Traveling with the family is exciting—but it can also be challenging, especially if you have a little one who will be experiencing their first time on a plane.
Now that travel restrictions have eased, more and more families have already planned to go on trips to celebrate special occasions or just simply take a break. After all, we have been cooped up in our homes for the past two years and a change of scenery has been proven to boost one’s mood and overall well-being.
For mamas who chose to travel by plane but are worried about how to ensure their little one will have a pleasant experience up in the air, here are some useful tips to make it a smooth and stress-free milestone, one that will be memorable for all the right reasons.
1. Pack efficiently for the trip.
Before packing, check airline regulations and weight limits for your baggage. The rule is to make sure you have all the essentials for any baby situation without overpacking.
Bring a small easy-to-carry bag that can hold essentials such as important documents (passports, tickets, vaccine cards, printed itinerary, and birth certificate for children with no government-issued ID yet).
Next, your carry-on baggage should have items you need quick access to, including feeding bottles, formula milk, breast pump, water bottles, wet wipes, diapers, extra clothes, and snacks. Some pediatricians advise you to hand-carry these essentials so they’re safe with you in case your checked-in luggage gets lost or delayed. Don’t forget to also pack items that will keep your little one entertained during the entire flight: toys, workbooks, colored pencils, and an iPad with games and movies.
For items you won’t be needing until you reach your destination, they can go in the larger checked luggage.
2. Be mindful of the timings.
The schedule of the flight matters because you’d want to ensure it works around your child’s daily routine at home. Having said that, avoid red-eye flights as much as possible. Such flights can wear out adults, so imagine what it can do to a child riding a plane for the first time!
If your little one sleeps in the afternoon, book a flight during their nap time if possible. If they don’t, let them play and run around in the morning to wear them out. If you will be on a morning flight, make sure your kid had a good night’s sleep to avoid bringing a cranky child on board.
3. Choose your seats.
Heads up, mamas! Unfortunately, some airlines seat kids away from their parents so you’ll need to pay extra to avoid this. Pre-book your seats to ensure you’ll sit together with your little one. If you’re flying with an infant, book a seat with a bassinet (if available). Otherwise, choose the front rows or the back part of the plane so toilet runs will be easier and quicker.
4. Familiarize yourself with travel rules and requirements.
Guidelines keep changing because of the evolving COVID-19 situation so better check your destination’s specific travel requirements (some still require a negative COVID test prior to boarding a flight). Airports and airlines also implement certain protocols to protect everyone’s health and safety, so better read up about them.
Take the stress out of traveling by arming yourself with enough information—like how some airlines offer priority boarding when traveling with children while some have special meals and onboard entertainment for the little ones.
Whether you are flying to a local destination or another country, you can check these links for specific travel advisories:
5. Teach your child the flying etiquettes to observe.
Minimize causing inconvenience to other passengers by reminding your little one about how to be well-mannered and behaved throughout the flight: do not kick the seat in front of them, keep their area clean, stay buckled up on their seat as much as possible, and keep their voice down so as not to disturb other passengers.
6. Babywear if you can.
A lot of babywearing moms swear by this travel hack—it’s a real lifesaver, especially for moms who travel alone with a little one! With all the security checks and long walks to get from Point A to Point B inside the airport, wearing your baby makes all these more manageable. Just make sure you are using an approved Transportation Security Administration (TSA) carrier.
7. If you are breastfeeding, nurse the baby during takeoff and landing.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advise breastfeeding moms to nurse their babies during these times as “this will help to protect your child from ear pain due to cabin pressure changes.” Here are other tips when traveling with a breastfeeding baby.
8. Accept that there are things that will go wrong and that’s okay, mama!
While everyone knows that not all passengers love having kids on board, there are still people who are generally patient with families traveling with children. Don’t be too hard on yourself, there are things you cannot control. Remember that you are going on an adventure with your little one, so enjoy the experience and have fun, mama!
