Flying with kids. 8 top tips
Traveling by plane with a kid seems a nightmare for many of us. In fact, it is not as difficult as it seems at first glance. We will give you some useful pieces of advice, which will make your flight much easier.
Rule 1. Keep calm
Sounds trivial, but this is the first and most important rule. If you don't follow it, all the other rules won't make any sense. Kids are always loud, unpredictable and extremely active. Kids are kids anyway, let's just face it and arrange your child's time on a plane so that they don't bother other passengers.
Will you still catch frustrated glances during the flight? Most probably you will. But your aim is not to lose your temper. Those who have kids will understand you and those who don't will never be on the same boat with you.
Sounds trivial, but this is the first and most important rule. If you don't follow it, all the other rules won't make any sense. Kids are always loud, unpredictable and extremely active. Kids are kids anyway, let's just face it and arrange your child's time on a plane so that they don't bother other passengers.
Will you still catch frustrated glances during the flight? Most probably you will. But your aim is not to lose your temper. Those who have kids will understand you and those who don't will never be on the same boat with you.
Rule 2. Check the airline rules in advance
You thought you could take 8 kg (17 lbs) of hand luggage for your child, but the allowance is 5 kg (11 lbs) only?
You assumed the kid will sit on a separate seat, but when you onboard it occurs you both have to share one?
If you don't want to face such problems, you'd better double-check all important rules with your flight provider well in advance. The issues you should clarify:
You thought you could take 8 kg (17 lbs) of hand luggage for your child, but the allowance is 5 kg (11 lbs) only?
You assumed the kid will sit on a separate seat, but when you onboard it occurs you both have to share one?
If you don't want to face such problems, you'd better double-check all important rules with your flight provider well in advance. The issues you should clarify:
- What documents you need to take for your child? For instance, if the kid flies abroad with one parent only, he/she may need a notarized travel consent from the second parent so that their children can travel with just one of their parents
- Does the child have a separate seat onboard or sits on your lap?
- If you bought a separate seat for your kid, make sure you sit next to each other.
- Is your stroller allowed onboard? Usually, strollers can only be carried as checked baggage and should be handed over to a member of staff at the aircraft entrance. But there are some exceptions. Some strollers (the French Babyzen YOYO, for example) are allowed to be taken onboard as they meet hand luggage size and weight requirements as well as fold and fit into a cabin.
- Should you take a safety seat on board?
- What are the allowances for checked and hand luggage for the child? Maximum weight and size.
- Can you take baby food and water onboard? If yes, check the limitations. Some companies allow to take any quantities your child needs during the flight. While the others set limits, and allow containers with a volume no more than 100 ml (3,4 oz).
Rule 3. Adjust the flight to your child's schedule
Kids behave differently when they are hungry or tired. If your little one feels great during the day, but drives you (and everyone around) crazy in the evening, plan the flight in the first half of the day. And vice versa.
If the baby easily falls asleep by himself (in the seat, on your lap), then the right decision will be to plan the flight during the sleeping time. Entertaining a child in an enclosed space (sometimes even with fastened belts) is a tough task. So if there is an opportunity for the child to sleep on the plane, do not lose it.
If keeping to the schedule is crucial to your child, never take charter flights. The reason is that they have legal right to change departure time (and they often do). For instance, the previously chosen convenient 11 a.m. can be easily switched to 3 a.m. This change can ruin not only your flight, but also the following day.
Kids behave differently when they are hungry or tired. If your little one feels great during the day, but drives you (and everyone around) crazy in the evening, plan the flight in the first half of the day. And vice versa.
If the baby easily falls asleep by himself (in the seat, on your lap), then the right decision will be to plan the flight during the sleeping time. Entertaining a child in an enclosed space (sometimes even with fastened belts) is a tough task. So if there is an opportunity for the child to sleep on the plane, do not lose it.
