How to Take Care of Baby While Travelling
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Flying with a baby or toddler and afraid everyone on the plane will hate you? You are not alone. When I've given presentations about traveling with children to new parents, the most common worry I hear from audience members is being "that parent" on the airplane with the screaming baby. As someone who has been that mom, despite all my preparation and attempts to soothe my child, I understand. Follow these 15 tips for your best shot at a smooth flight with a young child.
Flying with a baby or toddler is easier when you follow these tips (Photo credit: Melpomene, Depositphotos.com)
This story is brought to you in partnership with JustFly.com.
1. Book a direct flight or one with a longer layover.
As the parent of a baby or young child, it is imperative to keep the number of connecting flights to a minimum. Landing is typically what puts pressure on those little ears, causing the pain that makes babies scream on airplanes. Plus, less time spent in transit means less chances for a mid-flight tantrum.
If you must book a flight with a connection, schedule extra time on the ground between flights. (Two to three hours is probably ideal, unless your flight is delayed quite a bit.) You don't want to be running through the airport with a baby, diaper bag, car seat and other travel paraphernalia. You can use the time in the airport to grab some non-airplane food, change a dirty diaper, and most important for toddlers, let your child run free for a while to burn off energy!
A longer layover gives families more time to reach the gate and take care of the baby's needs (Photo credit: danr13, Depositphotos.com)
2. Visit the airport restroom before your flight.
Ideally, you want to board the plane with a dry diapered child. Therefore, be sure to hit up the airport bathroom one last time before heading down the jetway. While you're there, you may want to double up on the diaper cream and put your baby into not one, but two diapers for extra leak protection.
If traveling with a toddler who's potty training, then of course you'll want one last potty break, too. A pre-plane bathroom visit means one less trip to the tiny airplane lavatory. This leads to less work in the air for mom or dad and less inconvenience for those seated nearby. Plus, you never know how long it will be until the "keep seatbelt fastened sign" will be illuminated. It's better to be safe than sorry (and stinky)!
Make sure to do one more potty break or diaper change before boarding (Photo credit: upslim, Depositphotos.com)
3. Take advantage of pre-boarding.
You may think you should skip the pre-board to ensure spending as little time as possible on the airplane with your little one. But getting situated on board a flight takes more time with a young child. Flying with a baby or toddler is stressful enough without having passengers behind you sighing as you struggle to buckle in your little darling.
Pre-boarding makes flying with a baby or toddler easier for you and for other passengers (Photo credit: smaglov, Depositphotos.com)
4. Buy a separate airplane seat for your child.
I recommend you book a separate seat for your child, even though lap children under age 2 typically fly free. Not only is this the safer option, but also it gives your family more room to spread out and relax on the plane. If you boarded a plane and were informed that your safety belt was broken, I'd bet you'd balk. Why put your child at risk?
Here's what the Federal Aviation Administration says on their website, "Did you know that the safest place for your child on an airplane is in a government-approved child safety restraint system (CRS) or device, not on your lap? Your arms aren't capable of holding your child securely, especially during unexpected turbulence." They continue, "The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) strongly urges you to secure your child in aCRS or device for the duration of your flight. It's the smart and right thing to do so that everyone in your family arrives safely at your destination."
A separate seat for baby is safer and more convenient (Photo credit: t.tomsickova, Depositphotos.com)
5. Save money on flying with a baby or toddler.
I know it's more expensive to book a seat for your baby or toddler and this may limit your travel capabilities. For this reason, it's important to find ways to save money when traveling with kids.
Air travel tickets can be one of the most expensive parts of travel. Thankfully, JustFly.com makes it easy to save money on your family's flights. Use JustFly.com to search and compare the best flight deals from 440+ airlines. After you search for a particular route, this intuitive website will prompt you to set up a fare alert to receive a notification when prices drop to the destination of your choice. And, unlike some airlines that charge extra for booking by phone, JustFly.com's team of travel agents are happy to assist you in finding affordable air tickets by phone.
You can also search JustFly.com for deals on hotels, rental cars and cruises for even more savings.
6. Gate check baby gear.
At no additional charge, most airlines allow parents and caregivers to gate check bulky baby gear like strollers and car seats. Simply request gate check tags from the attendant at your airline's gate. Attach one tag to each item and deposit it at the bottom of the jetway. Be sure to fold strollers before boarding. Gate checked items will typically be waiting for you in the same spot at your destination when you disembark. Sometimes, though, they must be retrieved from baggage claim. Check with your airline before your flight regarding their gate check policy.
You can typically gate check your child's stroller and car seat at no extra charge (Photo credit: Gargonia, Depositphotos.com)
7. Rent baby equipment for travel.
To lighten your load in the airport and avoid baggage fees, consider renting baby travel gear. You can have cribs, car seats, high chairs and more delivered to your destination airport, hotel, or grandma's house. This service is available in locations around the world for traveling families. When traveling with a toddler, I recommend using a lightweight CARES safety harness on board the airplane and gate checking your child's car booster seat.
Rent baby gear to make navigating the airport easier and to save money on baggage fees (Photo credit: doble.dphoto, Depositphotos.com)
8. Keep your baby buckled.
Buckled snugly into a car seat or other approved restraint is the safest place for a baby or toddler on an airplane, especially in case of unexpected turbulence. Your child is used to being secured in the car seat during trips to the store or zoo. He or she knows to stay in this "special seat," and if you're lucky, your child doesn't question this.
Of course, the time may come when you need to unbuckle your youngster for a diaper change, potty break or to stretch those little legs — especially during a long flight. Once your child tastes sweet freedom, though, you might struggle to get him or her back into the seat. An infant will often want to stay in your arms for the whole flight. Meanwhile, a newly walking toddler may want to run up and down the aisle nonstop. Therefore, it's best to stay securely fastened as long as reasonable.
