Flying with young children
Posted 07-02-2008 at 12:31 PM by TeachinLittleOnes
Flying can be an extremely stressful situation without having any children with you but when you are taking your preschool aged child on a plane with you --here are some tips to help things run smoothly!
1. Reserve a nonstop flight. If that's not possible, go direct. Waking a sleeping baby to switch planes should be avoided at all costs!
2. Take a night flight. Your child may snooze through a few states.
3. Buy a seat for your baby. It's worth the extra price. The American Academy of Pediatrics says that all children need their own seats on airplanes -- and children under the age of two, or weighing less than 40 pounds, should be securely fastened in child restraint seats when flying. Children have been injured and killed by turbulence. And, lap children are more likely to wiggle off a parent's lap and wander up and down the aisles. Keep your seat belt buckled, too. Between 1981 and 1996, there were 926 injuries and two deaths caused by turbulence.
. Make sure your car seat has an FAA-approved label. Then, confirm with the airline that you can use that particular safety seat on board the aircraft.
5. Preselect your seats. If it is just you and child, book an aisle seat for easy access to bathrooms and walking areas.
6. Beware of bulkhead seats. While it allows for more leg room, there isn't storage under the seat. This means more visits to the overhead bin. Also, immobile armrests prevent a tired child from cuddling with mom and dad.
7. Single traveler with twins?Many airlines do not permit one adult to travel with two infants. Check with your carrier ahead of time.
8. Bring backpacks.They can be filled with toys, and snacks that your kids help to select. Have your little ones "practice" carrying the backpack prior to the flight if you want to discourage bulky, heavy items.
9. Carry an extra outfit for your baby. Otherwise, you know what will happen ...
10. Get to the gate early. Take advantage of pre-boarding for passengers traveling with children.
1. Reserve a nonstop flight. If that's not possible, go direct. Waking a sleeping baby to switch planes should be avoided at all costs!
2. Take a night flight. Your child may snooze through a few states.
3. Buy a seat for your baby. It's worth the extra price. The American Academy of Pediatrics says that all children need their own seats on airplanes -- and children under the age of two, or weighing less than 40 pounds, should be securely fastened in child restraint seats when flying. Children have been injured and killed by turbulence. And, lap children are more likely to wiggle off a parent's lap and wander up and down the aisles. Keep your seat belt buckled, too. Between 1981 and 1996, there were 926 injuries and two deaths caused by turbulence.
. Make sure your car seat has an FAA-approved label. Then, confirm with the airline that you can use that particular safety seat on board the aircraft.
5. Preselect your seats. If it is just you and child, book an aisle seat for easy access to bathrooms and walking areas.
6. Beware of bulkhead seats. While it allows for more leg room, there isn't storage under the seat. This means more visits to the overhead bin. Also, immobile armrests prevent a tired child from cuddling with mom and dad.
7. Single traveler with twins?Many airlines do not permit one adult to travel with two infants. Check with your carrier ahead of time.
8. Bring backpacks.They can be filled with toys, and snacks that your kids help to select. Have your little ones "practice" carrying the backpack prior to the flight if you want to discourage bulky, heavy items.
9. Carry an extra outfit for your baby. Otherwise, you know what will happen ...
10. Get to the gate early. Take advantage of pre-boarding for passengers traveling with children.
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These are great suggestions! I have to say that the one thing that saved us on a long flight was a portable DVD and a few favorite videos. It kept her calm and satisfied while sitting in one place for a long time.
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