Flying with small children can be about as much fun as poking sticks into your own eyes. But not if you follow this step-by-step guide, packed with hard-earned advice.
PICK AN AIRLINE?
SELECTING YOUR SEATS
Airlines allow children under two to sleep on your lap rather than have their own seat. If you believe this, youre in for a nasty shock. The solution? In most cases you can book a seat for a child aged between 6 and 24 months so long as they stay in their own car seat. Its money well spent, unless youre doing short breaks with quick flights.
CHECK-IN
If you can, check in online and get near the front of the plane (its quieter and less bumpy). If you are a party of three sharing two seats, you could try booking a window and aisle seat in a row of three. If all goes well, the middle seat will remain free, giving you some welcome extra space. However, not all airlines allow families with infants to check in online.
FEEDING TIME
First, check with the airline whether you are required to book a childrens meal. Dont hand out sweets – dried fruit or even crackers are better. If you have a baby, take your own food along with familiar plates and cups. If youre breastfeeding, try to do so during ascent and descent this helps babies to pop their ears.
KEEP IN CONTROL
Keep small children amused and youre half way to a relaxed flight. Take some treasured toys, new magazines, pencils, trinkets, and so on. Dont get all the toys out at once.
CHANGING
Take more nappies than you plan to use (in the event of a flight delay). Put a nappy, cream, wet wipes and a disposal sack into a small bag in the seat-back pocket in front of you.
Finally, dont worry too much, pretty soon youll be paying out on holidays with teenagers – which can be tougher still!
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