1- THE BASIC CHECKLIST: hunger & temperature
These 2 subjects are always the ones to address first. If they are not satisfied, it is very likely that your child will be difficult to manage!
*A hungry child is often angry, therefore plan small snacks (fruit puree, cakes, crackers…). Remember to take a meal with you to feed your child at the usual time (in the departure lounge, on the plane).
Good to know: when you fly with a baby, the security rules are relaxed, so you can take his water, milk, fruit purees, medicines…. As long as you make this clear at the security checkpoint.
– Make sure the child is not too hot or too cold. Use the “onion outfit technique “, dress him with different layers that can be easily removed or added. It is often cold on planes, so you can also take a small fleece blanket, children generally love its softness.
2- Manage your child fatigue
This is rather counter-intuitive, but make sure your child is not overtired before departure. In fact, in an airport and on a plane, children are subjected to a large number of stimuli that are unusual for them: noise, lights, agitation, etc. It is better for your child not to be too tired at the start of the flight in order to deal with it all. This will give them more resources to fall asleep in an unfamiliar environment. An overtired and overstimulated child can quickly have a tantrum…
Good to know: You can request a “cot” for babies under 10kg from the airline. They are hung up against the wall in the first row so try to reserve these seats to maximize your chances of getting one.
3- Avoid earaches on landing and take-off
The change in pressure during take-off and landing can cause ear pain. As adults, we naturally know how to “decompress”, which is not the case for our little ones. To counteract this, consider having them drink some water or putting their dummy in their mouth during landing and take-off.
Good to know: a child with an ear infection can suffer enormously during a flight, so if you suspect anything before departure, don’t hesitate to consult your GP.
4- Bring some paracetamol
Have some medicines for the kids on hand. For babies, there are suppositories. You should also know that you are allowed to take a bottle of liquid medicine for your baby. For older children, I find that sticks are very practical.
5- Optimize comfort
Dress your child comfortably, let them take off their shoes. You can also take a blanket and why not a small pillow.
Pack a change of clothes in your cabin bag, as an accident (poo, spilled water glass) is bound to happen.
For night flights, I put my children to pyjama, just like at home, to let them know that it’s almost bedtime.
Good to know: many airlines allow you to carry your car seat free of charge when a child flies. Some car seats can be attached to the seat, details of which can be found on the airline’s website. If the child has his own reserved seat, you can take the car seat with you on the plane and your child can spend the trip safely and securely fastened in it.
6- Anticipate stopovers
Stopovers are often the most complicated part of a trip with young children. You must move around (quickly if the plane has been delayed) with your bags and children. The distances to be covered in the airports can be quite long. It is therefore strategic to anticipate this well:
– Don’t carry too much: take the essentials for the children (snacks, change of clothes, medicine, games)
– Think of the baby carrier, more practical than the pram, it will allow you to transport your child at your own pace while keeping 2 hands free 😊. My favorite baby carrier, ergonomic, light and super handy is the Babybjorn. My son is 22 months and I still use it!
– The trunki suitcase is very practical as it allows children from 2/3 years old to sit on it while you pull them along. Our daughter loves hers; she puts her toys for the plane inside. Transfer during stopovers have become real fun!
– Also think about the backpack, again a good way to keep your hands free.
7- Turn the trip into an exciting event
Talk to your child about the trip beforehand, explain how things are going to happen. You can use a small book to read several times before the trip. Take the opportunity to explain to your child that other people are waiting for peace and quiet on the plane, that they will probably expect to sleep and that they would be disturbed by noisy children.
For long-haul flights: insist on all the nice things: a screen in front of each seat, a meal tray, sometimes a gift for the children.
8- Bring inflight activities
- Magnetic games are steel boxes with big magnets to stick on them to dress up a character, reconstitute an animal. Janod has a great selection of these adapted to all ages.
- Notebooks with stickers can also keep children busy for a while.
- You can take along some coloring materials. For the little ones, there are great notebooks that can be colored with water to avoid accidents 😊.
9- Relax, it will be fun!
I have always been very pleasantly surprised by my children’s behaviour on planes. Even on long flights, my son slept against me, and I have to say I loved it.
Fun fact: seen on a plane, a couple travelling with a 2-month-old baby was handing out to all their neighbors a bag with a nice little note, sweets, and earplug of course 😉.
