Many mothers dread the thought of getting on an airplane with a baby or young child. The responsibilities are seemingly endless, with child US passports, nursing, changing diapers, and other motherly duties. Each minute a new challenge appears, and with the right amount of planning, you can have a nice, relaxed flight.
Preparing is the best thing you can do when planning a trip with your baby or toddler. When travel arrangements have been made, while you are shopping around for the best prices, be sure to check to see if your airline allows children two years and under to fly for free while sitting on your lap. If not, you will need to use a car seat. When booking your seats, consider being separate from your partner, especially on long flights. This allows for one of you to rest while the other takes care of Baby. Recently airlines have become more strict on their stroller policy, aand very few allow them to be stowed overhead anymore. If this is the case, pack yours in a stroller bag to keep it clean during the flight.
Locate your family’s passports as soon as possible, and if you cannot find them, apply for new ones immediately. Having them in a safe place in advance brings peace of mind and is one less thing you need to worry about. If you are recently married or divorced, a new passport is required by law. A child passport is only valid for five years if they are under age 16, while an adult’s is valid for 10. Having these together early can help reduce stress as flight day approaches. If you plan on getting a rental car, be sure to mention that you need a baby seat.
Be sure to change your baby’s diaper as close to boarding time as possible, just to avoid having to potentially change it on the flight. Also, plan your baby’s meals so they are as close to departure and arrival as possible. Doing this helps prevent a grumpy, hungry baby. If the need arises where your baby needs to be changed, let a flight attendant know. Oftentimes, a bigger bathroom with a bigger changing table is available, beacuse as we all well know, airplane bathrooms are not exactly roomy. Instead of bringing a diaper bag on board, put snacks, an extra diaper, baby food with utensils, a bottle with formula, some little toys, and a baby blanket, especially if you are nursing and would like privacy, in a large purse. It is also a good idea to bring a pacifier for the descent for your baby’s ears.
Family travel doesn’t need to be traumatic. With a little planning ahead, your trip can go a little bit smoother. Be sure to turn in your US passport application as soon as possible if your travel takes you outside the United States. Remember children under 16 will need a child passport that must be replaced every five years. This trip is for you and your family, so ignore anyone that gives you a hard time if Baby becomes unhappy. You know your baby better than anyone. Well, you are now all set to take your vacation. So grab your bags and get going!
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