How to survive a flight with babies and toddlers
Nobody ever said travel was going to be easy, and when the first taste of your travels is a flight, it could in fact turn out to be the hardest part of your trip. Whether you’re flying for a couple of hours across the continent, or on a long haul to the other side of the world, getting to know what you’re letting yourself in for is half the battle won.
Here are some of our top tips for flying with babies, toddlers and even when you’re pregnant, to help you plan and prepare for the journey to come.
Know what to expect
As a parent with a young child, there are certain things your airline will (hopefully) do for you to make your trip a little less stressful. For most, the least you can expect is priority boarding and the ability to take your pushchair right to the boarding gate. Some go as far as to provide nannies on hand and to warm up your milk, but do check before boarding what help you can expect from your airline so you can come prepared. Read more on what to expect when flying with a baby here.
Be prepared
If you’re flying with a baby under two years old, you’ll be faced with challenges unique to your situation. How will you eat your in-flight meal with a baby balanced on your lap? Will you get a bassinet to put the baby to sleep in? What if you need to get up for the loo? Here are some amazing tips for flying with a baby to help you plan and prepare for this journey.
Pack the right things
Aside from the passports and tickets, what’s your must have carry on for a plane journey? Think about what your child will need, and try not to be too disturbed by the answer. Our Facebook fans responded to the question with everything from sensible suggestions like wet wipes and Calpol through to granola bars and fairy wings. Find out what else they recommended here.
Set expectations
It might sound silly, but if you’re travelling with a toddler, it’s important to set their own expectations of what the flight will be like. They’re excited, they’re eager, but they’re probably a little bit scared too. Discuss taking off and landing, talk about ways to stop your ears hurting, and for goodness sake, don’t promise them a massage chair unless the plane actually has one! Find out why here.
Make provisions to keep the kids happy on the plane
This is a new experience for your children, so make it special by packing a little gift bag with things to do in it. Let them tow their own carry on to the boarding gate, and have a backup plan if a layover turns out to be longer than expected. Most importantly, ignore the haters from start to finish, and give yourself a pat on the back when you arrive, unscathed, at your chosen destination. Find out how to keep your kids happy on a plane journey here.
Know everything you need to about flying with a baby on board…
….and we don’t mean on your lap. If you’re pregnant and need to fly, you’ll need to do a little homework before you board that plane to ensure it’s safe for you and baby to fly. Many airlines won’t take pregnant ladies in their third trimester, and even if they do you’ll need to make sure you’ve got some kick ass insurance to cover you while you’re in the air. Here are some more tips on flying when you’re pregnant to help you plan for your trip.
Flying with children, at any age, does not need to be the worst experience in the world. It’s true that the younger the kid, the more challenging the journey, but remember it’s just another hour of your life and you’ll be an hour closer to your destination. Stay calm, ignore any rolling eyes, and make the necessary preparations to make this flight as pleasant for all involved as possible.
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