Better Flights with Your Baby

As with any task in life, great execution begins with proper planning—traveling with an infant is no different. Here are the core ways a great plan can translate to a better flight with your little one.

Plan Around Naps

You may have already booked your flight, but finding a way to keep naps consistent and on schedule is a simple tactic to make flying easier. If you can, try to find flights that take off just a bit before typical nap time. This often leads to a low key flight experience

Pack for Trip, Not Just Destination

When packing, it’s easy to focus the majority of your time on what you think you’ll need for your destination. Given this is where you’ll spend the bulk of your time it’s well warranted, but don’t forget to pack for your travel time itself.

Remember as your packing, part of planning for your travel experience is packing for what could happen. Unfortunately, with little ones accidents can (and do) happen, often at the worst times. So don’t forget a change of clothes for your little one AND yourself.

Have a Plan for Safe Sleep

At this point you probably have a large mental list of items to pack, but don’t forget to figure out how and where you’d like your little one to sleep.

Depending on your preference you could co-sleep, rent a crib from your location or bring your own travel crib. We’re, of course, big proponents of bringing your own travel crib so you can have the peace of mind that your little one will be sleeping safely in a clean, familiar space that you can trust.

We also designed our Lotus Crib and Bassinet with flying in mind. At only 13 lbs, it’s one of the lightest travel cribs on the market. Even better? It comes with a backpack for easy carry as you traverse the airport — keeping your hands-free for baby and boarding passes. Whatever solution you choose, make sure to also think about where your little one will play and how you’ll handle daytime naps. For instance, we offer a FunShade that works great to darken a bright room for naps.

You’ve planned out all the details of your trip, the car’s packed and you’re feeling as prepped for the experience as possible, now what?

Standing in between you and your flight is a good bit of walking, dragging luggage through TSA, navigating the terminal and then once at the gate, finding ways to kill time. Put simply, it’s a time most parents hope to forget about instead of enjoy.

Read on to see how you can take this often stressful time and make it easier on all involved.

Give Yourself Plenty of Time

For your first few flights with your little one give yourself more time than necessary.

Arriving early gives you time to change diaper(s), feed your little one and take care of yourself before boarding. Also, your stress will be much lower if you have a last minute gate-change, temper tantrum or other delays.

Pack for Trip, Not Just Destination

When packing, it’s easy to focus the majority of your time on what you think you’ll need for your destination. Given this is where you’ll spend the bulk of your time it’s well warranted, but don’t forget to pack for your travel time itself.

Remember as your packing, part of planning for your travel experience is packing for what could happen. Unfortunately, with little ones accidents can (and do) happen, often at the worst times. So don’t forget a change of clothes for your little one AND yourself.

Have a Plan for Safe Sleep

At this point you probably have a large mental list of items to pack, but don’t forget to figure out how and where you’d like your little one to sleep.

Depending on your preference you could co-sleep, rent a crib from your location or bring your own travel crib. We’re, of course, big proponents of bringing your own travel crib so you can have the peace of mind that your little one will be sleeping safely in a clean, familiar space that you can trust.

We also designed our Lotus Crib and Bassinet with flying in mind. At only 13 lbs, it’s one of the lightest travel cribs on the market. Even better? It comes with a backpack for easy carry as you traverse the airport — keeping your hands-free for baby and boarding passes. Whatever solution you choose, make sure to also think about where your little one will play and how you’ll handle daytime naps. For instance, we offer a FunShade that works great to darken a bright room for naps.

You know by now that a great travel experience with a little one is all about a combination of good planning, plenty of time and finding a relaxed mindset.

Flights amplify the need for this balance as flying can act as a pressure cooker for stress. You’re locked into, essentially, a small space for a certain amount of time whether your little one’s melting down or not.

This can leave parents feeling pretty stressed, but just like there are strategies that help your time in an airport to be more enjoyable, the same can be said of flying.

Get Comfotable

First, just take time to settle into your seat and space. Soon you’ll need to be strapped in when taking off with all bags & items stowed away, so think through what items (e.g. diaper bag, goodies, etc) you’d like to be easy to access. Also, make sure you have your items to clean up messes nearby as well and not up in the overhead compartments

Prepare for Takeoff

If you ever flew as a small kid, chances are you’ve experienced that nasty inner ear pain caused by changes in pressure during takeoff and landing. The easiest way to combat this is to give your little one something to suck on or eat during takeoff and landing. Whether that means a pacifier, a bottle, or even breastfeeding, this is a simple solution to minimize fussiness from inner ear pain.

Take Off & Beyond!

When takeoff time arrives, you’ll want to be as prepared as possible for the duration of your flight. Small, surprise toys given periodically (read: not all at once) throughout the flight work well for some parents. And, if your little one starts to get really ansty, a stash of super special snacks can save the day since hunger often sneak up on kids and impact their behavior.

Being a parent is a truly special experience and traveling with your little one is just another extension of this larger journey. Sadly, no amount of planning, packing or strategy can change a delayed flight or other travel mishaps, but at least you'll be ready to make those experiences just a little easier on you and your little one.

We hope these three steps will help your family feel more confident that no matter what travel throws your way, you’ll be that much more ready to handle it.

And, from one of our family travel ambassadors, Laci:

"Relax and enjoy the ride!"