International Flights with Babies
- Modern Miller Mess
- Jan 13, 2020
- 5 min read
Hello Everyone! My name is Dana and until a month ago I had never really been out of the United States. I’ve driven into Canada and crossed over to Mexico a couple times but I have never taken an international flight…..EVER. Now add the anxiety of international travel to a couple of small children (6 months and 4 years old)…. are you a little freaked out? Good. It gets scarier….. imagine doing that ALONE with the kids. No husband, friend, or cousin flying with you. HORRIFYING. Come on along and enjoy some tips for your future travels including some hilarious stories about my flight.
First off, plane rides with babies and kids are scary enough. You worry about being “those” people. You know, the ones with their baby screaming the WHOLE flight, or the ones whose kid kicks the seat in front of them the entire time. The toddler that whines, screams, and throws things throughout the flight. Most likely, we have all been irritated by these afore mentioned experiences and we have ALL felt horrible for the parents dealing with it.
I feared that all of the above might happen and I would be that parent whom everyone felt sorry for while wishing they could change seats. I did as much research and planning ahead as possible. Therefore, I’m ready to give you Basic Tip #1. When you are planning an international flight with kids by yourself you will find it much easier to call the airline and book your flights with a human. The woman who helped me was also a mother. She understood my fear for the flight. She made sure to put me and the boys next to a window and in a row with only 2 seats. She was helpful and hilarious. As I thanked her for making sure we weren’t sitting next to other people, she laughed and said “NO girl, we don’t want anyone sitting next to you!” hahaha All I could think was, how true! No one chooses to sit next to the alone parent with little ones on a red eye flight, especially a long flight!
BABY TIP: If you are traveling with a baby ask the airline for a bassinet. They aren’t always available but if they are you will get one. Here is sweet little Evan in his.
TODDLER AND PRESCHOOLER TIP: If you are going on a flight that will be serving meals request a child’s meal for your child. If you buy a seat for your infant and their carseat, you can request a baby meal also.
How are we doing so far? All right! Let’s talk about the three of us at the airport. Everyone’s situation requires different types of planning. My situation required that I pack enough for almost a year. Yes, even me (who is a planner from way back) found that very challenging. After much strategic thought, I ended up checking two HUGE suitcases.
SUITCASE TIP: I always pack the heaviest stuff (kids books, medical equipment and toiletries) in a small carry on suitcase and shove it in the carseat bag with the carseat so that it can be checked for free!! Also, if you are going somewhere cold, include your coats in the carseat bag for easy access.
SECURITY TIP: I wear baby through security and onto the airplane but the stroller comes with me as a carry on. You can check it at the gate. I was pleasantly surprised that they took better care of the strollers on international flights than they do flights inside the US. So, a stroller bag is a good investment.
ON BOARD WITH BABY TIP: Always make sure baby is very hungry and very tired when you get on the plane. Yes baby will be fussy before take off but then you can feed them during take off which saves their ears and it can put them to sleep.
ON BOARD WITH MY PRESCHOOLER TIP: The last time we were on a flight he got sick. I couldn’t risk that when it was just me with both of the boys. So, half a dramamine tablet is what he got. He took it at take off. It gave enough time for him to eat his children’s meal before he fell asleep. I packed a toddler pillow in his backpack and of course 2 best “stuffed” friends. Make sure you either teach your child how to chew gum or if they are too young bring tons of snacks that they never get at home. Our go to snacks are welches fruit gummies and Cheetos. Owen always takes his empty hydro flask with him through security so he has his water on the plane. Take either an I-pad with movies and games or we have an Amazon Fire kids addition for Owen. DON’T FORGET headphones.
Owen’s sleeping wasn’t perfect on the plane. The poor guy was a bit uncomfortable. I probably shouldn’t giggle but his little body kept trying to flop off his seat.
Sweet little Evan didn’t sleep perfect either. He is a stomach sleeper so when he couldn’t roll over he would start to wake up and get mad. I spent a lot of time holding him and bouncing. We survived. Thankfully, there was wine and a very sweet family across the row that had an empty tray table. They kept offering to hand me my wine or my dinner while I rocked Evan back to sleep. That same sweet family whose kids were about the same age as mine, were so nice after the flight giving me kudos as to how well I did with the boys alone. Whew, what a relief! I was feeling only ok about it at the time. Haha, the husband in that family told me that when we started our decent, he looked at his wife and said, “Wow I don’t think she ever went to the toilet!” Hahaha, Nope! I didn’t know what to do with the boys.
EXTRA “SAVING THE DAY” TIP: Making friends with other families on planes is key. They will always help out. Remember they have been there too!
ONE LAST TIP: Finally the flight is ending and you are starting your decent. If the kiddos are still asleep, let them sleep. You can wake them while you taxi to the gate. Once you get to the gate re-strap baby to you and have your preschooler help pack up everything and guess what?????
YOU SURVIVED YOUR INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT WITH YOUR BABIES!!!!
Was it stressful? OF COURSE.
Did you sleep? NOT A WINK.
Was your bladder about to explode? SURE WAS… I NEVER PEED!
But pat your self on the back you did it. You can handle anything. As long as you can get through customs.
Now, go and enjoy your adventure!
Till the next mess,
Dana
Comments