Traveling With Little Kids Made Easier: Flights, Photos, and Sleep Hacks

Hi friends,

Traveling with little kids gets dramatically easier when you do a few small things before the trip.

This week I’m sharing:

One of the biggest decisions when flying with a baby is whether to book them as a lap infant or get them their own seat. While flying as a lap infant is cheaper, many parents find that having a separate seat (especially with a car seat) makes long flights much easier — and often helps babies sleep better.

There are also a few important things to consider, like airline bassinet seats, safety recommendations, and what works best for different ages.

I break down the pros and cons of each option here: → Flying With a Baby: What Seat Should I Book?

If you’re dreaming about a first European trip with kids, Copenhagen is an easy city to start with.

It’s:
• walkable
• stroller-friendly
• full of playgrounds
• and home to one of the most charming amusement parks in the world.

Kids can bike through the city, visit castles straight out of a storybook, and play in beautiful parks between sightseeing.

We even took an overnight train to Legoland Denmark — the original Legoland — where we stayed at the hotel and formed a core memory for our Lego-obsessed son.

I put together a full guide to visiting Copenhagen with kids here.

One of the easiest ways to help babies sleep better while traveling is bringing the same swaddle they use at home. Sleep cues matter a lot for babies, and familiar things — like their swaddle — signal that it’s time to sleep, even in a new environment.

After four kids, I have a lot of opinions on the types of swaddles we use. Having the right one (and a good portable sound machine) are key for better sleep - whether at home or on a trip.

I shared our full guide on my favorite swaddles here.

One thing that’s surprisingly hard when traveling with kids? Getting a great family photo where everyone is actually in it.

I’m currently booking a photographer for our upcoming spring break trip through Flytographer, and I love how it removes the decision fatigue of trying to find a good photographer in a new place.

Why parents love it:
• Everyone is in the photo
• Local photographers know the best spots
• Sessions are short (great for kids)

Popular travel dates can book up quickly, so it’s worth checking if there’s a photographer available where you’re traveling.

→ Check photographers in your destination - Use my link to get $25 off of your photoshoot.

We’re about to take our first flight with four kids, which means we’ve been doing something unexpected at home to prepare.

We’ve started using our digital habit tracker for kids to build simple routines — things like listening the first time, packing up toys, and getting ready calmly.

It turns out the same routines that help at home also help a lot during travel days, airport security, and long flights.

If you want to try it before your next trip, you can grab our Kids Digital Habit Tracker here.

Quick question —
Where are you traveling with your kids this year?
Hit reply and tell me. I love hearing where everyone is headed.

And if there’s a topic you’d love me to cover in a future newsletter, just hit reply and tell me or DM on Instagram.

Happy planning ✈️

— Shaina