Plane travel is already something that few people look forward to these days now, but taking the trip with an infant can be more than daunting: it can be overwhelming. But! If you make sure you’re mentally prepared and have all the right items within easy reach, your control over the situation will improve considerably.

Pack outfit changes – for both of you
You never know when turbulence will hit. It might be in the bathroom, while you’re changing a poopy diaper. You’ll probably both be fine, but your clothes will be a disaster. Luckily, you’ve brought a change of clothes for the baby and you, all within easy reach. Easy reach means be sure the clothes and anything else you may need are in the bag you stow under your seat – the bag in the overhead compartment may be inaccessible at times.

Have a mini first aid/comfort kit
You may not know before you fly that your baby gets nauseous with plane travel. Or what if they experience an earache that means they can’t stop screaming. Be sure to pack a few travel samples of whatever medication you might suspect you need. Flight attendants can hand out Band-Aids, but not any type of medications, even if they are over-the-counter. Also, if your child is teething, make sure you have a well-frozen teething ring.

Considering buying them a seat and bringing a car seat
Yes, buying a seat for a little person who still fits on your lap is expensive. But it is much safer to have them strapped in during takeoff, landing and turbulence. There have been past reports that during emergency landings, flight attendants have instructed parents to put their babies on the airplane floor, because holding on to the child could endanger surrounding passengers. However, if the cost of purchasing a seat for your baby on the plane would prohibit your travel to the point where you’d need to drive instead, consider how much safer plane travel is than car travel.

Have a great time on your trip with your little one, and please let us know what tips you have for new parents and their first-time-flyers!