Last week was our first real trip…on a plane with baby on board!  It was a big deal for me, since I’ve been super selective and careful when it comes to traveling with baby.  I mean he is in fact still a baby!

We were on our way to Seattle to turn a business trip into an extended weekend with family.  And we had a great time, despite the signature rainy weather that frequents the city, checking out the local aquarium, zoo and children’s museum.  While our trip wasn’t free from a little baby hiccups, there were a handful of products that made the trip much more comfortable.  I’d like to share those with you, so you can keep them in mind on your first flights!

1. Puffs

These little snacks were a God-send during our flight! Anytime Chili became antsy, I just gave him a handful and he gobbled them up! I especially love the organic Happy Puffs brand. They are super healthy and come in a variety of flavors from spinach to apples and bananas.  Can’t go wrong with these as long as baby is 9 months+.  They not only dissolve in the mouth, but are the perfect size for those tiny hands eager to grab everything in sight!

2. Table Toppers

When it came to eating out, we couldn’t pass up all the local seafood specials and restaurants around us…we just needed a way to make it work for baby.  Luckily, I spotted these handy table top covers that were ideal for the occasion!  On the one hand, they tackle the issue of germs and at the same time provide endless entertainment for baby while you enjoy your meal!

3. Snap-n-Go with Car seat

I knew traveling — ahem — flying with baby wasn’t going to be stress-free, but little did I know there would be a few perks here and there during boarding. For starters, anyone traveling with an infant (under age 2) can pre-board!  And the other great thing is that you can check your strollers at the gate before getting on the plane! Since we were also renting a car, having the convenience of a car seat on board, allayed some of my concerns.

4. Toys

One thing I definitely didn’t get right, was onboard entertainment.  I only packed a couple of toys in my carry-on because I knew I didn’t have much space to work with: a short book, a teether and stuffed animal.  Thought that would be enough…until I realized 5 hours on a plane can get boring for a baby!  If I could do that one over, I think I would be sure to find something like a mini puzzle or contraption that could keep baby interested for more than 60 seconds! Whoops.

5. Milk

By far the greatest secret for newbie mommy and baby travelers? Feeding during take-off and landing!  I did my research on this one and found it ideal for alleviating pressure change issues in the ears! So I packed my nursing cover and timed my feeding well. Worked like a charm! (Note: If baby won’t feed precisely on time, try giving him a few snacks to munch on instead!)

Safe travels!

I missed a few baby updates over the last months, so here are pictures from 7, 8 and 9 month milestones. My baby is becoming a toddler!

7 months

8 months!

9 months!

Chili: furniture surfing on our newly baby-proofed table (but don’t mind that hammer in his hand…another story!)

Even before your little one is mobile, you’ll need to take some precautionary steps to keep him safe…because before you know it, baby will be rolling over, crawling and walking!  The problem is, there are literally hundreds of ways to baby-proof your home, making the task somewhat daunting.  But take a deep breath.  If you start with all the basic areas of your home that baby will be exposed to each day, your list will be clear as day.  Think: nursery, bathtub and playroom.

1.  Electrical Outlet Covers

First things first. Because baby will spend most time in his nursery: whether sleeping, playing or getting a fresh diaper — it’s important that everything within reach is sealed or secured.  This includes any open outlets or electrical wires like lamp or extension cords.  Even if you think baby won’t be so inclined to explore outlets, you never know what little beings find interesting.

2.  Table Edge Cushions

Your coffee table will be one of the first things baby gravitates towards when he is up and about practicing the art of furniture surfing.  You’ll want to stock up on corner and table edge cushions to pad sharp edges that can pose a threat.

3.  Baby Safety Gates

Safety gates are a great way to keep baby contained within a safe area when mommy has to step away for a moment. Be sure to secure the top and bottom of stairways with these gates as well to prevent any and all accidents.

4.  Bath Spout Cover

As baby grows, he’ll love spending more and more time playing and exploring the water and world around him during bath time.  This also means, he’ll find things like the bath tub spout just as intriguing.  Invest in a cute whimsical rubber spout cover that will protect baby from hurting himself if he decides to stand up and explore further.

5.  Baby Floor Mat

As obvious as it may sound, you don’t want to overlook the importance of having a soft surface to cushion baby’s inevitable falls.  If you don’t have a carpeted living space, invest in a floor foam mat to keep your little one safe as he moves about.  These not only provide a comfortable surface for crawling, they also add a bright, fun appearance to keep baby stimulated!

How did you start baby proofing?

The start of a new year is always a good time to reflect on the lessons learned from the previous one. As a new mother, it provides the chance to review the things you got right and assess what you may need to improve on for when baby number two comes around.

Here are 7 things I’ve personally learned as a new mom!

1.  When you see your child smile or laugh for the first time, it really does make every second of pregnancy, labor and the painful recovery worth it.

2.  Sleepless nights aren’t limited to the first 2-3 weeks after baby arrives. Baby’s sleep schedule can fluctuate periodically as he experiences a growth spurt…meaning even after baby seems to finally have a good schedule down, there can be nights (or weeks) where he (and thus, you) will be up several times throughout the night. Just expect it.

3.  Diaper explosions are bound to happen.  It doesn’t matter if you’ve secured the little one’s tush perfectly, they are inevitable. Take a deep breath and make sure you have ample wipes and stain remover available.

4.  Everyone will tell you “nap when baby naps” but that doesn’t quite work. Why not? Well, after you manage to do the 50 or so things on your list, you might just need that time for showering, eating or just vegging out.

5. The whole “cry it out” routine isn’t an exact science.  Besides the fact that it’s heart-wrenching to ignore the incessant cries of your child, research doesn’t quite agree on this one.  Some studies argue that letting babies cry it out is best for new parents, while others point to the detrimental effects it can leave.  I’ve learned that you just have to follow your gut: sometimes you will need to pick him up to comfort; other times you have to let baby learn to self-soothe, lest you drive yourself crazy.

6.  Once baby starts solids, feeding time will get messy. It’s just unavoidable. At first you’ll try to wipe every little spill, grab plenty of paper towels and stock up on those EZ-wipe bibs.  Then you’ll just let baby eat whichever way he does, and clean up afterwards.

7.  Being a mom is A LOT of work! Yes, motherhood has it’s moments; most of those being AMAZING. But the reality is, there are also many days when you just want to rip your hair out from the stress.  Take it in stride and remember it gets better.  And if not, tag out, and demand your partner step in!