Welcome to DeliciousBaby!

I'm Debbie, mother of three delicious kids and I write about traveling with little kids. I have tons of family travel ideas in our Kid Friendly City Guides. My site also has tons of tips for traveling with kids

Flying with Babies, Toddlers and Kids

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The idea of flying with kids is probably the biggest single cause of stress for traveling parents. Nobody looks forward to lugging a lot of luggage through the airport with a tired and unhappy child (or children) in tow, and the prospect of keeping them seated, quiet, and happy for hours on end can be terrifying. While we can't promise that your kids won't have a melt down, our travel tips will help streamline your air travel and keep everyone in a better mood! We also have helpful advice for making travel with infants easier.

♡ My favorite travel toys for newborn to age 1, age 1-2, age 2-4, age 5-8.

Getting Ready
The first step is to get to the airport early. It is time consuming to get through the airport and security in any circumstances and you won’t be as able to make a last minute dash to your gate as you would without a child (or children) in tow. The extra time at the airport will give your child a chance to exercise (find an empty gate area or ask if there is an airport play area) in between the long car ride and the flights.

E at the airport

When possible, check in and secure your seat assignment online before you leave for the airport. Don’t forget to print the boarding passes & put them in your carryon!
Be sure to pack your itiniary (including any phone numbers you'll need) and a map of your destination in your carryon. Nothing is worse than struggling to find your hotel with tired children in tow.
Need help packing your carryon? Check out our helpful Carryon Packing List for Babies, Toddlers, and Kids

Getting to the Airport
Unless you live in an urban environment with good public transportation, getting to the airport can present a challenge. The need to bring a car seat makes it difficult to have a friend drop you off or take a taxi, but it can cost a fortune to park at the airport.

Consider off-airport parking for short trips. A shuttle will pick you up at your car and drops you off near your airline.
For longer trips, find a local car service that provides a car seat. They should pick you up at home and drop you off at curbside checkin. The cost usually slightly cheaper than taxi service (in part because the meter isn't running while you gather your last items and lock up the house). If you choose to do this, book well ahead and request a car seat when you book. Call and reconfirm both the time and the car seat before you travel. You will also want to confirm what type of car seat you need. Expect that the driver will not install the seat for you (for liability reasons) but if they do, you should check over the installation yourself to make sure that it has been done properly and the seat is secure.
Can't find a limo service that provides car seats in your area? Some car services will use your seat and store it until they pick you up for the return drive.

Checking In
Hopefully you have already checked in online & just need to drop off your baggage. Here are some helpful tips that will make airport checkin with kids easier.

If the line is long, the open spaces in the airport can be a good place to let the kids run a little while one parent waits in line to check the bags. Remember to stay close in case the gate agent needs to see each of the passengers or check id.
Don’t check your stroller unless you plan to carry your child in a sling. Most airlines will allow you to push your stroller all the way to the gate. They’ll then check it at the gate and have it waiting for you outside the plane door when you deplane. Some airlines will even let you bring a small stroller on board if there is space.
Make sure that your stroller has a tag with your name, address, and phone number. If you do check your stroller, consider packing it in a bag as many airlines consider strollers “fragile items” and will not reimburse you for damage.
If you are travelling with a lap infant in a carrier car seat, consider keeping the car seat with you until you find out whether there is a free seat on the plane that you can use for the baby.
Check with your airline in advance about baggage restrictions. On international flights, some airlines will allow a lap infant to check baggage, other airlines exclude baby items like a car seat or stroller as part of the parent's baggage allowance.

Flying with Car Seats? Read our the helpful four part series from our Travel With Kids Blog:

Part I: Who Need a Car Seat Onboard A Plane
Part II: Checking, Renting and Carrying on a Car Seat When Flying
Part III: Airport Car Seat Carriers (Product Reviews)
Part IV: Travel Car Seats (Product Reviews)

When possible, we avoid bringing our car seats. Checking them worries us (Remember that advice about not using a car seat after it's been in an accident? Baggage handlers don't use kids gloves with car seats or anything else) Onboard, we use a CARES Airplane Seat Harness and we try to use trains and subways at our destination.

Airport Security With Kids
The most important thing you can do to ease your trip through security is to have everything organized in advance. Having lots of loose items, stuff hanging off the stroller and in the basket underneath will make it take forever to gather everything and you will risk leaving something behind.

Kids Seats at Chicago Midway's TSA Security Area

Explain to your child exactly what will happen. It can be scary for them to put their shoes and lovey on the conveyor belt and say goodbye to them.
Put everything on the security belt and remove everyone’s shoes before you remove your child from the stroller, then wait until you can get your child back in the stroller before gathering up your other items
If there is a family lane, use it! At most airports, the family lane has extra agents to help families gather their belongings and often there is a little bit of extra space where children can put on shoes.
Keep your tickets and ID easy to get to until you board the plane. Babies and children are not required to have ID for US domestic flights
If you’re travelling with an infant, it’s often easiest to get through security with the baby in a metal-free sling. They can sleep without being disturbed, and on my most recent flights I have not been required to remove the baby from the sling. I have been told that this is the new regulation, but it seems likely to vary from airport to airport. Note that you will be required to remove the baby from the sling before takeoff.
For more tips, check out our Step-By-Step guide to Breezing Through Airport Security With Kids.
For the latest security regulations regarding children and their food and drinks, visit TSA Travelling with Children

After Security
Your kids have cooperated (or not) with a lot of craziness up until this point. Hopefully you’ve allowed enough time at the airport that you can give them a break and take care of their needs now. Get them a (non sugary) snack, change diapers or visit the restroom, and spend a little time exploring with them. Now is also the time to wear your kids out so that they will sleep on the plane.

Kids Play Area in Seattle International Airport (SEATAC)

Many airports have a play area (check the airport's website or ask a gate agent for details), but if yours doesn't there is often an empty gate area to play in. Even though you’re probably exhausted from packing and getting through security you need to resist the urge to keep your child seated or contained in their stroller while you rest. There will be plenty of time to sit down once you board.
Use this time to pick up any drinks or snacks you will need on the plane. Not all flights carry milk, and airplane tap water is not considered safe to drink (especially for children or babies). Furthermore bottled water supplies can be limited. Buy what you need now.
If you were not able to get the seat assignments you wanted or want to know whether there is an empty seat available for your lap infant, now is a good time to talk with the gate agent.
The gate agent can also give you a gate-check tag for your stroller.
If your child was recently potty trained, put them in a diaper for the flight. You'll be glad you have it if the flight is delayed on the tarmac or if there is turbulence in flight.
Wondering about nursing or pumping in the airport? Here are some Practical Tips for Breastfeeding and Pumping in an Airport

Boarding

As flight time nears, stay close to your gate and listen for the agent to announce pre-boarding. It is helpful to get on the plane first and get yourself organized before everyone else is trying to board. If you are able to split up, send one person ahead with the carryon baggage and car seats while the other parent stays with the kids. This way the first parent can get everything organized and ready without the distraction of kids, and the kids get a little bit more time to move freely. The second parent and kids can be among the last people to board.

