Traveling with a baby in the near future? Needs some tips to for preparing and staying sane? This list is made for plane rides but a few of the tips apply for road trips too. And for your amusement I’ve also included a story of the first time we traveled with our daughter. {Feel free to skip down to the list of tips at the bottom of this post if you’re short on time!}
The couple in row 4 with the crying baby, that was us. I had debated on requesting different seats near the back of the plane but realized it wouldn’t make a difference, a crying baby will be heard no matter where my seat is.
Carmen had napped for the first half of the flight but the second half we weren’t so lucky. I did everything I could do to calm her down, I stood and rocked her in the middle isle for as long as I could until the captain turned on the fasten seat belt sign, I tried feeding her, giving her her paci, playing, talking, signing, and shushing her, I bounced her on my lap and I even let her watch a movie on the iPad; I did everything but drug her.
You could tell a couple of the other passengers were annoyed at the sound of a baby crying but I couldn’t let it phase me.
I wasn’t purposely trying to test other’s patience but after doing everything I could to calm my baby there was nothing more I could do except either stress out or smile. Rather than stressing out I decided to enjoy watching the different ways people were reacting to our circumstance of close quarters with a not so quiet baby.
I have to give a shout out to Mr.Positive, aka Mr.Encourgaing. He kept smiling at us, told us not to worry, and explained that everyone has been in our shoes at some point. I wish I had a trophy for this man. He took a crumby situation and made the best of it as opposed to the grumpy old lady who goes about her day trying to look for things to complain about and boy did she take advantage of the opportunity we provided. She was the one that after the plane ride purposely spoke loud enough for me to hear that she wasn’t sure we all were gonna make it with the crying baby. Not going to make it? Really? It made me laugh.
Another lady suggested that next time we give our baby Benadryl so she would be drowsy; thanks but not thanks. I choose not to medicate my child in order to take advantage of the drowsiness side effect. I would rather a a grumpy old lady be annoyed with me than risk the chance of the serious negative side effects a medicines such as Benedryl could have on my baby. Sorry but other’s can live with a slightly loud baby for a small segment of their day.
Are you taking a baby on a plane? Here are somethings that you can do:
- If possibly schedule a flight for the late evening during baby’s bedtime.
- If you are breastfeeding, nurse during take off and landing to help your baby’s ears to pop. Wait till the very last minute when the wheels are leaving the runway so baby doesn’t end nursing while you are still taxing.
- Bring a paci along so if baby refuses to nurse to have him/her suck on it to relieve pressure and to have on hand if he/she gets fussy during the ride.
- We recommend a paci clip as well so when baby spits out the paci it doesn’t accidentally fall on the dirty plane floors.
- Have baby’ favorite toys ready and on hand.
- If baby is old enough for snacks bring them along, you can’t take liquids through security but food is allowed.
- Remember to take life in stride. Don’t stress and worry about what other’s think. Do everything you can to calm baby and make the plane ride as pleasant as possible for all the other passengers such as keeping your little one from kicking the seat in front of them.
- After all your efforts if baby is still loud remember to smile because a stressed out mom isn’t helping anyone.
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Asheritah says
I had to laugh at the “I don’t think we’ll make it” comment. Of course you will, lady! And you’ll have a great story to tell when you do. 🙂
Thanks for the tips! I haven’t flown yet with my baby, but I’ll be coming back to this post when I do.
Timon says
That was a great post, the encouraging dude was awesome! It reminded me of this post I read recently:
http://nbclatino.com/2012/09/07/mom-hands-out-goody-bags-on-flight-for-tolerating-her-babies/
Ellabelle says
All super helpful! I will add: we just got home from a trip with 2 under 3 including baby, 4 flights total. All the airports we went through (3 different) allowed sippy cups with milk to be carried on through security. I think the restraints have loosened up recently. One scanned it in a machine of some sort, one made me sip it, one just let it pass. Good luck!
Alida says
Wow! I can’t believe they let the milk go through. That would have been so nice! So glad you guys had a nice trip. 🙂
Jennifer CPST says
Every child needs their own seat on a plane. Lap babies are simply not safe.
If they secure the coffee pot, why not children under 2?
Take off, taxi and landing as well as turbulence all children should be restrained in their carseats.
Here is a link on why http://csftl.org/leaving-on-a-jet-plane-the-csftl-guide-to-safe-air-travel-with-children/
Kristin says
I flew with my son on my lap once, before I knew better. It is much easier to fly with them in a seat they are accustomed to. We only want to do what is best for our children, but if the byproduct is a happy and relaxed child the entire flight that is icing on the cake.
Alida says
Interesting! My daughter much preferred my lap, each child is so different! So glad you’ve figured out what’s best for your little guy!
momof2 says
I was on a flight by myself with my 3 month old son. Fed him during take off…he fell asleep…and then had a major blow out diaper. The couple beside me were amazing!! The gentleman gave me his newspaper so I could stop the poo from running everywhere. When the flight landed, as everyone was leaving the plane, I went to the back and changed him and cleaned him up. Knowing I was pressed for time, I grabbed him with only a diaper on, grabbed my bags and left…not before telling the flight attended there might be some poo on the seatbelt. Not my shining moment, but I solved my problem and my baby was happy.
Alida says
How stressful! But what a funny story it is now, or maybe after some more time has passed? 😉