Flying With Your Baby; What To Do And What Not To Do?

Air travel requires a lot of planning, especially when you have to travel with a baby or toddler; it is all the more daunting when you travel overseas for the first time with concerns like health issues and travel documents.  Packing a car seat, stroller, suitcase, and diaper bag full of toys and then entertaining the toddler/baby could make the task still more difficult.

Here are a few tips for air travel with your baby:

Your baby would require a passport especially if he/she is going outside US for the first time. Apply for a passport online at the passport office. You will be asked to submit the birth certificate of the baby along with 2 passport photos; follow all the strict instructions for getting a passport.

You would also have to apply for the visa to the country of destination if travelling overseas; so will your family members that are flying with you. Also apply for free European Health Insurance Card if you’re heading for Europe to be entitled to free or reduced State healthcare in your destination; ensure that your baby is also covered for treatment abroad under your travel insurance policy.

Try to schedule your flight time to coincide with nap or bedtime, so that the baby would sleep most of the time if he/she is sleepy, though the ambient noise on the plane will lull your baby to sleep anyway.

Be well prepared for the flight; diapers, wipes, food and spare clothing to avoid running short of them. Bring some toys and books to entertain the baby during the flight and avoid a meltdown.

It is not necessary to pack up a lot of medical preparations unless you’re travelling to a high-risk area; just take medicines enough for the trip, for emergencies and delays. It would help to read the current security restrictions on liquids as some flights do not allow containers containing liquids as hand baggage.

Ensure you pack a travel first-aid kit including antiseptic cream, antihistamine cream, plasters, small bandages, baby-friendly insect repellent, baby paracetamol sachets, your baby’s usual sun cream and skin lotions.

In case your baby has some special health needs, fix an appointment with the doctor a month before the date of departure. It would help to carry the doctor’s prescription and avoid stress by checking where you can get new supplies while away if needed. Also contact your airline and tour operator before you fly to make the necessary arrangements.

Babies could have a tough time during takeoff and landing due to the air pressure in the ears; some may also be bothered by wobbly tummy.  Drinking, eating, sucking a dummy and crying will all help to equalize the pressure in your baby’s ears at take-off and landing; any sort of sucking motion will help, so give her/him a bottle or pacifier during the ascent and descent.

Some babies may suffer from travel sickness during movement due to the conflicting signals sent to the brain and ears. It would then help to keep babies in a comfortable temperature; do avoid distracting them with anything they have to focus on.

To conclude, following these dos and don’ts will make flying with your baby a pleasure rather than a hassle.

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