How to Fly With a Baby

Planning ahead can make a world of difference in maintaining your sanity when you're traveling the friendly skies with your adorable little one.

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Baby Blankets
• Diapers
• Baby Toys
• Travel Toys

1. Book a nonstop flight during off-peak hours, and hope for empty seats.

2. Book in advance, if possible, and select the seats you want. Where there are three-seated rows, you can often request a window seat and an aisle seat and then have one seat for your supplies.

3. Check with the airline about what you can bring on the plane. If the flight is not full, you can often bring an airline-approved car seat onboard even if you didn't buy an extra ticket. Also, most airlines will allow you to check a fold-up stroller at the gate.

4. Inquire about services and amenities when you book the flight. Does the airline provide a bassinet? Does it provide special food for babies?

5. Consider taking a red-eye if it's a long flight. Although you may not get a good night's sleep, it may be easier for your baby to travel at night and avoid dramatic changes in routine.

6. Try to fly with another adult, who can offer an extra pair of hands and provide additional ideas for entertaining the baby.

7. Bring food, bottles and new toys as well as old favorites. Also bring an extra pair of baby clothes and plenty of diapers. Being stranded in a plane with a baby in wet clothes or diapers does not bode well for anyone on the plane.

8. Travel equipped with medical records and your pediatrician's phone number if your baby takes medication.

9. Preboard. If you're choosing seats, try to sit near other families. In addition to the distraction other children can provide, another family may tolerate your child's temper tantrum better than most other travelers.

10. Offer your baby a bottle, cup or breast on the ascent and descent. Swallowing helps eliminate any discomfort from changing air pressure.

Tips & Warnings

• Do a diaper change in an airport bathroom before boarding.
• Children under 2 fly for free but sit on your lap. Consider buying a ticket for your baby. It's safer to bring a child's car seat on board.
• If your child has a cold or any upper-respiratory symptoms prior to the flight, check with a healthcare provider about whether to fly at all.

[holoh]

on 3/20/2007 You wouldn't let your child ride in your lap in a car, so don't do it on a plane. If you can afford to fly, you can afford a ticket for your kid. Most airlines will sell you a childs ticket for 50% of your price. Bring a car-seat and do the right thing!

on 11/22/2005 You may need to prove that a toddler is eligible for free under the age of two travel. My city's department of health will issue a mini birth certificate the size of a credit card for only $7. I have one for each of my children and have used them often for travel and registration at school, etc. They're a lot easier than carrying around a file folder!

on 11/22/2005 Check in early at the airport and request seats at the front of the plane where there will be room for the sky cots that most airlines provide for children up to the age of about one.

Also try and time your childs nap for shortly after take off. Travelling overnight seems to work well if your child is in the routine of sleeping through the night.

on 11/22/2005 Consider packing yourself a clean set of clothes in your carry on in case your child gets air sick on you.