We took our very first trip with baby Brooklyn in October of 2025— and I must say, I was so proud of myself. Leading up to it, I was so anxious, making sure I had everything she might possibly need. But we did it!
We headed to the Dominican Republic to celebrate my mom’s 50th birthday — a beautiful family trip with aunts and cousins I hadn’t seen in years. It felt like a reunion in paradise, filled with laughter, love, and just the right amount of chaos.
Now, I wanted to share a few key takeaways and lessons I learned for next time — especially for anyone planning their first big trip with a baby.
Mosquito Concerns
Since we were traveling to the Caribbean, my biggest concern for Brooklyn was mosquito bites. Growing up in Jamaica, I know all too well the trouble those tiny creatures can cause.
I packed baby-safe bug spray and a stroller net, which helped during the day. But bedtime was trickier — I found a few mosquitoes in our room and couldn’t relax knowing one could easily sneak a bite. Next time, I’ll be bringing a mosquito sleep net to cover her crib at night.
The Bottle Struggle
Washing bottles while traveling deserves its own category of stress. I brought microwave sterilizer bags, but the hotel didn’t have microwaves in the rooms (even though it was listed online). They also didn’t have a kettle for hot water.
I ended up using bottled water and heating it through the coffee machine — or waiting for the hotel to bring hot water, which would often arrive lukewarm. Not ideal.
Next time, I’ll be trying disposable bottle liners, which slip into the bottle and make cleanup so much easier — you just wash the nipples. I have also invested in a portable kettle and portable bottle warmer for future trips.
The Plane Ride
Surprisingly, the flight was the easiest part! Brooklyn absolutely loves being in our arms, so a 3.5-hour flight snuggled between mommy and daddy was her idea of heaven.
She slept most of the way and only woke up when she was hungry. During takeoff and landing, she sucked on her pacifier to help with ear pressure — and it worked perfectly. When we landed, several passengers and flight attendants complimented us, saying they didn’t even realize a baby was on board.
What I Learned
Traveling with a baby takes planning, patience, and flexibility — but it’s so worth it. I learned that Brooklyn loves warm weather. Every time we stepped outside, she’d smile and kick her little legs in excitement. I kept her stroller fan on to make sure she stayed cool, and she was happy the entire time.
This trip gave me confidence — and reminded me that motherhood doesn’t mean the adventures have to stop. They just look a little different now, and honestly, even more meaningful.
If you’re prepping for your first family getaway, check out my Amazon Infant Travel Must-Haves — a curated list of baby travel essentials that made our trip so much smoother.
Here’s to many more stamps in our passports — together.
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