Flying with a Baby

Traveling on an airplane with an infant makes many parents nervous, especially if they are planning on traveling alone. Children under 2 years old fly free if they are traveling on the lap of a paid passenger, making it temping to take your baby with you when you travel, but traveling with a baby comes with a unique set of challenges.

Pack Efficiently

As important as it is to be sure that you have everything you need when traveling with a baby, it is also important to pack as efficiently as you can. With the airlines creating stricter regulations about what you can take on a plane and how much you can take, you want to be very careful that you won’t have to leave anything behind when you go through security checks at the airport.

If you are going to be traveling alone, it is especially important that you pack everything you will need on the airplane in a bag that is small enough to fit under the seat in front of you in the airplane. It can be difficult to get in and out of your seat to get items out of luggage stored in the overhead compartments. Storing everything under the seat in front of you where it is accessible will help you to have a more relaxing flight with a baby. Be sure that you have some of your baby’s favorite snacks since airplane food may not be appropriate for young babies.

Travel Entertainment for Infants

Pack several new toys or toys that your baby has not seen in a while. Infants age 5 months and younger are fairly easy to entertain with simple rattles and infant toys. Older infants can be entertained by playing simple games such as pat-a-cake and peek-a-boo. Bring only one toy out at a time so that when your baby becomes bored and fussy you can reveal a new and exciting toy.

If possible, plan flights during your baby’s naptime to shorten the amount of time you need to entertain your baby when he is awake on the plane.

Be Friendly

Many air travelers are frustrated when they see that they are going to be sitting near a baby during a long flight. Smile and do your best to be friendly with the people sitting near you on the plane and assure them that you are planning on doing your best to keep your baby happy on the plane. Starting a conversation with other travelers and flight attendants often makes them more willing to help you if you need assistance during the flight. Take a minute to talk with a flight attendant before takeoff and discuss your possible needs throughout the flight.

Ear Popping Moments

Have a pacifier, bottle, or sippy cup available for your baby for takeoff and landing to help your baby’s ears pop and relieve any pressure buildup. If you baby is fussy and will not take a bottle, gently press your thumb and forefinger under his jaw at the back of his throat and wiggle gently back and forth. This will cause your baby’s gag reflex to kick in and cause him to swallow and relieve the pressure in his ears.

Be Flexible

It is hard to guess how your baby will react to a plane ride beforehand. Plan the best you can, knowing your baby’s temperament and preferences, but be prepared for surprises. One mother of a one year old little boy had her flexibility put to the text when her little boy went through all his diapers and changes of clothes during a plane ride. When her little boy pooped through his last diaper shortly before landing, his mother found a maxi-pad in the airplane bathroom and wrapped him in a blanket until the plane landed. Despite the stress of the situation, this young mom was able to keep her head under pressure and now has a great story to laugh about.

Traveling with an infant is stressful but the rewards of vacationing with your baby are immeasurable. Enjoy the time that you have with your baby and accept whatever help is offered along the way.

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