Once on-board, make sure that you keep any items you need during takeoff or the beginning for the flight within your reach while seated.

If you gate check your stroller, make sure it has a tag with your name, address, and phone number and get a claim ticket from the gate agent. At the bottom of the jetway, collapse your stroller and remove any loose items. Do not expect that the airline personnel will know how to collapse and stow your stroller without damaging it. It is also a good idea to put your stroller in a plastic or cloth bag to protect it from damage. Most airlines consider strollers to be fragile items and will not reimburse you if they are damaged or destroyed.

If you expect your child to sit in their own seat during takeoff, discuss your expectations before the final seatbelt warning. You don’t want to be one of the handful of families each year who delay (or are removed from) flights because their child refuses to be belted into their seat.

Flight Delays with Kids
Here are some ideas for dealing with a flight that has been delayed after boarding.

If the plane door has not been closed yet, ask whether you can let your children walk and play on the jetway. Flight staff are often cooperative (they don't like crying children either.) Try walking your children up and down the aisle.
Get your children involved in some positive play with the neighbors in front of and behind you. (Peekaboo is hard for even the most stoic travellers to resist). They'll be a lot more understanding when your children have a difficult time later if they've seen them being cute.
Even though you're frustrated, try not to let your kids know it. They'll only pick up on your mood.
Resist the temptation to keep your kids (temporarily) quiet with juice or sugary treats, it will only make them harder to manage later. High protein snacks (especially ones that take a while to eat) are a great choice though.
Engage your kids in quiet play. If they're old enough, try making up stories about why the flight is delayed (maybe squirrels in the cockpit?), where the plane should go instead, or make a list of things you would pack if you were staying at your destination for a year.
For more ideas, check out our blog article on Surviving Flight Delays With Kids

Takeoff

Babies and young children do not know how to clear their ears to reduce the pressure during takeoff and landing. Unless your child is asleep, you will need to help them. For older children, gum is a good aid. For babies, nursing, a bottle, or a pacifier will work. In addition to helping with ear pressure, milk also acts as a mild sedative, so feeding your child can set the stage for drifting off to sleep.

If your child is tired, consider going through as much of your sleep routine as possible during takeoff (reading stories, singing quietly) and tell them that you’ll be sitting for a long time, so this is a good time to sleep. Young babies often sleep well in flight with the motion of the plane and the engine noise providing a very soothing environment.

In Flight

Set expectations about what behavior you expect before your child gets into trouble. Acknowledge that it’s really hard to sit still for so long and tell them that you know they can do it and that you will help them when it gets difficult. Remind them about all the fun things you will get to do when you land. Here are more Tips for Keeping an Active Child Calm on a Plane

E asleep in his CARES harness

You need to make your travel toys last, so try not to bring them out until your child asks for them or gets bored. They’ll probably be amused for quite a while with just looking around, talking to the neighbors, and having some one-on-one time with you. When you do get out toys, get out one at a time so that each has a period of novelty. It’s fun to have some (or all) wrapped as gifts. The wrapping won’t add significantly to your load, but it will provide a little extra excitement and entertainment for your child. When possible, choose toys that work well together. For example, I might start with a Playmobil person and horse. When that gets boring, I could add a stroller, or a wheelchair or a car to the mix.

Not sure what to put in your in-flight busy bag? Check out our helpful tips for:

Keeping a Child Occupied on a Plane
Ten Great Travel Toys You Already Have at Home
Our Favorite Travel Toys

In turbulence, the FAA recommends that "Adults holding infants should provide as uniform support as possible to the infant's head, neck, and body, and lean over the infant to minimize the possibility of injury due to flailing."

Baby noses sometimes get stuffy during flight. Consider bringing along some saline drops (available at the pharmacy) and a small syringe. You can drip a few drops into baby's nose during or after the flight to clear things up. Some sources also say that cleaning the nose helps reduce baby's chances of getting sick Others recommend using expressed breast milk (if you have it) because it is non-drying and antibacterial.

Will you be nursing on the plane? Check out our helpful guide to Nursing and Pumping On an Airplane

Landing

As with takeoff, you’ll have to help your child with pressure in their ears during landing (if they are awake). If you need milk, water, or juice, get it from the flight attendant before the landing process begins.

After landing, it is easiest to wait until the other passengers have de-planed to gather your belongings and children. Despite your best efforts, some of their toys will be scattered on the floor or around the seat, and you won’t want to lose anything. If you’ve gate checked a stroller, it won’t be available immediately anyway, so you might as well wait in your seat instead of at the bottom of the airplane door. Best of all, not being part of the crush of passengers exiting the plane will also give your children a chance to peek in the cockpit.

Read Our Blog for More Tips and Advice on Traveling With Kids

Related Links:
Helping Your Child Sleep on a Plane
Keeping a Child Busy on a Plane
Ten Great Travel Toys You Already Have at Home
Our Favorite Travel Toys
Practical Tips for Nursing and Pumping On an Airplane
Flying with a Carseat
Part I: Which Babies, Toddlers and Kids Need a Car Seat Onboard A Plane
Part II: Checking, Renting and Carrying on a Car Seat When Flying
Part III: Airport Car Seat Carriers (Product Reviews)
Part IV: Travel Car Seat (Product Reviews)

