Traveling with Baby: Airplane Travel Safety Tips

3:00 AM, Pohsdorf, Germany. I have just survived my first trans-continent flight, solo with a 6-month-old baby boy, a total of 24 hours traveling time, 3 full diapers, and many lessons learned along the way.


TIPS FOR SURVIVING AIRPLANE TRAVEL WITH A BABY:
1. Bring a couple carry on toys to keep baby occupied. Tie a ribbon around each so you can attach it to the stroller or bassinet. No rattles or noisy toys, though. The other passengers would appreciate it.


2. The stroller can be your lifesaver. But if you have a stopover and transit flight, make sure it’s clear that you get your stroller at the layover as well, and that the airport staff doesn’t send it straight to your destination. Have them give it to you when stepping off the plane (they will put another label tag on this) so that you are not stuck without it at immigrations and other checkpoints before baggage claim.


3. Pack a soft pad for changing diapers, one that can fold up small into your bag. Baby will appreciate not having to lie on the cold, hard table of the cramped airplane toilet.

Airplanes should carry baby diapers on board. You don’t need to over-pack diapers.


4. You will be required to pass everything through the x-ray machines, so double check and make sure you get everything back afterwards, especially your baby gear! I accidentally left my laptop in the Munich Security check and realized two hours later! Thanks to German efficiency, I was able to find it again in Lost and Found.

Don’t underestimate the recommended 3 hour check in prior to take-off time. You will appreciate having enough time to do everything (plus change diapers in-between!) with time for unexpected blunders, like my laptop scenario above.

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5. Wear practical clothes without fussy buttons or zippers (example: Jogging pants instead of jeans). These will come in handy in case you have to hold on to baby while going to the toilet (sounds gross, but if you are alone, it may come to that!)


6. Expect that there will not be an elevator at some stops. Strangers will usually be friendly enough to help carry the stroller if needed.


7. The best seat you can book is one that is near the bathroom, with a window (baby will have fun looking at the scenery) and up front with leg space (luggage space!) and a bassinet. If your seat was not pre-arranged at check-in, have the flight crew organize for you to trade seats with a passenger up front who does not have a kid.


8. Feed or nurse baby during landing and take offs to ease the pressure in his ears. Older children can be given lollipops to suck.


9. And finally, babies do get jetlag. Mine is currently sleeping the whole afternoon (his body clock night) and will be wide awake at midnight later. Don’t stress it; they will eventually adapt. Give them time to adjust to the changes and just take advantage of their sleeping moments to catch some sleep yourself.


Nyx Martinez is a traveling mother and journalist. She is the Managing Editor of an Inflight magazine.