by Denise Stegmann on July 29th 2019
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links from Amazon, meaning I may receive compensation at no additional cost to you.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links from Amazon, meaning I may receive compensation at no additional cost to you.
Flying with young Children
Just like with anything in parenting this will be your unique journey, literally. Everything I am describing here is based on my personal experiences.
flying with baby
Nutrition
Nurse and/or bottle feed your baby. Do what works at home. Feeding during take off and landing might reduce pressure in the baby's ears. Make sure that you are staying hydrated and well fed. I always liked to have some snacks ready for myself.
Sleeping
Chances are your baby will sleep in your arms. Most young babies prefer to sleep in their parent's arms. If you are using a baby carrier just be aware that you have to take your baby out during take off and landing. Depending on the airline you can request a seat with a bassinet for free, or at extra cost. Just be aware that there is a weight limit of around 19 pounds (depending on the airline). And you might have to remove your child due to turbulences. A car seat is also a great place for a baby to sleep if you have an extra seat.
Diapers
Bring more diapers than you think you'll need. You just never know and you really don't want to run out during the flight. Also, there might be delays and your travel day might be longer than planned.
First Time Flying with My Baby
Nurse and/or bottle feed your baby. Do what works at home. Feeding during take off and landing might reduce pressure in the baby's ears. Make sure that you are staying hydrated and well fed. I always liked to have some snacks ready for myself.
Sleeping
Chances are your baby will sleep in your arms. Most young babies prefer to sleep in their parent's arms. If you are using a baby carrier just be aware that you have to take your baby out during take off and landing. Depending on the airline you can request a seat with a bassinet for free, or at extra cost. Just be aware that there is a weight limit of around 19 pounds (depending on the airline). And you might have to remove your child due to turbulences. A car seat is also a great place for a baby to sleep if you have an extra seat.
Diapers
Bring more diapers than you think you'll need. You just never know and you really don't want to run out during the flight. Also, there might be delays and your travel day might be longer than planned.
First Time Flying with My Baby
What to pack for flying with an Infant
Think minimalist, don't bring more than one carry-on otherwise you risk forgetting a piece.
- If you are bottle feeding breastmilk, you will need a cooler or ice packs to keep the milk cold, you could also bring frozen breastmilk for the later stages of your travel day. Ask a flight attendant for half a cup of hot water to warm up the bottle for your baby.
- If you are feeding formula to your baby you might want to try a Ready to Feed type of formula. (try at home first)
- diapers, rule of thumb 1 diaper per flight hour
- diaper wipes (don't bring the whole package, just what you think you might need on the flight)
- small blanket that you could be used to cover baby or for diaper change or to cover during nursing, depending on length of flight and depending on spit up habits of your baby bring 2 blankets or more
- change of clothes for baby and you
- easy no mess snacks for yourself
flying with a toddler
Remember those breathing exercises and mantras you used to prepare for birth, you are going to need those for the flight with your toddler. You are on this flight to get to a happy place. You chose to take your toddler on this flight. The reward will happen when you will have arrived. The climbing all over you, pulling your hair, touching everything, sliding down the seat, it’s all part of it. Millions of parents have done it before you. It’s all worth it. Just accept and let go. (My deep apologies in case your planned flight is due to a tragic incident, In this paragraph I’m just assuming you are going to visit loved family or go on vacation). But seriously, this is the toughest age to fly with. There is only so much you can use to entertain your child, and your child’s attention span is still so short. And if you end up bringing a ton of entertainment you will also have to find a way to keep it somewhat organized in the small space of your airplane seat. I have resorted to only bringing one small pouch filled with little inexpensive toys that could be lost forever in the gaps of the seats. Just taking things out of the pouch and putting them back in is an activity. Throwing them on the floor and picking them back up, also an activity. Snacking is also a great way to pass the time. This is the time for new, fun and unhealthy foods to discover. And in the end another passenger might provide the best entertainment for your child with a game of peekaboo and silly faces. One time a woman told me that my child had eased her flight anxiety because she could play with him the whole time.
Nutrition Bring your child's preferred cup. The flight attendants will fill it up with water or whatever else yo want your child to drink. Snacks for your toddler and yourself. Make sure the snacks are not messy or bring a bib.
Sleeping Don’t be too optimistic about nap time on the plane. Some children will nap, others are too distracted. But if you are on a long distance flight you can most likely anticipate that your child will get some sleep on the flight. You might consider Benadryl or Melatonin. But be aware that Benadryl might have the opposite effect on your child.