Comments

Biggie @ Lunch in a Box on October 2, 2007 at 5:47 a.m.
What a great list! Thanks for this; some of the ideas will come in handy on an upcoming flight to Australia (ugh -- so long!).
ELISHA on November 8, 2007 at 6:24 p.m.
I WAS WONDERING IF THERE IS ANYTHING THAT I CAN GIVE MY 3 YR OLD DAUGHTER TO SLEEP WHILE WE FLY?
Debbie @ deliciousbaby on November 14, 2007 at 4:34 a.m.
Elisha, If you want to use a sedative, you should talk to your doctor about what to use and proper dosing. If you do decide to use something, consider trying it in advance to make sure that your daughter doesn't have an adverse reaction.
Other things you can do to encourage your child to sleep are: put on Pajamas, go through your sleep routine, create a restful environment by closing the window and turning off your overhead lights, and singing quietly or playing restful music through headphones. Milk has a light sedative effect, and we find that the combination of milk, a sippy cup, and the lulling motion and noise of takeoff are very soothing for our two kids.
Julie on November 19, 2007 at 2:05 p.m.
Thank you, Thank you! We are getting ready to take our first flight with our 1 1/2 year old. We have tried to schedule flights for when he will normally sleep, but the excitement could be too much for him.
I have heard you can try Benedryl to help children sleep on flights, but I have also heard it makes some children hyper - the absolute opposite effect wanted. I plan on talking to our Pediatrician about this and melatonin as back-ups should we need them for our trip. After we land we will still have a three hour drive to make, so the four - five hour plane trip isn't all I am concerned about. :-/
Debbie on November 24, 2007 at 7:42 a.m.
Julie,
I'm glad you liked the tips. Good luck with your trip. If all else fails, keep reminding yourself that they always fall asleep eventually!
Jas on December 22, 2007 at 9:46 p.m.
awesome tips! We flew to California this summer with our 2 year old. One way that we prepared her was to create an excitement about airplanes in our house a couple months in advance. we found videos of planes landing and taking off on u tube and played those for her. we taught her to identify the wings, tail etc of planes, bought her a toy airplane that she became very attached to.
She is now crazy about airplanes and loves everything about them. She enjoyed the flight esp the landing and take off. She loved being "up in the sky"
whew!!
Debbie on December 23, 2007 at 3:46 a.m.
Great ideas! It always amazes me how well kids step up to the task at hand if they're prepared.
jennifer on January 16, 2008 at 11:39 a.m.
I'm so glad I found your Blog! You have wonderful ideas. We have a 9 hour flight to Hawaii next month with our 20 month old daughter. I'm very nervous but I really like some of your suggestions. I will be giving them a try.
RookieMom Heather on January 24, 2008 at 11:06 p.m.
Debbie, I love your site. I just started digging in and now I can't stop. Like you, my husband and I traveled a bunch before having a family and we'd like to get back into it. We hope to take our two young sons on a real vacation (someplace other than seeing our relatives) this summer. I'm thinking Scotland, Portugal, Thailand, Paraguay, Australia... then the rest of the world!
I like your practical tips and the encouragement to get out there. You go girl!
Lynette on January 26, 2008 at 8:11 a.m.
Hi! I'm so glad that I came across your site. We'll be flying from Sweden to Singapore in a week and I wonder if you have any tips for where or how my 11 month old daughter can sleep on the plane. She doesn't have her own seat and is too heavy for the bassinet. It's a long flight so I hope we also will be able to get some rest on the plane.
Debbie on January 28, 2008 at 2:08 p.m.
Before you get on the plane, ask the gate agent how full the flight is. You might be able to arrange to have an empty seat in your row. For a row with three seats across, you can book a window and aisle seat towards the back of the plane. Since the plane is filled from front to back, if the flight isn't full, you're likely to end up with that seat free.
If the flight is fairly full, try to book the bulkhead row. You may be able to get some extra blankets from a sympathetic flight attendant and make a little "bed" at your feet to lie her down in once she's asleep.
For tips on getting your daughter to sleep on the plane, check out this article: http://www.deliciousbaby.com/journal/...
Finally, have a great time in Singapore! I hear such great things about all the fun activities for kids there.
Jackie on February 29, 2008 at 9:57 a.m.
This has been a great site for us. We are moving to Japan in a few months and I am trying to prepare now as my children will be 19 months and 37 months. We however need the carseats to travel with us since this is a move for us, and my 19 month old is less than the 22 pounds for the airplane restraint you suggested. Instead I found a product that attaches to the carseat and allows your child to ride in their carseat as a stroller, cutting down our need for that as well as the carseats. The product is called the Travelmate by Go Go Kidz. It is rather expensive but 30 hours from the time we leave until we get to the hotel required some major thought form us. It will be well worth the money!
Nicole on March 5, 2008 at 10:45 p.m.
We have had nothing but TERRIBLE flights with our 3 year old, and now we have a six month old too! We are flying to Australia next month, it is such a long trip, I am dreading it. I have tried every sedation drug over the years and nothing works on my older child, do you know of any herbal remedy that won't necessarily put her to sleep but will just calm her a little?
Debbie on March 6, 2008 at 11:10 p.m.
Nichole,
The trip to Australia really is quite long. I can understand why you are looking for solutions!
I'm not really a fan of using a sedative, especially one you haven't used before (you never know what the result will be).
Hopefully you can wear your 3 year old out before you get on the plane and she will sleep most of the time. I have some other tips on encouraging your toddler to sleep at
http://www.deliciousbaby.com/journal/...
I also have some suggestions for encouraging quiet play in this article: http://www.deliciousbaby.com/journal/...
I hope this helps,
Debbie
Melissa Parlaman (Graco contributor) on March 7, 2008 at 9 a.m.
Thanks for the travel tips. I am flying with my very active 2 year old this June & not really looking forward to it. I have travelled a lot for business but traveling with her is a whole other story. We are flying to Disney so hopefully everyone will understand if she starts yelling mid-flight..
Debbie on March 7, 2008 at 9:50 a.m.
Melissa,
Good luck on your flight. On a flight to Disney, there will be lots of other kids on the flight. At two, she might be interested in "making friends" and you might even be able to arrange a toy swap for part of the flight.
Debbie
Crystal B. on March 9, 2008 at 1:54 p.m.
Thanks for some great tips. We will be flying home for a friends wedding at the end of the month with our 7 month old and I still have one question...Can I check his pack n play as my checked baggage? We will be staying with family and will be needing the pack n play. I sure hope so... if not I guess he'll be sleeping in bed with us!!! (He'll really like that! :))
Debbie on March 9, 2008 at 4:20 p.m.
Crystal,
As long as you are within the baggage limits for your airline (check their website for details), there is no reason you shouldn't be able to check your pack n play.
Have a great trip!
Need A Nap2 on March 14, 2008 at 11:46 p.m.
www.nytimes.com/2008/02/19/business/1...
Our friend sent us this article. Quite frankly, I'm really worried about this because we're going to be traveling soon with our 9 month old on international flights. The baby's breastfeeding so I'm not worried about formula. But I'm planning to bring all of the baby food we'd need for the trip (most of it will be in checked baggage) but we have 2 traveling days so I need a lot of baby food to be carry-on.
Do you know if anyone else has had trouble with carrying on baby food? Is there a "right amount" to bring in the carry-on?
Thanks for any help/recommendations!!
Debbie Dubrow on March 15, 2008 at 1:33 p.m.
This is the only incident I have heard of, though I suspect there have been others where the parents weren't as savvy about publicizing their experience. I've also had a run in with an British Airlines agent about 18 months ago who confiscated some of my baby food.
I blogged about this article a few weeks ago at:
http://www.deliciousbaby.com/journal/...
The article includes some helpful ideas for packing baby food and working around this issue.
I wouldn't be overly worried about this though. Since the guidelines aren't completely clear, it really depends on the TSA agent you get and what sort of mood they are in. They certainly wouldn't confiscate everything, and I suspect that they'll be careful about more negative feedback in this area.
If you have time, you could ask your doctor to fax you a note stating that your child has special food requirements and that you need to carry their food with you to ensure that it isn't lost or delayed. You should also carry a copy of your complete itinerary so that you can explain the quantity of food you have.
At nine months, even if you do run short, you should be able to make do with banana and yogurt purchased after the security checkpoint.
I hope this helps.
Rachel Lopez on April 3, 2008 at 5:35 a.m.
