Flying with your Baby

Hi I'm taking my 11 month old daughter on holiday in a couple of weeks, I was wondering if anyone had any advice for flying or the lomg wait in the airport.  The flight will last bout 4 hrs, and I'm not the best at flying myself, so any

So you’re off on Holiday. How exciting, well at least it should be. I too recently took a holiday that included our 9mth old daughter’s very first plane trip. As exciting as holidays should be, the thought of being confined to one small area with an inquisitive crawler for more then 20 minutes is all a wee bit daunting. But actually I found that traveling with small infant can be smooth and enjoyable if you remain aware of your baby's basic needs.

• Pack everything you'll need for your baby to get through a whole day, not just the duration of the flight. In fact pack a nappy bag as if you were going to a desert island for an entire day. You never know what sort of delays or unexpected situations you might encounter, and if your checked bags happen to get lost, you'll be relieved that you have extra nappies, food and your child's treasured toys with you. Items to remember are doctor-recommended pain reliever, an extra dummy and all the usual stuff your baby requires.
• Bring along a small selection of toys (preferably ones that don't make loud noises), books, blankets, or other items your child likes to help keep them entertained. I found suction toys that won't fall off the airline trays very handy.
• Many carriers provide bassinets (sometimes called "carry-cots") at no charge for kids one year old or younger. To use these, however, you must be in a bulkhead seat. Availability is dependent on how many infants are booked onto the flight (younger infants get priority)…and first in best dressed, so request a bassinette when booking your tickets.
• Less crowds means less stress! If you have the option, book your flights for non-peak travel times. Get to the airport early so you have time to check in, relax and don't feel rushed…Take advantage of preboarding so you can board at a slower pace due to the little ones. This helps you get settled and allows you to find a nearby space for carry-ons.
• While in the airport and boarding I used a child carrier, front or backpack. I found it made it a little easier to navigate the aisles, set things up on the plane without a runaway bubba, and they fold and store in the overhead bin much more easily. Most packs have a small pocket that also fits a few nappies and wipes; you can fit a change of clothes (essential) in your own carry-on.
• Making sure you child is sucking on something such as dummy can be helpful. Trying to schedule feedings during takeoff and landing is also a great tip. Remember crying actually unblocks the ears' eustachian tubes and helps alleviate pressure. I actually checked with our pediatrician to make sure our little girl didn’t have an ear infection before we left.

Above all, keep your sense of humor...and remember, eventually, you'll get there. Many mums and dads have gone before you, and many of your fellow passengers, too. So come prepared, but stay cool—you're on holiday after all.