Air Travel With Baby

The experience of traveling with your new baby can be wonderful. Or it can be awful. Most likely though, it will fall somewhere in between. To make the experience as pleasant as possible for the whole family, preparation is key.

Ideally you want to wait until baby is at least 6 weeks old to travel as babies are still quite fragile before this and more sensitive to germs in their environments. Since airplanes are notorious for being germ infested this increases your baby’s chance of getting sick.

Since babies have specific and predictable needs it is best to anticipate them and ensure that you have what it takes with you to meet them. Additionally, traveling can be uncomfortable for parents – especially moms – and this should be considered too. 

Clothing

Parents are always told to carry an extra change of clothes for baby with them wherever they go. In the case of airplane travel you should pack according to the length of the flight. If it is a longer flight you will want to bring extra changes of clothing. However because of the awkwardness of airplane seating – especially if baby is on your lap the whole time – assume there will be accidents. And that means an extra shirt for mom is essential too.

Layers are imperative for baby because of the fluctuating temperature in airplane cabins. You never know whether baby will be too hot or cold. Hats are also recommended because babies lose so much heat and are not able to regulate their temperature as well as adults.

Blankets

Blankets are very useful on flights. Not only do they bundle up a chilly baby but they can double as pillows (for those uncomfortable headrests) as well as breatfeeding covers.

Sling

If you have a sling, bring it with you. It is tough to navigate the small spaces in airplanes, especially when your hands are full. A sling will allow you to keep your hands free while on your flight. Keep in mind they may not be permissible during take-off and landings.

Changing

When it comes to changing diapers on a plane one thing is certain – it can be very tricky. For this reason parents are advised to change baby right before boarding to minimize the number of changes they will have to do.

Because airplane washrooms are so small, try to pack a smaller bag of essentials to take with you rather than a big diaper bag. And ensure you bring a changing pad to lay down as these are germ filled environments. It is wise to bring along diaper disposal bags to help contain the smell of poopy messes.

And when it comes to diapers always err on the side of bringing more as you can never predict delays or reroutes.

Feeding

When it comes to feeding your baby what you need to bring will depend on your feeding style. For breastfeeding moms, a cover or blanket will likely make you more comfortable. You may also want to bring a small pillow for babies head as it will likely bump against hard surfaces. A small cloth is also handy for burping or unpredictable spit-ups.

For formula feeds ensure clean bottles, ample formula (more airlines will allow you to bring along a reasonable amount of premixed formula), purified water for mixing a small cooler to store your formula.

If your baby is over 6 months, bring prepared solid food in a cooler as well as a spoon and a couple of bibs.

Supplements

Because baby’s system can be thrown off from airplane travel, it is wise to be prepared with a few supplements in case they are needed. Probiotics can help deal with digestive upset as well as constipation, as can magnesium. Probiotics are also great for boosting the immune system.

Distractions

Some babies need more distractions than others. Depending upon the age of your baby it is a good idea to bring a couple of toys or books in the case that your baby doesn’t sleep during the trip, more if you have a busy baby. 

Pacifiers

The changing air pressure in the cabins can be hard on baby’s ears. It is a good idea to bring a soother to use during take off and landing because the gentle sucking that baby does helps to alleviate the pressure in their ears.