allows baby to have his/her own seat, making it so mom/dad does not have to hold the baby for the entire duration of the flight. Baby can also nap soundly and smoothly in the carseat and it also provides maximum safety, God forbid anything goes wrong (turbulence, etc.). From personal experience, I will say that I was most relaxed when Linc had his own seat, especially on long flights and ESPECIALLY on flights that I flew with him alone.
That said, I understand that purchasing a seat for your baby financially is not in your best interest, which it wasn't for us - multiple times over. I mean, now is the time to fly with baby, right? So, if you decide NOT to purchase an extra seat for your baby, my second piece of advice is to bring your carseat with you on the trip anyways. This is for two reasons: 1) there is a chance that you will be able to bring the carseat onto the plane anyways (without having purchased a ticket), and 2) you will probably want baby to have his/her own carseat on the trip; in my experience, the rental carseats are horrible and seem unsafe. 
Back to point #1 ... if you bring the carseat on the trip and didn't purchase a plane ticket for baby, there is still a chance that you will be able to take advantage of empty seats on the plane and can stick baby and baby's carseat into one of them. At check-in, ask the agent how full the flight is. If the agent says the flight is full - there is your answer; you will be unable to take the carseat on, but that's okay, then you'll simply check the carseat right then and there or even better, you will gate check it along with your stroller base. On the flip side, if the flight attendant responds telling you that the flight is only half full, you should ask if you can be placed next to an open seat so that you have more room for baby. If you want to be really honest, you can tell the agent that you plan/hope to bring your carseat onto the flight, but there is a risk that they will inform you that this is not allowed given that you failed to purchase a seat for baby. I will leave it up to you to decide how you want to frame it for the agent!
In saying all of this, I want you to consider two things. First, if your flight is short, it may not be necessary to bring the carseat onto the plane. After all, holding a baby for an hour or two isn't a deal breaker. At the same time, having the carseat to free your hands is also nice. ANYWAYS. Second point, I say all of this assuming that your baby's carseat clicks into a stroller base. If your baby's carseat doesn't click into your stroller base and rather than stroller up to the gate, you'd have to carry the carseat, then this option really isn't feasible for you. Who wants/is able to carry their baby's carseat to the gate? Umm no. Conclusion: there are logistics that must work in your favor, and if they do, bringing the carseat onto the plane is a wise decision.
I digress - back to my TOP 4 products for the plane...

Why a baby carrier is important: If you don't bring baby's carseat onto the plane, you will want something to hold baby in for the duration of the flight. A carrier will help baby to sleep and eat, and will also allow you to (somewhat) relax while on the plane. A few times, I brought the Ergo Baby carrier, which is one of my favorite carriers of all time. While I LOVE this carrier, personally I feel it is not optimal for plane rides. First, it is bulky and doesn't fit nicely into a diaper bag. Second, it is somewhat cumbersome to take on and off. Third, it isn't the easiest (for me) to nurse baby in. Fourth, my children could never sleep soundly in them if I were sitting down with it on. Therefore, I suggest something different. Thus, my top carrier recommendation for plane rides is a Ring Sling. I have the Chekoh Ring Sling , which I absolutely LOVE. I didn't purchase one with my first child, and don't know how I survived without it. Most importantly, it is an optimal carrier for travel. Not only does this carrier store nicely in a diaper bag, it is incredibly easy to take on and off. Further, my absolute favorite attribute (especially for flights), is that it almost acts as a cocoon for baby. You can nurse (or bottle feed) them at the perfect angle, and they can easily doze off to sleep in a cradle-like position. If they awaken, they are in the perfect cradle position to be rocked back to sleep or fed. Not to mention, if you like extra coverage while you nurse, this can serve as a nursing cover, as well. If you purchase anything for the flight, purchase a ring sling!!

Why a swaddle blanket is important for the flight: Swaddle blankets to a baby are kind of like cell phones are to parents. Kidding, not kidding. You kind of feel detached when it's not around. In all seriousness, more times than not, a swaddle blanket will come in handy and will do so especially on a flight. The number one reason why I bring a swaddle on the plane is because it serves as the perfect pillow for baby to sleep on. While I cradle baby in the Ring Sling, I use a swaddle blanket to prop up baby's head for comfort or place it under my arm so it doesn't fall asleep. If the flight is cold, you can also use it to keep baby warm; you can also use it to clean up any messes or to help comfort baby. There are a million reasons why swaddles will come in handy on the plane and I always found it so necessary to have one! Some of my favorite brands are Aden + Anais and Little Unicorn.

