Your Guide to Traveling Abroad with a 4-Month-Old Baby

Are you ready to embark on a thrilling adventure abroad with your precious 4-month-old baby in tow? Traveling with a little one may seem daunting at first, but fear not, as we have compiled the ultimate guide full of tips and hacks after braving the adventure ourselves.

Traveling is a big part of our life together and we didn't want that to change when we started having kids. Once our son turned 4 months old we took our first big trip overseas to Europe. You may think it's insane to have gone on an 8+ hour flight with an infant without first testing the waters, but we did our research and prepared the best we could.

Well it turned out well enough that we took him on 7 more flights within the span of two months and let me tell you they haven't all been perfect, but we have learned SOOOO much along the way.

So without further ado... Here is everything you need to know to ensure a smooth and enjoyable vacation for both you and your baby!

Preparing for the Flight

An airplane is a place full of new noises, people, sounds and various other stimuli that may shock the system of a newly arrived human being. That being said, there are plenty of way to prepare and make sure that the plane ride is exciting rather than traumatizing.

When choosing a flight consider your baby's sleep schedule as a factor. Our first flight to Switzerland was a red-eye from 8 pm EST to 7 am. Usually this would not be my preferred timing, but it turned out great for our baby. Once we had taken off, he slept soundly for most of the trip. Not only was this a blessing for us and our fellow passengers. But it made jet lag virtually nonexistent for him. When we arrived he was awake and ready to party!

After finding the perfect flight itinerary and booking, go ahead and call the airline right away to see if they have a bassinet seat. This is less common on domestic flights, but a bassinet seat comes standard on most internationally flying aircrafts. These are the seats at the bulk head of each class on the plane and come with an insert in front of the seat where a bassinet (provided by the airline) can be attached, the bassinet has a small mattress layer, and straps that you fasten over the baby in case of turbulence. After booking, I called right away with my reservation number and the customer service rep was able to assign us these seats. With the bassinet seats it is all about first come first serve. We were so lucky that she was willing to help us over the phone, but some airlines will tell you to ask for this at the gate upon arrival. If this is the case for you, I suggest getting to your gate earlier if possible in order to secure these seats. Just imagine how much better your baby (and you) will snooze in the comfort of their own bassinet.

Packing Smart : The Essentials

This is arguably the hardest part of the trip, packing for myself is hard enough and I am a grown adult. Now you have to anticipate the needs of your tiny baby for week, ten days or even a month in advance?! This would overwhelm anybody! But when you break it down there is no need to be overwhelmed. Let's start with the needs for the plane.

A good rule of thumb is to make sure you have enough diapers, wipes, formula/or breastmilk, and clothes for the amount of time you would be flying plus a day. With how flying is these days, you never know when a flight could be canceled or delayed leaving you stranded in an airport for who knows how long. There nothing scarier then running out of diapers and/or formula when you are boarding a flight. It would be incredible if airlines thought to carry extra of these items but alas...they do not. Plans can be unpredictable so it is best to prepare for the worst. Our son was going through a blowout phase at the time, so I even packed an extra shirt for myself in his diaper bag to make sure I wasn't stuck covered in poop for hours . Unfortunately I did end up having to use it.

Speaking of blowouts, a pro tip a friend once shared with us is to pack a roll of doggie bags in your diaper bag. These are great for stinky diapers when there isn't a trashcan readily available or for poopy clothes that you can't wash out right away. Just throw them in a doggie bag and worry about it later.

Last thing that has absolutely been a game changer for us is baby noise cancelling headphones. Planes are SO loud, and the prolonged noise can be damaging to babies eardrums, but beyond that, how can you expect them to get any sleep with all that ruckus? We purchased a pair from amazon and they were incredible. Not only were they adjustable, but well padded and didn't bother our baby at all. Every time we fly, we put them on right before take off and remove them after landing.

For take off and landing we have found that the sucking motion helps our baby stay calm. Since infant's eardrums are still developing the quick changes in elevation can cause significant ear pain. Adults will subconsciously open their mouths to pop their ears and equalize pressure but babies and toddlers are incapable of this, so feeding your baby a bottle or from the breast during take off can reduce this discomfort significantly and keep them from feeling any pain. If they are not hungry at the time of take off, try a binky or a piece of ice or fruit, anything to get that sucking motion going!

And remember, don't be afraid to ask for assistance from flight attendants—they are there to help!

Essentials for the Trip

Wether your backpacking through Europe, or just planning for a weekend beach getaway, it is important to consider what your baby will need and what you can leave behind. Luckily your baby will still be exclusively on breastmilk or formula at this point so there is no need to worry about packing a bunch of extra snacks. I luckily was able to breastfeed so I didn't have to bring anything extra. But if your situation is different consider what your baby needs to stay satisfied.

You will want some sort of baby carrier or stroller. Depending on the type of vacation you are taking one may be more realistic than the other. We opted to not bring a stroller with us, because we didn't want the extra travel weight. We bought a baby bjorn carrier and took turns wearing our son as we walked the streets.

Here's a condensed list of what you need to pack:

• Baby Carrier or Stroller : Opt for a lightweight stroller or a comfortable baby carrier to navigate the cobblestone streets of European cities effortlessly.

• Clothing : Pack weather-appropriate clothing for your baby, including cozy layers for cooler evenings.

• Snacks and Bottles : Keep your baby nourished and hydrated with easy-to-carry snacks and bottles.

• Diapers and Wipes : Stock up on an ample supply to last the duration of your trip.

• Baby Toiletries : Bring baby shampoo, lotion, and any other toiletries your little one may need.

• First Aid Kit : Include infant pain reliever, thermometer, and any prescription medications.

  
  

Traveling abroad with a 4-month-old baby is a remarkable experience that will create lasting memories for your family. By following our tips and suggestions, you can ensure a smooth and enjoyable vacation while exploring the beauty and charm of Europe with your little one.

Bon voyage!

The American Gypsy