Baby travel on an airplane can be challenging. Here are our baby travel tips to make baby travel on airplanes a more enjoyable experience for mom, dad and baby.
1. Try to travel on flights that fit within your baby's routine. Night flights are good for long-haul journeys.
2. Ask for extra legroom. Bulkhead seats at the front of the plane offer more space. If the bulkhead seats aren’t available ask the airline check-in staff to move you and your baby to a spare row of seats if the flight isn't full.
3. When you book your flight explain you have a child. When reserving your flight make notes about reference numbers, services that are available on the plane, etc. One day before the flight call to check that your reservation is in order and that they have your baby’s travel noted on your file.
4. Prepare for delays. Have extra food, a change of clothes and diapers in your hand luggage.
5. If you have to change planes, ask for a courtesy cart between gates. Conserve your energy as much as possible.
6. To keep baby's takeoffs and landings pain-free feed your baby at take-off and landing for comfort and to equalize the ears. An alternative is to have the baby suck on a bottle or pacifier during takeoff and landing. The action of sucking will help baby clear their ears safely while changing altitude.
7. To keep baby safe and secure during the flight consider using a sling-type baby carrier like a Heart2Heart Baby carrier. It keeps the baby close and secure to you.
8. During the flight you and baby should drink as much water as possible—air flights are dehydrating—bring extra bottles with water for the baby to suck on during the flight.
9. Some airplanes are equipped with baby changing tables but this is not always the case. If possible use a diaper bag that has a built in change pad. The gr8x Traveler diaper bag has a built in change pad.
10. Make sure to ask the flight attendant about the safest area to change the baby, and also ask if there is an empty seat that you could do the change on.
11. Pack smart. Bring a plastic bib for your baby. They're invaluable for containing pureed carrot and preventing several changes of clothing a day.
12. Bring a baby blanket so baby can have a familiar item to help them nap.
13. Prepare individual baby clean-up plastic bags with a face cloth and wipes—so you don’t have to haul your entire hand bag to the washroom.
Article use requires an active link to Baby Travel Tips and Useful Baby Gear.
