I do not know about you but about six months ago, I had a horrible experience on a plane. I was returning to Missouri from Denver, tired, cranky, and hot. Ready to get home where I could relax, I had no idea what was about to happen. Fortunately, for me I was bumped to first class but to be honest, it did little to help. Within 10 minutes from takeoff, a small baby began to cry. Okay, I am a mom so I was not bothered…at first.
As time passed, not only did the baby continue to cry but wail. The two and one-half hour flight left me with a massive headache. I can only imagine how the people in coach sitting closer to the baby felt. Now, this was certainly not the child’s fault and perhaps not even the parent’s but it reminded me that when traveling on a plane where you are in close quarters to another person, special steps should be taken to keep a baby content.
For starters, before you get on the plane, make sure your baby’s diaper is dry, his/her tummy is full, and that he is ready for a nap or well rested. This way, you are starting with a happy baby, which would certainly help. Sometimes, babies are worn out by the time they board a plane. While rushing around is not always something you can avoid, do what you can to ensure your child is ready for flight. In addition to making other people happy, you will enjoy the flight and so will the child.
In addition to the bags you check, also make sure you have a small diaper bag containing all the right “goodies”. For instance, you want milk, juice, and probably water for variety. If your child is old enough to snack on harder foods, put small pieces of low-sugar cereal in a little baggie. Then, add a soft blanket (some planes get chilly), a stuffed toy, preferably one that winds up and plays music, and some toys for entertain. If possible, you could even record some soft lullabies, playing them to help sooth the child during flight.
Now, if your child is of toddler age, then bring a sippy cup, some favorite snacks but only healthy, low-sugar foods to avoid him or her becoming hyperactive, and toys. In fact, if you have a portable DVD player, you could take several of the child’s favorite movies and earplugs. In most cases, this turns out to be a valuable tool. The key with traveling with a child of any age is preparation before the flight and good planning for the flight. If you end up with a cranky baby and you have done everything possible, do not pay attention to the nasty looks. Sometimes, children simply have a mind of their own.
A Place For Your Kids To Play Between Flights