I often get questions and comments from friends on how to travel with a baby. Caroline may only be 16 months but she has already been to five countries on seven different trips, two of which were 24+ hour trips from Singapore. I would not say we are experts but we have certainly learned a thing or two in all these trips. Here are some of the most important things we have learned so far:
1. Have a Plan and be Prepared
Derek and I plan and pack for everything. We talk about what could go wrong and how to react when/if it does. We also make sure we have plenty of supplies to take care of Caroline. This includes toys, books, snacks, drinks, and anything else we think might keep her entertained. Kids are unpredictable so you have to cover as many bases as you can and just keep calm when things don't go according to anything you had planned.
2. Protect Their Ears
I make sure to nurse Caroline, give her a bottle, paci, or snacks during descent. One thing we learned the hard way is that the "initial descent" is not necessarily when the child needs something if you are trying to time your nursing. Many airlines give you this warning 25-30 minutes before landing. About 15 minutes into the descent is when I would start nursing to protect those little ears from hurting. Now that she is older, the pacifier works best and I just make sure she is sucking on it and not playing with it. Some babies need something to help their ears for take-off as well but Caroline does pretty well it. Larger planes are better at regulating the pressure than the small puddle jumpers so that will play a part in how their ears are affected.
I make sure to nurse Caroline, give her a bottle, paci, or snacks during descent. One thing we learned the hard way is that the "initial descent" is not necessarily when the child needs something if you are trying to time your nursing. Many airlines give you this warning 25-30 minutes before landing. About 15 minutes into the descent is when I would start nursing to protect those little ears from hurting. Now that she is older, the pacifier works best and I just make sure she is sucking on it and not playing with it. Some babies need something to help their ears for take-off as well but Caroline does pretty well it. Larger planes are better at regulating the pressure than the small puddle jumpers so that will play a part in how their ears are affected.
3. Pacifiers
In my book, pacifiers are a must on airplanes. They help protect their ears from the pressure change and they help keep them quiet during the flight. There are strict paci rules in our house, she only gets the paci when she is in her crib, but airplanes are an exception to the rule and she loves it. She is pretty quiet without a paci but it gives a little bit more assurance that she isn't going to yell out and disturb other passengers.
4. Babies will be babies
I've read articles about the parents making goody bags for nearby passengers to apologize ahead of time for the behavior of their kids. I think this is completely unnecessary and ridiculous. We have had nothing but good experiences flying with Caroline. At times she has gotten restless, made some noise, or cried but that is what babies do. So many passengers give her smiles, waves, help pick up dropped toys, or play peekaboo and do not seem to mind when she has a moment or two. Just because we have a baby does not mean we don't deserve to fly just like everyone else. I think if you are well prepared and remain calm then you can handle any situation.
5. Baby gets their own seat
I know it is tempting to use that 2 and under policy for lap children as it is free. We did it a few times when she was really young but after experiencing some light turbulence on a couple flights we started to reconsider and did some research. Turbulence is a very real threat for babies as unexpected turbulence could send a child on your lap slamming into the overhead. When turbulence is expected, you are often told to secure your seatbelt and stow laptops and luggage so that they do not become projectiles yet babies are only protected by an ill fitting seat belt or their mothers arms. We decided it wasn't worth the risk to us and started buying Caroline her own seat and bringing her carseat onto the plane. Not only does doing this protect her better on the plane but we no longer run the risk of losing her carseat or having it damaged through baggage handling. Caroline is also better restrained so I don't have to fight her wiggling on my lap or to be passed back and forth between Derek and I.
For a travel carseat, we use the Combi Coccoro. At only 15.5 lbs, it is nice and light to take through the airport and it fits in a standard airplane seat with the armrests down. We strap it on the Go Go Babyz Travelmate and wheel it around like a roller-board.
