"Top Tips for a Low-Stress Flight with Your Baby – Essential Advice for Traveling Parents"
I remember being STRESSED planning the first flight for my son and I. I needed to go home to see a family member and my husband couldn’t make the journey because of work so it would just be my son and I. I did a lot of research on how to make the trip as smooth as possible. I worried on how I would keep my son comfortable, entertained and calm as well as considering how his needs might impact fellow passengers. Here are my top tips, from my experience, for a smooth, low-stress flight with your little one.
1. Arrive Early
Allow extra time at the airport to navigate check-in, security and getting to your gate on time. Some airports have a family lane but this is not always the case. Additionally, you can check if your airport has family-friendly services like play areas. Some airports also have family lounges that can be a quiet spot to regroup before boarding.
2. Pack smart
Bring a well-stocked diaper bag with all the essentials (diapers, wipes, snacks, toys, changing mat, hand sanitizer) and extra changes of clothes for both you and the baby. Finally, consider packing noise-canceling headphones. Airplane engines can be quite loud, especially for young ears. Noise-canceling headphones made for babies can help protect their hearing and soothe them during the flight.
3. Use a Baby Carrier
Whilst you can take your buggy all the way to the airplane with you, a carrier can be helpful for hands-free movement through the airport and during the flight. Also, it will be useful before you get your buggy back.
4. Feed During Takeoff and Landing
Feeding your baby during ascent and descent can help ease ear pressure. It also helps keep your baby calm during the turbulence of the ascent and descent. If you want to breastfeed, request a window seat for a little more privacy, or bring a nursing cover if that’s more comfortable for you.
5. Stay Calm
This is a big one! Babies can pick up on stress, so try to remain calm and patient throughout the journey. So far, we’ve done a couple of short-haul flights and our son sleeps the majority if not the whole flight.
6. Bring Entertainment
Pack small (and maybe new) toys or books to keep your baby engaged whilst they are awake. Tethered toys are probably the best toys to bring on a plane for a baby. If you don’t have any, you can bring clips or tethers to attach toys to your seatbelt or carrier. This prevents toys from falling under the seat, which can be tricky to retrieve mid-flight.
7. Ask for Assistance
Don’t hesitate to request help from flight attendants; they can be very accommodating. I have also found that other passengers are more than willing to help and often offer assistance. Some airlines offer special baby amenities, like bassinets or baby meals, especially on international flights. Be sure to ask about these options when booking your ticket.
Flying with a baby can be daunting but with a little preparation, you can make flying with your baby a pleasant experience. If you have any experience with this please share your flying with baby tips in the comments section below. Thank you!
