Packing Pros
‘TIS THE SEASON FOR VISITING! Which is my favorite part of baseball season because we get to travel to new places + see the cutest boy ever ;) As much as I love visiting Jake, or traveling anywhere for that matter, I H A T E living out of a suitcase. Add twins to the equation.. even harder. When they are out of their element without their toys + natural surroundings, they tend to get really fussy so it can be hard. However, it is well worth every meltdown when we get the chance to see daddy! By now, I am basically a pro at this whole traveling with twins things. I have even done it alone! This will actually be their 6th (?) flight and we have yet to have anything traumatic happen. Lol false.. We have had diaper blowouts, projectile vomits (on complete strangers), + just an all around hard time. But they have always behaved well for the most part in regards to crying..so fingers crossed on our first journey of the new season! I have decided to share my baby packing tips below for those mommas of (insert number of babies here) who just need some packing guidelines!
1. There is no such things as packing too much when packing for a baby (or two).
Whatever you think you need, bring two of. Double the bottles, clothes, burp cloths, everything. There will always be a puke or a poop, so you will need back ups. It is better to be safe than sorry. As far as the big necessities such as diapers + formula, just bring what you need for the flight + airport, and then buy the rest when you are there. It will lighten your load and leave more room for other things, such as those back up outfits. Because trust me. You will have a poop explosion at some point.
2. SNACKS GALORE!
Now that the twins are old enough to be eating those puffs and yogurt bites, we don’t travel anywhere without them. No seriously. We won’t even go on a walk without them… or even into another room without them! Mainly because Jones will bawl his heart out until he tastes a puff… But make sure you pack little snacks or even spoon fed meals for the plane ride + gate waiting. The other passengers will also thank you.
3. Diaper + Wipe Duo
Have you ever been to the bathroom on a plane? Its tiny huh? Now imagine changing a baby in one. Ha. This is a tip I read from a mommy blogger when I was pregnant. She would staple a baggy of wipes to a diaper so that when it was time to use the restroom on the plane, all she had to do was grab a diaper + a baggy instead of lugging a huge diaper bag. Because no matter how skinny you and your baby are, those aisles are small!
4. Plan out every outfit
I honestly used to be bad at this. I would pack a lot of clothes, but then once we got to our destination, I would realize that I did not make matching outfits or I did not pack clothes that matched the weather. I now have a system where I layout exactly what they will wear on each day + I try to match him & her as best as I can. Then once I have the daily outfits, I go back through and pack the backups.
5. Make more friends than enemies
You are going to want to be nice to as many people as possible because if/when there is a baby melt down…and there will be one… you want everyone to be as understanding as possible. I have been fortunate enough to have met some really nice people on my plane rides! I have met people who offer to breakdown my stroller for me and even flight attendants who will hold a baby while I go to the rest room solo. Jake’s aunt actually used to be a flight attendant and she made a good point once that a plane is the safest place for a stranger to hold your baby… they can’t run away!
6. Sit near the back.
I know I know, you want to just get off the plane as quick as possible. But so does everyone else, which is why they sit near the front. Sit in the back because it is louder and the flight attendants are usually more than happy to help you wash bottles or just play with your babies!
7. Technology is your best friend
Who ever said TV is bad for your kid has never flown with a baby. Its not long of a flight… let them watch a cartoon or a movie to just keep everyone calm, cool, + silent.
8. Pray for the best, prepare for the worst
We all want to have a magical flight where both mommy + baby enjoy a lengthy a nap with zero interruptions. Some people may be fortunate enough to experience that.. I however have not been. Whatever mess happens at home, be prepared for it to happen on a plane. Be prepared with bottles, snacks, toys, an Ipad, + anything else you would normally use at home. If your baby is fussing, don’t panic. The chance of people even saying anything is slim. And they usually can’t even hear. Don’t be afraid to ask for help or pace through the aisle. Do what you have to do keep your sanity + keep baby happy!