6. Baggage/Stroller Check
Most airlines provide at least one free checked item for a child. We usually use this allowance to check the stroller when we aren't taking the stroller through the airport. If you do choose to take a stroller in the airport, airlines will gate check these for you for free. We have even checked our jogging stroller at the gate as the policy just requires that you be able to fold the stroller and it doesn't really matter how big it is after you have done so.
We always try to check as much as we can so that we can have our hands free to deal with Caroline. If there are baggage fees then we will pack one large bag for all of us and pay to check it instead of trying to drag a couple roller-boards around along with a baby, carseat, and all her stuff. Checking bags will help reduce stress so well worth a small baggage fee.
We also try to park near the terminal so that we don't take a parking shuttle. This minimizes the number of times we have to load and unload our bags which helps reduce stress. Plus, there are no seatbelts on parking shuttles so it isn't really safe for a baby to be riding on one unrestrained.
7. Priority Boarding
Most airlines allow parents traveling with children (policies range from under 2 to under 5 years of age) to board early. Airlines like United let us board first with the handicapped people while Southwest lets you board after everyone in the A group has boarded. Policies vary so check ahead of time so you can be prepared.
8. Bring a Baby Carrier
Whether we bring the stroller through the airport or not, we always bring our baby carrier. I use the Ergo 360 and absolutely cannot travel without it now. The carrier keeps her close and comforted while my hands remain free to carry a diaper bag, purse, or pull the carseat. We have found it easiest to check the stroller and just use the Ergo as we don't have to gate check it and wait to pick it back up once we de-plane. Most airports will require you remove the baby from a carrier when going through security but it is much easier to send through the x-ray machine than a stroller.
9. Security Requirements
Babies get special privileges when it comes to security screening as well. The liquid limits do not apply to them so you can bring baby food, formula, breastmilk, juice, or water that your baby will need. We put all that stuff in a clear storage bag so that it is easy to pull out to show TSA agents. I have heard of people having to drink some of them liquid to prove that it is not some kind of explosive but that has not been an issue for us. We are usually only bringing sealed baby food pouches so that may have something to do with it.
Another privilege for babies is that they and the person carrying them do not have to go through the 3D scanner. Simply carry the baby through the metal detector and then wait to get your hands swabbed to check for any illegal residue and you are ready to go. Once a child can walk on their own, they will have them walk through the metal detector by themselves but we have not had to do that yet.
10. Choose the Time You Fly Wisely
I know it can be tempting to take that late night flight thinking that your baby will just sleep the whole time. Tired and cranky babies lead to miserable flights. We know that Caroline is unlikely to actually sleep on a plane because she is so interested in what is going on around her so we don't push the limits for sleep. Early morning flights work well for us as well as in the afternoon. Some kids will be lulled to sleep by the hum of the engines but others will be excited and need to be entertained. This is why we bring lots for her to do.
With a positive attitude and a good plan, you can make it through just about anything so don't think it is impossible to fly with a kid!
In my book, pacifiers are a must on airplanes. They help protect their ears from the pressure change and they help keep them quiet during the flight. There are strict paci rules in our house, she only gets the paci when she is in her crib, but airplanes are an exception to the rule and she loves it. She is pretty quiet without a paci but it gives a little bit more assurance that she isn't going to yell out and disturb other passengers.
4. Babies will be babies
I've read articles about the parents making goody bags for nearby passengers to apologize ahead of time for the behavior of their kids. I think this is completely unnecessary and ridiculous. We have had nothing but good experiences flying with Caroline. At times she has gotten restless, made some noise, or cried but that is what babies do. So many passengers give her smiles, waves, help pick up dropped toys, or play peekaboo and do not seem to mind when she has a moment or two. Just because we have a baby does not mean we don't deserve to fly just like everyone else. I think if you are well prepared and remain calm then you can handle any situation.
