Traveling by plane with a baby? Only babies under two travel free, but you must inform the airline that you’re traveling with an infant.
⢠For a very small baby, you might want to reserve the bulkhead seats; basinettes are available for your use behind the bulkheads, but should be arranged for when you reserve your seat.
⢠Do board the plane with a freshly diapered baby; there’s little room for changing in an airplane restroom. In fact double diapering is best. Bring more diapers with you then you think you’ll need. Motion sickness bags are good for soiled diapers, but remember to hand them immediately to a stewardess.
⢠Carry a small infant in a front pack to avoid the baby’s slipping out of your arms and to free your hands while the baby sleeps. Some find the front pack is safest for takeoff, but just be sure your seat belt is over your pelvis, not your baby’s.
⢠Nurse your baby or give a baby a bottle or pacifier at takeoff and landing to reduce pressure. In fact, hold off for a hungry baby until the plane really takes off.
⢠And one final safety measure, don’t drink hot beverages while your child is in your lap; if they spill, your child may be scalded.
Vicki Lansky’s practical, common sense approach to parenting is familiar to millions throughout the world. Vicki’s first book, Feed Me, I’m Yours, published in 1974, and still one of the most popular baby/toddler food cookbooks in the country, was followed by The Taming of the C.A.N.D.Y. Monster, a #1 New York Times bestseller. Her other titles include: Toilet Training, Birthday Parties Best Party Tips & Ideas For Ages 1-8, Dear Babysitter Handbook, Welcoming Your Second Baby, Getting Your Child to Sleep … and Back to Sleep, Trouble-free Travel with Children, Baby Proofing Basics and Games Babies Play From Birth to Twelve Months, Koko Bear’s New Potty, A New Baby at Koko Bear’s House, Koko Bear and the New Babysitter, and Koko Bear’s Big Earache. Vicki Lansky’s Divorce Book for Parents: Helping Children Cope with Divorce and Its Aftermath
