Flying With Kids: Your Top 15 Tips

Flying with babies, toddlers, kids can be a parent’s worst nightmare.

I remember, before being married with kids, I would board a flight and cross my fingers in the hope no children or babies would be near me.

And, to be honest, I was pretty much fine. If I did sit near a family with young ones. Most of the time I felt sorry for the parents, up down, up down like a yo-yo, kids crying, some screaming. It never really bothered me because I knew one day that would be me… flying with kids.

Sure enough, that day came and we had our first child and within his first 4 month’s we were on our way to Europe. We were prepared to the hills with baby gear, it looked like we were moving in.

I remember stepping on board our flight, locating our seats and looking around, catching the eye of those travellers who were looking at me no doubt thinking ‘oh no not a baby’.

However, we were planned. Even though I never read any books or researched any information about flying with kids. And to Lukas’ credit he was a star, he never cried once and he slept.

In fact, he had lots of sleep which meant we had some sleep too.

Now I know this won’t work for all babies/children but so far it’s worked for both our kids.

Lukas watching planes from the restaurant window in Zurich airport

Our Top 15 Tips

1. Night flights

These are a must when flying with kids. We tried to book flights that fit in with their sleep patterns. The only morning long haul flight we did was Auckland to Tokyo.

Sawyer slept for 40 minutes and the 11-hour flight! He never really cried he just wanted to look around, go for walks and stare at other passengers. Never again!! 

2. Extra dummies

(If you use them) you don’t want to be caught short.

3. Clothes pegs

I kid you not. We hang face and muslin clothes off the bassinet, sometimes clothes too if we are running low.

4. Muslin cloths

These are great for putting over the bassinet to keep the light out. Just make sure you don’t completely cover then bassinet

5. Book a stop-over

Depending on airlines, book in a stop-over for longer flights). When we fly to Los Angeles we stop-over in Fiji for around 5 hours. We pop over to a hotel (Raffles) next to the airport for a swim and a bite to eat. Lukas and Sawyer are usually tired once we take off again.

6. When to Feed

Bottle-feed or Breast-feed when taking off, we found it helps their ears. Lukas and Sawyer are now on sugar-free sweets to chew on.

7. Take a Pillow

My favourite, a pillow from home. Yes, it takes up room but once Lukas and Sawyer were no longer allowed the bassinet, they needed somewhere to sleep.

We would lay the pillow lengthways and they would lay long it, stretching out across Mum and/or Dad.

8. A Teddy

A favourite teddy and blanket. Both boys have their favourite blankets and Lukas has had his since birth and it still travels with it where ever we go.

Both boys take a favourite teddy though Lukas is getting older and now the soft toy has been replaced with travel size games.

Lukas already for another flight

9. Headphones

For kids, Lukas has his own pair and loves them, way more comfortable than the airline ones. Sawyer now has his own pair too.

10. Kids hand luggage

Lukas and Sawyer have their own piece with wheels. They put in a blanket, teddy and headphones along with a couple of favourite toys and games.

Lukas has had one since he was 3 and feels proud walking on to the plane with it.

11. Extra Snacks

For us these are a must! We often bake cookies and purchase suger free snacks as some airline kids menus are rubbish and full of sugar.

12. Extra Clothes For The Adults

I also pack a couple of extra shirts and pants for myself, babies love throwing up on you at the worst times. Though these baby days are past us I still pack extra clothes as the boys are pretty good at spilling stuff.

13. Pack Travel Dispensers

We put milk formula powder in travel dispensers, easy to use. Though companies make these in sachets too. Remember always have a bottle ready to go.

The last thing you need is them kicking off while you run around getting warm water from the cabin crew.

14. iPad

Lukas and Sawyer have an iPad as a backup, it’s the family one but he has a section of activities they can enjoy. It’s more for the long flights and can help when there is no entertainment on the flight.

15. Have The Pre-flight  Chat

When Lukas moved into having his own seat we would talk to him about behaviour on a flight. If he misbehaved the captain could remove him from the flight.

Once we used the phone on the entertainment control and pretended to call the captain. He quickly turned himself around.

Finally Thoughts…

Remember don’t stress out if things go wrong, I know we want our babies, toddlers and kids to not scream and cry but it happens. Most people won’t care and in fact, will feel sorry for you. And the ones that do, chances are you will never see them again.

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