I will be travelling alone with my 20 month old son from Paris to San Diego on April 9th. I am not sure whether or not to check my car seat. I bought William his own seat but because I live in France I will not have the time to order and receive a care belt. My husband thinks that lugging aroung a car seat, toddler, and multiple bags is not a good idea. I also would like to know if you think it is worth bring along a portable dvd player. Thank you for your advice. The blog is great!
Barbara on April 9, 2008 at 11 a.m.
I will be taking my 17 month old on a trip from CT to NC in May. We have one stop along the way too. My son is a busy body, loves to walk around and explore. We also opted to not purchase his own seat (which is silly now, because he is pushing 30 pounds!) - SO I am interested to hear any advice on this.
This trip will be kind of a practice for when we go from CT to Disney World in June.
Debbie on April 9, 2008 at 2:39 p.m.
Good luck on your trip.
You have a couple of options for getting your son OFF your lap. If the flight is not full, you can look into purchasing a ticket for him now. Many airlines offer a discount for children under 2. Alternatively, if the flight is not full, you can book the window and aisle seats in a single row and hope that the center remains empty (your best bet is to sit near the back of the plane). Consider buying a CARES Harness so that if he does end up in his own seat, he'll be seated safely.
CARES Link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?ie=UT...
If the flight is full (or nearly full) try to reserve the bulkhead row. The extra space in front of you makes a nice little playspace. Also, check out our helpful tips for keeping a toddler busy on a plane: http://www.deliciousbaby.com/journal/...
Finally, try to keep your son moving and active before you get on your flight and during your stopover. That way, he's more likely to be ready for some quiet cuddling once you get on your flight.
I hope this helps
Debbie
amber on June 15, 2008 at 2:53 p.m.
Ill be travelling with my four month old baby who is breastfeeding to Switzerland and its a 7 hour flight we are really worried about how to manage him when he cries because even travelling in car can be so hectic sometimes
Debbie on June 15, 2008 at 2:59 p.m.
Amber,
First of all, have a wonderful time in Switzerland.
Being able to nurse him in the air should help soothe your son somewhat, but to a certain extent, if he cries you'll just deal with it the best you can.
If you think it is going to be a problem, you can try getting in your neighbor's good graces before takeoff by bringing them a snack (something simple like a small bag of cookies). Beyond that, I wouldn't worry too much about what anybody else thinks.
When he cries, you can take him to the back of the plane, near the bathrooms and hold him. He'll be less likely to disturb other passengers there and the motion of you rocking him and combined with the plane noise will probably soothe him to sleep. Swaddling helped a lot with both of our kids too.
Good luck,
Debbie
Sarah on July 8, 2008 at 3:18 p.m.
I am flying from Seattle to NYC alone with my 2-yr-old. I was planning on using the CARES harness so I wouldn't have to lug the car seat around, but just read several negative reviews on the Amazon website. Any thoughts? The main complaint was the chest harness being too close to the child's neck and that the neck piece pushed the child's head forward making it uncomfortable. Also, since there is no strap between the legs, children tend to slide down. What is your experience? Have you had any feedback from others?
Debbie on July 8, 2008 at 10:25 p.m.
I have seen that feedback on Amazon, but we haven't experienced any of those problems ourselves. It may be one of those things that depends on the age and size of the child...
There are a few companies that rent the CARES (some on ebay/craigslist & some baby gear rental companies)
In Seattle, CryBabyComforts (a company I have not used or reviewed) rents the CARES harness.
http://www.crybabycomforts.com/vacati...
Here are their rates:
CARES Prices:
Daily: $3.50
1 week: $22.00
2 weeks: $30.00
Orders under $45.00 will need to be picked up as they don't qualify for delivery
Courtney on August 18, 2008 at 9:44 a.m.
great site! My husband and I are traveling on a short flight a few weeks from now with our 15-month old daughter. I was hoping to avoid bringing her toddler car seat with us to save the packing hassle, but was just told that the car rental company in Cleveland does not offer car seats (even though Expedia gave me the option of adding it on!) and he was fairly certain no one else in Cleveland did either. If we do have to bring the toddler seat with us, do you think we should bring this as a carry-on and strap her in? We have the extra seat. Or should we check it as luggage?
Debbie on August 20, 2008 at 10:42 a.m.
In general, I don't recommend renting a car seat from a rental car agency
Here is more detail about why: http://www.deliciousbaby.com/journal/...
The safest thing to do is to bring your car seat on board & use it on the plane. I wrote a series of articles a few months ago about how to get the car seat through the airport & some other helpful tips about traveling with a car seat.
http://www.deliciousbaby.com/travel/f...
I hope this helps
Need A Nap2 on October 13, 2008 at 10:41 a.m.
I'm sorry, I never got back to you about our trip in April! We didn't have any trouble traveling with the baby food and medicine (we had to take the baby to the doctor the day we left!! A little stressful to say the least!) I kept everything in 2 separate gallon-sized ziploc bags, when going through security I explained that these were for the baby (one bag was baby food and one bag was medicines - prescription, Tylenol, nasal spray, aquaphor). Then we put in the checked baggage enough baby food to last us through the trip. It worked out nicely.
We did get special help sometimes b/c we had the baby but it was very awkward to keep up with umbrella stroller, convertible car seat, and baby (carried in the Ergo most of the time). Thanks for all of your help! :)
Jessica on November 2, 2008 at 2:42 a.m.
Hi - we are planning a flight to Europe this winter with our 13-month old. On your recommendation, we've booked an aisle and a window seat and are crossing our fingers that the middle one is left empty. Although we won't need a car seat for transportation at our destination, we are considering bringing it anyway as it seems like it would be more comfortable (and clean) to sleep on the plane in the car seat than in the seat itself. Is this rational or is it actually easier for infants to sleep in airplane seats than I imagine? Thanks for any advice!
Hemina on November 10, 2008 at 12:50 p.m.
We flew from Los Angeles to Spain when my son was 14 month old and the item that came in very handy was his monkey backpack/leash so we could let him walk around without having to worry about him getting out of our sight. After we checked our luggage in, we only had a couple of carry-on items and so could easily pick him up if we needed to. The sit-and-stroll would have been great to have with us!
cathy fisher on January 3, 2009 at 9:31 a.m.
If you're traveling then you might want to get one of these. I've tried many a travel pillow during my years in the skies. I have finally found one that is as comfortable as my pillow on my bed. It has a satin pillowcase, so my hair doesn't get stuck in one spot while I'm sleeping on the plane or when I have a flight delay and I nap in the airport. I don't get off the flight with the "bed head" look. I can go to a meeting or lunch with clients and my hair looks great. The pillow itself is designed to feel like down and it's hypoallergenic. Both the satin pillowcase and the pillow are completely washable. When I'm home I throw it on the sofa and use it as a nap pillow. Now I won't travel without it. I wound up getting satin pillowcases to take with me to use in my hotel room. The company I purchased the travel pillow from is
A Touch Of Satin. Their website is http://www.atouchofsatin.com if you're interested. They had a great selection to choose from and they had some really cute ones for kids. If you do any flying at all, or even take car trips, this travel pillow is a must to take with you.
Plane Tickets on January 6, 2009 at 10:59 p.m.
Fantastic blog and great posting it gives valuable information about travel related all thing and this blog Guide almost every type of traveler.
Thank You
Preeta on February 20, 2009 at 1:25 p.m.
Hi....blog is too good....another 20 days and we will be travelling to singapore...the first flight is 14 hrs and the next one is 4 hrs.....i am travelling alone with a 10month and 2 1/2 yr old daughter...though have a family travelling with me as well...but they do have their 10 month to take care of....pls.. i would luv sometips and has anybody travelled like my kinds....
Nicole on April 2, 2009 at 12:50 p.m.
Can I bring my can of powder formula on the plane with me? Will airlines let me bring my car seat on the plane with me?
Kacy O on April 22, 2009 at 9:15 p.m.
Thank you for the great feedback about flying with children.
We are taking our two preschoolers on their first plane ride in a month and this information has been great to read.
I look forward to using these suggestions on our trip!
Julie Mezmur on June 5, 2009 at 11:36 a.m.
My husband and I travelled extensively throughout Europe pre-kids and are now planning our first post-kids trip to France. Our twins will 20 months at the time we go and I am planning on using the CARES. I know bulkhead seats will give us more legroom but if I remember correctly the arm rests are stationary. Would we be better to try and get the row behind so we can flip up the arm rests and hopefully have the kids stretch out to sleep?
Also, have you had any experience with renting car seats from the car rental agency in France? Would much rather do this than bring them along!
