7 Tips for Flying with Babies ...

Flying with babies when you are the only adult going along is a bit hectic! With only two arms, you need all the help you can get. I used my baby carrier, and it made things very easy for me! Both of my arms were free, and I knew where my baby was at all times. If you have an older toddler, or more than one kiddo along for the ride, you can bring along your stroller and gate check it! Choose a compact, lightweight stroller that you can easily break down and maneuver on your own.

The change in pressure during takeoff and landing can cause baby’s ears to pop, and increase fussiness. You can help avoid this issue by giving your baby a pacifier, a bottle, or breastfeeding your little one on the flight. You may want to ask about policies for breastfeeding on the airline, I found that the airline I flew with was very supportive and gave me no hassle at all.

If possible, choose a flight time that corresponds with your baby’s naptime! He or she may snooze through the whole flight, or a better part of it. That may make things easier for you to deal with on the flight, and make for a cheerful baby in between on layovers, rather than a cranky, irritable one.

One thing about flying is that you can’t foresee everything. You may have a delayed flight, lost luggage, or a host of other situations present themselves. In your carryon, bring everything you will need for baby, plus extra. Bring plenty of diapers, wipes, snacks, drinks, extra clothes, pacifiers, toys, blankets, bibs, baby Tylenol, formula if you bottle-feed, and anything else you might need. I include emergency kits with things like safety pins, hairspray, toothbrush, Band-Aids and other small items that may come in handy.

When possible, arrive at the airport with enough time to check in, get through security, and then deal with any small crisis that may occur. When traveling with babies, you never know when a diaper leak, a snack attack, or a lost teddy bear can bring everything to a halt. On a side note, be aware of what the airport allows you to pack. Many airlines allow a food bag for babies, so you have snacks and drinks on hand right away.

Babies and toddlers can get bored quickly. On a plane, there isn’t a lot you can do to switch up surroundings so make sure you bring lots of toys. Maybe buying a few new ones for the occasion would be a good idea. Hand them out slowly instead of all at once, so that your baby has something new to see every so often.

Airline attendants are there to help you, so don’t feel bad asking for assistance! If you need to use the restroom, they can hold your little one. A flight attendant can also bring you water, snacks, or reach into the overhead bin and grab a diaper out.

Flying with a baby can be tough, but it can also go very smoothly! Try to keep your cool in the face of disaster and remember than most people on the plane will be understanding, generally speaking. Have you ever flown with a baby before? Please share your tips below, and thanks for reading!