First Class Comfort: Styling & Surviving Air Travel with Little Ones

Vacation season is here, and it's time to take the family on a trip! But as you're revving up to get your jet-set styles together, there's a looming sense of fear that's totally unavoidable... The thought of walking down a tight airplane with a wiggling toddler with rows of passengers staring you down is very, very intimidating. 

Most parents think endless snacks and an iPad will suffice, but that's not the best plan for having a happy toddler and an easy plane ride. The secret lies in dressing for comfort, and being intentional with the baby gear you pack. Here's our ultimate boutique travel guide to keep the whole plane feeling happy and comfortable, all while you get to look chic from takeoff 'til touchdown! 

The Airport #OOTD

Step one to a successful flight is dressing for comfort! The ultimate travel look has function and fashion, and contains buttery-soft organic fibers and premium fabric. Airplanes are famous for their wild temperature swings, too. You're freezing cold on the plane, but melting and covered in sweat while you're shuffling through the tarmac. 

Quincy Mae baby apparel is our number one choice for easy, elevated air travel. The uber-soft organic cotton outfits won't irritate your baby's skin, and the breathable fibers help to keep their temperature regulated. They won't be too hot, they won't be too cold, and they won't get fussy when they're strapped in or sitting in your lap. 

For late night or super early morning flights, you might not even want to wake baby up and take them out of their pajamas! Kyte Baby PJs are your best bet for sleepwear that keeps your little one looking cute and feeling cozy. Their bamboo viscose fabric is breathable and super soft, so your baby will love being wrapped up in their pajamas.

It's wise to take a practical approach to picking your baby's outfit. Avoid anything with lots of buttons, and don't bring too many hats, scarves, blankets, etc. that can be lost or misplaced. Rompers with snaps or two-piece sets are the safest route to go here, so you can make diaper changes in cramped airplane bathrooms as seamless as possible! 

Shop Baby Apparel HERE

Shop Quincy Mae HERE

Shop Kyte Baby HERE

Mama's Flight Uniform

Comfort is queen when it comes to styling your travel fit. The airplane isn't a fashion show, and nobody is going to win any best-dressed awards. Tight, stiff fabric? Nope. Long, flowy dresses? Ditch 'em. Rhinestones, sequins, or other embellishments that can get caught on things? They can stay in your suitcase.

Snacks and pacifiers drop on airplanes, so you'll need something that has enough freedom of movement for you to lean down, stretch, and grab your little one's dropped things. Airplanes are covered in dirty surfaces, so you'll need some length on your garments so you're not touching anything too gross (that's why I always bring a pack of Clorox wipes on the plane, to wipe everything down before I sit)! 

Slipping into a premium lounge set before boarding the plane is a great way to feel comfortable and look nice at the same time. An athleisure style is a good alternative, too, if you like rocking a sporty look. Check out the active/loungewear we have HERE! 

Styling separates is a breeze, too. High-quality linen-blend shorts paired with a nice oversized button-down is a nice, quick, comfortable outfit for your journey. A nice graphic tee with a pair of nice, quality denim bottoms is a cool looking outfit, too, and easy to layer with a light cardigan when the plane gets chilly. The vibe you're going for is effortless, chic, and put-together. 

Shop Women's Tops HERE

Shop Women's Bottoms HERE

Shop Women's Active and Loungewear HERE

MVP Toys (That Won't Roll Down the Aisle)

Inevitably, your little one is going to need a distraction. Looking at clouds out the window and playing patty-cake will only get you so far! Self-contained toys with a tiny footprint are your priority here. 

Bring nothing that has a million tiny, losable pieces. Make sure puzzles and toys with multiple components need to stay at home or in your luggage. Make sure you're bringing something that won't roll around and fly ten rows backwards if it gets dropped, too! That means no racecars, no balls, and no blocks. The only thing worse than a fussy toddler on a plane is a fussy toddler on the plane without something they can use to calm down! 

One of our favorite quiet, screen-free toys at Wrightsville Ave are Minikane dolls. These realistic baby dolls are adorable and vanilla-scented, and they're great for inspiring imaginative play. 

If you're looking for an aesthetic comfort toy, you can't go wrong with Cuddle and Kind Co. dolls. These high-quality dolls are handmade by skilled artisans using organic cotton, and they're as durable as they are adorable. These dolls make excellent travel companions for your little one that can be hugged during scary takeoffs and snuggled with once the airplane is in the sky. Plus, Cuddle & Kind Co. has an amazing, charitable mission we love, so you can feel good about your purchase when you pick up one of their dolls. 

Shop our Minikane dolls HERE

Shop our Cuddle & Kind Co. dolls HERE

Ready for Takeoff!

Traveling with kiddos, especially babies and toddlers, is always a stressful affair. The early morning wakeups, the long car rides to the airport, feeling all of the other passengers' eyes on you the whole entire time... it's hard! Raising kids isn't for the faint of heart! 

But don't stress! Even if you experience the worst case scenario, the flight ends up being terrible, and your baby is wailing and wiggling for hours, it's just a few hours out of your life. And the fun family memories on the other side will be so, SO worth it! 

Are you getting ready to pack your carry-on? Shop our travel ready outfits and quiet toys online, or stop by Wrightsville Ave. We'd love to help you build the perfect travel bundle!

Shop Women's HERE

Shop Baby's HERE

PS: It happens every time... You pack your bags, hop on the plane, get to the hotel, and... shoot, you forgot something important for your baby. Check out our boutique cheat sheet on unexpected travel essentials you should always take on vacation HERE.