p.s. Love your site! Blue tape and pipe cleaners...who knew??
Bilety lotnicze on July 27, 2009 at 2:28 p.m.
I'm so happy I found your Blog doing my work! You great concepts. My wife and I have a 23 hour flight to Australia soon with our 18 month old son. We are a bit anxious how he will take it but your blog has some great suggestions.
Jessica on September 22, 2009 at 12:31 p.m.
Great site, packed full of good information. Something else I like to do for my toddler is wrap little toys in tissue paper. Even if they are things they already have, they love to 'guess' what it may be and tear it open. The tissue paper is easy to toss when the flight attendants come around and pick up garbage.
Ana Benson on October 9, 2009 at 4:48 a.m.
Love this site, so glad I found it. I'm about to travel with my 2 and a half year old and my new 16 week old baby to England from Australia.... ALONE! Yes I must be mad!
I have done this trip twice now with my first daughter and picked up lots of great tips along the way, but now she's a 2 year old and needs constant entertainment I am happy to be armed with all the tips you have recommended on your site.
One amazing tip which a friend passed onto me when traveling with a baby is this which I'd like to share:
Take a large rectangular piece of black out material and lots of small strips of very sticky tape (Duct tape seems to work the best, normal masking/painting tape doesn't really stick well to the bulk head wall) Make a tent with the material over the bassinet sticking it to the wall. The plane lights are usually constantly on and very bright so using black out material is perfect for settling your baby and allowing her to sleep when the lights come on. Make sure you cut up small strips of tape and stick them to the material before you fold it up to put into your carry on baggage. Most airlines won't let you take a roll of tape.
I'll certainly be taking 2 sheets of material this trip. I intend to use one over my 2 year olds seat as well, and think a strip of velcro will work well to stick it to the top of the headrest, hopefully it will then be dark enough for her to sleep through the lights going on and off during the flight.
WISH ME LUCK !!
Molly on January 5, 2010 at 9:48 a.m.
Terrific site! Quick query...My husband and I will fly to New Zealand with our 11-month-old son in a few months. Air New Zealand cannot guarantee/reserve a bassinet or bulkhead seats. There are 6 bassinets total and the seats go to the youngest babies first. Should we take the gamble or just purchase another seat and bring a travel carseat? Thanks for your sage wisdom.
Catherine on February 17, 2010 at 12:38 p.m.
We're traveling to Europe in about a month with our 6 month old. Due to the length of the trip, we were thinking of taking an unopened container of formula powder and empty bottles. When we get on the plane, we were planning to ask the flight attendants for warm water (to mix up the bottles) as our little one will not drink his formula unless it is warm. Would we be able to get through security with the formula in powdered form?
Debbie on February 17, 2010 at 8:06 p.m.
@molly
we have always used the bassinet, but you should be aware that you will not be able to use it during takeoff, landing or turbulence.
@catherine
Yes, you can go through security with powdered formula. you should make sure to use bottled water on the plane as the airplane tap water is not considered safe to drink - especially for in infant or anyone with a comprimised immune system
Lindsay on May 13, 2010 at 5:21 a.m.
Thank you so much for all the advice. I am taking it all in. I will be travelling from the Middle East to the USA at the end of June with my 14 month old. She has already been mobile for a few months, and such a long travel time, I worry about. I am travelling alone since I leave a week before my husband is finished with work. I have more than one leg on my journey as well (not sure if this is good or not). The total travel time will be about 24 hours, but in three legs (6+, 9+, 4hrs-with about 2 hours between each 2 days in Houston and then an addition 4 hours...hopefully a cinch after the full day).
@Ana Benson-thanks for the suggestions for blackout material. We will definitely be needing some sleep.
Any suggestions for the following?
1) Helping a little one switch over with major time change.
2) Quiet toys to keep a little one occupied
3) Anyone used "earPlanes" earplug things for helping children with ear discomfort? My little one has never used a pacifier or bottle, so those won't work for her during takeoff/landing, and she is too young for gum. Just give her something to drink from a sippy cup?
Thanks again, and any suggestions are welcome.
Nicole Lambert on November 4, 2010 at 5:46 p.m.
We recently flew to Maui (evening and red eye flights) with our 22 month old where she ended up reacting very negatively at take-off there and back, screaming and putting up a huge fuss. We had a hard time settling her down. She is no longer on a bottle, and has never taken to a pacifier and I couldn't get her to drink from her sippy. We will be flying again at Christmas and I am nervous. The flights to Maui were at night so she was tired, and the flights at Christmas are during the day so I hope that will help some. Any suggestions?
Debbie on November 4, 2010 at 7:57 p.m.
Nicole,
Thanks for writing. I'm sorry your daughter had such a tough time with takeoff. Chewing can help relieve pressure in the ears, so you might try reserving a favorite snack for takeoff and feeding it to her as the plane becomes airborne.
Good luck!
Anna on January 4, 2011 at 9:43 p.m.
I am planning a trip from Australia to England (20+ hours!!). Our boy is a strong and active 12 month old at the moment and we've struggled to entertain and get him to sleep on previous short flights. He just wants to run around and explore. Would it be best to do this long trip this year when he's 18months or next year when he's 2 and a half? I'm thinking he'll be easier to entertain and communicate with when he's that little bit older ... what do you think?
Debbie on January 10, 2011 at 11:04 a.m.
Anna,
I think that between 12 and 20 months is the trickiest time to travel with a baby, but it is totally doable, so if you're anxious to go to England (and especially if you'd miss something important by waiting a year) I wouldn't necessarily discourage you from making the trip.
If you do decide to go, plan to bring along plenty of activities and snacks, and make sure that you are well rested before you board the plane.
Good luck!
Debbie
Mitch on January 12, 2011 at 5:17 p.m.
Very nice blog and very useful information, it's also great to see that you respond to almost if not all of the comments! Myself, my wife, and our baby girl who will be 22 months old when we travel are flying to Arizona from Florida in March. We aren't sure whether or not to take advantage of the infant on the lap free ticket or if we should pay the extra 427 dollars (that's with the infant discount) to get her own seat. The most important thing is her safety and comfort, second is cost and last is our own comfort. We just aren't sure what to do?
Debbie on January 13, 2011 at 8:14 a.m.
Mitch,
Good question! The safest place for your baby is in her own seat, in a carseat that has been installed into the airplane's seat. You never know when turbulence might hit, and our arms simply aren't strong enough to hold onto a child in strong turbulence.
Still, $427 is a lot of money, and you might find that your daughter is on your lap for much of the flight anyway. One option that some families choose is to look for a flight that is not full and try to get three seats together so that you would be able to place her in her own seat without paying the fare.
Good luck with your trip!
Kristine on March 27, 2011 at 5:30 a.m.
Hi Debbie,
My daughter is 5 months old and I will be traveling alone with her on a flight from Sydney Australia to Vancouver. I was told that once on the plane, the best thing to do is to get her on Vancouver time. I'm not really sure how that would work in terms of feeding etc.. Do I let her sleep if she's due a feed or try to resettle on the plane if it's technically 'night time'. She has been sleeping through about 11 hours since she was a month old! So you can probably appreciate my anxiety about her good habits going out the window!!! :)
Any tips?
Thanks Kristine
Liz on April 4, 2011 at 5:32 a.m.
Hello,
I have enjoyed reading your blog. I have a 2 month old baby girl and will be flying from France to Chicago soon. (she will be closer to 3 months then.) What would you recommend as time between connection flights? I fly from Bordeaux to Illinois often and I usually only have 2 to 2.5 hours between connections. Do you think I should leave more room? Is it better to nurse her before we get off the plane or to nurse at the airport?
Also, like Kristine, I am still anxious as to how to get her adjusted to the new time zone. Any extra tips from what is already on your blog would be great!
Thanks,
Liz
Debbie on April 5, 2011 at 10:20 p.m.
Liz,
I think that if you can normally make the 2 hour connection, it should be fine with a baby in tow too. If your incoming flight is late and you will have a tight connection, you might want to nurse her before you get off of the plane (so that she's not hungry while you're dashing to your gate) but otherwise just wait to feed her until she is hungry!
Good luck with your trip
Debbie
Matt on May 8, 2011 at 1:55 a.m.
Great article.. Its got to be one of the things i will be dreading when my wife and 2 kids come back to the UK from the Philippines with me as the flight is literally going to take over a day by the time we reach our final destination from Cebu. Lots of handy tips, thanks for the advice :)
