Flying the (Baby) Friendly Skies
It used to be that babies were allowed to sit on the laps of parents while traveling on an airplane, but the FAA has re-examined this practice and now recommends that parents purchase a seat for baby. That way, the baby can travel more safely because she will be fastened into a car seat. Use logic: If baby can only travel in a car seat on the ground (by law), shouldn't the same be true in the air — and for the same reasons?
The other benefit to purchasing a seat for baby is that it leaves your hands free to do other things — like read, knit, or get a bottle ready — when you need or want to, for at least part of your flight.
Essential
If you decide to take baby on an airplane, it would probably be a good idea to postpone a feeding until you are either taking off or landing. That way, if baby's ears have difficulty popping, the swallowing will help alleviate the problem. If you can't get baby to feed in the air, try using a pacifier to solve the problem.
Be Prepared
Bring the diaper bag and plenty of wet wipes with you on the airplane. Also, you might consider using an umbrella stroller, since these can fold easily and are lightweight enough to put in the overhead compartments on airplanes.
Alert
If you are traveling to a foreign country, don't forget to bring baby's immunization records and passport or birth certificate. And always ask your travel agent for information about what inoculations your baby should have before going to a specific country.
Most important, leave plenty of time for boarding and deplaning. Take advantage of the preboarding call for parents with small children by being at the departure gate at least thirty minutes early. Be prepared to fold up your stroller to put it through airport security; some airports may require you to do so.
And get used to being the last one off of the plane, since most folks are in a hurry and do not have the patience to wait for you to retrieve your stroller, diaper bag, and other carry-ons. There may be the occasional kind soul who will hold back the line for you, but don't count on it.
