One of the biggest issues when planning a holiday with a baby or toddler is flying. Many parents decide to avoid getting on a plane because of the potential stress it might cause. However, I firmly believe having a young child shouldn’t hamper your travelling plans and there are plenty of things you can do to minimize the stress.
Here are some tips for stress-free flying with young children to ensure you arrive fresh not frazzled.
Top tip (tried, tested, and very sneaky!) If you can’t face the thought of your baby on your lap for the duration of the flight but don’t want to pay for an extra seat, check in online before you fly. Go for a row of three, and leave the window seat empty. Single travellers tend to give families a wide berth. Also, once seated you can put your child in the spare seat for as long as possible whilst so people think it’s taken. You may be lucky enough to get a free seat, even if the plane is nearly full.
Other top tips:
- Book a night flight if possible
- Allow plenty of time for check in, there’s nothing worse than rushing with children!
- You don’t have to check in your buggy, you can keep it until you board
- Whilst bulkhead seats have more leg room, the seat arms don’t go up, so it’s not so comfortable. I don’t like them at all!
- Pack sensibly for the journey, I used to take so much crap with me and could never find anything!
- Take plenty of food, snacks and treats – Bring enough for the journey. Remember, because of security, if you have any purees, you’ll be required to open them and taste them. So the best thing is to buy them once you’re in the departure lounge.
- A bottle of milk/juice drink for older ones is really useful for take off and landing (to help their ears). With the current security restrictions, you will have to taste the milk yourself. If you use formula cartons, buy them once you’re in the departure lounge.
- Bring a few favourite (small) toys and buy a few new ones to bring out one at a time if your child is getting bored! Pocket books, colouring books and crayons are useful.
- A portable DVD player/Ipod with video is useful, so toddlers can watch their favourite DVDs!
- Take a change of clothes and enough nappies – a rough guide is 1 per hour of the journey.
- To minimise jetlag switch your child’s routine to the new time, even if it’s in mid air.
- And remember, try to relax. You’ll get through it!
[...] I do think some parents don’t seem to give a s**t about other passengers, they could be much more considerate. For example, by being more aware of their children and the noise they are making; by trying to calm screaming babies by walking them around (or many parents swear by Calpol!); by making sure children have things to keep them entertained; by getting kids to put headphones on if they’re watching DVDs or playing Nintendo DS’s, etcetera, etcetera. There’s plenty of things you can do. Top-tips-for-stress-free-flying-with-babies-and-young-children [...]