7 Tips On Flying Long Haul Flights With A Baby, With Children. lifestyleanytime.com.au /7-tips-on-flying-long-haul-flights-with-a-baby-with-children/ Angie Emde
Many people baulk at the idea of flying long distance with children let alone with a baby, but with planning and preparation the flight can be a success and an enjoyable experience
Rachael was under 3 months old on her first flight and babies sleep a lot so the fight from Australia to Jersey, Channel Islands despite being over 22 Hours and transferring airports in London, went well. As you can see in the photo she has a comfortable seat or rather bed for the flight.It is important to request a bassinet for your baby for the flight at the time of booking flight tickets. It is important to request a bassinet for your baby for the flight at the time of booking flight tickets. Also, confirm multiple times that you will have a bassinet. There are only a set number of bassinet seats on a plane.
1, Schedule flight times. If possible schedule flight times to suit with routines, meal routines and sleeping routines.
Sleeping soundly
Travelling when the children were babies I found feeding time was a good time to fly as the sucking on the bottle assisted with pressure in the ears and then the movement of the plan assisted with sleeping once satisfied. 1. As the children got older we found that it was better to ensure they ate something before they got on the plane and then had a treat as the flight was taking off. 1/3
2. Be prepared for the flight. Have plenty of nappies, wipes, changes of clothes with you for the flight for your children and for you. Also bring some small toys, books to entertain. Most long haul flights give out a small gift package to children but most children enjoy having their comfort toys and security blankets with them. We know our two did. 1. Rachael had a blanket she liked to have with her and Jason’s thing was toy matchbox cars, preferably two one in each hand. Driving his cars on the seats would keep him happy for hours.
3. Use your pram. Use your child’s pram up until the last moment. Flights allow you to check the prams and car seats in at the check-in gate. 4. Pack some food. Yes, ensure you have meals with you, a hungry child is not a happy traveller.
When travelling with the children we always ensured we had packed meals with us and additional bottles when they were babies. Although airlines do provide meals, you don’t know if your child is going to like what is served and it is best to ensure they don’t go hungry
Also, ensure the family, this includes the children, stay well hydrated during flights by drinking plenty of water.
5. Plan the take-off, the landing and the flight . During the take-off and the landing, both babies and children feel the air pressure changes just like us. Explain what will happen and ensure that children have something to suck on during take-off and landing. 1. As babies, Rachael and Jason both had dummies, pacifiers which they used during take-off and landing. As children, we gave them a lolly to suck on and taught them how to hold their nose to relieve the air pressure in their ears.
6. Respect other passengers on the plane. It is natural that children like to run around and explore and for them being confined to a chair for a long time can be a challenge.
We found the children settled quickly in their seats when entertained with toys, books or inflight children’s movies. We did, however, ensure that every so often we walked up and down the plane, quietly talking about the flight, what people were doing.
During the flight entertain your children, provide some toys and activities they enjoy and encourage sleeping If prepared well for the flight, your child will know they have x amount of meals and sleep time all while on the flight to meet relatives.
7. Put out positive vibes. This goes without saying for flights and in life. Babies and children sense our body vibes and if we are anxious they are more anxious, when we are calm, they appear to be calmer. That is what we have found and in all the flights we have been on over
Playtime
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the years, the children were anxious only when we were. Both Carsten and I have flown together and alone on long haul flights with our children and gone back for more.
Just like life, the challenge of long-haul flights can be viewed in different ways, a task that needs controlling or a journey that you can go with the flow on. Although we are prepared for flights, we always choose the latter and enjoyed the journey, finding solutions to situations as we go. The vision of the end destinations of seeing family or heading home to Australia keeps positive thoughts and positive vibes in our minds and bodies.
Happy flying.
Ready to depart
Angie
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