Traveling with an infant is one of the few times I say it pays to nurse. LOL! But I did have to supplement with both of my kids starting at 4mos with the first. Six months with this one. And we do travel a lot with them. Soo..

My tips-

I think powder is so much easier to pack than trying to take liquid formula.

So getting on the plane, Assemble 2-3 bottles ( nipples etc) and place only the dry formula in them. Bring a couple of screw on caps that are used when you store milk.

Feed baby with a seperate prepared bottle at home, on the car ride to the airport ( whether it is time to eat or not). A top off for little one makes them tolerate the process of checking your baggage and going through security with a smile on their face. The empty/partially used bottle can be gently rinsed in the airport bathroom and placed in a ziploc bag and added to your carryon luggage.

Once you go through security, purchase a bottle of water to take on the plane from the shops in the airport. Use this to add the amount of water needed to one of the premeasured bottles with the powder in it. Prepare this bottle about 20-30min before boarding. Also get a bag of small, roll proof candy - Silly straws, raisins, trail mix, lollipop etc. for your 3yo. Get something out of the ordinary that you would never get at home but you know the toddler would die for. Let the 3yo SEE YOU BUY IT and tell them. If you are good you will get some on the plane.

Give baby bottle once you have boarded and the plane is TAKING OFF. They will take the engine noise and their ears popping in stride if food is going in the gullet. And it will help little one calm down after being all 'riled' up from all the excitement and commotion of boarding.

The 3yo will be so focused on the bag you purchased from the store earlier. Tell them to Zip it and Sit it. Once buckled. Hand them their suprise treat one at a time. LIke if it is M&M s give them literally one let them chew it, and show you their mouth devoid of candy before you give them another.

You can try books, maybe Dora/Diego episodes on the itouch./laptop. But nothing works as well as candy for a quick silence and end to the talking/fussing/tantrums. Plus remember you have to put away electronic devices for some time period while on the plane.

The last powder bottle you can save and mix in preparation for either the car ride to your location/waiting on luggage from baggage claim.

Yes you are giving candy to your 3 yo. Yes you are over-feeding your 5mo and they are off a 'schedule'. But as a mom- You do what you got to do. And sanity is a precious thing. Lol! Remember it is their vacation as well as yours.

Most locations, with the exception of the very remote. Sell formula. You can always pack some in your carry on/checked luggage if little one is picky or you are nervous about switching brands. But I tend to buy powder for our stay once I arrive at the location. If your location has working women at the hotel/ front desk. I can guarantee you formula is being sold somewhere in a 5-10mile radius at your hotel. LOL!!! I only pack enough powder to survive plane flight with one extra for possible delay. I never pack liquid. Too messy.

I find in most hotels the water from the sink can get very hot. Down right scalding in fact. I usually just wash with a little dishsoap in hot water, bottle brush ( pack this !), let bottles dry somewhere on a clean towel, next to the sink -at the bar in the room what have you.

When you are out sightseeing, Just pre-assemble bottles with the needed amount of powder in them. Water bottles are everywhere. Just buy some water, fill, remove nipple and shake with screw cap on, then remove screw cap and replace the nipple, feed baby.. When baby is done. Rinse and place in a ziploc bag. You can recycle your water ball to ease the carbon footprint. Carrying already prepared formula in coolers/bags makes for spillage and a mess.

If you really need boiling water for your sanity. then just get some hotwater from the hotel restaurant/ concierge/break room. It will save you on packing extra stuff. And you dont have to worry about the bored 3yo toppling a kettle on themselves in a tight hotel room. LOL! Ahhh yes kids.

Try to pack as little as you can. I find it makes for a more relaxed trip.

You can pm me if you like.

Ohh and I ll add my two cents about Benadryl ( diphenhydramine)..

Please keep in mind that a certain percentage of kids. I think it is up to 20% get HYPERACTIVE not sleepy with taking this medication. So if you are going to pull out this old wives trick. You better practice it way before you get on the plane.

I would not reccomend it in my opinion. Not really medically advised for the 5mo old. The 3yo, even if he/she does get sleepy they might get cranky once they realize they are out of their comfort zone and cant really rest like they want to.

Always bring more than enough formula for the trip. Pack enough in your carryon in case of a delay or loss of luggage (particularly if you have connecting flights). I was always able to find enough hot water and bottled water; even use kitchen facilities at the hotel if needed.

Your infant and 3 year old need to be sucking on something (bottle, pacifier, thumb, lollipop) during both ascent and descent. It is most critical for the ear passages to be open and clearing during descent.

Though it is a common recommendation among parents, do not use Benadryl to sedate your children. It is not appropriate for children under age one, and the American Academy of Pediatrics advises against it for children under age 2. The risks are too great. A 2006 study showed that it did not help infants and young children sleep, and in fact, often had the opposite effect.

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