Each trip is different and things that work on one trip do not always work on the next however, with each trip I learn new things and what not to forget for the next trip!
I think flying on a plane with a baby is what gives me the most anxiety because if she completely looses it and starts to scream I have no where to go! Morgan is also a baby on the move and hates to stay still for long periods of time and doesn't enjoy sitting on my lap for hours at a time. All of this makes a plane flight very difficult!
Different airlines have different rules when it comes to flying with an infant so I would suggest looking into what you can bring for baggage and what free items you can check at the gate. For example, Virgin Atlantic will allow you to check a stroller at the gate and allows you to check a bag for your lap infant as well as yourself. However, if you do not buy an extra seat specifically for a car seat they do not let you bring on a car seat (even if there is extra room). One cool things about Virgin Atlantic is you can purchase extra room which allows you to buy the seat next to you for an extra $100 (way cheaper than the $1000 seat it would cost to fly from the UK to the USA). With the extra seat the infant has to sit on your lap for take off and landing but while flying they can sit in their own seat. If you are not able to buy the extra seat (they only have so many they let people buy per flight so buy it as soon as you buy your ticket!) you can request a basinet for the baby. Even if the baby is too big for the bassinet, it allows you to have bulk head seating which gives you extra leg room for free and then there is no one in front of you.
Never forget the iPad! This is one time when you have to let all your "TV time rules" go out the window. Use whatever works in the situation. I bought baby head phones for Morgan and she hated them, so I wouldn't bother with headphones and since the noise of the plane is so loud most people can't hear the iPad anyways or have headphones on themselves. The $13 I spent on 13 episodes of Sesame Street was the best money I have ever spent. It helps distract Morgan in the car, on a train or the plane.
Dress comfortably for you and the baby. The last thing you want is to be uncomfortable on a 7 hour plane flight. You also want to make it as easy as possible to change a diaper or change clothes when needed. I always put Morgan in a light weight zipper sleeper when flying or if its warm out I just have her in a onesie with no pants. You could also do a onesie with leggings.
Bring small toys that don't make a lot of annoying sounds. I would also suggest getting a lanyard to hook the toys to because Morgan loved throwing all her toys on the ground and trying to pick them up while holding her was difficult! By keeping all the toys on a string they don't wind up on the floor and rolling under other peoples seats. You also don't want toys with too much sound unless you want to piss the people off next to you.
Bring snacks! especially snacks that take time to eat. Morgan is still teething so harder crackers that take her a while to chew on are the best distraction. Which brings me to the other point bring lots of wipes and a change of clothes!
Tylenol, Benadryl, Advil....bring whatever works best for you baby (Don't give them all three!!!) Sometimes Morgan is just crying and screaming uncontrollably because she is so tired and Benadryl calms her down enough for her to fall asleep. After the two hour screaming train ride back from Paris I will never forget the Benadryl again! Also, make sure to try the Benadryl before your trip because sometimes it can have the opposite effect on children and you don't want a super hyper baby on an international flight.
Don't be afraid to ask for help. I always think I can do everything on my own but when flying with Morgan by myself back to the states I have learned its ok to ask for help and the flight attendants or people next to you are usually more than willing to help. I have had to learn to go to the bathroom on an airplane while holding Morgan and you don't want to do that, ask for help! :)
Lastly, try not to let a screaming baby get you upset. People are going to stare and judge you but you have to try and not let it get to you because the more frustrated you get the worse the baby will react to your intensity. A lot of the time when people are looking its because they feel bad or they have been in that situation before so stay clam and just focus on claiming your baby. Sometimes babies just need to cry it out and you just have to let them, even if it is on a airplane!
No comments:
Post a Comment