Wanderlust World Wanderlust World When packing for your flight, keep all baby's necessities in accessible bags. Pack a plastic storage bag with one or two diapers, a small package of wipes and some diaper rash cream, and put it in the pouch of the seat in front of you. Put baby's food items, blankets and toys in a small bag that will fit at your feet or under your seat so you don't have to dig through the overhead storage compartment. Other items to keep on hand include rattles, slings and a change of clothing. Make sure to make a mental note of where each item is located so you'll be able to get to them quickly and easily, especially if traveling alone with your baby.
The best solution for feeding and changing needs is to choose an airline that is eager to accommodate the needs of infant travelers. If your baby drinks from a bottle, keep a few bottles ready-made in the diaper bag, and ask an attendant to warm the bottle for you well in advance of needing it. Flight attendants may not be able to warm the bottle immediately, so advance preparation is key to prevent a fussy baby. If you breastfeed, privacy is a major concern, so reserve a window seat, pack a burping blanket and keep a few pins on the diaper bag. When feeding time comes, simply pin the blanket to your seat and the seat in front of you to create a privacy screen. When it comes to diaper changing, if you're an expert diaper changer, you may be able to complete the task at your seat. For messy changes and squirmy babies, however, you need to take the baby to an airline bathroom. Ask the staff for assistance in putting the baby changing table down before you go in.
Fussy babies create the most stressful part of travel for babies, parents and other passengers. Keep entertainment items such as toys, music and comfort blankets within arms reach so you can soothe your baby right away. Many airlines will provide you with a baby hammock so you can rock the baby for comfort. Get your baby on a sleep schedule in advance of the trip so he will be programmed to sleep during the time of your flight. If the seatbelt light is off, you might be allowed to walk baby down the aisles to provide some comfort. Sometimes babies act fussy no matter what you do to comfort them. In these cases, the best remedies are patience and a sense of humor about the situation. If the baby senses that you are stressed, it will do nothing to calm him. Ignore rude passengers and staff who are annoyed by your baby's cries.