Evenflo Car Seats on August 3, 2011 at 1:37 a.m.
Excellent level of writing. Just loving this article. Please keep sharing such tips with s, these are so helpful. Thank you.
Gillian on January 9, 2012 at 4:18 a.m.
Thank you thank you thank you! So much great info, I feel so much more prepared : )
Bridget on March 27, 2012 at 4:18 p.m.
Hi. Thanks for all the great info on the site! Something we do for take off is take lollipops for kids who are too old for a bottle but too young for gum. We have traveled with kids on many short and long haul flights, and for each sector we pack a lollipop for takeoff and a lollipop for descent. It helps a lot with their ears. Also, if your child has a cold or runny nose, even if they are breathing fine when on the ground, they are likely to get stuffy/sore ears during the flight due to the pressurized cabin and difficulty equalizing. (Learnt this one the hard way!) Now if I have a child traveling with a cold I give them some pain medication about 20 minutes before takeoff. If they have a runny nose I usually also give them an antihistamine.
Sharon Hsiao on April 2, 2012 at 10:18 p.m.
I am so happy to find this site! We are traveling in June with my then 20 month old son to Alaska. We will be flying 5 hours from Houston to Vencouver and staying overnight at hotel before getting on the cruise. After 7 days cruise, there will be a whole day train ride to Alaska inland. There will be motorcoach tours and some city tours. Finally, flying from Fairbanks to Denver, and back to Houston. What would be your suggestion as far as baby gears? Car seat? Stroller? Thanks!
Sandra Shoutz on May 8, 2012 at 6:31 a.m.
My granddaughter will traveling to Morocco this summer. She is six. The last time she flew to Morocco, she threw up each time she landed. I looked at the drug store for something like Dramamine, but found nothing for six-year-olds. Any suggestions?
Debbie on May 8, 2012 at 10:03 p.m.
@Sharon Find out whether there would be seatbelts in the motorcoach before you decide whether to bring a car seat, or consider purchasing a "Sit n Stroll" which converts between a car seat and a stroller
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004...
@Sandra SeaBands are a good non-drug choice for motion sickness http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000...
Dramamine also comes in a chewable version with dosing instructions for children
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001...
Hope this helps!
Jeff on August 8, 2012 at 12:46 p.m.
We are traveling from Munich, Germany to Philly, then from philly to dayton, ohio with a 5 MONTH OLD!! my wife doesn't seem to be nervous but daddy here sure is! I am in the military and this is our first chance for baby Rylee to meet her grandparents... its such a long flight that that im nervous
Bridgette on August 23, 2012 at 9:56 p.m.
Our daughter is 3. We are military and moving to Alaska!! Sooooo very worried about our flight. Just praying she will be in a good mood! Are we required to carry her carseat on? What is this CARES I just read on here about? Do we have to have one or the other?
Aom on December 21, 2012 at 10:36 a.m.
What about traveling with a double stroller? We have a side by side one but thinking about trading it in for a tandem stroller coz it seems to take up less space.
Debbie on December 31, 2012 at 1:07 p.m.
@Bridgette You are not required to use a carseat on a plane, but a five point harness (either a carseat or CARES) is recommended for safety. I prefer to use the CARES harness since it's so much easier to carry. Here's a link for the CARES harness http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001...
Debbie on December 31, 2012 at 1:08 p.m.
@Aom I am not a fan of side by side strollers since they can be difficult to push in urban environments, but if you are visiting a suburban destination or a resort they work great.
Jackie Mara on January 6, 2013 at 2:42 a.m.
Hi Debbie
I am desperately looking for some advice. We are going to Miami with our 4 month old in 3 weeks time and I'm beginning to regret having booked it! Our baby sleeps well at night (goes down at 7.30, wakes a few times between 2am and 6am but self settles and isn't fed) and wakes around 7.30am. Her daytime naps are a real pain as she only manages 45mins at a time approx 4 times a day. Can't get her to have longer naps!
We have an early morning flight from uk to Miami and arrive there at 3pm local time (8pm our time) And have a 2 hr drive thereafter sp she'll def fall asleep in the car. On the way back we have a night flight arriving in uk at 10am (5am Florida time).
I must admit I'm dreading all of it given she is in a good overnight sleeping schedule at the moment.
I envisage her falling asleep at 2pm Florida time til 2am then waking for the day! Should I feed and play with her when she wakes at this time? As you can tell I'm super anxious about it all!
Any help gratefully received!
Jackie
Debbie on January 7, 2013 at 9:47 p.m.
Jackie,
Jet Lag can be really tough, but there are some things you can do to help - I have lots of advice and ideas here: http://www.deliciousbaby.com/travel/f...
Good luck on your trip!
Halina on February 25, 2013 at 12:35 a.m.
I will be travelling with my then 13mth old son from Dublin to Sydney in June on my own. He is 10mths old now and 10kgs. Nothing booked yet but would like to get him a seat on the plane but not bring a carseat as too much to carry. Could not put him in as an infant as too big for me to have on my lap that long. Any suggestions?
Debbie on February 25, 2013 at 8:33 a.m.
Halina, I would recommend using a CARES harness so that he has a 5-point restraint. At that age, kids tend to slide down in an airplane seat, so you might also bring a small piece of grippy shelf liner for him to sit on.
I'd also recommend reserving the bulkhead if you can. That would give him a little extra space to play. If the bulkhead isn't available, I'm a fan of sitting towards the back of the plane or over the wing where it is noisier and you are less likely to feel like he is disturbing other passengers.
Here's a link for the CARES http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001...
And here's one for the shelf liner.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000...
Good luck!
Domonique on March 9, 2013 at 4:23 p.m.
Hello ur website is great. I currently have a four year old and I'm pregnant now. My husband is in the military and stationed in Japan. We plan on visiting him when the new baby is like 3-4 months. I'm not worried about the 4 year old because we visited him in Japan last October(which is why I'm pregnant now) and she did great.
I actually packed way too much stuff for her and didn't bring a stroller, which are things I will change for the second trip. However, I'm not sure what to expect with a baby. I will be traveling by myself and I have this idea in my head that it will be easy. The first time my daughter slept most of the day of traveling and I had no problems out of her, I just regret not having a stroller because since she was sleep most of the time I kept having to wake her up and make her walk because I had to carry two backpacks. .
My plan is to breast feed and bring some frozen milk that would thaw through out the day and can be used for the longest flight (last time we had three flights the longest being from california to japan). Is this a good idea?
Also, I thought I would just have my baby in a sling most of the time. Is that a good idea?
Debbie on March 10, 2013 at 9:37 p.m.
Domonique,
It sounds like you have a good plan together! You are allowed to bring icepacks if you need them in order to keep the milk cold. Additionally, the flight attendants are sometimes willing to store it in their refrigerator.
Carrying the baby in the sling and your daughter in the stroller seems like a great plan as well.
Travel well!
Dorji on March 17, 2013 at 12:55 p.m.
I m wondering that I have a one and half year old son,my question is do I need to apply travel document for my baby as if he is born in USA.I m trying to go to Nepal as a tourist visa.Me myself and my wife we got the green card already.So, please leave the comment for me because this is my first time travelling abroad.
Thank you waiting for your comments.
Wayne on April 8, 2013 at 6:39 a.m.
We are traveling with our 1 yr old and was wondering if it is best to sit him in lap for 4 hours and buy an extra seat to accomodate him in his car seat. Please advise, thanks.
dahlia on May 6, 2013 at 7:49 a.m.
last summer I travelled with my one year old and will be travelling with her this summer. Because our flight took off at 7:00am she felt asleep. She taught that mommy was going to work and was awake at 5:00am. Our flight was 5 hours. She was awake before landing and did not cry not even once. We had a connecting flight on our return trip and taught that it will be horriable. At the airport I kept her busy, she felt asleep on our return flight. She woke up before landing over JFK becasue it took longer than usual. She fuss a little because of her ear. I gave her her favorite snacks. There were two other children sitting behind us on our way back and everyone was asleep. Get a window seat, they will want to look outside. Take new toys or a tablet with their favorite APPS. Make sure you have a bottle. This summer I do not know what to expect. I was very stressed about the flight the last time. This time I am less stress. The most important things in a shoulder bag under the seat. Give yourself plenty of time and use the family lines, they tend to be shorter.
AmberJensen on May 6, 2013 at 11:59 p.m.
