The thought of travelling with children, particularly infants and toddlers, can be daunting for parents. Some unavoidable aspects of travel, including boredom, physical discomfort and hunger, can be tantrum-inducers. Add to that the necessary preparations and any anxiety associated with first-time plane travel or with being away from home, and the whole family vacation may seem like more trouble than it's worth.
However, there are some measures parents can take to ensure that the trip goes smoothly. With proper preparation and a little know-how, a family airplane trip can be made fun and rewarding, and with any luck, kids will come to enjoy the journey as much as the destination.
Preparing to Travel With Children by Plane
Any form of travel, of course, requires extensive planning. There are suitcases to be packed, documents to collect, and itineraries to check. Parents must make the same preparations for travel for their children as they do for themselves, including the following:
- Ensure that a child has a passport if necessary, and that it is valid (i.e. not expired). According to Passport Canada, all children need passports to travel. The Canada Border Services Agency says that all Canadians, including children, must have a passport if entering the United States by air. (If, however, they are entering by land, children under 15 need only proof of Canadian citizenship, such as a birth certificate.)
- Pack lightly but adequately for the climate of the destination; be aware of possible unexpected weather patterns (such as storm seasons) and pack accordingly.
- Take the child to the doctor for a complete check-up. What to Expect: The Toddler Years (Heidi E. Murkoff, Arlene Eisenberg and Sandee E. Hathaway, Workman Publishing, 1996) recommends doing this two months prior to departure. Be sure to mention the upcoming trip to the doctor, and ask for extra prescription medication or allergy remedies that the child takes regularly.
- Depending upon the destination, it be also be necessary to get immunizations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website features a Traveler's Health section with a list of travel health notices by destination; the World Health Organization also provides similar information in their Travel section.
- Make plans to get to the airport, and perhaps more importantly, from the airport to the hotel once you've reached your destination. Car seats for infants and toddlers can often be taken on the plane (in which case, a seat for the child will have to be purchased); alternatively, car seats can be rented at the destination airport from a car rental agency.
- Pack a carry-on bag for the plane that includes snacks (don't count on meal service during the flight), drinks, small, age-appropriate toys (some familiar, some new), books, a portable DVD player, or anything else necessary to keep the child occupied. Don't forget diapers, wipes, burp cloths, diaper cream and a change of clothes (for the child and possibly for the parent), as well as motion sickness remedies if necessary.
- If possible, book the flight for off-peak hours, and, even better, at a time when the child would normally be sleeping (nighttime or nap time), say the authors of What to Expect: The Toddler Years. It is possible that the child will sleep for a good portion (or perhaps all) of the trip.
Adequate travel preparation will go a long way towards eliminating potential problems and much stress; well-prepared parents will be able to relax and focus on keeping their child happy once on the plane.
On the Plane: How to Travel Comfortably and Safely With the Child
Keeping the child (and yourself) comfortable once on the plane is also key to (relatively) smooth travel. There some things to keep in mind in order to enhance comfort and safety, according to What to Expect: The Toddler Years.
While children under two years of age can usually fly for free, this is because parents do not have to purchase a seat for them, meaning that the child must sit on the parent's lap. This may be feasible for infants, but for squirmy older babies/young toddlers, it may be worth it to purchase the seat. Children can sit in their car seats on the plane (safely buckled in, of course), and this will give them a little more mobility and keep Mum or Dad hands-free. This is also safer for everyone. Infants or young toddlers who are travelling in a parent's lap should not be belted in.
For parents travelling with their children alone, and who choose to keep their child on their lap, an aisle seat is preferable. This will give the parent access to the aisle without disturbing other passengers. If possible, the bulkhead seats are also a good choice, as energetic toddlers will have plenty of room to wriggle around without kicking the back of another passenger's seat.
Mothers who are breastfeeding will want to anticipate how they will do so on the plane. Some may choose to use a nursing canopy, while others may not be as concerned about privacy.
Pre-boarding is not recommended. Spend as much time off the plane as possible; having a final run around the boarding lounge may burn off a toddler's last bit of extra energy and keep them calmer on the plane.
Finally, remember that take-offs and landings may be hard on a little one's ears. Nursing the child or offering him or her a sippy cup or a soother can help ease ear discomfort during these times.
When travelling with toddlers, "keep expectations low and patience high," advise the authors of What to Expect. Perfectly smooth travel, of course, cannot be guaranteed, but lack of preparation and know-how on the plane will almost guarantee a rough ride. If the first plane trip with your toddler does not go well, parents can take heart that the second, or third, or fourth will probably go better.
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Kim Downey - Kim Downey graduated from the University of British Columbia in 2005. She is now a part time freelance and creative writer and a full time ...
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