The safest place for a baby or toddler on an airplane is a car seat or other approved restraint (Photo credit: Reanas, Depositphotos.com)
9. Bring double the baby necessities.
Bring twice as much formula, diapers, bottles, baby food and snacks on the plane as you think you will need. If your plane becomes severely delayed or canceled, you will thank me. The last thing you want to deal with is a hungry, thirsty, dirty-diapered baby when stuck on the tarmac, circling above a storm, or bedding down in a hotel room for an unexpected overnight.
Bring double the baby necessities on board the airplane (Photo credit: yelantsevv, Depositphotos.com)
10. Dress in comfortable layers.
You may be tempted to doll up your baby in that adorable outfit from your mother-in-law for your flight. But think comfort and convenience first. Choose attire that is cozy and easy to change.
Layers are a must when going from a snowy locale to the sunny Tropics, of course. But layers also help with drastic changes in temperature aboard the plane. If you get stuck on the tarmac you might be boiling hot, pointing that tiny overhead fan at you and your child. Once airborne you might be begging for one of those blue blankets from the flight attendants as the temperature dips to Arctic lows. (Better yet, pack your own baby blanket since those airline blankets are rarely, if ever, washed!)
Wearing layers is also helpful for breastfeeding moms. I suggest wearing a wrap of some sort that can double as a baby blankie, or bringing along a nursing cover.
Dress the baby in layers for the flight (Photo credit: yelenayemchuk, Depositphotos.com)
11. Pack an extra change of clothing for baby and you.
Of course, you will want to pack an extra change of clothing in your carryon for your baby or toddler in case of an unfortunate blow out mid-flight. A friend of mine did exactly that when flying solo with her baby from California to Europe. Unfortunately, though, she did not pack additional clothing for herself. A leaky diaper left mama sticky and wet for the duration of her long flight. To avoid this inconvenience, toss a compact outfit for yourself into the diaper bag, too.
Pack an extra outfit not only for baby but also for you (Photo credit: belchonock, Depositphotos.com)
12. Protect ears when flying with a baby or toddler.
Sucking or chewing helps ease ear pain caused by pressure changes in the airplane's cabin. Bring formula or pumped breast milk and give your baby a bottle during take-off and landing so you can keep junior safely buckled. Keep in mind that breast milk is exempt from the 3.4 ounce liquid rule. If your child doesn't take bottles, then a sippy cup or pacifier works, too. Chewing a cracker or cookie can also help older toddlers.
EarPlanes are wonderful for flyers with sensitive ears. Pop these special plastic ear plugs into little ears at the beginning of the airplane's descent to lessen pressure and pain. Children's EarPlanes work for kids aged 1+. You might also want to ask your pediatrician to prescribe ear pain drops before your flight with your baby.
Changes in cabin pressure cause ear pain for many babies and toddlers (Photo credit: marchibas, Depositphotos.com)
13. Don't forget baby's medication.
Make sure to pack any prescription and over-the-counter medicine you might need in your carryon bag. Liquid medications are exempt from TSA liquid limits. Be sure to keep them in their original packaging so they are easily identifiable. Infant ibuprofen can come in handy for sore ears and Dramamine for Kids is safe for children age 2+.
Pack medications in your diaper bag for easy retrieval during your flight (Photo credit: ruttapum2, Depositphotos.com)
14. Keep baby happy with distractions.
For now, the days of enjoying a magazine, good book or action movie while on board a plane are gone. You very well may spend your entire flight placating your baby or toddler. This means reading board books over and over and over to your little one. It means buying the right travel toys and actively playing with your child. Maybe it also means spoiling your toddler with smart device movies and apps, even if you eschew the lure of electronic entertainment at home. The bottom line is, you need to keep that baby happy on board the plane using whatever means you can! Take a look at our Airplane Kit for Babies and Toddlers to see what to pack in your carryon to keep your little one content in the air.
Plan to play, play, play with your baby on the plane (Photo credit: t.tomsickova, Depositphotos.com)
15. Ignore the haters.
Sometimes, no matter what you do, your baby or toddler is going to cry LOUDLY on the airplane. You can give bottles and snacks, try stories and movies, change diapers, and do everything on this list of tips for flying with babies and toddlers. Still, your child may have a screaming fit in the air. The most important thing is that you try (and that other passengers witness that effort). You have enough to worry about without concerning yourself with every cranky pants on the airplane. Take care of your baby or toddler, and ignore the haters. Soon enough, your plane will safely land and your family will be ready to explore together.
Worry about your baby, not the haters, on your flight (Photo credit: cunaplus, Depositphotos.com)
Why fly with toddlers and babies.
Flying provides easy access to an array of destination possibilities and certainly should not be avoided just because it may come with a few ups and downs. So book that flight and get ready to experience the world anew with your baby or toddler!
My toddler in a CARES airplane harness (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)
Learn more tips for traveling with young children.
If you want to keep your child content while flying, then take a look at our Airplane Kit for Toddlers and Babies with all the gear you'll need to bring on board.
You might also want to check out our recommended best travel toys for babies and beyond, too.
To avoid lugging a bulky car seat on board your next flight, read our review of CARES, the only compact FAA-approved safety harness for toddlers and preschoolers.
Save these tips for flying with babies and toddlers.
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Do you have any questions or additional tips for flying with a baby or toddler? Let us know in the comments below!
For more help traveling with babies and young children, take a look at my book, The Travel Mamas' Guide.
A Note from The Travel Mama: I received compensation from JustFly.com related to this story.
How to Take Care of Baby While Travelling
Source: https://travelmamas.com/tips-for-flying-with-baby-toddler/