Travel Tips and Advice for Flying With a Baby

It’s a more divisive issue than it should be because babies deserve the right to fly away with their grown-ups and childless grown-ups have the right to enjoy an uneventful flight too. Here are tips to make the former more pleasant for all involved, from dads who have been there and done that with their own infants. For the latter group, enjoy the drink cart, pack your noise canceling headphones and don’t be a jerk.

Troy Thornberry: The only tip I could give, is be prepared for all the judgmental people who tut and frown when your baby cries, bite your tongue, keep a smile, and remember your in control of a little human, them ignorant pricks probably couldn’t control a fart.

Wayne Manning: Two tried and tested tips:
1) When the plane is taking off get him to drink something, the sucking motion will help his ears to equalise, and do the same when you are descending in to land.
2) A lot of times babies kick off because they are getting too hot within the plane. Don’t be afraid of removing a few layers during the flight. Layer him back up (depending on the outside weather conditions) when you land.
Like some people have already said, don’t worry about the other passengers, all you can do is your best and if they don’t like it then they should move or use another airline.
Hope you have a good flight.

Ryan Baird: Just came back from Dominican republic with my 6month old(he luckily slept thru both flights back and fourth) Having them suck on the pacifier or bottle is key for going up and coming down. You should really buy the pre-made bottles of formula and just bring nipples. Dont over pack. Just bring toys for distraction, diapers, extra set of clothes, wipes. My son is really into watching the movie Monster Inc(i guess because of the colors) so we brought the tablet which really helped.

Mario Hernandez: Take a stroller, not like a bulky jogging stroller but a really simple fold down stroller. You will be glad to have it making your way thru terminals and such. Don’t take a bunch of stuff you don’t need. My baby just had a stuffed animal big enough to fit in my pocket. Just a bag with diapers, wipes, and a change of clothes and a sweater. And some snacks of course.

Clifford R. Howard IV: I’ve seen posts about moms and dads planning a little “sorry for the noise” thing in advance. One was a little bag with earplugs and a few other things that literally said “sorry for the noise, first time flyer!”

Rey-Rey Barrasa: Do something small for the people around ya….little notes with a candy, apologizing and mentioning it is your childs first flight…..once the people are aware, you are relaxed which makes the baby relax. I also recommend staying in one of serviced apartments Marylebone so you can enjoy living in a bigger space compared to a tiny hotel room.

Timothy Lauder: Ask the airline for the bassinet seat. Feed on take off and landing. Easy at that age. Stay calm and don’t stress about the haters that forget we were all babies once.

Max Schlubach: Ask if they have a bulkhead seat with a bassinette attachment. Little known parenting hack…..

Monica Brooks Wier: Pack entire outfits in individual ziplock bags. You can use the bags for the dirty ones.

Rich Moore: Go with the flow. And…You can never have enough diapers or wipes!

Have you traveled with a baby? Share your secrets, tips and advice for flying with a baby with your fellow Life of Dad users on Facebook!

Flickr photo by Christian Haugen, used under Creative Commons license.