Before we hit the road again when Mali hit 4 months, I was massively anxious about flying with her. Never mind the fact we were leaving our home, packing up all our worldly possessions to go & stay somewhere new with no baby equipment whatseoever, all I could think about was surviving the flight. If we could do that, then the rest would be easy!
I’m sure you know what I’m talking about…being trapped in a big metal tube with a screaming, inconsolable baby for hours & hours…everyone looking at you accusingly and you being totally & utterly helpless to do anything about it. “What a bad mother – can’t she do anything to shut up that baby?”, you can hear them whispering…
So was flying with a baby as horrendous as you’re afraid it will be?
We’ve taken around 6 international flights & 6 internal flights with Mali so far – to Dubai, Thailand, Turkey & Italy – and, touch wood, we’ve never had an incident like that…and compared to flying with a toddler? No, it’s really pretty easy!
Here are my top tips for a smooth flight with a young baby…
Preparation & Pre-flight
#1 When booking seats, don’t assume the front row bassinet seats are the best – in fact unless you want to be placed next to other families with screaming babies/children and have people constantly walking in front of you for the whole flight, then it’s worth considering a normal row of seats and choosing a window seat so your baby can sleep in your arms, without its head/feet being knocked off or jostled constantly.
#2 Dress your baby in layers – flights can get very cold or sometimes very warm so dress your baby in layers which are easy to remove or add. For their comfort, consider clothes which won’t ruffle, bunch or scrunch up easily under them if they’re lying or sitting down on your knee for long periods of time.
#3 Bring plenty of spare nappies & a spare suit – you know how accidents happen when you’re at home or out & about? Well they’re just as likely to happen on a plane. Do the sensible thing and calculate the usual amount of nappies you’d use for the duration of your flight – then add a couple of extras.
#4 Aim to avoid the queues - whether that means booking off season tickets, arriving at the airport earlier or getting to the gate early, it’s not just on a plane where a screaming baby marks you out as the “avoid at all costs” plane mate! Aim to minimise queuing time at the airport as much as possible to avoid pre-flight stress for both you & your baby.
#5 Try to adjust your baby’s schedule pre-flight – easier said than done I know, but if you can possibly try and adjust your baby’s schedule so that sleep time is due around the time you board, you stand a good chance of having a sleeping baby for much of the flight! You’ll probably find that your baby will stay awake a bit longer in the airport and when you first get on the plane because they’ll be interested in the new surroundings and all the extra stimulation – that’s ok because it usually means a tired baby once you board!
#6 If you know the flight is not too busy, talk nicely to the check-in staff - they will often accommodate a request to block your row, leaving you with a spare seat in the middle or put you in a quiet section of the plane if it’s that empty.
#7 Get priority boarding – if you’re flying with a budget airline, it’s worth paying for priority boarding. It’s no fun whatsoever having to join a scrum to board the plane, with no guaranteed seats when you have a screaming baby in a sling who’s too wired by all the activity to get to sleep (believe me on this one!). This is one time when I have no hesitation in paying extra for priority boarding so you can get settled much more quickly and avoid the queues.
In flight
#8 Get the infant seat belt on quickly – unless you’ve forked out for a separate seat on which to place an approved travel seat, you’ll probably have the baby on your lap for the flight. This will require a special infant seat belt which loops over your seat belt and goes round the baby. Ask for this as soon as you board the plane and get it on your baby as soon as you can. If you’ve managed to time it right, your baby will be ready to go to sleep fairly soon after you board so it’s best to get the seat belt on quickly and get them settled rather than trying to do this once they’re asleep.
#9 Try & get them to feed on the way up & from about 30m before landing (as the plane descends) – this helps to minimise problems with their ears. If they’re asleep, that’s usually ok & there’s no need to wake them. So far, we’ve done this on every flight & have had no ear problems at all.
#10 Keep your baby in the sling - we’ve got a brilliant sling which for shorter haul flights we actually keep Mali sitting in. Not only does it stop her from wriggling too much now she’s walking, it means you’re quickly ready to disembark and get to immigration first. The trick to this is having a few toys or books to keep them amused while they’re sitting there – it’s almost as if they know they can’t move, so they don’t! Try it & see…
So now I’ve shared mine, it’s your turn! What are your top tips for flying with young babies?
Good tips, Lea. I found the front row of seats useful for toddlers because they can stand without going too far, but also have the option of a walk down the aisle when they get bored.
When she was a bit older, we used to feed our daughter breakfast while queuing for check-in (little plastic containers are very useful) and do a last minute nappy change before boarding. A pre-landing feed is also good to minimise ear discomfort.
If my baby takes a pacifier, I always make sure to bring that, or nurse often. That seems to help keep them calm, and prevents their ears from getting painfully plugged by changes in altitude
Insightful tips! #1 has happened to me before. I much prefer our own row. #6 is great too. My baby and I were once bumped to first class–just because of a little kindness and pleasant attitude. My travel tip is that if you have a little one who hates her car seat, don’t force her to sit in it on the flight. Just buckling her in(if she’s old enough) can avoid a lot of fuss.