The Well-Prepared Mommy Blog

The “Back to School’ sales popping up remind me that summer vacation is starting to wind down for families everywhere. For those of you still planning to squeeze in a trip before school starts, we’ll focus this week on tips for traveling with very young children.

If you’re traveling for the first time with a little one, don’t sweat it too much. Sure, it’s more work than traveling alone or with just your spouse or partner, but with a little bit of prep work, it’s definitely manageable.

If you are planning a trip in the next month or so, I’m guessing you’ve probably chosen a destination already. So, we’ll focus on actually getting ready for that trip.

Today’s entry focuses on some things to consider when flying:

**If you don‘t yet have your tickets purchased, think carefully about the time of day (or night) you wish to fly. Some folks will tell you to fly during your child’s nap time so they’ll sleep for the flight. However, if your kids are like mine – and don’t sleep very well in public places – that might not be the best advice. My husband and I learned that early on and would try to avoid flying at nap time when possible.

**Many airlines will allow children under the age of two to fly for free – if they’re sitting in your lap. This is a great savings; however, depending on the length of the flight (or your child‘s willingness to sit unbuckled in your lap), you might want to consider purchasing a ticket for another seat. (Always, check with the airline ahead of time regarding children’s fares and what identification you need to bring with you.)

**If you have a newborn, check with the airline to see if there are any age restrictions. For some airlines, you will need physician approval to fly with babies who are only days old.

**To make getting around the airport easier, bring your stroller – or some other baby carrier if your child is small enough still. You’ll need your hands free from time to time, and strollers can also be used as highchairs if necessary. Generally, you can check your stroller at the gate. It never hurts to check with the airline though to see what kinds of equipment (e.g., infant carriers, strollers, etc.) you can carry on or check at the gate.

**If you’re renting a car at your destination, you might consider contacting the rental company to see if they loan car seats. If you take your own and plan to check it, make sure it’s packed in a durable travel bag. Check with your airline ahead of time; some airlines don’t count your child’s car seat as one of your checked bags.

**Most airlines will allow pre-boarding for families with children, but you don’t have to get on early if you don’t want to. Some parents view pre-boarding as a good opportunity to get settled in the plane before everyone else; others see it as more time to sit confined with baby.

**Once you do board, ask a flight attendant for a blanket. If you have to change your baby on the plane, you can use the blanket to cover the toilet to create a changing table in the lavatory. While some planes do have changing tables, they’re generally pretty small.

**You may consider feeding baby during takeoff to relieve pressure in the ears. (A pacifier may help too. If you don’t generally use one, you could try one just for the occasion but don’t be surprised if baby rejects it.) For older kids, try lollipops.

There’s plenty more to consider, including some tips on keeping your child entertained on a flight and packing in general, so be sure to check the blog later in the week. We’ll also take a look at some things to consider for road trips.

For more information, you can find a travel checklist on WellPreparedMommy.com.
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