Happy Babies, Happy Flights: How You Can Make Air Plane Travel With Young Children Painless
As if flights weren’t difficult enough, traveling with a baby or a young toddler can often leave a mother having nightmares. It seems that every little step presents larger problems, from child’s passports to nursing on board, but with a little help, even the worst flight issues become manageable.
Preparation is key when getting ready for a flight with your young one. As soon as you plan your trip, begin shopping for good airline prices. Many airlines allow children under the age of two to fly for free sitting on your lap, but make sure to check with your airline to avoid last minute panic. Also, airlines are getting stricter on allowing strollers onto a flight. Once again, check with your airline and see what their rules are. If they don’t allow strollers, be sure to pack yours in a stroller bag to keep it clean while it’s stowed away. When booking seats, it might be a good idea to get a seat separate from your significant other, so one can rest while the other keeps baby occupied.
Locate your family’s passports as soon as possible, and if you cannot find them, apply for new ones immediately. Having them in a safe place in advance brings peace of mind and is one less thing you need to worry about. If you are recently married or divorced, a new passport is required by law. A child passport is only valid for five years if they are under age 16, while an adult’s is valid for 10. Having these together early can help reduce stress as flight day approaches. If you plan on getting a rental car, be sure to mention that you need a baby seat.
The day of your flight, pack a big purse with everything your baby might need, from a bottle with formula, to a clean diaper, small toys and snacks, baby food with utensils, and a pacifier for the descent, which can hurt their ears. If you think you may need to nurse your baby, pack a baby blanket, so you could have some privacy. Change and feed your baby as close to boarding time as you possible can. This reduces the probability that you will have to do either on the flight. Let a flight attendant know if your baby needs to be changed, because he or she may be able to set up a changing table for you in a bigger bathroom.
Traveling with Baby doesn’t have to be a traumatic experience, and, with planning, it can be a good start to a great vacation. Getting started on your pasport application is something that doesn’t need to be last minute, especially if you have already booked your flight. You will need to get a passport for a minor for anyone under the age of 16, and an adult one for anyone 16 and over. Make sure to have stuff to keep baby fed and happy. If people give you a hard time if your baby is upset, ignore them. No one knows your child like you do, and no one knows what’s best for him or her like you do. So sit back and enjoy your trip!
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