Advice: Domestic and International Plane Travel with a Baby

This started out as an email to my dear friend in Malawi, Africa; but I thought I would post it here for anyone else who wants to read it. By no means is it finished, please add your 2 cents if you have more advice!

The best lesson I've learned in parenthood is to be easy-going about itineraries. It started in labor, and still proves true....

So how that translates to traveling with a baby: relax. Be confident. And KNOW that something won't always go 'ideally,' but that you'll make it. Some flights, the baby will be the perfect angel you know and love. Some flights, you may have the spawn of Satan:) Kidding, but you may have a crying baby, you may not. But the good news is: the plane will land. The trip will end. And likely you'll never see all those people again:)

My advice:
1) bring a new toy for him (something novel- a small, colorful rattle, or something) and something comforting (a familiar, small blanket)

2) Request the bulkhead, IF you are going to be in a 767 or 777, as they oftentimes have bassinets. This was a life-saver for us on the Hawaii-Texas flight. Even if he's "too long" according to their standards, request it anyway, if he's sleeping on his tummy/side or even back, his legs can bend at the knee, and it gives him his own space for a bit. Also, he can sit and play with a toy or book for a bit there.

3) EXPECT that naps will be shorter. Claire sleeps 2 hours frequently for naps, and takes 3 naps a day still at 7.5 months. (some babies are down to two by now, but this girl loves her some sleep!) In a car or plane, in a carseat or our arms, she only sleeps MAX 45 minutes, more likely 1/2 an hour. As someone who likes to sleep at least 16 hours a day normally. This used to stress me out. But it's okay. After the trip, he can recover and get back to his norm. It's all about reading their tired cues and comforting them when they exhibit them.

4) Jet lag. He may have it, he may not; babies can surprise you with how adaptable they are. Claire has been in 5 different time zones in the US and done fine in all of them. Give yourself and him grace.

5) Feeding: we make her own food at home, but it's much easier for plane flights to buy some pre-packaged (Gerber or whatever they sell in Africa) baby food. Pack extra, you never know what could go wrong.

6) Germs: Planes are FULL of them. Especially international flights where you get people from different parts of the world, and the air is recycled for hours. Try to be diligent with cleaning your hands/face and baby's hands and face. En route to Seattle, I had to change Claire on the FLOOR, right outside the bathroom, most disgusting place in the plane, but there was no alternative. You deal with it the best you can.

7) Drugs: There are different thoughts about "knocking the baby out" for the duration of flights. I've never done it, but to each their own, do what feels right to you.

8) Wine: however, we have bought the red wine on a flight (free little bottle in international flights) and rubbed our finger around Claire's gums with wine we put on our finger. It helped her relax.

9) Air pressure: Some babies react to it, some don't. If Easton takes a paci, give him one, or feed him a bottle or breast feed during take-off and final approach. Even if you give him a bottle of water, that is a good distraction and the sucking motion helps with their ears.

10) when traveling by yourself, ask for HELP! I flew to NYC by myself, with a baby, carseat, stroller, and carry on, and diaper bag. A lot to juggle. People are usually gracious with single parents, and will help you stow your carry on while you get the babe situated. And when you have to go to the bathroom, flight attendants can hold your babe. I don't know how you feel about passing your baby around to other passengers (especially in light of swine flu, etc.), but one time to Houston, I really needed a break, and a sweet Korean couple took Claire for 15 minutes. She ate it up, and it was a gift to me. Use your judgment.

11) Layovers: if you have a long one, try to find a quieter part of a terminal that you can stroll around in, to cut out stimulation and get Easton a nap. We walked over a mile in Denver, just circling the empty B terminal so Claire could sleep. Plus, walking is good for your legs too, to counterbalance all the sitting.

12) Miscellaneous:
*bring a plastic bag or two for wrapping up poopy dipes that you can't dispose of right away. Even if you normally do cloth diapers, when traveling, disposable is the way to go.
*Bring bottles for water, and have the attendants refill them with water as you use them.
*on almost every airline, the stroller, car seat and diaper bag don't count as luggage. Gate check them, and if there is an open seat in a row, maybe ask the attendants if you can carry your car seat on? We prefer not to, as Claire would rather sit, lay, or stand on the airplane seat, but when they're more mobile, it's nice to have a place to secure them.
*Bring your Ergo, or Baby Bjorn or whatever carrier you use on board- your arms will get tired from holding Easton and walking around:) Give them a break.

I'm sure I'm forgetting a lot, but lastly, travel as much as you can before you have to pay for them to travel with you, at 2 years old. Claire has been to 10 states so far, and will be at 13 by one year old. Never again will she travel so much, traveling with a baby is a dream, compared to a toddler, who wants to run everywhere and assert their own will. So go for it, have a positive attitude, and you guys can accomplish anything! Remember, no matter how hard it may be, the plane will land:)