Air Travel with infant and kids

Traveling needs conceptualizing, planning, and organizing. When it comes to air traveling with kids, this same task calls for extra attention to all details. Our children are completely dependent on us and so we as adults need to make sure that their journey is safe, comfortable, and joyful. 

Checklist for your safe air travel with infant and kids

Plan well in advance

Adults don't have the luxury to opt for a last-minute journey if they are going to be accompanied by their kids. Planning is very important if you wish you make it a hassle-free affair. Always decide in advance one parent will accompany kids and the other one will get things done once the family leaves for the airport. For reaching the airport, you may request a friend to drop you else book a cab in advance to avoid the last-minute hassle.

                                                                                               

Family travel is a great time for bonding with kids.

Before you leave for the airport

Web check-in and online seat assignment are big-time savers. These small things save you from lots of hassles when you are at the airport with your baby/ kid. Remember to print out your boarding pass as well and put them on top of your cabin bag. Along with this, you must have your IDs, tour itinerary, and important contact numbers of the travel agent/ contact person of your destination.

Remember to carry your COVID vaccination reports and/ or the latest COVID test reports as per the rules of the airlines and state/ country you intend to visit.

Consider possible emergencies

Make a checklist of what you can possibly need for your child during the travel. Also, check with the airlines if they allow a stroller and car seat for lap infants. Also, make sure that you pay attention to the standard emergency briefing. You may also talk to the flight attendant if they have any emergency equipment for children in particular.

Carry-on luggage should be thoroughly equipped   
                      

Right from your kid’s food, water, milk, baby food, snacks, and medications, your cabin luggage should include everything in sufficient quantities.  For babies, remember to carry pacifiers, milk bottles, and plenty of diapers. 

                                               

Children tend to get bored very soon. Don’t forget to carry some items of their interest too, so that they don’t bother you too much.

Security checks before boarding the plane

Check with the officials if there are special lanes for security checks of families. Also, ascertain if they allow slings/ strollers/ car seats to be used while security checks going on and after that as well till the time of boarding the plane. In addition, prepare your kids well about the security process in order to seek cooperation from them. 

Once the process is done, let the kids run around or play in the play area of the airport. It is also the time to head to the restroom to change the diapers of your baby or buy some last-minute snacks/ water bottles for your family.

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No aisle seat for your child

While most kids love the window seat, there are also a few who would want to sit on the aisle one. But don’t allow them to sit there for too long and definitely not if you see the serving cart coming.

                              

Taking off, in-flight, and landing time

The ear pressure during takeoff and landing can disturb your baby/ kids a lot. So it’s better to nurse your baby or bottle feed him or use pacifiers to divert the attention. For older kids, gum can do the trick. Encourage them to take a nap so that the journey is less tiresome for them.

Don’t let your kids wander in the airplane without you having an eye on them. During long journeys, you should take extra care of this. Engage them in some conversation, book reading, or playing with small toys.

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In addition, sharp, heavy objects, and toys that can break easily should be avoided while traveling by air. Electronic games should be immediately closed as per the instructions.

Keep the child belted at all times

This can be very tough especially if you have a hyperactive kid, but nevertheless, you will, at all costs, have to ensure this, just to make sure that your kid is safe and very much in his place.

Unforeseen situations

Flight delays obviously upset anybody but you cannot do anything about it. It is better to be prepared for it especially w.r.t. kids. While on the flight, bad weather conditions or emergency landings do create havoc. The best thing at that time is to follow the instructions of the crew and maintain your composure. Your kids will react in the same way as you will.

Werewolf Spot the Difference Game for kids.

A child’s responsibility is the biggest ever. And you cannot blame anybody if things don’t fall according to your plan. The most important thing to remember is never to panic no matter what. Instead, think of all the alternatives that can come in handy in case of emergencies!

Hope these air travel tips with infants and kids have helped you to plan your air travel. Have a safe journey!

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