Flight-related Travel Tips

We spent 17 legs of travel on a plane with Little E before he turned two years old. I've spent time learning what works best for us. Just know, flying with a newborn, a crawling baby or a toddler who likes to walk and run down the aisles, is possible. You can make it.

Buying tickets
Direct flights are obviously easiest. If you need to have a layover, make sure it's at least 90 minutes. You may have to go through security again if you're changing terminals. If you're travelling internationally, consider where you go through customs. Example: Flying home from Mexico, stop in the States (go through Customs) and then fly to Canada (go through Customs).

If possible, purchase two tickets with the middle seat empty between you (aisle / window). Book towards the back of the plane and you will be less likely to have someone purchase that seat. If it does get purchased, they're usually happy to sit in the window or aisle anyway.

Don't choose the very last row, it often doesn't recline fully. And sometimes bathrooms stink.

You will often have to call to add your infant to your ticket (lap child). You have to confirm that they will be under two for both parts of a return ticket. Flights within Canada are usually free. To the US, pay taxes. Internationally, pay 10% of adult fare (and taxes).

If you can't choose your seats at booking and don't want to pay a surcharge to do it, make sure you check in 24 hours before the flight. You can even call in at that point and choose seats if it won't let you do it online because of lap baby (usually).

We were seated near a staircase and water dispenser on an international flight. It was great since Little E had just started walking and wasn't sleeping on the flight, he could climb up a few stairs we could bring him down and he'd do it again and again. And we could fill up our water without standing.

Baggage for Baby
Most airlines allow baby their own carry-on (over and above the parents') or it's specified as a diaper bag (must have baby stuff in it). But honestly, a diaper bag can easily be the size of a carry-on. So for 2 adults and baby, 3 carry-ons, 2 personal items and a small cooler for breast milk, formula, juice or baby food. Technically this is probably supposed to fit inside the carry-on, but ours never has. Though we could probably jam it in one if we had to. If you check a car seat, stroller or playpen, make sure it clearly has your name and address on it.

Lap children:
Air Canada: 1 small stroller to check at gate and 1 car seat checked for free. Infant carriers are accepted in addition to carry-on if required for use on plane (can't wear during taxi, take-off or landing). Large strollers must be checked and will count as a piece of luggage (you will pay).

WestJet: Check 1 car seat and 1 stroller included. Playpen may be substituted for either at no charge. If you want to gate check your stroller, ask at check in.

Child with own seat:
Air Canada and Westjet: Same as above, can also bring car seat on plane in addition to carry-on.

I should also note that while Andrew and I both have a baggage allowance (or can pay a modest fee for a bag each) we usually use one suitcase for he and I and one for Little E. Especially if we can't do laundry. I'll be talking more about what I pack for baby in a future post.

In the Airport
Checking In:
Identification - You will need a passport or birth certificate. If travelling without a parent, you will need their express written agreement, including contact info.

Extra Seat - You will likely have to see an attendant at check-in, even if you've checked in online so they can check in baby. Make sure to ask if you're seated with an extra seat. If for some reason they can't give you the extra seat, ask the gate attendant as soon as they arrive at your gate.

Little E on my lap from Chicago to Toronto, no extra seat (delayed 1 1/2 hours after we were on the plane)

Be prepared that your flight will be full and you will have to keep your child on your lap the entire time. Don't be angry if this happens. It is what was paid for and isn't the flight attendants' fault.

Security:
Everything has to go through the scanner, except the stroller. They usually just swab and pat down the stroller, but occasionally do a more thorough job. Print out rules about food.

"Passengers may bring aboard baby formula, baby food, milk or juice in quantities above the volumetric restrictions if a child aged two years and under is accompanying them.  Passengers are permitted to travel with breast milk regardless of whether or not an infant is accompanying them.  Although these items are not required to be placed in a plastic bag, passengers must declare them to the screening authority and be subjected to additional screening."

Ice packs may not pass security. So if you want to use them at your destination, thaw them, place them in bags in your suitcase and check it. Use ice in ziplocs in cooler bag. Throw out the ice at security and get more at a restaurant after security or on the plane.

Prescription meds have to be properly labelled and match the flier's ID. I had a liquid prescription that had to be chilled and brought it on the plane. I was VERY worried about it not going through. I made sure to have the proper doctor's note to support the meds.

Stroller / Carrier:

In the picture below, my parents decided they would carry everything off the security scanner :P You can see my mom with the diaper bag, her carry-on and sweaters, and my dad with his carry-on and our camera bag. And I'm wheeling my carry-on. So you get a good idea of how much stuff you'd have to carry without the stroller. Even if you were wearing the baby, it's a lot to carry. Do-able, but a lot.

Knowing how much I'm going to be holding and wearing my son on the plane, I tend to give my back a break and keep him in the stroller in the airport (for the most part). If I had multiple kids, I could definitely see one of them being worn.

Airport Lounges:

If it's available and affordable-ish, airport lounges are a cool place to hang out. If you're going on an international flight and have to be at an airport super early, it can be worth it. There is a kids section with a tv, a free buffet and alcoholic drinks for adults, comfy chairs, and lots of plugs to charge phones and laptops.