Why a nursing tank is important for the plane: If you are NOT a nursing mom, then forget these next two product recommendations. If you are a nursing mom, you will be SO glad that you followed this recommendation. A nursing tank is super necessary for a plane ride with a nursing baby. Not only will you want to nurse your baby on take off and landing (to help with the change in cabin pressure), but you will also want to be able to nurse your babe because of fussiness or possibly to help them fall asleep throughout the flight. The last thing you will want to have on is a shirt that is not easily accessible for nursing. Maybe you think that baby eats every 3 to 4 hours and this flight is only 2 hours, so baby may not even eat... WRONG. Again, I recommend nursing the babe on take off and landing (if they aren't already asleep), and I also recommend nursing baby to help pacify away any fussiness (that may annoy other passengers). All in all, you will be nursing your baby frequently on the plane, and it will be in your best interest to have on nursing clothes.
On my most recent flights, V hardly cried at all, and when he did, I simply unclicked my nursing tank and let him have at it. In fact, on our last flight, I let him pacify all the way home (only do this if it doesn't bother you). Conclusion: wear a nursing tank on the plane if you are a nursing mommy! Two of my favorite brands for nursing tanks are Cake Maternity (incredible fabric) and Bravado Designs (so comfy)!

Why this particular nursing hoodie is clutch on the plane: Okay, I know I'm being specific with the brand and all, but I currently don't know of or own any other brands of nursing sweatshirts that are this amazing AND incredibly necessary for plane rides. Let me also preface this section by saying that I am not a mom that displays her boobs while nursing in public. And on planes, I'm even more paranoid about it because of the confined space. God only knows I'll be seated next to the single bachelor and have to whip out my boobs on the plane to nurse my baby - awkward. This is why the Bun Maternity Nursing Hoodie is a LIFE SAVER on the plane. You literally lift up a portion of the sweater, unclick your nursing tank, latch baby, and let baby nurse away - no boob flashing whatsoever. No one can even tell that you are nursing - it almost looks like baby is nestled into your chest napping. Literally, this sweatshirt/hoodie is so incognito, it is AMAZING. I can't speak highly enough about it. If you are shy (like me) and showing boobs in public freaks you out, you will be praising the nursing Gods that you had this on while on the plane. 
Yes, you can also opt for a nursing cover, but I will say that I did the nursing cover thing with my first and it was a lot harder to have an extra 'thing' to worry about. Alternatively, with the nursing tank and hoodie, simply wear the nursing tank underneath and the nursing hoodie over it, and you are covered while also able to easily and effectively nurse your little one on the spot. Seriously, guys, super serious about getting this! So serious that we are offering a discount code for purchase at Bun Maternity - use this code at checkout: FRIEND25

Why a baby toy is helpful on the plane: Every baby has a favorite toy, and V's favorite baby toy happens to be "Mr. Moose". Mr Moose is a Lamaze baby toy, and it is ironic because Linc's favorite baby toy was "Mrs. Peeps" (as we called her), which is also a Lamaze baby toy. I love these toys because they are multi-functional. They have teethers, make sounds, have bright colors, are easy to hold and are soft to the touch. Your baby may have another preferred toy like Sophie the Giraffe or even a pacifier. Just make sure to have some sort of toy or book (if your baby is of age) to entertain him or her. Final point: babies are simple. Don't bring fifteen toys on the plane. Simply grab your favorite one or two, and that'll do the trick! 


Anyways mamas, hope you enjoyed this post! Please comment below with any other tips or products that you like for baby on the plane. Happy traveling!

xx,
ILA

I'm so excited to share a little part of our afternoon shower to celebrate the coming of Baby B! Thank goodness we had this shower before he came when I was 38 weeks pregnant! It was just the next weekend that Banx decided to come 10 days early! The below I'm holding two photos- one of me as a baby and one of Duke. Look at Baby Duke...I just can't! It's too good! : ) PS- and he is holding his "The Poky Little Puppy Book." 

By my amazing mom Cate Heck

Dark Chocolate Layer Cake
gluten free. organic pasture raised dairy. fudge filling. fresh whipped cream. 
​simply delicious!

To my dear friend Kate Hamborg- your cake was rich and delicious! With pure ingredients, what more could I ask for?! Oh, and how beautiful is it! I sure do have talented friends! OH, and my husband Duke the photographer of course! ; )