| Sometimes it cannot be avoided, taking a child under | | | | as possible, and always keep snacks ready for the |
| two on a plane for an emergency trip. Perhaps you | | | | flight to calm any fits (graham crackers for a solid |
| have heard (or even experienced) horror stories of | | | | eater, an extra bottle for an infant). If you breastfeed, |
| being trapped on a plane for two hours while a baby | | | | consult with the airline before your flight to determine if |
| screeched the entire time. Maybe, too, you were the | | | | there are any privacy options, like the possibility of an |
| person who sat next to the harried mother as she | | | | extra seat in the back of the plane to use. If your flight |
| tried to soothe her squirming infant. To be the | | | | is full, keep a baby blanket on hand should the need to |
| harbringer of such misery is not a welcome prospect. | | | | nurse arise. |
| However, a plane trip with a toddler or infant need not | | | | Sometimes, a trip will not always go as planned, and |
| be a harrowing experience, for the mother or other | | | | your baby may need changing during flight. Anyone |
| passengers. By taking precaution and taking care of | | | | who has had the arduous task of changing a baby on |
| your child, you can arrange for an easy ride. | | | | board a plane will tell you it is not easy! Consult with |
| Have the child's birth certificate ready: Though you | | | | the airline before you leave with regards to your |
| don't need to purchase a ticket for a child under two | | | | options. You may find, too, you are flying with some |
| (the child can sit on your lap for the flight), you will need | | | | very understand passengers who may be willing to |
| to show proof of your child's age and custody. Be | | | | help. |
| sure to have your child's birth certificate handy when | | | | Bring a diversion: A favorite toy or blanket, a book, or a |
| you show your ID at check-in. | | | | set of keys may provide entertainment for a child |
| Consolidate personal effects and baby's things: Most | | | | unwilling to nap during flight. By keeping the child's focus |
| airports will allow you to take a stroller to your gate, | | | | in one place during the flight, you can prevent fits and |
| though you will have to put the stroller through the | | | | distraction of other passengers. |
| X-ray. Therefore, be prepared to watch over your | | | | Have a bottle or pacifier for the descent: A child's ears |
| child in this time. A younger baby in a car seat will be | | | | can be very sensitive to the drop in air pressure as a |
| fine, but remember to keep a firm hand on a toddler of | | | | plane makes it descent. Just as your own ears "pop" |
| walking age so he doesn't stray. To this end, it is best | | | | so will the child's, and it is a pain they cannot |
| to check in as much luggage as possible and carry | | | | understand or bear. While adults will chew gum to |
| only the essentials - ID, money, wallet, diapers and | | | | relieve the discomfort, a child cannot do the same, so it |
| baby items. Rather than carry a purse and diaper bag | | | | is important to have a pacifier or bottle handy during |
| aboard, it is helpful to consolidate everything into one | | | | descent. The sucking motion will help ease the pain of |
| bag. Less to carry, less worry. | | | | pressure for the child. |
| Feed and change baby before boarding: Keep your | | | | Planning ahead and proper diversion will help make a |
| baby clean and happy before boarding, and transfer | | | | child's plane trip easier, for the child, the mother, and |
| that good feeling as you enter the plane. Try to | | | | fellow passengers. |
| coincide your baby's mealtime as close to your flight | | | | |