It’s summer. Families are flying to vacation destinations. Flying with young children can be a wonderful experience for the children, their parents and the people around them. And it can be a disaster too.
To me, the key to a successful flight is parental preparation.
While some parents I’ve encountered over the years don’t agree, parents are responsible for their children’s behavior aloft. Saying “Kids will be kids,” isn’t an appropriate response to a complaint about a child making life miserable for other passengers.
I’ve endured screaming babies, been kicked in the back of my seat by toddlers, encountered lavatories made unusable by dirty diapers improperly disposed and seen toddler temper tantrums.
In each of these instances, the parent was really the real problem.
Parents need to anticipate the problems their children might encounter, and need to be prepared to prevent or handle them.
I have two cautions for parents.
Don’t foul up your trip due to missing travel documents. If you’re flying out of the country your children need a passport too, and the same visas you need, if any. Under some circumstances you might want to have a copy of your custody agreement, and in others, written travel permission from the child’s other parent or guardian.
Anyone who’s ever flown with a toddler or infant in their arms knows it’s not fun. In my opinion and that of many experts, it’s also not safe.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends all children under the age of two (Most airlines don’t require children under the age of 2 to have their own seat.) be in an “appropriately secured child restraint in their own seat.” I unequivocally agree. Every child not yet ready to sit in a standard airplane seat with the seatbelt fastened, needs an FAA approved seat in their own seat.
Here are my top 10 tips for flying with children:
1. Let your toddler bring a backpack of their own with some of their belongings. It will make them feel more adult. That will help parents get them to behave better.
2. Don’t leave your child’s “comfort belongings” at home. If you double or triple check anything before leaving home, make sure you don’t forget these, a blanket, pillow, toy, any number of particular items.
3. Bring DVDs/Movies and a portable device to play them on the plane. Assume you won’t be able to plug in the device. A laptop or personal DVD player will work. Bring earphones with a long wire for your child to hear the audio, so it doesn’t disturb others. A splitter will permit more than one child to watch and listen.
Extra: If you child hasn’t used earphones, get them used to it at home before traveling. You don’t want them to balk at their use on the plane making it impossible for them watch a DVD.
4. Electronic games are ubiquitous, and can help your child pass away many hours, however they can be annoying to others as they are often very noisy. Have earphones for them.
Extra: Traveling by plane might be a good time to invest in a new game for a special surprise.
5. Age appropriate books to read, sticker books, small toys and coloring books are wonderful to amuse children during plane flights.
6. Take plenty of wipes, and a hand sanitizer for clean-ups. If your child is in diapers, have 3 more per child than you think you’ll need. Don’t forget disposable bags for the soiled diapers.
7. Take snacks, lots of snacks, snacks and even more snacks! Food keeps children busy and entertained. Pack your kids’ favorites for the journey.
8. Take plenty for the kids to drink too. Flying will cause dehydration. TSA states “Baby formula and food, breast milk, and juice are allowed in reasonable quantities exceeding 3.4 ounces (100ml) and are not required to be in the zip-top bag.” When you get to TSA security in the airport, make sure you tell them you have these items to avoid problems.
9. If your child gets motion sickness in your car, count on it happening in a plane. After checking with your child’s physician you might want to give your child antinausea medication. Wait until about 30 to 60 minutes before departure to give them the medication, not before you leave home, since it might wear off before you fly.
10. Avoid ear pressure problems which can be especially painful for children who have smaller eustachian tubes than adults. Have babies either nurse, or suck their bottles during takeoffs and landings. Other children can suck on a candy or chew gum.
Parents are responsible for their children’s behavior inflight. Parents know their children better than anyone. I hope all parents will use that knowledge to help make their child happy and comfortable while flying, which will ensure their flight is pleasant for their family and their fellow passengers.
After many years working in corporate America as a chemical engineer, executive and eventually CFO of a multinational manufacturer, Ned founded a tech consulting company and later restarted NSL Photography, his photography business. Before entering the corporate world, Ned worked as a Public Health Engineer for the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. As a well known corporate, travel and wildlife photographer, Ned travels the world writing about travel and photography, as well as running photography workshops, seminars and photowalks. Visit Ned’s Photography Blog and Galleries.