Entertaining in the Airport:

I make sure to have a small quilt to put on the ground as well as on seats. This way there is a clean surface for kids to play on and if they drop toys and put them back in their mouths I don't cringe. I use as few toys as possible in the airport, keep them for the plane. We walk a lot, fill up water bottles, people watch, have a snack and change his diaper right before the plane ride.

Below is a short video of Little E learning a new trick. Airports are good for trying to learn how to do something new. There's not a lot happening otherwise. And something novel can hold their attention.

For babies it could be something like the trumpeting noises we were parroting back and forth

or reaching out for a toy side to side, high and low, behind their head. For toddlers it could be hopping on a line on the floor or learning how to cross their fingers.

Airport Kid Areas:
Something I did not know about, and will plan to use a lot in the future are airport kids' areas (here is a sampling). For example, at YYZ (Pearson Internation Airport in Toronto, Canada) there are two kids areas - Terminal 1: Gate D24 and Terminal 3: Gate C34. I was trying to verify both their existence, but also what they looked like. Here are the only 2 images I could find that even prove one exists.

There are also art exhibits set up around the Toronto airport, here is a guide.

Feeding
Breastfeeding:
On our first flight with Little E I forgot my nursing cover. He was only 3 months old, and I was still very new at nursing in public. Thankfully a swaddle blanket makes a great nursing cover if you want one. If you plan on breastfeeding without a cover, something I support, make sure you know airline policies and your rights. In Canada your right to breastfeed anywhere, any time is protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. If it makes you more comfortable, print out the airline's policy about breastfeeding. If they don't have one, email them ahead of time and ask if their staff will support you feeding your child on their flights. Then print out the email.

Bottle feeding:
I was worried I wouldn't be able to nurse him on take-off and landing as well as his usual feedings so I brought pumped milk or formula. If you're used to mixing formula, you know you need filtered or pre-boiled water which you can't bring through security. For the airport and plane, I suggest formula already in a liquid form to limit hassle.

To warm up a bottle I would ask for a bowl half full with hot water either from the flight attendants or from a restaurant in the airport. Running it under hot water from a tap can also work if you're desperate. (Make sure the bottle isn't too hot before giving it to baby!)

Take-off and Landing:
To relieve building pressure in his ears, I nursed or bottle-fed Little E on take-off and landing. If he was already sleeping, then I didn't. If the flight was short, and he just couldn't eat that much milk or formula so close together, I prioritize landing over take-off unless baby is in distress.

Some parents give their child a dose of an Benadryl before the flight to facilitate painless ear popping, or ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) to help reduce pain if they cannot have antihistamines. This is not medical advice, please seek the opinion of your doctor before your flight to find out if this is right for your tyke!

For toddlers, a water cup with a soft flexible straw with a valve so the water doesn't spill easily and so it requires some sucking pressure to get the water helps to clear ears effectively.

Both examples are made by Playtex. They require a decent amount of sucking. The small one is for younger babes,  you can squeeze it to help them get more drink.


Toddler snacks:
Even though you're allowed to bring food over the "volumentric limits" they may require or try to enforce that each individual package still be under 100mL. Squeezable food pouches are all too big.

While you might not mind the airplane food, often they're not great for little ones. So if it's a super long travel day, bring everything your toddler will need. For international travel, make sure you eat all the food you bring or leave leftovers on the plane if you're not sure what that country allows.

Diapers
Important Note: Not all planes have change tables in the bathroom, and are tiny when they do.

• Use disposables in the airport and plane
• Change diaper if even mildly soiled before getting on the plane
• Ask flight attendant about where to change diaper (esp. if no change table)

We've only ever used our seats for diaper changing once. And he was soaked through the disposable and his clothes and there was a 10 person line for the bathrooms (too much to drink?). And no way to hold him without getting pee on ourselves. Generally, I'm pretty against changing kids on the seat, even with a mat (which we used). Just seems gross. But sometimes there really are diaper emergencies (don't change poop at your seat though, that crosses my line BIG TIME).

Sleeping

Proof! Babies can sleep on planes.

Before you try to get them to sleep, prepare the hopefully empty seat beside you. Put a blanket on the seat so they're not covered in germs (especially if they sleep on their belly).

For young babies, the noise of the plane doesn't seem to bother them. If anything the white noise seems to help. Keeping their eyes covered, putting a swaddle blanket over their head such that they can see you and breathe, but not see other people helps.

If your child requires motion to fall asleep hopefully you're able to get up and walk the aisles. I like to use a carrier for this to save my arms and back. Make sure you have a plan for transferring them in the small space you'll have or already have your seat reclined all the way so you can sit with them still in the carrier.

Miscellaneous

1. Some airlines no longer allow families with young children to board early. So just be aware that you may want to have everything you need in a bag that can go under the seat instead of a carry-on that needs to go in overhead compartment. Or have one adult board as early as possible with the belongings and the other adult and infant board as late as possible.

2. Some airlines also have bassinets available for babies up to 20 lbs. Book it early, as there may be only one per flight. It should be free. Call multiple times to ensure the bassinet is yours and that you're seated in a row that can accommodate it.

3. Don't bring a gift for other passengers. I consider airplanes public transportation. No one person has any more of a right to be there than another, including babies and young children. Ignore any dirty looks you get, apologize if your child is misbehaving and do your best to stop them. But don't feel pressured into giving out goodie bags with ear plugs and candy. The man who snores for 12 hours doesn't give them out nor do we expect him to.

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