Recently one of our Twitter followers, @Tleaving, asked for insight on making traveling with an infant less stressful. While we cannot guarantee a hassle-free trip when traveling under any circumstances, not just when flying with a little one, we advocate educating yourself as much as possible prior to departure. Knowledge is power when traveling.But, back to the subject at hand, flying with baby. How do you make it easier? With this question in mind we forraged through the interweb and found a whole host of tips, tricks and secrets that are intended to help you, the parents!
We started with the new website, ByeByeWithBaby.com. This robust site compiles a comprehensive listing of places where mothers can nurse, change diapers and other family friendly locations. They contacted all of the airports in the country, including HIA, and logged locations of nursing rooms, changing tables and play areas for children.
Before you arrive at any airport for a trip, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the Transporation Security Administration's (TSA) policies for clearing the security checkpoint efficiently with your children and their carry-on belongings. A full run-down of what we're about to paraphrase is available online.
When packing a your children's carry-on please note that medications, formula, juice and breast milk are permitted in reasonable quantities and are not required to be in the zip lock baggy with your gels, aerosols and other liquids. The TSA recommends only carrying liquids and gels that are needed for you and your child's immediate comfort.
When queing at the security checkpoint begin by collapsing and folding up strollers and other child-related equipment as all kiddie items, including diaper bags, toys, blankets, strollers, car seats, backpacks, baby slings, etc must go through the x-ray machine; there no exeptions. If these items will not fit on the conveyor belt to go through the machine, please be prepared for a TSA employee to hand inspect that item.
You and your munchkin need to walk through the metal detector after all of your items are on the conveyor belt. You are permitted to carry your child through and will not be separated from your child at any point during this process. If you need an extra hand gathering your items from the x-ray machine once you've cleared security, feel free to ask a TSA employee for assistance.
Oh, and another quick security checkpoint tip, as this question is frequently asked, if your child is under 18 and flying with you, you do NOT need ID for them.
FlyingwithKids.com had much to say about what to do once you've arrived at the airport and after security, so we pulled out what we found to be the most helpful of their tips:
- When you've checked in for your flight, ask the attendant if the flight is full. If it's not an overly full flight some airlines will allow you to move your seat next to a vacant one which affords you more room for you and your child.
- Keep a small bag with a diaper, wipes, and rash cream readily available for those unexpected "uh ohs" that happen!
- If you have a larger, squirmier child that requires a diaper change once you're on the plane, as the flight crew if they have a space you can use to change the diaper, as the changing tables in some aircraft bathrooms are quite small.
- ALWAYS test the temperature of in-flight meals before sharing them with your children, often the foods are quite hot.
- Disposable bibs are a great must-have for in-flight meals.
- If you have formula that needs warmed, you are often able to ask the flight crew to warm it for you with enough notice.
- Most strollers do not fit in the overhead bins of smaller aircraft, research the bin restrictions of the aircraft you're flying on before you get there.
- An infant front-pack is often helpful for carrying your baby when you're also trying to haul luggage with you through a terminal.
- If you don't purchase a seat for your child (under the age of 2) you will be expected to hold the child during the flight.
- Print out a copy of the Federal Aviation Administration's Childproof your Flight brochure, you won't regret it!
One final tip that we'd recommend is bringing along items that you know are familiar and comforting to your children: a favorite, toy, blanket or book. And, if your child is of an age that you can explain to them a basic understanding of what it's like to fly on a plane, prepare them for what to expect.
There are many, many resources online for increasing the success of your air travel experience with your children. We recommend additionally perusing:
Have we missed anything you think is pertinent to traveling with your children? What tips and tricks can you offer to parents of young children for air travel?
One thing the Doctor told my mother when flying with my twin sister and I was to make sure we were hungry on the trip, since many times baby's fuss due to the pressure increase while in the air. If the baby is hungry, then when it eats in the air, it is likely to help "pop" the pressure in the ear, helping the baby keep calm...
ReplyDeleteI can't say I know from experience not having kids, and being too young to remember how it worked with me, but I my mother often will tell others, so it must work decently well