Packing your diaper bag for travel with an infant

Curtis writes: "My wife and I will be flying cross-country, through three different airports, with our 8-month-old in a few weeks. Any advice on how to make the trip easier?"

Yes! I've spent plenty of time in airports with little ones and if I could provide one piece of advice it's "don't pack light." Load your diaper bag so you're ready for everything and anything. Consider it your changing table away from home, as well as baby entertainment center, and portable food court. Assign each compartment to a specific item so you don't have to go digging for things. Spending time trying to find your baby's pacifier, for instance, can quickly escalate into a crying crisis.
Plan for unexpected layovers and stock extra diapers, changes of clothes, baby wipes, diaper ointment, medication your baby may be taking, snacks, books, toys, a favorite blanket, hand sanitizer, sunscreen, a hat for the baby, bottles and perishable food in freezer/fridge packs, and extra pacifiers in case you lose one (don't think you'll find the one your baby prefers in the airport's newsstand).

I like "The Baby Sherpa" diaper backpack ( www.babysherpa.com), especially for traveling, because it has lots of compartments.

See our report on diaper bags, as well as our reports on car seats and strollers, for more advice about traveling with baby.