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Taking a baby on an airplane can be a very unpleasant experience if you don’t plan well in advance. Here are five ways to make it a good trip for yourself and everyone else on the plane:
1.) Plan the feedings for the day so that the baby can be fed on the plane. Newborns can usually go a few hours between feedings before they really get upset. You want to time your feedings before you get on the plane (maybe even start the night before) so that you can feed the baby while in flight. Every parent knows that a baby is usually happiest, and many times even falls asleep, after eating. For mothers who breastfeed, you may feel more comfortable asking for a seat in the back away from others.
2.) Bring plenty of toys. Babies don’t need big animals or large toys. Toys that ring, click, or are very bright is all you need. You want something to catch the baby’s attention and keep him or her happy for as long as possible.
3.) Try to keep the baby awake as long as possible before the flight. It may take some extra energy on your part before the flight leaves, but do everything you can to keep the baby entertained and awake for as long as possible
before getting on that plane. He or she will certainly be cranky once you sit down in your seat on the plane, but it shouldn’t take long for the baby to fall asleep and take a nice, long nap.
4.) Try to get a row of seats to yourself. If the flight is full, you obviously cannot do this. But if it’s not, ask for a row of seats to yourself. Having that extra one or two seats will not only give you more room to play with and feed the baby, but it will also be much less stressful for you not having a stranger sitting next to you who may not appreciate all the fuss that baby may cause.
5.) Change the baby’s diaper before getting on the plane. One of the most challenging things for a parent is trying to change a baby’s diaper in one of those small airplane bathrooms. Put a fresh diaper on the baby minutes before
getting on the plane so you can avoid changing it while in flight.
Taking a baby can be very stressful, or it can be very pleasant. The baby’s mood will determine that. But you can help determine the baby’s mood for the flight with a little bit of planning and a little bit of patience.
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