We will have a 4 month old(without a paid for seat) and a high energy almost 3 year old boy, for a two stop flight(with only 1 hour layover each) from Boise to Florida. We are renting a car and driving an additional 4 hours to our destination and therefore have to bring car seats with us. I really don't want to check the car seats and since we didn't get the baby a seat I can have the baby in a baby bjorn & still have my hands free...) COULD I LEAVE THE INFANT CARRIER WITH THE DOUBLE STROLLER AT THE GATE- IF THERE AREN'T ANY AVAILABLE SEATS?(we have the whole row booked and no possible open seat in our row... They would have to be able to seat mommy and baby together, while daddy stays with the big boy. Making it that much more challenging for both the flight attendants and US)
ALSO- CAN IT REALLY TAKE THEM A LONG TIME TO GET THE STROLLERS BACK? by the time we got out of the plane when our son was 11months, the strollers were there waiting for us. But since we have a very minimal amount of time between flights, can we request the stroller be ready(maybe bring a treat to help convince the flight attendant?...) Now I'm getting scared and it's all cause my hubby was being cheap/ I KNEW I didn't like the idea of only having an hour between flights, even if it's not supposed to be one of the busiest airports!!!
Debbie on May 7, 2013 at 8:34 a.m.
Dorji,
Yes, your baby will need a passport and any other documentation required to visit Nepal. You should contact the Nepalese immigration authority for detailed information about what you will need.
Wayne,
A seat is the safest and most comfortable way to go, but obviously not the most economical. It's a personal choice.
dahlia,
Thanks so much for your advice!
AmberJensen,
One note, the airline almost certainly will not allow you to keep your child in the babybjorn in flight (it's considered a safety risk). Most airlines will allow you to leave the infant carrier and stroller at the gate, but some international carriers do require you to check your stroller/unused carseats at the checkin desk. In general, the strollers are ready and waiting when you deplane - luckily I've never had a problem with that, though I suppose it could happen.
Good luck with your trip!
Debbie
Alison whyte on June 2, 2013 at 6:32 a.m.
When my son was 1 I did a 10 hour flight, I bought him kids ear defenders so that when he fell asleep the noise on the plane wouldn't wake him...worked a treat. Every parent worries because we have all complained about screaming kids before we had children, but don't some people are great and some not...such is life. I had the guy in front of me say can't you shut him up...I said well I could suffocate him or maybe we should just throw him off the plane, I said it with a dea pan face and he looked shocked. So I then said in all honesty the only person I can shut up is you, so turn around and keep your mouth shut! People around me were killing themselves laughing. I have taken ear plugs for people around me but never needed to give them out. Great blog with great advice, enjoy your trips everyone.
Val on June 27, 2013 at 6:52 p.m.
Any tips for traveling with a three year old who has a severe peanut and nut allergy? Will I need any special documentation to carry an epi pen on board with me?
Sarah on July 10, 2013 at 6:18 a.m.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience and tips for air travel. We're flying home in a few weeks with or 2 yr old and are praying it goes well. She's never flown, fingers crossed!
Valerie on July 12, 2013 at 10:12 a.m.
Wrapping books or toys is a great idea but won't security unwrap them?
Here in Canada you can't "wrap" anything that you are carrying on an airplane.
I guess if you are traveling with another adult you could do that while you wait to board.
Also waiting to board last with a baby or toddler is an excellent idea.
Debbie Oreizy on July 17, 2013 at 10:57 a.m.
@Valerie,
There is always a risk that security will choose to unwrap something, but generally speaking, if it doesn't look suspicious on the x-ray they will not need to unwrap it.
Abc on September 20, 2013 at 12:03 a.m.
I am truly keen of reading posts on the attention-grabbing topics n now I'm on the most effective place.
Brett on November 25, 2013 at 12:17 a.m.
The truth is, its really hard to travel with your kids. Already experience that on my <a href="http://www.flightcentre.com.hk/product/Beijing-2133144">hong kong to beijing</a> flight.
Miss ET on December 16, 2013 at 10:36 a.m.
What a fantastic list!
We liked to get the wiggles out by 'walking' like out favorite animals in an open space. We waddled like penjuins and jumped like kangaroos.
Check out the activity kits and educational tips for traveling kids here:
www.theeducationaltourist.com
Amber Teething Necklace on January 14, 2014 at 5:10 a.m.
When I was traveling with my baby - getting to the airport was the most difficult issue.
Baby Mode on January 28, 2014 at 1:04 a.m.
This is a fabulous post! Wow! it's so extensive, thorough, and informative. Thank you so much for doing this, it's truly truly appreciated.
Best regards!
www.bababu.de
Jennifer Saranow Schultz (aka Hint Mama) on February 14, 2014 at 3:18 p.m.
Great tips! Here's another for the list: Bring stickers. They make great toddler travel toys.
Of course, no matter how much of a hassle toddlers are to travel with, I still think toddlermoons are worth it:)
http://hintmama.com/2014/02/14/todays...
Glenise Brown on March 29, 2014 at 11:07 p.m.
We are travelling from Mackay to USA WITH 3 CHILDREN, CAN WE PURCHASE LOLLIES BEFORE WE LEAVE HOME, AND TAKE WITH US (UNOPENED )TILL WE GET THROUGH SECURITY AT BRISBANE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
THANKS GLENISE
dahlia on April 1, 2014 at 8:56 a.m.
I have been travelling with my toddler since she was 1 year old. Be patient, prepare and gives yourself time. She is now 3 year old. We have flown 5 hours with connecting flights. You never know what to expect. Others need to realize that babies and toddlers has to fly to. My daughter and I will be traveling to East Europe this summer to meet up with my husband. Its a linger flight and I am feeling the sameway I did on her first flight. I am planning to take a tablet to have her watch her favorite shows. New toys and start preparing her now. So far she has been really good on the last 2 flights. The first 2 flights she sleep half way and played. The first time my husband and I sat in different rows. Upon landing she did not cry and without been fed. My were even surprise and did that there was a baby next to them. Don't freak out and be scared, just be patient and prepare. I remember running into people on vocation who wish that they had taken their little ones with them and was missing them badly.
nagabhuashanarao on April 8, 2014 at 11:58 a.m.
i want praies list
Shivangi on April 12, 2014 at 11:12 a.m.
Here's my list of 10 tips : http://amayzmom.com/2014/04/11/fly-fl...
fauzi on July 17, 2014 at 4:40 p.m.
we also have short tips http://www.qwertyhotel.com/traveltips...
Cassie on July 28, 2014 at 2:52 p.m.
I was wondering if you know if Lufthansa offers the infant seatbelts that attach to your seatbelt? I will be flying to Munich with my 16 month old and she will be a lap baby, though I'm beginning to worry about her saftey! So many scary stories out there...
Jenny on September 27, 2014 at 12:42 a.m.
Thanks for these tips.
Charlotte on November 12, 2014 at 7:25 a.m.
WOW that's a very comprehensive list! Great info you're sharing, Thanks! I also believe that a flight with kids can be peaceful, here is how http://www.littleworldcitizens.com/fl...
perdana internet murah on November 23, 2014 at 10:31 p.m.
that's a very comprehensive list! Great info you're sharing, Thanks!
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Rag on January 28, 2015 at 9:18 p.m.
But I have to travel for 24hours with my 2
6th year old baby
Robert McVey on January 30, 2015 at 2:23 a.m.
The site's information on the subject of flying with your child is SO MUCH APPRECIATED!
We live in Bangkok (wife, 2 year old daughter and myself), but will be moving to Houston sometime over the next 3 months. This will be my daughter's first airplane experience, but what I've discussed with my wife is to possibly take two short air trips to get her used to being on a plane, and hopefully making it easier for her and us when we finally do take our 20+ hour trip from Bangkok to Houston.
My question has to do with seats:
What would you recommend for our 20+ hour with one layover (6 hours first leg with a 16 hour final leg to Houston); Economy (bulk head or regular seating), Premium Economy or Business Class with flat bed seating.
I would love to do the business class flat bed seating, but the layout of the seats either 2-2-2 or 1-2-1 may not be in our best interest, but that's a maybe.
I'm beating myself up on which class to fly because the flight is sooooooo long and I don't want the nightmare of my daughter throwing tantrums during the flight etc... She's active, but very understanding and not very stubborn...
Your recommendation would be greatly appreciated.
Katelyn Peckham on March 8, 2015 at 11:42 p.m.
Me, my mom, and my 1.5 year old are driving out to California in April and then we are flying back 10 days later, my question is what do we do with his car seat for flying? Do we check it as baggage? And does it cost anything to do so?
nggak pw on March 11, 2015 at 12:24 a.m.
very comprehensive list! Great info you're sharing, Thanks!
Walter on April 27, 2015 at 6:24 a.m.
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Waylon Carpenter on June 23, 2015 at 7:49 a.m.
Do not travel with a newborn. Period. The rest of the world will not think your baby is cute. You will annoy everyone within a 2 mile radius
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John on July 3, 2015 at 10:08 a.m.

