Flying with your Baby, Here are 7 Tips

7 Tips to Prepare for Your Baby’s First Flight 

Traveling with a baby can be a challenging experience, but it can also be a wonderful opportunity to create lasting memories with your little one. So, don’t let the fear of a fussy baby hold you back.

When it comes to flying, here are some important tips you should keep in mind to make your trip as smooth and stress-free as possible:

1. Pack Light: When you're traveling with a baby, it's important to pack light. You'll have to carry a lot of extra gear, such as a stroller, car seat, and diaper bag, so it's best to keep your luggage to a minimum. Make sure to pack only the essentials, such as diapers, wipes, baby food, and a few toys to keep your little one entertained.
2. Consider a Direct Flight: If you're traveling with a baby, it's best to opt for a direct flight whenever possible. This will save you the stress of having to change planes with a fussy baby in tow, and it will also make the trip shorter and more comfortable for everyone involved.
3. Plan Your Feeding Schedule: When you're traveling with a baby, it's important to plan your feeding schedule carefully. Feeding your baby during takeoff and landing can help prevent ear pain and pressure, so try to align your feeding times. Pacifiers also simulate the same “sucking” to help with the air pressure, so if times don’t align try not to push the feed out too long.
4. Dress Your Baby Comfortably: When traveling by airplane with a baby, it's important to dress your little one in comfortable, breathable clothing. Avoid anything too tight or constricting, and choose lightweight, soft fabrics that will keep your baby warm and cozy during the flight. Bring a cozy blanket to drape over your baby when they (hopefully) take a nice, long nap. And don’t forget an extra change of clothes in case of accidents or spills.
5. Keep Your Baby Entertained: To keep your baby entertained during the flight, make sure to bring along a few of their favorite toys, books, and other distractions. You might also consider investing in a tablet or other electronic device specifically for travel, as it can be a great way to keep your little one entertained for long periods of time. My daughter is 10 months old and is obsessed with Miss Rachel, so we downloaded a few of her videos to watch, which kept her occupied and happy.
6. Bring Snacks: It’s kind of a win, win with snacks. Not only does it tie your baby over in terms of meals, but it can also be used to keep them entertained. We packed a few of our daughter’s favorite snacks, including raspberries, cheerios and yogurt melts. The cheerios were especially entertaining because we spread them out on the tray table for her to grab and eat.
7. Stay Positive and Calm: This is easier said than done, but when you are uptight your baby can sense it. I know their piercing scream on a plane full of people may feel like the end of the world, but people understand – or at least they should. I just tell myself that everyone was once a baby, so they can’t judge. Plus, odds are there are a lot of other parents on the plane who have gone through the same thing with their children. So, try not to get embarrassed or frustrated.

Flying with your baby can be both exciting and overwhelming but hopefully these tips can help make your trip go a lot smoother. While there may be moments of stress, the memories you will make on your trip will be worth it.