Travelling on a plane with your infant can be very daunting, especially if your partner is not making the trip with you. But luckily there are a few tips and tricks to make the journey less stressful.
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1. Be informed before you buy your tickets
Call the airline before you book your tickets to find out what exactly you can bring on the plane for your baby. Most airlines are very accommodating and allow a baby luggage of 20kg. Also find out if you can fly with a pram and car seat. If the car seat fits into the pram to create one travel system it usually isn’t a problem, but bigger car seats might be. Make sure you know this so you don’t bring a seat that won’t be allowed on the plane. Car seats can be hired for the duration of your trip from car-rental agencies or through Baby Exchange.
2. Be prepared
- Think of any scenarios that might play out on the plane and have a solution for each. Pack mess-free snacks that don’t need lots of space, as well as teething biscuits, and bottles that have already been prepared.
- Tie ribbons to all the toys you take on the plane so you don’t have to ask your neighbours to pick something up a hundred times, and make sure the dummy is secured with a dummy clip.
- Have all your documents in a place where you can easily access them and don’t forget your baby’s birth certificate.
3. Accept help
It’s hard to do everything yourself, so accept help from everyone from the person assisting with your luggage trolley when you arrive at the airport to your neighbour on the plane holding your baby when you go to the loo – it’s not like they can steal him when you are thousands of feet in the air! Have a R20 note ready to tip the person who handles your luggage while you push the pram. Be honest, and ask for help if you feel overwhelmed – you’ll be surprised at the goodwill of others.
4. Make friends with a flight attendant
- Call a flight attendant as soon as you are settled in your seat. Ask them where the nappy-change flap is and how it works.
- Ask them what brace positions to use that are safest for you and your baby.
- Also ask them to make sure your nappy bag isn’t pushed to the back of the overhead compartment, so that you can easily access it during the flight.
- If you get served food on your flight, ask a flight attendant to cut your food so you can eat with one hand while holding your baby.
5. Relieve the pressure
Babies cry on planes because their ears can’t adjust to the difference in pressure as the plane takes off and lands. Sucking helps a lot with this, so make sure you have many bottles and extra dummies ready for takeoff and landing. Breast-feeding also works wonders, so wear something that can easily cover your baby, like a poncho, or use a large receiving blanket.
6. Be considerate
Remember that sinking feeling when you were in the queue about to board the plane and you spotted a baby? Now every single passenger will feel that way about your bundle of joy, so take extra care to ensure you don’t add to the annoyance. Pack toys that don’t make any noise whatsoever. No rattles, squeaky toys or singing books. Also don’t expect the other passengers to think your child is as cute as you think he is. Letting him crawl up and down the aisle, making a little joke about everything he does or playing bouncy games that make him scream with delight will not necessarily be appreciated by all.
7. Take your baby’s nap into account
Try your very best to ensure that your baby can sleep on the plane. Stretch his awake time a bit or wake him up earlier to ensure nap time coincides with the flight.
8. Use a sling or baby carrier
If you aren’t flying with your pram, having your hands free will make a big difference. Invest in a wearable baby carrier or sling so you can carry your hand luggage and reach your boarding passes and IDs with ease.
9. Do what you can before boarding
Change your baby’s nappy before you board. If you thought plane loos were small before, try changing a nappy in there! And if possible, go to the toilet yourself before you board in case the little one falls asleep in your arms.
10. Count your items of luggage
When travelling, always know how many items you need to have with you so you can do a quick audit to see if you have everything. For instance:
1. Your suitcase
2. Your baby’s suitcase
3. Your hand luggage
4. Your nappy bag
5. The car seat
6. The pram
If your baby has a favourite blanket or soft toy, take those into account too – you don’t want to start the holiday having to deal with the loss of his beloved teddy bear!
Photo: iStock/BraunS
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