Flying With Your Baby or Toddler
If you are taking your baby on a plane journey, you may be concerned that he will cry and disturb other passengers. Allow your baby to cry until he is finished crying and you are likely to have a more peaceful journey. There is more info about this in my blog post Babies and Children Sometimes Need to Cry a Little 25/10/2012
Things to think about:
Try to schedule a feed for take-off and as this helps babies to clear their ears.
Be as relaxed as possible – yes really! Allow as much time as possible to get ready and travel to the airport so you are not stressed. Your stress will transfer to your baby and cause more crying.
When your baby decides to cry, sit still and hold him and allow him to get through his feelings of frustration. If you explain to your fellow passengers that he’ll be fine in a few minutes, they’re likely to be sympathetic.
Try to stick to your baby’s 3 or 4 hour feeding routine and avoid trying to comfort your baby with extra feeding as this can lead to an uncomfortable tummy.
Dress your baby in comfortable clothing and be aware of the planes temperature as planes can get quite hot or cold. Take your own cotton blanket for the bassinette.
If the plane is very warm, offer your baby boiled water.
Take your sling or baby bjorn carrier on to the plane in case you don’t get your pushchair back on landing, and have to carry your baby until you get to the baggage reclaim area.
Bedtime While You’re Away
Try to take as much of your baby’s cot contents with you as possible. Take the sheets that have been in the cot for a couple of days so they smell of your baby. Take the music box, nightlight and a soft toy or blanket that is familiar to her.
As soon as you get to your location, set up your baby’s bed and bedroom so that is comfortable and homely. Spend as much time as you can in the bedroom with your baby before it is time to go to bed. Play games in there, and let her play in her cot when she is happy and wide awake. This way, by bedtime, the bedroom is a familiar, happy place and your baby will feel safe when you leave her in there.
Maintain as much of your usual bedtime routine as you can (at least for the first night). Walk with your baby between her bedroom and the living room or your bedroom so that she gets a feeling of where you will be when she is in bed.
When you finally put your baby to bed, make sure you go back to give several reassuring visits before you leave her to calm and settle herself down.