5. Baby gets their own seat
I know it is tempting to use that 2 and under policy for lap children as it is free. We did it a few times when she was really young but after experiencing some light turbulence on a couple flights we started to reconsider and did some research. Turbulence is a very real threat for babies as unexpected turbulence could send a child on your lap slamming into the overhead. When turbulence is expected, you are often told to secure your seatbelt and stow laptops and luggage so that they do not become projectiles yet babies are only protected by an ill fitting seat belt or their mothers arms. We decided it wasn't worth the risk to us and started buying Caroline her own seat and bringing her carseat onto the plane. Not only does doing this protect her better on the plane but we no longer run the risk of losing her carseat or having it damaged through baggage handling. Caroline is also better restrained so I don't have to fight her wiggling on my lap or to be passed back and forth between Derek and I.
For a travel carseat, we use the Combi Coccoro. At only 15.5 lbs, it is nice and light to take through the airport and it fits in a standard airplane seat with the armrests down. We strap it on the Go Go Babyz Travelmate and wheel it around like a roller-board.
6. Baggage/Stroller Check
Most airlines provide at least one free checked item for a child. We usually use this allowance to check the stroller when we aren't taking the stroller through the airport. If you do choose to take a stroller in the airport, airlines will gate check these for you for free. We have even checked our jogging stroller at the gate as the policy just requires that you be able to fold the stroller and it doesn't really matter how big it is after you have done so.
We always try to check as much as we can so that we can have our hands free to deal with Caroline. If there are baggage fees then we will pack one large bag for all of us and pay to check it instead of trying to drag a couple roller-boards around along with a baby, carseat, and all her stuff. Checking bags will help reduce stress so well worth a small baggage fee.
We also try to park near the terminal so that we don't take a parking shuttle. This minimizes the number of times we have to load and unload our bags which helps reduce stress. Plus, there are no seatbelts on parking shuttles so it isn't really safe for a baby to be riding on one unrestrained.
7. Priority Boarding
Most airlines allow parents traveling with children (policies range from under 2 to under 5 years of age) to board early. Airlines like United let us board first with the handicapped people while Southwest lets you board after everyone in the A group has boarded. Policies vary so check ahead of time so you can be prepared.
8. Bring a Baby Carrier
Whether we bring the stroller through the airport or not, we always bring our baby carrier. I use the Ergo 360 and absolutely cannot travel without it now. The carrier keeps her close and comforted while my hands remain free to carry a diaper bag, purse, or pull the carseat. We have found it easiest to check the stroller and just use the Ergo as we don't have to gate check it and wait to pick it back up once we de-plane. Most airports will require you remove the baby from a carrier when going through security but it is much easier to send through the x-ray machine than a stroller.
9. Security Requirements
Babies get special privileges when it comes to security screening as well. The liquid limits do not apply to them so you can bring baby food, formula, breastmilk, juice, or water that your baby will need. We put all that stuff in a clear storage bag so that it is easy to pull out to show TSA agents. I have heard of people having to drink some of them liquid to prove that it is not some kind of explosive but that has not been an issue for us. We are usually only bringing sealed baby food pouches so that may have something to do with it.
Another privilege for babies is that they and the person carrying them do not have to go through the 3D scanner. Simply carry the baby through the metal detector and then wait to get your hands swabbed to check for any illegal residue and you are ready to go. Once a child can walk on their own, they will have them walk through the metal detector by themselves but we have not had to do that yet.
10. Choose the Time You Fly Wisely
I know it can be tempting to take that late night flight thinking that your baby will just sleep the whole time. Tired and cranky babies lead to miserable flights. We know that Caroline is unlikely to actually sleep on a plane because she is so interested in what is going on around her so we don't push the limits for sleep. Early morning flights work well for us as well as in the afternoon. Some kids will be lulled to sleep by the hum of the engines but others will be excited and need to be entertained. This is why we bring lots for her to do.
With a positive attitude and a good plan, you can make it through just about anything so don't think it is impossible to fly with a kid!
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| Breaking two rules at once: No pacis outside the crib and no screen time but we have one quiet little traveler. Or at leastfor the 5 minutes until she lost interest. |
