AIRPORT + BABY

First off, let me start by saying that I am by no means an expert when it comes to children and I will never claim to be! I really think that everyone knows what works best for their own family and every family is different. I just wrote this piece because the airport is one of those scary places with kids and sometimes the smallest of things might help. I hope.

Since I had Tom, the words baby and airport have made me shudder. Pre-motherhood, whenever I heard an unsettled baby in departures, I would chant to myself… please don't sit beside us, please don't sit beside us.  Don't get me wrong, I've always loved babies and I am really so blessed with our little one. He is such a good natured boy, he loves people/attention, he has never once made strange and he's a great sleeper.  It's just that they are SO unpredictable and things can unravel quickly. The last day I was in town it was a scream fest. The sweat was rolling down my back as I panicked trying to settle him. Once we go into meltdown mode it's hard to come back from that.

I really didn't want to start the holiday off with the 3 of us getting off the flight crying and nobody talking to anyone (not to mention wrecking all the other passengers heads). So I made it my mission to be really prepared. I spoke to all my family and friends and looked online for some invaluable tips. Considering I never even attended an antenatal class, this is literally the most research I've ever done for anything baby related. So, like I said I'm not a pro (in fact I'm totally winging this whole parenting gig) but these are some things that I found really helpful.. 

1. First off, I broke down our carry-on into three categories: Food, Essentials and Entertainment. I then packaged each category in separate zip-lock bags so that I could easily grab whatever I needed. 

2. I put him in comfortable clothes, a soft t-shirt and leggings. 

3. We arrived to the airport really early. Relaxed Mammy and Daddy meant relaxed baby. 

4. Rather than get on the plane first like most families, we decided to get on last. We just knew that the least amount of time spent on my knee the better (he's a wiry one). So we actually just let him out of his stroller for about half an hour before boarding and he ran free. He was delighted with himself and we knew it would tire him out. 

So back to our carry-on. Like I said, I divided it into 3 categories.

FOOD/SNACKS

We all know that airport food isn't great and I'm trying to give Tom as much organic and sugar free food as I can for as long as possible (I'm just really hoping that he doesn't end up with a big sweet tooth like me!!) I wanted to keep him to his routine as much as possible but I needed things that would be easy to use in public and also snacks. Lots of snacks.

ESSENTIALS

Well we had the obvious things like nappies, wipes etc but we also brought spare clothes, vests and about a million soothers (we weren't taking any chances!)

ENTERTAINMENT

What we did here was to try and keep all of this a surprise. As you know, toddlers have the attention span of goldfish so we thought if he hadn't played with any of these things before, then it might be more of a novelty. The Mickey Mouse bag I picked up in the Disney Store (on sale for €12) was a godsend and we literally got 20 minutes of wows and gasps with that one. I brought paper and pens because I figured since he has taken a shine to writing on the walls at home, that this might occupy his mind for say… 5 minutes. We planned on keeping the big guns for last… his three favourite films… The Lion King, Up and randomly enough Scooby Doo, The Movie. 

Anyway, we were so lucky because he fell asleep before the seat belt light went off, slept for over an hour (I still can't believe it) and when he woke I got lots of cuddles which is so unusual. I lapped it up! He was a little agitated towards the end but still quiet, so the last 30 minutes we just gave him treats, toys and watched his cartoons etc. Whatever he wanted, he got. He must have thought that all of his Christmases came at once. 

Basically, what I've learned since having Tom, is that when you are in public, your life runs in blocks of minutes. You save all the best stuff for last resorts. Everything you do for him or give to him, you then mentally say… ok.. that gives me 10 minutes etc. and if all else fails just sit back, order yourself a glass of wine, give an apologetic nod to your fellow passengers and just relax. Remember, you are on holiday too!

Fingers crossed going home will be as easy! Surely we won't be that lucky? 

J x