I met a lot of difficulties when traveling with children, thank you for the solution.
Denny on July 18, 2015 at 4:08 p.m.
nice family tips for a recreative travel
http://comprarpelanet.com on August 22, 2015 at 6:24 a.m.
Thank you for the information.
They are very useful
Cara on August 30, 2015 at 7:18 p.m.
Melatonin is great for helping to encourage sleep on plane trips. There is a Zarbees naturals cough syrup that has just the right amount along with honey, vitamin C and zinc. Obviously not for kids under a year but after that it works like a charm.
Cassandra on August 31, 2015 at 5:34 a.m.
My husband and I will be traveling with out daughter for the first time on an airplane. She will be roughly 20 months when we go and I was wondering if its better to pick a non stop flight that is about 4 hrs or a flight with a 2 hr or so layover. Im just worried that non stop might be to much for her first flight.
Randy Johnson on September 15, 2015 at 3:42 a.m.
Any tips for traveling with a three year old who has a severe peanut and nut allergy? Will I need any special documentation to carry an epi pen on board with me?
Paul Dukes on September 22, 2015 at 12:45 a.m.
My granddaughter will traveling to Morocco this summer. She is six. The last time she flew to Morocco, she threw up each time she landed. I looked at the drug store for something like Dramamine, but found nothing for six-year-olds. Any suggestions?
Shirl Ransley on October 7, 2015 at 11:37 p.m.
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victoria on January 28, 2016 at 3:58 p.m.
Crystal,
As long as you are within the baggage limits for your airline (check their website for details), there is no reason you shouldn't be able to check your pack n play.
Have a great trip!