Flying with Children

I've been flying with my children since my first-born (then, just 6 weeks old) and I flew alone from Alaska to Indiana.  Since then, I've traveled many, many times with my children; either alone or with my husband, and I can tell you that traveling with your kids does not have to be stressful.  With simple planning and preparation, you can arrive at your destination unfrazzled and ready to enjoy your family vacation.


The very best advice I can give is to allow yourself plenty of time at the airport.  When traveling with kids, I like to arrive at the airport within 1 1/2 - 2 hours before departure for a domestic flight.  Think about it. You have to check luggage, get through security, make sure everyone has gone to the bathroom, change the baby's diaper, buy water to fix the baby's bottle, and you'll want a moment to mentally prepare yourself at the gate before boarding the plan. Here's some tips based on personal experience:

Prepare for Check-In

• Know how much luggage you can bring and how much it should weigh BEFORE you arrive at the airport.  You can find this information on your airline's website.  I weigh myself at home and then I weigh myself again holding a suitcase so I have an idea what my luggage weighs before going to the airport.
• Have your ID ready.  If you're traveling with a lap child, you'll need ID for him/her.  A birth certificate, passport or Visa will work.

Prepare for Security

• If you're traveling alone with your children, ask the person who takes you to the airport to also help you through security.  When you check your bags, you can ask the agent for a security pass for the person with you so he/she can go through security with you.  This is a huge help if you're dealing with several children; one of whom is an infant in a stroller.  On a recent trip, my mom was going to help me through security with the kids, but we forgot about one thing.  Her hip replacement surgery.  By the time the guards were finished scanning her and patting her down, I was already through security.
• Remember 3-1-1.  Liquids should not be more than 3.4 oz, they must be placed in a 1 qt-sized zip-lock bag and only 1 bag per passenger.  Make sure your small hand sanitizer and other allowable liquids are in bags and easy to retrieve.
• Baby formula, breast milk, infant cereal and medications ARE allowed, but you MUST declare them at security.  If you use formula, bring pre-measured formula in a container and then buy bottled water after you are through security.  Make sure you have more than enough formula for the duration of the flight because you can't buy it at the airport.
• Wear slip-on shoes.  Crocs are great for traveling kids because they can take them off and put them on all by themselves.  I've even had to remove the baby's shoes at security.  This security measure seems to differ from airport to airport, so be prepared.
• If you're traveling with an infant, consider carrying him/her in a front carrier, like a Baby Bjorn. You'll have to remove him/her from it to go through security, but it will be nice to have your hands free the rest of the time, especially if you also have young children who need your help.

Prepare for the Plane

• Infants/toddlers: Pack plenty of diapers, wipes, formula/breast milk, pacifiers, toys, and extra outfit and a blanket.  The best carrier is a backpack.  Before boarding the plane, prepare a bottle or sippy cup for your child.  Give it to him/her as the plane taxis down the runway and takes off.  This is when he/she is most likely to experience discomfort from the change in cabin pressure and the sucking motion will help alleviate this.  If you nurse, then nurse at this time whether it's a scheduled feeding or not.  If he/she doesn't want anything to drink, offer him/her a pacifier or a finger to suck on.  Do the same when the plane begins its descent.                      Infants and toddlers are pretty good about falling asleep on the plane, but be sure to have some activities to do before that happens (or in case it doesn't).
• Children: By the age of 3 or 4, children can carry their own backpack. The standard supplies in my kids' backpacks are: hand sanitizer, snacks, a pack of gum, a book, a notebook or coloring book, pencil and/or a box of crayons, a Nintendo DSi and video games, and a stuffed animal.  Older children can suffer from the change in cabin pressure, as well.  Most of the time, chewing gum during take-off and landing helps.  My middle child, however, seems to suffer the worst, but I've learned a trick.  Let them suck on a straw while you place your finger over the end of the straw.  This will help the ears "pop" and relieve some of the pressure.

If you have questions or can offer additional helpful tips, please leave me a comment.
Happy travels!