FLYING WITH BABIES AND TODDLERS - Real Mum story on MoM

11 Comments

1. Choose your flight schedules to suit your child’s normal routine. If you have a good sleeper, aim to fly when your baby is likely to be asleep for most of the trip. On the other hand, if you have a child who has a hard time falling asleep in strange places, traveling when she’s awake may work better for you.

2. Pre-book your seats. Request a bassinet for your baby as soon as you book the flight. Even if she doesn’t sleep in it, you’ll find it invaluable to keep bub safe in their seat.

3. Decide if you’re using a stroller or a baby carrier to get around airports. Some airports provide strollers. At others, you may be allowed to bring your stroller to the gate of the aircraft. Check this in advance so that you know what to expect. A baby carrier is a great alternative to a stroller – it will give you more flexibility and a free pair of hands.

4. Arrange meals. If meals are included in your fare you’ll also get a baby meal, but you must pre-order it. Some airlines offer special toddler meals, others don’t. Additionally, pack a few of your children’s favourite snacks in case they don’t like the food served on board and so you have something extra to keep them occupied.

5. Pack toys and clothes. Remember to bring favourite comfort items and some toys but not too many. There will be plenty of new objects to explore on the plane. Unlike toys, spare clothes are something you’ll need lots of and don’t forget to bring some for yourself. Expect that your child will play with food, spill drinks and wipe her fingers all over you. Besides, have you noticed that nappy blowouts tend to happen only if you’ve run out of clean clothes and nappies?

6. Get organised before take-off. Before you store your bag take out bottles, nappies, toys or anything else you may need and put it within easy reach.

7. Feed at take-off and landing. Have a bottle or dummy ready, or offer a breastfeed to ease ear discomfort.

8. Get friendly with other families. This should be easy because families are usually seated in the same area on the plane. You can lend each other a helping hand plus there is nothing better to entertain a young child than another child.

9. Go for walks. Going up and down the aisle offers a great distraction for restless little people.

10. Keep the end goal in mind. Your flight is not likely to go down in history as the best 6, 8 or 12 hours of your life, but it will come to an end. And then it will be all worth it.

Posted by no1ladydj, 6th June 2014

11 Comments

- - mom113055 said
  - 17 Oct 2015
    8:28 pm
babies nd toddlers flying with them

- - 191joannes said
  - 17 Dec 2014
    8:44 pm
some very good advice thanks

- - mom57522 said
  - 30 Aug 2014
    4:55 pm
Lots of useful info here for travelling with small kids!

- - hopefullyheidi said
  - 11 Jun 2014
    12:56 pm
Liked your advice, I think the walking down the aisles is important as they get so restless

- - no1ladydj said
  - 09 Jun 2014
    8:53 pm
Even the most patient of fellow travelers will get irritated if your children are constantly on the go, or making a lot of noise during a long flight. It’s really to the benefit of everyone (you, the kids, other travelers, airline crew) if you can be as prepared as possible to minimize fractious kiddies. And you and the kids will get off the flight at the end much happier and more rested.

- - Kelly said
  - 09 Jun 2014
    6:03 pm
Flying with kids can be very stressful you have pointed out some great points here for parents to check off before they fly.

- - no1ladydj said
  - 07 Jun 2014
    8:42 pm
Flying can be stressful enough for adults, but when you add babies and toddlers to the mix, it’s a whole new ball game. I wish I’d known all these ideas a few years ago, it would have made life so much easier.

- - krissy333 said
  - 07 Jun 2014
    7:34 pm
still having my baby on the boob when we flew was our lifesaver. That magic milk just calmed her right down and distracted her for ages.

- - tilly said
  - 07 Jun 2014
    1:07 pm
Great tips for everyone. Thank you.

- - eestigirl said
  - 07 Jun 2014
    7:32 am
Great practical things to consider before the first big flight. : )

- - arcticwynta said
  - 06 Jun 2014
    11:55 pm
this is so very thought out and well prepared go on you and for sharing it with other Mum’s who just may find this very helpful