If keeping to the schedule is crucial to your child, never take charter flights. The reason is that they have legal right to change departure time (and they often do). For instance, the previously chosen convenient 11 a.m. can be easily switched to 3 a.m. This change can ruin not only your flight, but also the following day.
Rule 4. Bring travel activities
Grab plenty of travel games to keep your child busy. If the baby is involved in an activity, he stays calm and doesn't bother others. What you can take:
Grab plenty of travel games to keep your child busy. If the baby is involved in an activity, he stays calm and doesn't bother others. What you can take:
- Books
- Pencils/markers and drawing notebook
- Coloring books
- Stickers and magnets
- Plasticine
- Pictures
- An iPad/iPod/Tablet/Telephone with cartoons, songs and games
- A favorite toy
- Dry-erase books
"If your child is bored, this is your problem. It shouldn't influence the comfort of people traveling with you"
Rule 5. Bring spare clothes
Issues happen all the time: the kid peed himself, poured paint on the t-shirt, whatever... There are many similar scenarios that may happen, mommies will understand what I mean. That's why you should always have a set (or even two or three) of changing clothes. We would suggest having it both for a child and an adult.
Issues happen all the time: the kid peed himself, poured paint on the t-shirt, whatever... There are many similar scenarios that may happen, mommies will understand what I mean. That's why you should always have a set (or even two or three) of changing clothes. We would suggest having it both for a child and an adult.
Rule 6. Take yummy snacks
Candies, raisins, yoghurt – tale your kid's favorites. There tiny joys can smooth out many unpleasant moments during the flight.
Keep in mind that most airlines allow taking baby food and water onboard (even if the volume is more than 100 ml (3,4 oz). Take more food and drinks than you usually need in case the flight is delayed or the transfer is prolonged. You know that a hungry child is a pain.
By the way, the plane food which we don't always love can be a great discovery for your child. Various cans, plastic bags, containers and colorful spoons - everything is worth attention.
Candies, raisins, yoghurt – tale your kid's favorites. There tiny joys can smooth out many unpleasant moments during the flight.
Keep in mind that most airlines allow taking baby food and water onboard (even if the volume is more than 100 ml (3,4 oz). Take more food and drinks than you usually need in case the flight is delayed or the transfer is prolonged. You know that a hungry child is a pain.
By the way, the plane food which we don't always love can be a great discovery for your child. Various cans, plastic bags, containers and colorful spoons - everything is worth attention.
Rule 7. Be prepared to deal with clogged ears
Many parents are worried about their child having clogged ears during takeoffs and landing.
Although not every kid has this problem, it's better to be well-prepared. The easiest way to unclog ears is to ask your kid to swallow. But as not every child can do it, we will provide you with some alternative options:
Many parents are worried about their child having clogged ears during takeoffs and landing.
Although not every kid has this problem, it's better to be well-prepared. The easiest way to unclog ears is to ask your kid to swallow. But as not every child can do it, we will provide you with some alternative options:
- Suggest your child to drink juice (or any of their favorite drinks) through a straw. Most kids love using a straw when drinking;
- Give your child a Chupa Chups. The lollipop will last quite long, so it is just enough for takeoff or landing time;
- Ask your kid to pinch his nose and blow gently.
Rule 8. Discover the world around you
Children don't take a plane every day. So usually this experience is new and interesting for them. Take the advantage of it. There are so many things on board that can get your kid excited:
Children don't take a plane every day. So usually this experience is new and interesting for them. Take the advantage of it. There are so many things on board that can get your kid excited:
- Study the surroundings: seats, safety belts, buttons, cabins, flight attendant compartment;
- Take a walk around the plane and explain your kid how stuff works;
- Meet new people. Other passengers are usually quite friendly, smile and play with kids;
- Find other kids and play together with them.
As you see, there is nothing so terrifying in flying with kids. Yes, there are certain issues, but you can easily overcome them if you prepare well.
Have a smooth flight!
Have a smooth flight!
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