Nutrition Bring your child's preferred cup. The flight attendants will fill it up with water or whatever else yo want your child to drink. Snacks for your toddler and yourself. Make sure the snacks are not messy or bring a bib.
Sleeping Don’t be too optimistic about nap time on the plane. Some children will nap, others are too distracted. But if you are on a long distance flight you can most likely anticipate that your child will get some sleep on the flight. You might consider Benadryl or Melatonin. But be aware that Benadryl might have the opposite effect on your child.
This inflatable travel foot rest has worked wonders for my children. It gives your child the luxury of a lay down flat experience. You inflate it and put it right into the foot space. It fits perfectly. It's easy to inflate and also deflates quickly. It also packs up nicely. You can't use it during take off and landing, but it's fine for the rest of the time.
Diaper ChangingYour little one is now so big that the small airplane bathrooms will be a challenge. It might be best to just try to change your child while she/he is standing on the changing table or toilet seat. If you are potty training juts be aware that this is not the best time for accidents. Just put a pull up diaper on your child.
Entertainment
Keep it simple. If something holds your child’s attention at home it might be worth bringing. I've heard parents bring a tissue box, and let their kid have fun with that. Maybe a small new toy, maybe play dough, or just a small pouch with small random items that your child can take out and put back in. I also always have small finger puppets with me, they can can have great entertainment value. You can also gift wrap activities for your child, that way one activity becomes two. If you think your child is ready for screen time, bring child friendly headphones.
Entertainment
Keep it simple. If something holds your child’s attention at home it might be worth bringing. I've heard parents bring a tissue box, and let their kid have fun with that. Maybe a small new toy, maybe play dough, or just a small pouch with small random items that your child can take out and put back in. I also always have small finger puppets with me, they can can have great entertainment value. You can also gift wrap activities for your child, that way one activity becomes two. If you think your child is ready for screen time, bring child friendly headphones.
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flying with a preschooler
This is where the magic starts. At 4.5 my oldest packed his own backpack with entertainment and snacks. We still had to keep track of the backpack, make sure it didn’t get lost. But it was already such a relief to not have to fit everything into my own carry on luggage. I feel lucky that my oldest loves spending time on coloring, and crafty projects. There is so much merchandise out there that cater to that. We pretty much love all the Melissa and Doug materials, especially the Water Wow and the Scratch Art. And then there are the screens. Screen time at home is closely monitored and time restricted at or house but on the plane anything goes. Make sure to know what will be provided on the plane. Are there screens in the seats? Is there programming for children? Also have a backup tablet or phone ready. You never know how much waiting time you Ishtar have to pass at the airport. You also never know if media on the plane might not work for some reason.
Eating
For shorter flights, just have some interesting snacks ready. If your child needs a special bottle, have that ready, too. Snacks for your child and yourself. I’m not sure wen children will be ready to eat an airplane meal.
Sleeping
My preschooler sleeps on overnight flights. At some point he just decides that he has watched enough movies and wants to get comfy for sleeping. The inflatable travel footrest really helps him. Make sure you have everything with you that your child might need to sleep (stuffed animal, blanket).
Eating
For shorter flights, just have some interesting snacks ready. If your child needs a special bottle, have that ready, too. Snacks for your child and yourself. I’m not sure wen children will be ready to eat an airplane meal.
Sleeping
My preschooler sleeps on overnight flights. At some point he just decides that he has watched enough movies and wants to get comfy for sleeping. The inflatable travel footrest really helps him. Make sure you have everything with you that your child might need to sleep (stuffed animal, blanket).
Bathroom
Try to have some wipes on you. You are probably aware how disgusting airplane bathrooms get. Also talk to your child about bathrooms and toilets on the plane so that they hopefully won’t be scared on the plane. If you are potty training just be aware that this is not the best time for accidents. Just put a pull up diaper on your child.
Entertainment
Everything you have read above, and have some child friendly headphones ready.
Try to have some wipes on you. You are probably aware how disgusting airplane bathrooms get. Also talk to your child about bathrooms and toilets on the plane so that they hopefully won’t be scared on the plane. If you are potty training just be aware that this is not the best time for accidents. Just put a pull up diaper on your child.
Entertainment
Everything you have read above, and have some child friendly headphones ready.
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