Tips for flying with a Young Child
Posted on: Thu, 2006-10-05 07:05
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Tips for flying with a Young Child
I have found these great stress free tips on flying with children they will come in very handy with our baby:
Reserve a nonstop flight. If that's not possible, go direct. Waking a sleeping baby to switch planes should be avoided at all costs!
2. Take a night flight. Your child may snooze through a few states.
3. Buy a seat for your baby. It's worth the extra price. The American Academy of Pediatrics says that all children need their own seats on airplanes -- and children under the age of two, or weighing less than 40 pounds, should be securely fastened in child restraint seats when flying. Children have been injured and killed by turbulence. And, lap children are more likely to wiggle off a parent's lap and wander up and down the aisles. Keep your seat belt buckled, too. Between 1981 and 1996, there were 926 injuries and two deaths caused by turbulence.
. Make sure your car seat has an FAA-approved label. Then, confirm with the airline that you can use that particular safety seat on board the aircraft.
5. Preselect your seats. If it is just you and child, book an aisle seat for easy access to bathrooms and walking areas.
6. Beware of bulkhead seats. While it allows for more leg room, there isn't storage under the seat. This means more visits to the overhead bin. Also, immobile armrests prevent a tired child from cuddling with mom and dad.
7. Single traveler with twins?Many airlines do not permit one adult to travel with two infants. Check with your carrier ahead of time.
8. Bring backpacks.They can be filled with toys, water bottles and snacks that your kids help to select. Have your little ones "practice" carrying the backpack prior to the flight if you want to discourage bulky, heavy items.
9. Carry an extra outfit for your baby. Otherwise, you know what will happen ...
10. Get to the gate early. Take advantage of pre-boarding for passengers traveling with children.
I usually have bad luck with someone elses child (I don't have any, but I suffer from other peoples children). Good article btw, although i am going to give it a new spin.
2. Take a night flight. Your child may snooze through a few states.
To me this means someone brings their child and it will keep me awake all night long crying its lungs out. Usually I arrive totally exhausted from being kept awake by children.
3. Buy a seat for your baby. It's worth the extra price. The American Academy of Pediatrics says that all children need their own seats on airplanes -- and children under the age of two, or weighing less than 40 pounds, should be securely fastened in child restraint seats when flying. Children have been injured and killed by turbulence. And, lap children are more likely to wiggle off a parent's lap and wander up and down the aisles. Keep your seat belt buckled, too. Between 1981 and 1996, there were 926 injuries and two deaths caused by turbulence.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for saying this. I couldn't agree more. You have no idea how often I was on a long flight and the child on the lap of its parents had nothing else to do but to kick my seat from behind making my travel really uncomfortable. It may not look like it, but believe me, you can feel every kick and after 12 hours you are dead and so are your nerves. So parents, get your children seats (this way they cannot reach my seat).
. Make sure your car seat has an FAA-approved label. Then, confirm with the airline that you can use that particular safety seat on board the aircraft.
Why not. I have nothing against this. Would be nice if it had an eject button.
5. Preselect your seats. If it is just you and child, book an aisle seat for easy access to bathrooms and walking areas.
Yes, and while we are on it, why not stick everyone with a child in the rear (or front, I don't care) of the plane and let people without children sit at the opposite end. Even better, have the kindergarden in the back and a big sound proof door in between.
6. Beware of bulkhead seats. While it allows for more leg room, there isn't storage under the seat. This means more visits to the overhead bin. Also, immobile armrests prevent a tired child from cuddling with mom and dad.
The more legroom the better, so the child cannot kick the person in front of it. They rarely sleep anyways.
7. Single traveler with twins?Many airlines do not permit one adult to travel with two infants. Check with your carrier ahead of time.
Wow, the ultimate nightmare scenario.
8. Bring backpacks.They can be filled with toys, water bottles and snacks that your kids help to select. Have your little ones "practice" carrying the backpack prior to the flight if you want to discourage bulky, heavy items.
Then fill the water bottles and snacks with tranquilizer and everyone is happy.
9. Carry an extra outfit for your baby. Otherwise, you know what will happen ...
Yes, now even more of my senses are offended.
10. Get to the gate early. Take advantage of pre-boarding for passengers traveling with children.
Why not. I have nothing against it.
BTW, if you haven't found any humor in my post and if you have only found bad things, keep them. They are yours
But I really have been bothered by children on their parents lap behind me a lot in the past. And those parents didn't even care to say anything.
Some other people are more responsible, but generally people in airplanes are only concerned about themself and noone shows the least bit of decency anymore.
Andre
Travel Photos
I know how you feel Andre. Even though I travel often with my children, I always wonder what it is like for the other people without children. Sometimes I am a nervous wreck trying to make sure they respect the other passengers. But overall my kids havnt been to bad. Except when my small son thought they where going to be showing Nemo and they ended up showing a Clint Eastwood movie instead. He was a happy chapey at all.
he thought he could request what ever movie he wanted but it didnt work that way.
Good to know you are not that easily offended.
Well fact is I have suffered a lot from brats that grew up with hippie parents that do not believe in punishment or whatever. Some children are just out of whack and their parents don't even care if they harass other travelers. I guess those parents deserve a good spanking too
.
Andre
Travel Photos
I think at some point during the day, there should be at least one plane to each destination that is ADULTS ONLY! People without children shouldn't be forced to travel with children. Don't get me wrong, I feel bad for the little ones. Their ears probably hurt, they probably feel airsick, and it's boring. But I'm suffering from the same things and a whiney child kicking my seat isn't helping any. If there were an adults only flight, I'd take advantage of it, no matter what time of day it was.
Maybe there is hope for the new A-380 (giant two story aircraft).
I heard that they really have 3 stories. The lowest one could be a casino or a nursery. But the way airlines are saving money its probably going to be for cargo.
Andre
Travel Photography
Maybe there is hope for the new A-380 (giant two story aircraft).
I heard that they really have 3 stories. The lowest one could be a casino or a nursery. But the way airlines are saving money its probably going to be for cargo.
Andre
Travel Photography
Ya get my hopes up then send them crashing down again all in a matter of the few seconds it took to read those 4 sentences. Hopefully, having the lowest level as a nursery would be the way they'd choose to go. Somebody start a petition. I'll sign it. :)
send them crashing down again ...
Interesting choice of words for the subject of plane rides :)
We travel a lot and have young children I have some more tips for travelling with young children in general, they always work for me.
If your chldren are old enough, we always involve them in the planning of the holiday.
Try to travel sometimes with friends who have children the same age as yours. The kids will have someone to play with and the parents can take turns to mind the kids or have time away from them.
Keep it simple but interesting. Plan one major event for each day because children have short attention spans and get tired. Sometimes a real problem with our youngests.
Hire strollers and cots at your holiday destination rather than lugging your own along.
My children like to help, so we give them a task the minute we arrive.
These simple things work for us.
All of this makes me wonder about having kids. Seems like they pose some serious obstacles when it comes to traveling around. I think one of the best inventions is the DVD system in cars.
Andre
Travel Photos
All of this makes me wonder about having kids.
Common, you cant really be serious about this? Children also bring lots of joy and pride. I don't have any children either, but I am planning to at some point.
Thanks for the tips Tay, I will make sure to remember them.
CY
Even though having children and travelling is a bit more work than travelling on your own, it is all worth while in the end. I love travelling and seeing knew places with my kids and they are learning so much more than some other kids. But also they are a joy like Cy says. Just a little bit more work.