Flying with a baby can seem daunting, particularly if it is your first time travelling as a family. There is the question of what to pack, how your baby will cope with the unfamiliar surroundings and, perhaps most importantly, what everyone else on the aircraft will think if your little one starts crying.
The reality is that babies fly every day, and a little preparation can make the experience considerably easier. You cannot control everything that happens during a flight, but you can make sure you have the essentials within easy reach.
Check The Airline’s Rules Before You Travel
Different airlines have their own policies concerning infants, so check the rules before booking rather than assuming every carrier operates in the same way.
You will usually need to provide appropriate travel documentation for your baby, and there may be specific rules about the age at which infants can fly. Airlines can also have different arrangements for infant fares, baggage allowances, pushchairs and car seats.
If you are travelling internationally, remember that your baby will need the appropriate travel documents for the destination.
Pack Your Hand Luggage Around Your Baby
When travelling with a baby, your hand luggage needs to be practical rather than fashionable. Think about everything you might reasonably need during the journey and keep the most important items somewhere you can reach quickly.
Nappies, wipes, changing supplies, spare clothes, feeding equipment and comfort items should all be readily accessible. It is also sensible to pack more nappies and food than you think you will need in case of delays.
A complete change of clothes for your baby is particularly useful. Depending on the length of the journey, packing a spare top for yourself isn’t a bad idea either.
Feeding During Take-Off And Landing
Changes in cabin pressure can be uncomfortable for babies, particularly during descent. Feeding, breastfeeding or allowing an older baby to suck can encourage swallowing, which may help with the sensation of pressure in the ears.
There is no guarantee that this will prevent every problem, but having a feed ready around take-off and landing can be useful.
If your baby uses a dummy, bringing one along may also provide another familiar source of comfort.
Don’t Expect Your Baby To Follow Their Normal Routine
It is tempting to try to maintain your baby’s exact sleeping and feeding schedule while travelling, but flights are unusual environments. There are unfamiliar sounds, lights, people and changes in routine.
Your baby may sleep more than usual, refuse to sleep at all or decide that the middle of the flight is the perfect time to be wide awake.
Try not to worry too much about temporary disruption. Once you reach your destination and settle into your accommodation, routines can gradually return to normal.
Give Yourself More Time At The Airport
Travelling with a baby inevitably takes longer. Getting through the airport, organising luggage, dealing with the pushchair and finding somewhere to feed or change your baby can all add extra time.
Arriving with plenty of time to spare means you are less likely to begin the journey feeling rushed.
It can also be worth checking the airport facilities before you travel. Knowing where baby-changing areas, family facilities and suitable feeding spaces are located can make a surprisingly big difference.
Be Kind To Yourself
Perhaps the most important thing to remember when flying with a baby is that you do not need to produce a perfectly behaved passenger.
Your baby may cry. They may become restless. They may sleep through the entire journey. You cannot predict it, and other passengers may react in different ways.
Concentrate on keeping your baby comfortable and yourself as calm as possible. Most fellow travellers understand that babies are babies, and a few minutes of crying does not mean you have done anything wrong.
With the right preparation, flying with a baby can become much less intimidating. The first flight may feel like a major logistical exercise, but once you have done it, future family journeys often become considerably easier.
Featured image credit: by Alžbeta Čepčeková via pexels.
