Flying with infants and toddlers can be a smoother experience with the right strategies. Instead of dreading air travel, consider these tips to make your journey more enjoyable.
**Optimize Flight Times:** Whenever possible, schedule direct flights that coincide with your child’s naptime or bedtime. Maintaining their regular sleep schedule, even at 25,000 feet, can significantly reduce fussiness and keep them content. Any sleep they get onboard cuts down on awake-time entertainment needs.
**Car Seats: To Use or Not to Use?:** When our daughter was an infant, we chose not to purchase a separate seat, and she stayed on our laps. Now, we prefer carrying on the car seat. This offers two major benefits: it frees up your lap and keeps your child securely contained. Additionally, a familiar car seat can provide a sense of comfort in a new environment. While carrying it through the airport can be cumbersome, the in-flight benefits are well worth the effort.
**Breaking Down the Flight:** Mentally divide the flight into manageable 20-minute segments. A 2.5-hour flight, for example, becomes just seven 20-minute blocks to fill. This makes the journey feel less daunting. Here are some tried-and-true segment ideas to keep your little ones entertained:
* **A Novel Toy or Book:** Introduce a brand-new, simple toy or book.
* **Crayola Color Wonder Markers:** These markers only work on special paper, eliminating messes. The marker caps can also provide entertainment.
* **Tape and Stickers:** Simple Scotch tape can provide surprising amounts of fun. Create sticky circles for them to stick on noses or fingers.
* **Magna Doodle (Travel Edition):** A classic toy that still entertains. Note that very young children might need help erasing.
* **Portable CD Player:** If you have an old CD player, bring it along with your child’s favorite music. The novelty combined with familiar tunes can fill multiple segments. Use low volume and padded headphones.
* **Favorite Books:** Pack familiar bedtime stories, especially if the flight aligns with naptime or bedtime.
* **Brochures/Guide Books (for older toddlers/young kids):** Engage them in planning a day trip using brochures of your destination. This not only occupies time but also makes them feel involved in the vacation planning. For younger children, use the brochures to spark excitement about the upcoming trip.
**Easing Ear Pressure:** Pack your child’s favorite beverages and snacks. Eating and drinking can help alleviate ear pressure during takeoff and landing. This simple act can prevent discomfort and fussiness.
Enjoy your flight!