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| My little "frequent flyers" - YES they have miles! |
So you’re flying with a little one…
Oh boy! I’ve been there! Arms full of everything,
including a screaming child, trying to go through security while a bunch of
pissed off people wait behind me. Yikes!
After two kids and thousands of miles flown, both solo and with my helper-husband, I’ve
discovered that it can be done, and gracefully, too. And it gets easier as they
get older – I promise! Here’s some tips to make the journey a little easier for
everyone in the meantime:
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| Tip: Make friends with the flight crew! |
Tip #1 – Chill.
Seriously, take a breath and be calm.
Kids seem to have a
sixth sense about when their grown-ups are feeling frazzled and it makes them
anxious too. Anxious kids = tantrums.
Try to have some perspective; you’re going on a trip! This is
supposed to be fun! And even if it isn’t, you only have to endure for a little
while until you arrive at your destination, and chances are you will never see
the other people in line or on the plane with you ever again! Odds are that
many of them are parents too and may have more empathy for your situation than
you think.
Tip #2-Ask.
This tip might make more sense further down the list, but
I put it at #2 because I think it is pretty important. It seems like most of
the traveling with babies/small kids problems that I’ve heard about could have
been alleviated by a little advance communication, namely asking the people around
you to be understanding of your situation.
For example- when checking in, ASK at the desk and at the
gate if you’re going to be seated in a row that will accommodate an infant in
arms (you need to be where there is an additional air mask). When you
board the airplane, before they close the door and push back, ASK the
person/people who will be sitting with you if the baby will be bothersome to
them. If you will be breastfeeding or pumping in-flight, ASK if that will disturb
them BEFORE you leave the gate. If your seatmates have a problem, simply push
the “CALL” button and ASK the flight attendant if they can provide assistance, like
finding a new seat for your seatmates or providing another area for your
nursing needs. It is much easier to resolve this early on than at 30,000 feet
when baby is hungry!
When you board also ASK the flight attendant which lavatory is best for changing a diaper, one may have a changing table and you want to know about it!
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| from theoatmeal.com |
Another good place to ASK is at the TSA Security line.
Usually there is a TSA agent in the back of the line directing traffic, ASK them if there is a
line for families with children. In many airports there are separate lines for
elite travelers as well as for those slow-pokes who need extra time going
through security, people in wheelchairs and those traveling with small
children. The “slow” line sometimes is shorter than the regular line, and you
won’t have someone in a hurry glaring at you while you pass a mountain of stuff
through the scanner.
If you’re bringing liquids, make sure to check the TSA
website ahead of time for allowed amounts: http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/3-1-1-carry-ons
Print anything that is applicable to your situation and have it with you. Additional trips for travelling with children
can be found here: http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/traveling-children
You can also ASK the TSA agent what the best way to
proceed through security will be with your excess liquids if you have them.
In all situations, know your rights, but be polite,
losing your cool won’t help anything (see Tip#1).
You can also ASK any airport worker about family
restrooms and nursing areas. Many airports have them but they can be
challenging to find if you don’t know about them.
Tip #3-Pack Light.
Stop laughing.
It
can be done.
How much stuff do you seriously need to carry on?
If you flight is
four hours or less, you might not need to bring all that much. Most baby and personal care items can be
purchased at your destination the same as at home – diapers and the like, so
don’t feel like you need to bring it all onboard with you.
You can gate check a stroller and a car seat, there is no
charge for this, but you do have to take the items through security with you. I
loved an infant carrier – a baby wrap or Baby Bjorn, but liked having a
stroller in case I needed to use the restroom or something, there was a place
to “put” my child. Also gate checking seems to help avoid damage to your
essentials.
You can bring one carry-on and one “small personal item”
(like a purse) per fare-paying passenger. So this would be a diaper bag and a
purse if you were flying solo with baby.
What you need depends, of course, on how old your child
is. For travel with a baby, I used a collapsible stroller that would also take
the infant seat. I hung the diaper bag off the back of the thing and carried a
cross-body purse. At security, carry baby through with you and everything else
will go through the scanner. ASK for assistance if you have more gear than you
can manage single-handedly, but if you pack light, it should be do-able and
that should be your goal – to have no more stuff than what you can wrangle on
your own.
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| Tip: Don't let your kid fly the plane. |
In the diaper bag, pack twice as many diapers, wipes, and
food as you think you’re going to need, just in case you get stranded
somewhere. Liquid hand sanitizer under 3 oz. can be brought on the plane, but I
like sanitizing wipes better. Also bring at least one change of clothes for
baby (packed in a gallon size Ziploc bag) and a change of shirt for you. Bring
a couple of quiet toys (no battery operated noise makers on the plane!) a
couple of pacifiers. Don’t forget your cell phone and charger in your purse. In
a pinch, car keys, cell phones, and tablets can be handy baby entertainers, you might want to download a new video for baby to watch, just in case. The
novelty of a new toy can provide additional entertainment time too.
Tip #4 – Schedule for Snoozing.
This can be a bit tricky, but if possible, try to
schedule your flight time for near baby’s regular nap time. I found it worked
well to feed the baby during take-off and landing, the swallowing helps to clear baby’s
ears and try to get baby to sleep on the plane,
even if that means keeping them awake at the airport. Don’t wake up your
baby for takeoff or landing if they’re already asleep though!
In general, morning flights are going to be a good way to
go all the way around. Nobody’s cranky and your odds of an on-time departure
are much better too.
Tip #5- Select Your Seats.
I love www.seatguru.com
for tips on good seat selection. If you’re buying a seat for baby, you might
want to book the window and the aisle since middle seats sell last (and your
FAA-approved carseat needs to go next to the window) you may end up with an
entire row all to yourself. If not, the middle seat person will likely be happy
to switch to the aisle seat.
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| Tip: get them their own seats and some good reading material. |
Consider springing for a seat for your child, especially
if you are going to bring a bunch of extra stuff or you have a very busy 18
month old that needs a lot of entertainment for a long flight you’ll have more
space, be allowed additional carry on items, and be less likely to share your
row with other people. It is safer for baby to be in their child seat too. The
FAA has some additional suggestions pertaining to carseats: http://www.faa.gov/passengers/media/childsafety.pdf
Tip #6 - When All Else Fails, See Tip #1.
No matter what happens, make it your goal to keep your cool. Don't stress and remember to be glad that you're not driving to your destination!