- Get a treat for yourself and your children after going through security.
Strategies on the Plane with Infants, Babies & Toddlers:
- Breast feed or bottle feed upon take off and landing to ease pressure on their ears.
- Always have back-up if they suddenly don’t want the bottle or breast: such as a pacifier. If they are at least six months old, have one bottle filled with straight juice—yes, that’s right. Let all nutritional rules fly out the window for international travel.
- Wait until the plane is actually rolling down the runway before breast or bottle feeding, or the baby will finish before you take off.
- Stock up on inexpensive items that are safe for babies and pull them out when necessary. Make sure she doesn’t see them before your flight! Examples: plastic keys, soft cushy books, plastic clear balls with colorful beads inside that rattle, little cars for boys, princess doll for girls, etc. The smaller the better as they have to fit into your diaper bag.
- Utilize the throw-up bag. It makes a great game of in and out—put a toy in and let your baby pull it out. Might be tedious, but baby loves it.
- If you fly British Air or Virgin, request a toy bag ahead of time online.
- Lie baby across your and your partner’s laps to get her to sleep.
- Ask your doctor if it is okay to give baby infant cold drops to make her sleepy. (only if she is over six months)
- Bring extra baby food, formula, all medications (gas relief drops and enemas), and your thermometer, as your baby may need them on the flight or during the trip.
- Walk her around and befriend a flight attendant. Typically, they’ll volunteer to walk her up and down to give you a break at some point.
- Fly an airline that has individual seat TVs instead of over-head ones. Babies get distracted by the large screens above them and sometimes the content is quite violent. British Air and Virgin have in-seat entertainment in coach. That way, you can keep yours off and let her sleep.
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