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The idea of flying with children is probably the biggest, single cause of stress for traveling parents. No one looks forward to hauling a lot of luggage through the airport with a tired and unhappy child. Not to mention the thought of keeping the child seated, quiet and happy for hours on end can be terrifying. While OAJ can’t promise your children won’t have meltdowns, we can promise to provide you with travel tips to make traveling with children easier and less stressful.
Be mindful of nap time and flight time
According to some, there's never a good time to fly with a young child, and some parents even delay traveling with their children until they're over the age of seven. But if you have no choice but to fly with children then it’s best to get either an early morning flight or a flight that revolves around drowsy times.
If you have an early morning flight, make sure your child gets to sleep early enough the night before, because taking an under-rested, cranky, child to the airport in the wee hours of the morning is a recipe for disaster.
If your children take naps or tend to get tired during certain times of the day, try scheduling your flight for that drowsy time.
Plan for the security line
When packing up to head to the airport it’s important that you strategically plan around the security line. A light stroller will become your best friend as it will be easy to fold and unfold at the last minute and place on the belt to go through the x-ray. Slip-on shoes for both you and your child are your second best friends, easy off, easy on in the security line.
Don’t worry about holding up the line when traveling with children. Take your time, collect your thoughts and your things. Its best keep a child’s stress to a minimum especially in a hectic environment, like airports.
Manage ear pain
Ear pain, which is caused by unequal pressure between the outer and inner ear, is most uncomfortable when the plane is ascending and descending. If it’s painful for adults, imagine how painful it can be for a child while not knowing what is happening. The best way to soothe their pain is to offer milk or juice through a straw, or in a sippy cup, during takeoff and landing to relieve the inner air pressure. Why? The sucking works the same as when we chew gum. You can also relieve that pain with chewy snacks or lollipops.
Distractions are key
A good pre-emptive strategy for holding off mid-flight meltdowns is packing several kid distractions. You can’t go wrong with coloring books and pencils. You don’t have to spend a lot of money on new travel toys. A pad of paper and some crayons could go a long way especially if you’re engaged with them. You can also pack a couple of their favorite storybooks for quiet reading. Sticker books and toys that don’t have too many pieces are your best bet. You know your child best, so take along the kinds of things that occupy them most, and introduce new toys slowly over the course of the trip.
Travel with an iPad or mobile phone
If you have an IPad, use it, and load it up to the brim with your child’s favorite games, Apps, TV episodes, and movies. And don’t rely on a seat-back TV on the plane for them to use, as that’s never a guarantee. There will be long periods of waiting in airports, traveling in cars, and other forms of transport where your IPad will come in handy.
Don't forget the headphones, and make sure everything is charged.
Pack extra helpful accessories
In addition to toys, there are some essentials you don’t want to forget. Spare outfits for both your child and you in case of any spills or accidents, lots of wet wipes, diapers, if needed, and large zip lock bags, which can act as trash bags during the flight. Make sure you bring extra formula, milk, juice, and snacks as not all airlines serve food on planes and you never know about delays.
If there’s anything your child would go crazy for, consider packing double of it.
Ask for help
If you’re alone, don’t be shy about asking the flight crew for help with toddler air travel. It can be nearly impossible to lift a bag and put it in the overhead bin while holding a child. So ask a flight attendant, or a fellow passenger to pitch in, they should be happy to comply.
All in all, have fun with them on the flight, when those close quarters offer a chance for some real quality time. And if worst comes to worst, know that the other parents on the plane who see you doing the best you can are sympathizing with you.