Photo by Matthew Turner: https://www.pexels.com/photo/airport-2574078/

Although traveling with infants and small children can be challenging, parents are eager to tackle it. They want curious and adventurous children, and traveling is one of the best ways for that kind of exposure. Below is a guide to what new parents need to know about flying with new babies. This guide will help parents give their children experiences and lessons they won’t learn in school.

1. At What Age Is It Safe For An Infant To Travel

Most new parents cannot wait to show off their babies. Regardless of your mode of travel, doctors agree parents should wait until their children are at least two weeks old. Doctors don’t recommend exposing infants to others until their immune systems develop. This happens between three and six months.

2. Talk About Your Trip Ahead Of Time

For some toddlers, traveling is a significant adventure. However, it is leaving home and everything a child is familiar with for others. Therefore, it is essential to talk to children about trips ahead of time. Answer questions they may have about flying and pique their curiosity by asking them questions.

Some discussions to have with children making their first flight include:

• Discuss the captain and flight crew's job.
• Ask what favorite toy they want to take?
• Ask what do you think the weather will be where we are going?
• Discuss the airplane propeller and how loud it appears.

3. Carry-On Bag For Baby

It is vital that you have everything you may need when traveling with a new baby or toddler. That is especially true when packing their carry-on luggage. While you want to avoid packing the kitchen sink, it is important to have everything you need. That includes:

• Formula/bottles/breast pump and bags
• Food/snacks/bibs
• Two days’ worth of pampers, wipes, changing pads, burp cloth
• Blankets
• Pacifiers
• Change of clothing
• Anti-bacterial sanitizer
• Bags (for soiled pampers)
• Socks

4. Make An Itemized List Of What You Plan To Bring

Lists have a way of keeping people on track and focused. They make planning and executing anything smoother. Traveling with children is no different. Therefore, when you are beginning the packing phase of your trip, begin with a list.

Besides clothing items, including children’s medications, play mats, portable beds, strollers, reusable bags, snacks, car seats, sunscreen, extra clothing, harnesses, shoes, carrier, etc.

This list is also beneficial at the airport. Having a list will help parents remember to get the more oversized items, like strollers and car seats, from the airline baggage claim area.

5. Laying Your Baby Down During Long Flights

If you are on a long flight, the chances are that your baby or toddler will want, or need, a nap. On a crowded flight, your options get limited. Holding your baby works, but your arms will get tired. Even if your child has a seat, sleeping upright doesn’t give your baby the comfort required.

However, a few airlines allow baby sleepers for infants and toddlers. Some of those include:

• Bassinets: Some airlines have them in the bulkhead wall and offer them to infants under 20 pounds.
• Inflatable seat extension: Purchased and carried on by parents, this gadget provides an extension to the seat for a baby to stretch out.
• Sleeper seat: They offer sleeper seats on international flights and allow parents to purchase three connected seats so the baby can lie down.

Although parents should check with the airline for amenities, booking a jet charter is another option. A Van Nuys private jet charter, for example, can save you the hassle of bringing a baby through LAX. They cater to families as well as corporate charters. There aren’t questions or problems about where your child will sleep. According to stratosjets.com, “expert jet charter agents will coordinate a flight that works with your schedule and provides the in-flight amenities you need.”

6. Protecting Your Baby’s Ears

Adults aren’t the only ones who get clogged, popping, or in pain when flying. The same happens to children when they fly. And unlike adults, many don’t understand the concept of chewing gum to lessen the air effects. That is why more brands have gotten into baby earplugs or earphones. While all children don’t need earplugs or earphones, children prone to ear infections or ear aches should protect their ears with plugs.

Conclusion

As you have read, traveling with infants and small children is a challenge that they are eager to tackle. Having children who show curiosity and are adventurous is all about traveling. Therefore, a guide for what new parents need to know about flying with new babies is above. Following this guide will help to make traveling with children an opportunity to teach children more than they will learn in school.