How to Travel by Air With Your Baby Safely?
Traveling with babies and toddlers can be a hard challenge no matter where you are headed to; new parents especially find it hard and overwhelming to take care of babies while they travel. Traveling via airplanes can be even more of a hassle for which you need to be duly prepared since there are very limited solutions present on an airplane in case you have a problem.
The first thing is to make and maintain a list of things you will need to take and the preparations that need to be done. It is advisable to try and arrange a non-stop direct flight to your destination, so that your baby will have to go through lesser amount of discomfort. Direct flights allow babies to have more uninterrupted sleep, you will need to install/uninstall the baby car seat only once and the ear pressure during landing and takeoff will have to be endured by the child only once. Secondly, it is imperative to plan ahead for your trip; make sure you have adequate time before the flight date to get together all the required things that you or your baby might possibly need. Planning ahead efficiently will also allow you to get a good night’s sleep before the departure date. This sleep is important to energize you for the long and exhausting trip with your baby since you cannot be expected to get a good nap during the flight.
Try to maintain the baby’s feeding and sleep schedule throughout the trip. This will help the baby to adjust to the changed environment quickly. If you are a breastfeeding mother, you may want to make sure you are able to breastfeed in public comfortably and regularly enough; it is a good idea to use a nursing top for this purpose. A baby can also be given formula/breast milk feed during takeoff and landing to reduce air pressure; for a toddler or an older child, you can always use cotton plugs or earplug to relieve the pressure. Taking the baby’s car seat with you can be a debatable topic, avoid rental car seats. Your baby is bound to be safer in its own car seat rather than in your arms throughout the flight. It will also assist you in eating food and getting your rest.
Handling a baby car seat is easier if there are two people; before boarding, one can board earlier and install the car seat so that when the other arrives with the baby, you don’t cause any holdup in the passenger line. While installing the car seat, you may need help from a flight attendant since airline seatbelts can be hard to tighten. However, it is a must for you to carry a pram or baby stroller since you cannot possibly carry the baby through the airport, flight terminals etc. without exhausting your arms. Strollers also make connecting flights much easier for parents. At the gate, you can always ask the gate agent to give you a gate check ticket for your stroller. This way you don’t have to handle the stroller through the flight and you can pick it up just after you get off the plane.
Another important asset while traveling with a baby or toddler is that of a carry-on bag that is spacious and can act as a purse, briefcase and diaper bag. A backpack or a large bag with ample pockets and comfortable straps can serve this purpose. Make sure to carry enough baby gear such as diapers, snacks, wipes, a change of clothes for the baby and you, a few disposable feeding supplies like bibs bottles, feeding cups etc. and a few toys to keep the baby entertained through the flight. This multi-purpose bag should also accommodate your flight tickets, passport, identification and any other essential items you may need on board. For toddlers, you can keep coloring books, crayons, toys and even a portable music player if possible. Before boarding the plane, you should try to make your toddler use the airport bathrooms since they are roomier and more comfortable.
Flying with babies and toddler does not remain hard for parents and especially first-time mothers who follow a few of these key points essential to make the trip bearable and comfortable for you and enjoyable for your baby.
You can easily buy baby car seats online through Dependable car seats website.
