Flying With Young Children

Traveling with Children

Traveling with children can be a challenge for even the most experienced and savvy parents. Most parents are highly sensitive to the fact that many passengers groan when they see a family with young children boarding an airplane. While it is an unfair assumption for fellow travelers to assume that small children will automatically bring misery the most attuned and attentive parents will sometimes have a child who screams the entire flight despite their best efforts to soothe them.

The fact of the matter is that children behave in childish ways, and we can't expect them to behave in ways that are inconsistent with whatever stage of development they are going through. Taking the time to prepare both yourself and your children for the upcoming trip will give everyone the best chance of having a smooth and pleasant flying experience. 

Tips for Flying with Infants

 If at all possible, book flights that work well with your baby's sleep schedule. If your baby sleeps well away from home, it may be best to book a flight that allows him to sleep through it. On the other hand, if your baby is easily disturbed by noises or can't sleep in unfamiliar surroundings, it is best to fly when they are well-rested and awake.

Check your baby's diaper right before boarding.

This may sound like a no-brainer, but when everyone is in travel mode and distracted, it can be easy to overlook. A dry, comfortable baby is much more likely to be a happy baby. Another reason to do this is that although you can change a baby on an airplane, due to the nature of the confined spaces and periods of time where everyone has to remain seated and buckled, it can be a bit more tricky than using a spacious airport bathroom to clean up your little one's bum. Whether you Litilize breast, bottle, or pacifier, doing your best to get your baby to suckle during take-off and landing will help relieve potentially painful inner ear pressure.