Flying with a baby or toddler can get stressful very quickly. But it’s all about preparation. Know what you need to have packed so that you can handle any sticky situations, like a flight delay or a fussy baby.
You can’t always control how your kids will act on their first flight, but you can learn about what systems to have in place to make the journey more enjoyable for everyone.
Flying with a baby is usually not as difficult as flying with a toddler since babies aren’t as mobile. Many parents swear by certain strategies that ensure their baby is comfortable and sleeps through most of the flight.
Kids under the age of two are not required to have their own seat for a flight, but it is recommended. Many parents like the extra space of a seat for their baby even if they plan to hold them for a majority of the flight.
As many parents know, babies tend to require lots of packing and preparation. The last thing you need is to run out of diapers or wipes because of a delayed flight.
Let’s start with a packing list.
Needs will vary for different babies and families. Use this list to ensure you have your bases covered for the trip.
PRO TIP! A common struggle parents face when traveling with a baby is helping them adjust their ears as the pressure changes. The strategies used by adults like chewing gum or yawning aren’t practical for babies, so here are some other ways you can help your baby protect their ears:
DID YOU KNOW? Formula and breast milk aren’t limited to the 3.4 fl oz rule for airplane carry-on bags. They are allowed in reasonable quantities through security. Just make sure you remove them from your carry-on bag in security and let the TSA officer know. Also, flight attendants are happy to warm up any bottles if needed on your flight.
There are many tactics parents use to make their baby more comfortable and their flight more enjoyable for everyone. See the tips below.
Long delays can easily make a trip more stressful. Many airports now offer designated nursing areas. This is a great place that is quiet and private for feeding before a flight and during long delays.
Check your airport’s map online before traveling to see if there is a nursing area. You can also ask an airport representative when you get there.
Families with babies are often allowed to board the airplane first. Many parents appreciate this time to get settled into their flight before it starts to get crowded with people. As an early boarder, you won’t need to worry about getting in anyone’s way. Take this opportunity to get the car seat situated and tuck any extra carry-on luggage into the overhead compartment. This can also be a great time to get to know any other parents who are also boarding the flight with kids or young babies.
Many parents recommend feeding at takeoff and landing. With the change in altitude, babies can easily get scared or uncomfortable due to the pressure changes. Feeding is a great way for your baby to adjust their ears and be more comfortable for the flight.
This also means your baby will be more likely to sleep for the duration of the flight, which will make it an easier flight altogether.
Even though children under the age of two aren’t required to have their own seat, many parents recommend purchasing one anyway. The extra space can be very helpful when handling a newborn during the flight – especially if it is a longer flight.
No one anticipates flight delays or cancellations while traveling, but it’s wise to be prepared for when it may happen. Find out how to handle a delayed or canceled flight before your next trip.
Once kids reach the toddler age, flying can become a bit more difficult. Keeping them entertained for the duration of the flight is often the most challenging part.
At this age, kids are either crawling or walking around and don’t like to be confined to their seat. Make sure you pack plenty of toys and distractions for a flight. Keep flights on the shorter side since kids these ages have such short attention spans.
Check out this list of travel essentials for keeping toddlers entertained and happy during the flight.
DID YOU KNOW? MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and E. coli are common in environments like airplanes, where groups of people are crowded together in a tight space. In 2014, Auburn University researchers found that MRSA can live on the seat-back pocket of an airplane for a week, while E. coli can survive on an airplane armrest for four days.
Infection with MRSA can cause skin diseases and pneumonia, and E. coli can be especially dangerous to young kids. E. coli can lead to severe diarrhea and hemolytic-uremic syndrome, a disorder which is more frequently fatal in children under five years old.
Thankfully, the following hygiene practices can lower your risk:
- Use disinfecting wipes to wipe down seat-back pockets, tray tables, armrests, seatbelt buckles
- Ensure your children wash their hands after using the airplane bathroom
- Don’t allow your kids to eat directly off tray tables
Read "Tips for Staying Safe While Traveling" for more tips on how to plan a safe and healthy family vacation.
Flying experiences can be different for every family with a toddler, but the tips below may help make the experience more enjoyable.
Before you travel, talk to your child about the trip. Explain what it will be like being on an airplane and get them excited for the new experience. This kind of preparation can help scared children be more comfortable and even look forward to their first flight.
Many parents recommend reading books to kids about airplanes and flying to help familiarize them and associate flying with positivity. The mere experience of flying for the first time and looking out the window can keep a toddler entertained for a surprising amount of time.
Kids can get bored easily during the long time in their seat. Make sure you’ve brought plenty of modes of entertainment like toys, movies, games, and coloring books.
You can even point out different parts of the airplane like windows, reading lights, pull-down tables, and more. As a last resort, you can walk down the aisle once or twice with them. Just make sure you avoid flight attendants and refreshment carts.
One way to keep a toddler calm during a flight is to let them run around and burn off energy before the flight. Some airports offer kids play areas to help keep kids entertained. If there isn’t a designated play area for kids at your airport, a few laps through the terminal can make a big difference in calming them down for the flight ahead.
Unlike families with babies, many parents recommend that families with toddlers board last. The later you board the plane, the less time your toddler will be confined to their seat in the plane. Consider the pros and cons of boarding last and decide what is best for your situation.
It’s important to be cautious about safety when traveling to a new place with kids. Read about the best tips for staying safe when traveling with kids.
Kids age four and up are more independent than younger children. They tend to be better at controlling their emotions and entertaining themselves, but still rely heavily on parents or guardians to make it through a flight smoothly.
Flights with kids this age could mean working together to decide what to bring for the flight. Kids four and older can also get nervous about flying if they have never done it before. Talking through the process beforehand can help ease nerves.
Attempting to conquer potential jet lag? Sleep masks and ear plugs (or noise-canceling headphones) may encourage your child to sleep on a daytime flight if necessary. See additional tips for preventing jet lag here.
Check out these tips for traveling with kids so you feel more prepared for the experience.
A great way to make kids more comfortable with flying is to talk them through the experience before leaving for the airport. Tell them about each of the stops they will take like luggage checks and security.
Not only will this help kids get more excited for the flight, but it can also help kids keep up with you knowing there is more excitement to come at the airport.
Like toddlers, it’s often ideal to board last with a kid who has lots of energy. A few extra laps in the airport could mean a calmer plane ride in general.
Some parents may prefer to board earlier to get settled before the plane fills up, but often with older kids there isn’t as much to get settled. Plus, this means the child is confined to their seat for a shorter amount of time.
If you must have a layover between flights, lean towards a longer one instead of a shorter one. Moving across an airport can take much longer with one or more kids, so the extra time could mean the difference between arriving to your gate on time or not.
If your child has recently recovered from an ear infection, check with your doctor before flying. Kids are very prone to infections, and this can make the flying experience much more painful.
Give kids something to drink right after takeoff and for the last 30 minutes of descent to help them adjust to the changing pressure. Gum can also be beneficial if your child is old enough to safely chew it. Chewing gum opens the eustachian tube, which allows air into the middle and inner ear that evens out the pressure.
PRO TIP! If you know your child will suffer ear pain on the plane, consider providing a child-safe pain reliever 30-60 minutes before takeoff to help ease the pain.
You can prepare as much as possible for a flight with kids, but sometimes you can’t prevent a tantrum in the middle of the airport or on the plane.
Many parents may feel embarrassed, but all you can do is your best for the flight. Other parents on the flight are sure to understand the struggles of making it through a flight without one outburst.
Just remember to remain calm and expect the unexpected for your trip.