Tips for Traveling with an 11 Month Old

We just took our first trip to Orlando with our daughter Mackenzie (11 months old), which also was her first time on an airplane. We stayed at the JW Marriott Grand Lakes and made sure to book a suite, so we had a room where we could put Mackenzie down for naps and bedtime and we could stay up, watch tv, and chat (and not go to bed at 7pm). TIP #1: If possible, book a suite when staying in a hotel and you won’t have to go to bed at the same time as your kid!

Also, staying at this big chain hotel was helpful because they were able to provide a mini crib (they also had pack and plays) which allowed us to bring one less thing for our baby (we already had enough to bring). TIP #2: Reach out to the hotel or place you are staying and see if they have any pack and play or crib that you can use.

Packing Checked Bags

As first time parents traveling with an 11 month old, we tried to pack as light as possible for us since we knew we’d be bringing A LOT of stuff for Mackenzie. We packed two checked bags, one big and one small; who would have thought my husband and I could have fit in just a carry on? The larger checked bag was solely for Mackenzie! Also, packing cubes made packing for all of us super easy!

I created a list for all the things we would need to bring for Mackenzie and used it as a check list while we packed. 

TIP #3: See what you can pick up in the town or city you’re staying in. For us, I was going to pick up some diapers at a local target, but they only had a large box, which was completely unnecessary, so I decided to bring one sleeve of diapers in our checked bag. But this could be an option if you’re going for a long time, or don’t have room in your suitcase. (Same could go for formula as well if you’re going for a long time).

TIP #4: To easily to bring formula, we measured out formula in baggies (100 g for 23 oz of water) for each day we were there and made sure to have a scoop for any extra bottles we needed. This made it so easy to make her a pitcher for the day! Side note: these is the measurements we use, but always check your formula to get correct measurements! I also had some “ready to feed” bottles for quick plane bottles since she will drink them!

Tips for The Plane Ride

TIP #5: The number one advice we got for flying with a baby was either feed them on take off and landing or have them suck on a pacifier. We made sure to feed her on take off and landing so her ears would pop as she sucked. This was super helpful as it worked and she wasn’t super fussy on take-off or landing.

TIP #6: We bought Mackenzie her own seat and brought her Doona stroller/car seat on board and that allowed us to have a place to put her down safely during the flight. Of course it’s not always possible to buy your child their own seat, but when possible I HIGHLY recommend it. 

Packing Carry On

Again, just like our suitcases, I packed a carry on that had 90% stuff for Mackenzie. I packed bottles, formula (powder and ready to feed), bottle of water, her water bottle, snacks (lots and lots of snacks), a swaddle blanket to use as a car seat cover incase she napped, a FULL bag of toys that we never touched, and a baby carrier. The one thing we did use was her iPad which allowed her to sit in her seat and listen to some Coco Melon and Little Baby Bum on Netflix. We bought these headphones for Mackenzie to wear so she could listen to her iPad, but she wouldn’t wear them!

Bath Time

With sunscreen being applied everyday to Mackenzie’s skin, bath time every night was a necessity! I packed wash cloths, travel size soap, and some bath toys!

Sleep

TIP #7: Try to recreate their sleep conditions on vacation as best as possible.

I brought everything I could to replicate her sleep:

• Sleep sacks
• Portable sound machine
• Books for her bedtime routine
• SlumberPod
  • We bought the SlumberPod and this was our first time using it. I think it took a few days for her to get used to, but I truly believed it helped her sleep so much better since she’s used to pitch black darkness in her own room. 

Eating out  (this applies to vacation and out to a restaurant at home!)

We ate out for every meal, whether it was at restaurant at our hotel or out in Orlando, I always made sure to bring a bag for her that had EVERYTHING to keep her busy at dinner. 

I always had with me for meal time:

• EZ PZ plate and utensils
• Water bottle
• Disposable placemats
• A few toys to keep her busy at the table
• Snacks such as puffs and fresh berries
• A serenity kids pouch

Sometimes we’d order her her own meal (kids menu was good at some restaurants), but other times we’d give her a pouch and she was super content! 

All restaurants had highchairs, which was always helpful! 

Wipes were also always necessary! 

My husband and I were super stressed leading up to our first family vacation, but in the end Mackenzie did great and exceeded all of our expectations! I think what helped was getting prepared ahead of time and also having low expectations (if your flight is during nap time, don’t expect them to nap). We did our best to recreate home as much as possible and I think that helped Mackenzie a lot! Make a list, check it twice, and you can always buy something if you forget it when you’re on vacation!

If you have any questions about traveling with a baby please leave a comment below! I’m no expert, but definitely feel more confident traveling with a baby after taking her to Florida.