And we're off!
Well, we will be soon anyway.
This time all of us
together... on an airplane. But it's something we're pretty used to. Each of our little ones have been riding those big metal crates in the sky since they were six weeks old. I've had them solo and we've traveled with others.
And though I'm far from any expert on traveling, I do have a few little gems I can share with you. Gems that have helped wrap a cloak of sanity tight around us, insuring that we live and love to travel once again.
Lap babies.It's helpful to note that children under two fly free. This doesn't mean that they have their own seat, but rather, they are small enough to cuddle on your lap during the flight.
Know where you're going.Ok, it sounds a little strange, but what I mean is... Are you going to have a car where you're going or are you going to be walking/using public transportation? It makes a difference. If you're going someplace where you will have a car, then bringing a car seat with you is essential (renting them is an option, but a
very expensive one.)
My solution? I use our car seat/stroller combo and wheel it all the way up to the gate. This serves a few purposes. First, it serves to help carry our load of carry-ons while walking through the airport. Second, when you check it at the gate, you're avoiding the fee for checked bags. Third, we usually ask if there are any extra seats available on the plane, and ask to be seated there. If there happens to be one, and your car seat is approved for flight, your babe can chill his way through the flight safely strapped into the seat next to you. But mostly? I just like having my stroller available up until we board the plane and the ability to use it again the moment we step out of the plane, and not pay a pretty penny to have it with us.
If I'm going to a location where I won't be using a car, I still take the stroller and push it on my merry little way... all the way to the gate. I just leave the car seat at home. When I get to the gate, I ask the attendant at the counter for one gate-check tag, instead of the two I would use if I had the car seat and stroller, and leave it on the jetway as we board only to find it waiting for us as we deplane at our destination. (The gate check tag is just to make sure that the stroller get's to the same location you do and back into your hands.)
Feed, feed, feed.Feed your baby upon take-off and again upon landing if they're awake. If your baby nurses, then nurse him. Takes a bottle? Then give him one. The sucking and swallowing helps to keep his precious little ears pressurized correctly and pain free. An added benefit is that it's almost always put my babies to sleep, and many times they sleep through the entire flight due to the constant hum of the engines! If your little one is too old to nurse or for a bottle, try giving a sippy cup to drink or a piece of gum... I usually use the gum trick on myself.
There's nothing worse than ears that don't pressurize correctly. Ouch! If you do find yourself in this predicament, try asking for a cup with a very hot, wet paper towel inside and hold the cup over your ear. The steam can sometimes help ease the pressure.
Choose your seats wisely.Many times, once you book a flight, you can choose your seats online. Our favorites happen to be one of two choices. The bulkhead seats are great for giving extra room for lively littles. Bulkhead seats are the first row right behind First Class and usually have a carpeted wall in front of them. There is also usually more leg room, and if we sit here, I throw a blanket down on the floor once we're in flight and give the kids a little play room at my feet. Plus, you can get off the plane just about as soon as it lands... you know, in case you're ready to leave that trip behind you as quickly as possible.
Our other choice, and usually best for sleepier babes, is the very back of the plane. There's a good chance that if there are any extra seats, this is where you'll find them. And it's loud back there, you're right by the engines. A perfect place to help lull your little one off to dreamland... or drown out their cries.
Take a deep breath... and take your time.Take your time making your way through all the checkpoints. There will be lines. There is a lot to take out, take off, fold up and place on a long rubber belt while you head through security. But remember, when you travel with little ones, it takes time. And a stressed mama stresses everyone out.
Take a deep breath and then get in there and do what you need to do. People will help you. People will understand that you have to balance a babe on your hip with one arm while your free hand slips off your shoes and folds up the stroller. You'll get through it, and hopefully with all of you smiling.
Wrap it up.This tip comes straight from my travelin' mama. Before you traipse across the country, raid the dollar bins at Target, or anywhere you can find a cheap gadget or toy, coloring book with crayons, or notepad and stickers, and wrap up a present ONLY TO BE OPENED ON THE PLANE.
I like to give the present as we're getting ready to leave the house, and the excitement and anticipation over a present in the hand can keep a smile on those little faces for quite some time. Want to take this tip to the next level? Wrap the gift up in a pillowcase that can add a little home comfort to a long flight or stale hotel room.
Traveling with kids doesn't have to be hard... make it fun, laugh at inopportune times, sing silly songs. The more fun you pretend to have, the more fun you'll start having, and your kids will have fun too!
And I've only hit the tip of the iceberg. There are so many amazing traveling mamas out there, who can do it so much better than I can, so I've rounded up a few links with some super hot tips:
Simple Mom ~ Traveling During The Holidays? 10 Tips For Making It Easier With KidsMy Charming Kids ~ Leaving On a Jet PlaneSimple Mom ~ How to Travel Long Distances with Little Ones (and not go insane)Parenting.com ~ 18 Tips for Traveling with BabyHappy Travels!
Do you have any travel tips you like to use?
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Comments (6)
We have twins so whenever we travel we go and buy them new toys, coloring books, crayons whatever would keep their interest and put it in their carryon and they're not allowed to open their bag until we are on the plane. We also splurge and buy snacks either in the airport or on the plane --- it's good if they have a full belly. We almost always fly SouthWest which is nice because they seem to be very catering to children, which is so very stressful. When I flew with them by myself for the flight back I bought those darn backpack leash things. I was never a fan of them, but it's better than the fear of them running away and not finding them. Plus they though the lease part was a tail;)
In March I'll be flying from Colorado to Texas with my mother and my then-to-be 6-month-old daughter. Thank you so much for the tips!
We've been flying with our LO about once a month for the past year and we found the easiest trips through airport have been when we have left the car seat and stroller at home and I wear him in my Beco carrier. For now, I can walk through security without having to take him out of
the carrier. We can get through security faster than many people
traveling without kids. We purchased a car seat that stays at Grandma & Grandpa's house so we don't have to lug it with us each trip. For the trips to other places, we have been able to borrow a car seat from friends at our destination.
For moms: Don't wear jewelry or a belt if you can. Wear slip-on shoes. The less you have to do at security, the easier it will be.
Once your little one can walk, make a copy of their birth certificate and keep it in your diaper bag. All it takes is one clueless airline employee that thinks your 11 month old is over 2 years old (and not eligible to fly on your lap) to cause you to possibly miss your flight and spoil a trip.
Just last week we learned that Oshkosh overalls tend to set off the metal detectors.
The Booginhead pacifier strap is our best friend when we fly. It keeps pacifiers and toys from falling on the gross airplane floors. We are not cool using the 5 second rule with airplanes. DH works for an airline and know how infrequently the carpets are shampooed.
The few times we flew with our 3 year old godson, we found it was easier to not pre-board and take the time to let him run around get his wiggles out before boarding. We'd board right at the end and avoid him having a meltdown as we waited for the other passengers to board.
The idea of flying with kids is probably the biggest single cause of stress for traveling parents.I think your tips will be useful for every one.Thank you...