How to fly with small children / Jak letat s malymi detmi

The thought of flying with my little daughter has always terrified me to death. What the heck do you do with a baby/toddler during an 18-hour (overseas) flight? Do you just get drunk while  your 2-year-old runs in the aisles and climbs all over everyone until he burns himself out? The more I researched on how to fly with small kids the more calm I started to feel. There are actually a lot of tools you just have to be prepared to use them.

CZ: Kdyz jsem si v nedavne minulosti jenom pomyslela na letani s mou 2 letou dcerou, zacli se mi uzkosti potit ruce a chtelo se mi zvracet. “Co clovek vubec dela s batoletem behem 18-ti hodinoveho letu?”, pomyslela jsem si. “Proste se opije a necha milou ratolest behat mezi ulickami az mu dojde energie?”. Cim dele jsem toto tema ale studovala, tim sebejisteji jsem se zacala citit; vzdyt to nic neni!  Doufam, ze vam tyto cestovni rady alespon trosku ulehci na mysli, jako se to stalo mne.

Things to think about prior to your trip:

• Airline regulations currently allow children under the age of 2 to fly free as “lap children” (i.e. not required to have their own seat). International flights charge a 10% fee for lap children. Try to book a bulkhead (front) seat where there is more room and hopefully also a bassinet present (they are not available on every flight). You cannot use bassinets during take offs, landings and turbulence. This is NOT the safest way to travel, however. Many airlines offer half-price tickets for children under 2 so you should consider that option as well.
• When you make your reservation, check with your airline if they provide special meals for children or if they give them any toys during the flight
• Book a bulkhead row to prevent your child from kicking the seat in front of her
• Reserve a window seat for your child; most children enjoy looking out the window during flights
• Consider flying at night when your child would normally sleep
• Read the most recent TSA (Transport Security Administration)  information on traveling with formula, breast milk or juice, to make sure you can bring them through security (if it is not permitted, bring empty bottles and sippy cups with you and once you are through the security check you can buy water and juice in the store)
• Get a direct flight to your destination if you can
• Check your airline’s policy about the number of bags which may be carried on since your car seat and stroller may count as baggage toward your total bag allowance

What to pack:

• If you have booked a separate seat for your child for your child, bring and FAA-aproved car seat (necessary for children under 4 years of age); these seats have a label saying “This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft“. More on how to carry your car seat can be found here.
• A stroller may help you carry and navigate to your gate; you can take a stroller and gate check  it, without it counting towards your checked baggage limit. This means that you can use it up to the time of boarding where one of the handlers will take it and put it in a special compartment for you. This is what you do: when you first check-in, let the agent know you have a stroller so that he/she can put a luggage tag on it. They will also give you the claim ticket for it like they do for  your other luggage. When you go through the security you will be asked to put the stroller through the conveyor belt to be X-rayed. When you are boarding there will be an agent that will take your stroller away from you and place it in a special compartment under the plane. When you exit your flight, the handlers will have your stroller waiting for you at the end of the jetway, near the gate.
• Bring a color photo of your child’s face in case you get separated
• Plenty of diapers and wipes as well as diaper disposal bags
• Sippy cup, bottle or a pacifier; it helps your child during take-off and lending with the adjusting pressure;
• If you are nursing, pack a light blanket and change of shirt for yourself
• At least one change of clothes for yourself and your child in case your child spills anything or throws up all over you
• Any medications that you might need for your child should he/she get sick. Remember, they must be kept in a clear plastic bag.
• Snacks! Cheerios, goldfish, animal crackers, dried fruit and others.
• Breast milk/formula/milk/juice. Read the most recent TSA regulations on what quantities are permitted . As of now, baby formula, food, breast milk, juice and medication are allowed in reasonable quantities exceeding 3 ounces and are not required to be in the zip-top bag. Declare these items for inspection at the checkpoint.
• Let your child pack a backpack full of books, crayons, a cup and a couple of small snacks.
• Small blanket
• extra fluids to give your child plenty to drink as the air conditioning causes dehydration; water bottles are not permitted through the security check point – you will have to buy them at the airport, after you pass through the security point.

How to entertain a child during the flight

• books/picture books/coloring books are awesome for quiet activity
• hand-held video games with headphones
• portable DVD player of laptop for movie watching
• pack couple of surprise toys to give them during the flight
• walk the aisles with your child

Some extra thoughts for older children

• Talk to your child about what the flight will be like; explain him what turbulence is like
• discuss with him/her how they will be expected to behave on the flight
• tell them what they need to do if they get separated from you

PS: for those who would like to avoid any stressful situations and just want to use the “hard core” calming medicine like Benadryl, this is what my friend used with her 20-month-old toddler and it worked great: 5 ml (1Tsp) of Benadryl but TRY IT FIRST at home as some kids may get actually hyper with this medication!!

Sources:

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/#formula

http://www.ehow.com/how_2043787_fly-little-children.html

http://www.mahalo.com/How_to_Fly_With_Kids

http://www.angelfire.com/jamiehassen79/flying_children.html