Family Travel Tips - Traveling with kids

Seat assignments



Request bulkhead seating when traveling with kids so there are not people in front of you for your child to bump into bassinets, but you need to confirm it since bassinets are not in all bulkhead seating areas. App SeatGuru allows you to check the best seats on a model of the plane for kids, the location of bassinets, what types of outlets they have, and bathrooms.

Prepare your child for the trip: tell them what to expect and what you'll be doing at the airport. Reading children's books about flying and travel is an excellent way to start.

Plan for extra time at the airport
Get there early, so you can check in, go through security, feed and change your child before the flight. So your not rushing or stressed.

If you are breastfeeding, feed your child at takeoff and landing. This will help their ears adjust to the cabin pressure.

If your child is eating solid foods, try to do so before boarding, so the movement doesn't jar the baby food out of your hands.

Read the TSA's travel with kids section here
https://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/traveling-children

Use a collapsible stroller so you can check it at the gate and it'll be available for you at landing, so you don't have to carry your child to baggage claim.

Use Trunki.

A multipurpose child's luggage that can also be used as a footrest, seat, and a cart for your child to sit on when they are tired so you can pull them through the airport.

Bring some cleaning wipes with you.

As soon as you sit down wipe down everything within reach of your child to help ensure everything is clean for him/her.

Before take-off, gather all the essentials you'll need for your child in the first 30 min or so. Make sure you have liquids available for your child during the flight at all times to avoid "Daddy,  I'm thirsty".

Etiquette when traveling with kids
Make sure your child is not bothering other passengers, lifting the tray table up and down, kicking seats, running in the isles, etc.

Diapers



Bring extras in case of delays. Some airlines stock diapers as a courtesy, but they may not have your child's size. It is always good to bring your own changing mat. So ensure you have a clean service and leave the service you are using clean when changing your baby on the plane. Bring diaper disposal bags to throw away diapers in. And bring baby powder to dose inside of waste diapers, so you don't smell the place up for other passengers.

Use extra diaper cream to avoid your child getting a diaper rash during long flights. Your child will be sitting in their diaper for much longer than they're accustomed to. So diaper rashes are common for flying babies if you don't take precautions.

Baby foods

The formula, breast milk, and juice for infants or toddlers are permitted above the typical 3.4-ounce limit, in reasonable quantities through the airline security checkpoint. Remove these items from your carry-on bag to be screened separately from the rest of your belongings. Inform the TSA officer at the beginning of the screening process that you carry formula, breast milk, and juice in excess of 3.4 ounces in your carry-on bag. These liquids are typically screened by X-ray. The Food and Drug Administration states that there are no known adverse effects from eating food, drinking beverages and using medicine screened by X-ray. TSA officers may need to test liquids for explosives or concealed prohibited items. Officers may ask you to open the container and/or have you transfer a small quantity of the liquid to a separate empty container or dispose of a small quantity, if feasible. If you do not want the formula to inform the TSA officer, breast milk and/or juice to be X-rayed or opened. Additional steps will be taken to clear the liquid and you or the traveling guardian will undergo additional screening procedures, to include a pat-down and screening of other carry-on property. Bring your own baby food. Airlines often offer jarred baby food for babies, but you don't know what they have to offer and you don't want your baby having an allergic reaction or upset stomach during a flight. You have to request child meals in advance, or you won't have one. These typically have juice boxes, smaller utensils, and kid-friendly snacks.

Snacks when traveling with kids
Bring plenty of them. You don't want a hungry child on a flight. Don't bring snacks that smell and bring snacks that are satiating. Limit sugar, so your kids aren't bouncing off the walls.

Onboard entertainment
Bring everything you can to keep your kids entertained. If you do not allow TV at home, now is the time to break that rule.

Sleeping

Ask your doctor if using children's Benadryl is fine to use with your child to help your child sleep during long trips. If your child has a special blanket or doll that s/he sleeps with, bringing it on the plane will help them rest better.

When you get to your new destination try to keep the same routine for your children's nap times, eating, bathing, etc. If your child decides to sleep beyond their normal sleep times, wake them up and stick to the usual schedule.

Traveling with kids overseas

It's a good idea to bring a notarized letter from your partner giving you permission to travel with your children. Not that they ask very often, but that is the rule for international travel with children.