Traveling with family is a great way to create lasting memories. It also comes with its share of challenges, particularly if you’re flying with a baby. Even though children under two typically fly for free, parents often still pay a price in terms of extra preparation and precautions. So, as the summer travel season gets underway, we want to share a few family travel tips that will make those airplane trips more comfortable for you and your child.
Tip #1: Don’t Forget to Pack a Snack… or Two
When asking yourself what do kids need to fly, the first thing that should come to mind is snacks. Packing snacks for the children is usually instinctual for a parent. We learn early on that feeding a child often, particularly an infant, can make for a smoother travel experience. Of course, there are no guarantees snacks will do the trick – your children might still annoy your fellow passengers from time to time.
One way to alleviate the understandable irritation? Try packing snacks for the travelers around you, too. Free food can go a long way in smoothing over the child-related rough patches during a flight.
Tip #2: Coloring Books and Games for Older Children
Flying with a baby is a full-time job, and while many think that flying with older children is much easier, it poses its own unique challenges. Older children can be very demanding of your attention and have a knack for wanting to play at all the wrong times. Between layovers, canceled flights, and gate changes, you won’t always be able to give your child your full attention. To help your older children entertain themselves and pass the time, be sure to pack coloring books, games, a tablet, or whatever else keeps them engaged sans mom or dad. The main goal is to bring things that keep them occupied, so you don’t have to.
Tip #3: Bring a Change of Clothes
New parents almost always pack an extra change of clothes (or two) for the baby but tend to neglect to do the same for themselves. Look… babies are messy. You’re one misstep or turbulence bump away from a diaper-changing accident, spit up, snot, and so much more. So, bring an extra set of clothes for emergencies. More likely than not, you’re going to need them.
Tip #4: Take Advantage of Preboarding
Avoiding the pro-offered preboarding in order to keep your child off the plane as long as possible is an understandable decision. Unfortunately, that doesn’t necessarily make it the right choice. Getting to your seat early to settle yourself and your child for the flight can pay huge dividends. Boarding early gives you time to get organized, secure your child in their seat, arrange comfort items (ie. back and neck pillows), and set their toys within easy reach.
Tip #5: Buy an Extra Seat
If your child is under two, buying a ticket for them is usually not necessary as many airlines allow babies to fly for free. However, you might want to purchase a seat for them anyway. Yes, everyone wants to budget family travel, but this is one area you might want to splurge – if you’re able. That extra seat will give you the freedom to put the baby down throughout the flight.
Tip #6: Bottle Feed During Take-Off and Landing
Babies are very sensitive to sound and their little ears don’t do well with the pressure change on flights. Take-offs and landings can be extremely painful to their little ears, and chewing can alleviate the pressure. Plan your bottle feeds for take-offs and landings to give them some relief and a distraction from the noise. You should also pack a pacifier to use as an alternative when the plane is climbing or descending, as that “ear pop” pain you feel is amplified for babies.
Tip #7: Opt for Direct Flights or Longer Layovers
Face it: flying with kids slows you down. One of the worst nightmares for a parent is running through the airport to catch a flight while pushing a stroller and dragging a five-year-old. Avoid that disaster scenario by booking a direct flight or looking for flights with longer layovers. Be sure to give yourself enough time to make your flights and account for any unexpected changes like cancellations, gate changes, checking (or rechecking) your luggage – the list goes on (and on).
Tip #8: Dealing with TSA Regulations
No list of family travel tips is complete without talking about TSA regulations. If you haven’t flown in a while, go online and look up current TSA rules and regulations. Restrictions, particularly on international travel, are constantly changing. Be sure to research mask rules, vaccine requirements, and security protocols in advance and double-check for any changes before leaving for the airport.
Tip #9: Make Use of On-board Supplies
Thankfully, you are not the first person to travel on a plane with your family and young children. Your lovely flight attendants are well equipped and prepared to supply you with whatever you might have forgotten or need. Most planes are stocked with baby supplies, such as:
- Diapers
- Oils
- Wipes
- Baby food
- Snacks
All of this is at your disposal, so don’t be afraid to ask if you need something to make the flight easier for you, your child, and everyone around you.
Tip #10: Get Insurance
Yes, the other tips for traveling with a baby that were mentioned are incredibly important. However, there is one that many people don’t think about, and that’s insurance. We recommend travel insurance, which typically covers
- Lost/stolen items
- Accidents
- Emergency medical expenses and healthcare
- Trip cancellations
While it’s often overlooked, life insurance is also important to consider before traveling. Travel insurance is great in that it protects you in the case of small travel emergencies, but life insurance protects your family for the biggest emergency there is. If you haven’t considered life insurance but intend to travel with your family, make sure you are prepared for any and every circumstance by giving us a call today.