You may have caught my two Facebook live videos this week (if not, make sure to follow my page to catch videos!) about packing and travel tips. I am going to post those videos below, but in reviewing them, I thought of more travel advice! Oliver has now been on 22 flights with me so we have a wealth of information when it comes to flying and airports. Im going to list some pieces of advice that I didn't mention in the videos and reiterate a few points, but watch the full videos for all of my thoughts on a stress free travel experience.
1. In the video I mentioned putting your car seat in a car seat bag when you check it at the desk. This a picture of the bag I have and here is the link to find it on Amazon. It isn't necessary but the carrying strap on the bag makes it easier to carry to and from the car and keeps it from getting wet or dirty.
2. I also mentioned finding a play place. Scope out the airport website before hand to find the location of any play zones. Boston and Birmingham both had them and I know for a fact that Atlanta does not.
3. Here is the link to the TSA guidelines regarding breast milk and formula. I recommend printing this out and having it with you if trying to bring either through security. Some TSA agents have been known to make mothers throw out milk despite what the guidelines say, so know your rights.
" Formula, breast milk and juice in quantities greater than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters are allowed in carry-on baggage and do not need to fit within a quart-sized bag. Separate formula, breast milk and juice from other liquids, gels and aerosols limited to 3.4 ounces. You do not need to travel with your child to bring breast milk." 
4. Most airlines allow children under two to fly for free as a lap child. When flying with a lap child, always bring their birth cerficiate to verify their age. They don't always ask for it, but make sure to have it on hand. After you book your flight, call the airline to claim a lap child. This helps the printing of boarding passes move swiftly because your child is already listed on your ticket.
* keep in mind that most airlines charge a fee for a lap child on INTERNATIONAL flights. We were charged $200 to take a lap child to Europe but some airlines don't charge to the Bahamas and other Carribean destination. Make sure to keep that in mind as you look at longer flights. 
5. Snacks, snacks, and more snacks. Bring all the snacks! Airport snacks are expensive so bring as much food with you as you can. Put the generic snacks (Cheerios, puffs, gold fish, etc.) at the top of your bag and the good stuff (fruit snacks, cookies, and chocolate) at the bottom. That way the snacks keep getting better and better thus keeping their attention! The bars I referenced in the video were Earth's Best Sunny Days Snack Bars.
6. My favorite distractions for the plane: stickers, educational apps, cars, and turning the overhead lights on and off. 
7. I made this confusing in the video, but seat choices: window seat if you think baby will nap, isle seat if they will be awake and you are flying alone. I like to let him walk the isles a few times and go to the bathroom when he is awake on a longer flight, so an isle seat is more convenient. I always ask the counter if the plane has extra seats, and if they do, I switch with people to give Oliver his own window seat.
8. If they give you the option, check your carry-on at the gate. It is easier to have free hands. Just make sure necessities and a change of clothes are in your personal bag. 9. If you have an infant and are traveling with an infant carseat, ask if the flight has any extra seats. 99% of the time they will allow you to take the carseat on the plane and strap it into an extra seat (if you can get two seats together) rather than stowing it under the plane. For the rest of my travel tips as well as packing advice- here are replays of my Facebook live videos. Keep in mind that these are not professional videos! You will notice I reference somethings that you can't see because I was referring to comments that were being made during the videos. 
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Shelby Simone
I am 25 years old with a 2 year old son and a wicked handsome husband living in Birmingham, Alabama. 
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June 2017
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