Flying with a baby is challenging. You have to do everything that you would do normally but thousands of feet up in the air. To make your ride a little less bumpy, try out a few of these tips on your next flight!
Feed your baby during take-off and landing.
While in the air, the cabin pressure can cause discomfort for your baby’s ears. By bottle-feeding your baby during the ascent and descent it helps to encourage them to swallow which can prevent their ears from closing off from the pressure.
Wear Your Baby.
By putting your baby in a sling-type carrier, you can easily carry your baby. This will especially come in handy when you are going through security when collecting your belongings. A sling not only helps your baby stay close to you in a busy airport but discourages strangers from touching your child.
Get the best seat possible.
When you are selecting seats for your next flight, try to snag an aisle seat that it up at the front of the plane. By sitting on the aisle seat, you will have easy and fast access to the aisle in case you have to get up to soothe your baby. Sitting near the front also allows you to have quicker access when it comes to on-boarding and off-boarding the plane.
When it comes to longer flights (more than 3 hours) parents often prefer to sit towards the back, to be closer to the bathrooms. While the choice is ultimately up to you, keep in mind that the noise towards the back is often the loudest towards the rear, which is can be concerning for your little one’s ears.
Since you are traveling with a baby, request that the seat next to you remains empty as a courtesy to other flyers. If the flight is not completely sold out, the travel agent will most likely grant you your request. If you don’t have the option to select the optimal seat, as you check in, don’t be afraid to ask the agent at the gate if there are any other seats available.
Above all…plan ahead!
Before you even get to the airport, make a checklist of everything your bundle of joy would need. Your diaper bag should at least have diapers, wipes, formula/milk, bottles, and a few of your baby’s favorite toys. Often flights will have regulations on how much liquid you can bring on a plane, but you can typically take mike or formula in larger quantities. While you do want to be prepared, try not to overpack. Although it is easier said than done, traveling light will help you travel with ease.