Traveling with a baby or a small child is not nearly as bad as many parents fear. A major factor that influences the success of the trip is, of course, whether your child is having a good or bad day, which unfortunately is never predictable. But you can significantly increase the chances of a good travel experience with proper preparation
Before the trip
The first thing you need to check before you even book tickets is your passports. This also applies to your child. Regardless of age, everyone must have their own passport. Since there can usually be a bit of waiting time to get it made, it is important to get it done well in advance.
If you are first-time travelers with a baby and are therefore a bit unsure of how it will go, it might be a good idea to call the travel/airline company in advance and ask what they can do for you. This will most likely make you feel more secure by hearing how the company handles traveling with small children. That way, you know what expectations you can have of them during the trip.
Additionally, you should not be afraid to ask the flight crew for advice once you are on board. They are quite used to infants and small children traveling and are always good at lending a helping hand.
When you are about to book tickets, it would be a good idea to keep the travel time in mind. If you are traveling far, it will be a great advantage to look for tickets where the departure is in the late afternoon or evening. This will align with your child's circadian rhythm, so he/she is likely to sleep a large part of the journey. This will be pleasant for both the little one and you as parents
To make the long flight even more comfortable, you might consider booking a baby cot that can be attached to the wall in front of your seat. However, this is only possible with children under 6 months old.
TIP: PACK YOUR AND YOUR CHILD'S CLOTHES IN TWO SUITCASES, SO YOU HAVE CLOTHES FOR BOTH OF YOU IF ONE SUITCASE HAPPENS TO BE DELAYED AT THE AIRPORT.
Another thing you should consider when booking tickets is your seating arrangements. If you are still breastfeeding, it will be nice for you to book a window seat so you can lean against the wall. This applies not only if you are breastfeeding but also if your child falls asleep in your arms. Additionally, sitting by the window with a good view is an extra bonus
Also read: 10 good tips for a self-drive holiday with children
The most important things to bring on the trip
Pack wisely when you are packing the bag that you will take on the trip. Put the things that you will definitely need in the side pockets. This way, they will be quick to access, and you won't have to rummage through the entire bag. What and how much to pack varies from family to family, but here is a short list of things that are definitely good to have with you:
- Diapers
- Wipes
- Trash bags
- Muslin cloths
- Bottles and pacifiers (consider attaching the pacifier to a pacifier leash so it doesn't get lost)
- Children's paracetamol (can be used if your child has ear pain, for example)
- Change of clothes for your child and possibly an extra top for yourself
- Toys, books, stuffed animals
- Food and possibly some snacks like crackers, raisins, cucumber sticks.
- A blanket or duvet to snuggle and keep warm.
Ouch, my ears
One of the things that many parents are "worried" about regarding the flight is how the little one will handle the change in air pressure during takeoff and landing – which is often uncomfortable for the ears. However, the chance of experiencing this change in air pressure is also present when traveling by train or bus, as you sometimes go through tunnels and up in the mountains on such journeys.
If you are traveling with an infant, you can benefit from breastfeeding or giving a bottle when you experience these pressure changes, as it equalizes the pressure in your child's ears. If you are traveling with an older child, you can give them something to drink, as the swallowing motion will also relieve the pressure.
If you are flying, it is worth keeping in mind that takeoff and landing usually take up to 30 minutes. Therefore, make sure to plan the feeding, as there needs to be enough liquid for the time when the air pressure can really be felt.
TIP: MAKE SURE YOUR CHILD IS DRESSED IN LAYERS – THIS WAY, YOU CAN EASILY TAKE IT OFF IF IT GETS TOO WARM.
Entertainment on the trip
The chance that your child will sleep the whole trip is wishful thinking – unfortunately Therefore, it would be a good idea to come up with different ways to entertain the little one – both with and without toys.
Fortunately, a lot of activities can easily be done on your lap with a piece of toy or a book. If your child is a bit older, you might consider bringing an iPad/iPhone, where the entertainment consists of various cartoons. If you are going on a longer flight (10-12 hours), there is usually also a small screen in front of each seat, where you can play games and watch movies.
If your child is not interested in toys or cartoons, you can try taking a little walk down the aisles. This way, the little one can be entertained by many things to look at. You can also try to move out into the plane's aisles, where the staff is preparing food. Here, the so-called "white noise" in the baby universe is at its highest. The noise can be described as sounds that monotonously hiss, buzz, and hum. These sounds are calming – even for babies!
However, it would be a good idea to not use the various activities all at once. "Save" some of them, so each time will be experienced as something new/different for your child.
Oh no – a crying baby
If it turns out that your baby is having a really off day on travel day, expressed through a lot of crying, it is important not to start stressing about what the other passengers might think and feel. Relax inside and try not to show nervousness about how it will go. Nervousness is contagious to the child – and then problems arise.
Fortunately, there are usually sweet and kind people who will most likely understand your situation. Many may have experienced sitting in the same situation themselves. So just take it easy
But if you still want to show your apologies, you can prepare a little "sorry-for-the-inconvenience-bag" from home. The contents of this bag could be, for example, a small sweet note with your child's name, age, and whatever else you think would be nice to write. A little treat could also be a nice addition, and not to forget a pair of earplugs In that way, you will hopefully be able to accommodate their irritation.
We hope that this guide has given you the courage to travel with the little one.
Be well prepared for delays and overbookings on your flight
You probably think that it will never happen to you, but unfortunately, it is not possible to guard against delays and overbookings when traveling by plane. In fact, the number of flight delays has only increased in recent years, which is why it unfortunately becomes more and more common to experience a delayed flight. However, there is an opportunity to seek flight delay compensation, where you can receive up to 4,500 DKK per person if you are either delayed or denied boarding due to overbooking. You should certainly take advantage of that option, as there can be a lot of money to be gained, especially for families with children.
