We've been fortunate enough to be able to travel a lot in Ayrton's 19 months of life on this planet. After 30 flights with him, we've gotten our system down to a science. Knowing we travel a lot, I’ve had many people ask me for tips on traveling with a baby in particular, so I’ve decided to do a series of posts for
traveling with under 2’s. For this first
post, here are my tips for flying with babies and little people.
1.
When booking flights, check the
infant policy for what you are allowed to bring for an infant. Most airlines allow you to have a carry on
for the baby as well as checking 2 – 3 infant items such as a car seat,
stroller and/or port-a-cot. Some
airlines are specific about which items you can check and others just say how
many infant specific items you are allowed.
2.
Don’t underestimate the value of
red eye flights with tiny babies. It was
perfect to have flights that took off right around bedtime when Ayrton was
really little. The older he got though,
the more that became a bit of a nightmare – I would discourage red eyes
whenever possible once kids get to be around 1 – unless you know you have a row
to yourself (and/or you’re buying a ticket for your kid) so they can lay down
to go to sleep.
3.
When flying internationally, call
your airline as soon as you book to find out if there are bassinets available
on your flight, and if there are, if you can reserve one. Some airlines let you pay a small fee to
guarantee you get a bassinet (worth it!).
Others don’t charge but are first come first serve, but they will at
least note that you want one and you’ll get it unless there is a younger baby
that needs one. Bassinets really only
work up until about 12 months at the max – but they are a lifesaver, especially
if you’re traveling alone.
4.
When checking in, ask if there is
any possibility of getting a row to yourself.
If you’re nice and they have open seats, usually they will try to block
a row for you so that the open seats in your row will only be used if they have
to be. (Often this ends up being the row
reserved for wheel chair passengers if they don’t have any, which means you
also end up with extra leg room.)
5.
Check your stroller and use a
carrier in the airport, even if the airline will let you gate check it. That way you can skip the elevator search and
get through the airport faster. Just
keep in mind that most babies will not want to be carried in any carrier that
is not forward facing by the time they hit 4 months, until they are big enough
to go in a carrier on your back, so I suggest investing in a carrier that has
multiple options for carry direction.
6.
At security, always ask if your
baby has to come out of the carrier.
Usually the answer is yes, but every once in a while someone will let
you go through without taking baby out.
This is more often the case when you are traveling alone and look
flustered.
7.
Baby liquids are not the same as
other liquids. I’ve never had a problem
taking any full bottles, baby food or baby medications through security. As long as they are for baby, you should be
fine, just ask if they need to be taken out for security screening or if they
can be left in the bag. In the US, they
usually just want to screen your bottles in a separate screening process.
8.
Bring a blanket to wrap baby in
(I usually bring a warm blanket and a muslin so I’m prepared for any
temperature) to keep the infant seat belt from rubbing on sensitive baby skin. (Other items to have with you will be in my
post on packing lists).
9.
Some flight attendants are really
helpful in warming up bottles, but they usually have to do it by putting it in
a bowl of hot water so it can take quite a while. We travel with a thermos full of hot water
(for formula) or warm milk (once they are drinking milk). It usually stays warm for about 12 hours and
it keeps you from having to deal with a baby that is getting more and more
worked up while you wait for the bottle to be warmed. The other option is to try to get your kid
used to cold formula or milk ahead of your flight – that didn’t work very well
for us, but when he’s starving he will drink it cold.
10. If your baby is drinking formula, invest in the individual packets
of formula rather than carrying your formula in one of the split containers or
the can. Not all brands make these
packets, but if yours does, they’re worth it.
You can carry a lot more extra formula in case of delays, they are more
compact and easier to pack, formula will be fresh, and you won’t have to worry
about it spilling all over your bag if the lid comes off.
11. Make sure to have something for baby to suck on at take off and
landing. If you are breastfeeding, no
worries. Otherwise a bottle and/or
pacifier will work great. Most babies
fall asleep shortly after take off anyway since the plane engines are great white
noise.
These are the biggest things I’ve learned
flying with Ayrton, but please feel free to ask me if you have any other
questions, and watch for my posts on ground transport, hotels and packing
lists!
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