Flying with a Baby - Part 4

So it's finally here: the day you fly on a plane with your baby.

Are you scared? Maybe.

Are you nervous? Maybe.

But can you do it? Absolutely, because you are so prepared for this!

Here are 10 tips for making the big day a success:

Flying's #1 apparently.

1) Start with a good night's rest.

As I mentioned in Part 3, make sure sleep is a priority the night before you leave. Being well rested with give you a greater chance of being patient, positive and ready to "roll with it" as you make your way to the airport with the bean in tow.

2) Take a shower.

It might be tempting to skip the shower on travel day but, since you have time because everything else has already been packed and prepared, you're going to want to take that shower. Trust me, you'll feel better going to the airport so fresh and so clean, clean.

3) Make sure your wear travel-friendly clothing.

As you stand in front of your closet considering what to wear, think about these things:

• Comfort is key. Leave the accessory-heavy outfits in your closet or in your suitcase. Wear pants with an elastic band (you don't want to be fumbling with a belt/buttons when you're trying to go to the bathroom with a squirmy, little one. Wear a comfortable shirt and dress for the temperature it will be on the plane. I'd much rather be a little chilly in the parking lot of the airport then trying to stash 8 layers of clothing in my carry-on when I get on the plane.
• Forget high heals and laces. Wear flat, slip-on shoes. If you have a baby attached to the front of you in a Moby Wrap and a backpack on your back, it takes serious talent to bend down and untie your shoes in the security line. Flats slip off easily and you can bring them up to your hand with your foot instead of going to the floor to get them. At the end of the security line, you can toss them on the ground a quickly have them back on your feet.

• Pull your hair back and (if you wear jewelry) wear studs and that's it. Your child probably wants to grab and touch enough stuff as it is. Don't add your hair, necklace or earrings to that temptation list.
• If this look is a little drab for you, make up for the rest of your outfit by putting on a pretty face. No one is really going to care at the airport but, let's be honest, sometimes we just feel a little better with some make-up on. Slipping on a smile never hurts either and, because you're totally prepared and stress-free, that smile should be easy to come by. Your child will appreciate a smiling Mommy as well.

4) Make sure your child is wearing travel-friendly clothing.

As I've mentioned in other posts, dress your child in a zippered, footed onesie. The airport is not the place to be chasing your child's airborne socks and shoes. A footed onesie covers your child from head to toe in one piece of fabric. A zippered onesie makes for faster diaper changes. I know your child looks best in "dem apple-bottom jeans and da boots with the fur (with the fur)" but, seriously, no one will care how cute little Susy looks if she's screaming and you're struggling to put her outfit back together.

Abi loves footed, zippered onesies.

5) Leave with ample time to get to the airport.

The amount of time airports request you to arrive before boarding your flight is different for every airport. Know what time your airport suggests and adhere to it. In fact, I almost always add at least a half hour or hour to that time. It's just you and a baby. If you leave extra early and there's traffic, you'll be okay. If there's a mix up with your boarding pass, you'll be okay. If your baby has a meltdown in the car and you need to pull over for 15 minutes, you'll be okay. We're trying to get through this day with as little stress as possible remember? You can never be too early.

Side note: If you're leaving your car at the airport, text yourself the location so you'll remember it when you get back.

6) Go to the bathroom.

I swear, going to the bathroom with a little one should be an Olympic sport. If you think it's hard to do in a public bathroom, just image what it will be like if you have to do it on a plane (yep, I thought you'd decide to hold it). So, for goodness sake's, go to the bathroom before you board. Many airports have "family" bathrooms. They're awesome. The family bathrooms are big and have enough space to comfortably do your business and your child's business. You and the bean are family. Use the family bathroom.

7) Give your child time to expend some energy in the terminal.

This is another reason to leave with ample time to get to the airport. By the time you get to your boarding gate, your poor child hasn't had much opportunity to move. He/she was strapped in a car seat for the ride there and then strapped to you for the walk through the terminal. Once you get on the plane, they will have to be content in another small space. Get to the gate early and claim a small section of the carpet. Pull your child out of the Moby, along with some toys, and let them stretch their legs a little. Maybe this is a good time for a snack depending on what time of day it is. You, Momma, also have time to regroup mentally and physically. Breathe - you made it to the gate. Reward yourself with the Peanut M&M's you packed.

Note: Coffee sleeves make good airport toys.

Girl can pound some peas.

8) Board the plane as early as possible.

Most airlines accommodate passengers with small children by allowing them to board ahead of time. Do this. Even if I know the airline's policy, I always go up to the gate attendant and ask what the policy is. This allows me to know when I can board and also visually reminds the attendant that there will be a baby on that flight. Boarding early means that you don't have to shuffle through as many people to get to your seat and you won't feel rushed on the plane. Find your seat, pull out anything you or your child might need during take-off and place your backpack underneath the seat in front of you. If you're nursing, this is a good idea to pull out your cover and nurse your child. Nursing naturally calms your child - they feel safe and content next to you. If your child struggles with the ear pressure created by the altitude change on the plane, nursing also mimics the jaw movement that will "pop" your child's ears as the plane reaches cruising altitude.

9) Pick the seat furthest back in the plane by the window.

Most people avoid this part of the plane because the engine noise can be quite loud. Use this to your advantage. In the case that you child is a little fussy, the engines will help drown out some of your child's noise.

If you're nursing, sitting by the window means that one side of you is always blocked. It's hard enough as it is to nurse and stay modest. If your baby is particularly squirmy that day, it's nice to know that you only have to worry about the passenger on one side of you, not both.

Lastly, sitting in the back also gives you ample time to regroup before you get off the plane. I've found that sitting closer to the front of the plane puts you in a very stressful situation when you're rushed to get off. No one really wants to wait for you but they do anyway because it's polite. When you're in the back, it'll be a while (ok, a long while) before you can get off. Take your time as you gather your things, let your baby watch the other passengers, thank the good Lord you're almost done, etc.

10) Pay attention to and honor your child's cues.

Even if your child isn't old enough to use words, they will try to communicate with you in some way or another. Watch their body language, are they getting sleepy? Listen to their cries, is that a hunger cry? Only you know what your child is trying to say. Travel day isn't the day to be too rigid with a schedule. When they're little like this, they know what they need and it's your job to provide for those needs. It's a privilege to be your child's mother, revel in it because soon they will be flying on planes by themselves.

Still haven't figured out what that cue means.

So there you have it - hopefully everything you need to know to make your trip a good one! Thanks for all the sweet comments you've given me about the posts on packing and flying with a baby. It's been so wonderful to know that they have been helpful! If you have any other questions or if there's something I've missed, feel free to ask!

Best of luck on your next trip!