Packing and Planning:
~ Remember that adage about birds and worms- well consider the good seats on a plane the worm and be EARLY! If you have babies you want the seats in the bulkhead row so you can have a bassinet. Once they are in their own seat you want seats near the kitchen and bathrooms. It is much easier to get help from the flight crew if they don't have to go far to fill a bottle. And I'm not sure how true this tidbit is but it happened to me so I'll share it. If you don't book seats early they can split you up from your children. Once they are over the age of two they are not required to make sure your child is next to you. Now I can't imagine there is a passenger or flight crew out there that wants to take care of your kid for you...but just in case- BE EARLY!
~Time your flights around nap time and bed time. Always take the overnight flight because they will most likely sleep for some time. Layovers are time to burn extra energy so always plan for extra time. Yes it is tougher on us parents but better in the long run. The last thing you want to do is run from one flight to the next and have a child screaming about how they want to get down out of their seat.
~ If you are flying internationally pack as few bags as possible. Almost always you will have to pick up your own bags and then meet your driver or hosts. It is much easier to haul one heavy bag than it is to have 2 lighter ones. And while you are at it, let the airline haul as much of that stuff for you as possible. If you don't need it on the plane, don't bring it on the plane. Strollers, carseats, pack n plays are all free baggage when flying with children.
~ I always pack two smaller carry ons so they will fit under the seat in front of us. The kids don't need the legroom, and I need to be able to get to the stuff. Most US based airlines do not let children board first, but ask nicely AND say you don't need bin space and they will roll out the red carpet for you!
Carry On Luggage:
This one gets it's own heading because it is that important!
~ Smaller is better it needs to fit under the seat in front of you. You don't want to be stuck in your seat and have a kid screaming that they want their friend and you can't get it! One bag for food, diapers, pjs and another bag for toys and books. And you would be amazed at what fits under that seat- My Vera Bradley weekender with 24 diapers, bottles and pouches of food will fit.
~ Keep it organized! Since it is carry on it will go through security and without fail you will forget to take something out and will get pulled aside. If you can identify what is in there and rapidly- you will be outta there in no time! And coming from experience, if you tell the young TSA Agent those solid ice cubes are boob milk he will ask no further questions!
~ The following things are essentials and you don't want to be caught without them:
- diapers (one for every hour you will be traveling)
- food pouches -even for toddlers. they will not eat airline food and chips and trail mix will only last so long.
- twice as much formula as you need. Airports do not have formula available and unless there is a starbucks there no milk either!
- change of clothes and pjs (especially if you are taking an overnight flight)
- tylenol, blankets, paci's (at least 3) and sippy cups
- do NOT give your child Benadryl unless they have had it before. Some children have an adverse reaction and it makes them hyper and have nightmares instead of drowsy. Not a good lesson to learn at 6000 feet in the air.
~ I pack a seperate bag for their toys and books. And make sure they are quiet toys. I don't care how much your kid loves Sophie the giraffe- no one on the plane wants to hear that squeak for hours on end. And I always pack the toy bag at least a week before we leave. That way when we get on the plane the toys are like new again and not old hat.
Home away from home:
~ Once you are finally there try to keep the kids schedule as close to home as possible. Trying to do too much is a recipe for disaster. Just ask this chick who got kicked out of a museum because her son was having a meltdown from too much too fast.
~ The only cure for jetlag is sunlight. Get your kids in it as much as possible for the first few days. Play outside, go on walks, eat on the terrace anything to keep everyone from getting up at 3 am. Remember it takes adults one day for every hour time change to fully adjust and kiddos can take twice as long.
~ Have fun!
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