Traveling and flying with infants. On a plane with a baby: how to organize a flight with a newborn and at what age to buy a ticket for a child? Should I buy a ticket?

Many new parents, especially during the holidays, have questions: “Is it possible to transport newborns on an airplane?”, “How to transport them?”, “When can you fly, and in general?” Is it possible to fly with a newborn on an airplane?«.

Considering all these question marks, every mother tries to find detailed information by studying dozens of sites on the Internet. After all, you must admit that flying with a newborn for the first time can cause anxiety and stress even for the most courageous travelers, and I mean not only the child’s parents, but also other passengers.

Minimum age for a newborn on an airplane

Many airlines set a minimum age for transporting newborn children on an airplane; as a rule, the baby must be at least a week old (7 days). Some do not allow flying with children under 15 days old. All these questions need to be clarified in advance by directly calling the call center of a particular airline. As a rule, if the baby is under 7 days old, he will be accepted on board if the parents provide a medical certificate indicating that the child is ready to travel.

What to take on a flight with a newborn

at least one change of clothes for yourself and the newborn (it is very important to dress comfortably)
several bibs depending on the length of the trip
several plastic bags for soiled clothes, diapers, nappies
favorite toy
a warm blanket or diaper (the air may be much cooler)
diapers (the quantity depends on age, for example, in the first month of life, children poop approximately after every meal, 5 - 10 times a day)
wet wipes
a thing that is very useful on an airplane is a special pillow for feeding
necessary set of medicines and child care products

Seating for a newborn on the plane

If the trip is not very long, then parents usually refuse additional space for the newborn; they can simply hold him in their arms. For a baby who sits on an adult's lap(if he can already sit), the stewards will provide an additional seat belt for mom (or dad) to fasten on him during takeoff.

If the newborn is very small, you can take a car seat with you on the plane, in this case it would be advisable to book an additional seat so that he can be fastened with a seat belt during takeoff and landing. When purchasing a car seat, make sure it states that it can be used on an airplane. If for some reason you don’t want to take a seat with you, you can check in advance when booking whether the airline can provide it.

A car seat manufactured in Europe must be CE marked and approved for air travel.

Can I take a stroller on a plane?

From my own experience, I can say that they didn’t take our stroller on board, although we had a small “stroller” with us (they are written about everywhere as the best option for flights), we had to check it in as luggage directly next to the ramp, at our own peril and a risk, since before this we also read a lot of information about how they come back from luggage in a terrible condition (broken, bent, etc.), but we were lucky, ours came back only dirty, when we got off the plane it was already standing at ladder During the inspection at customs (before boarding), the child lay in the stroller and even fell asleep. I thought I would have to lift the child and wake him up, but we were told that this was not necessary.

For example, Air France allows you to take on board a stroller no larger than 15 cm x 30 cm x 100 cm.

You need to cancel your trip if your child has:

acute respiratory disease
illness accompanied by high fever
postoperative period
infectious disease (whooping cough, measles, rubella, chicken pox, etc.)

Airplane ticket for a newborn

As a rule, airlines provide free flights for children from 0 to 2 years old, but in this case they are not provided with a seat. The child must sit on the adult's lap. Ticket price for a newborn set as a percentage of the total ticket amount, usually 10%, some set fixed amounts or charge only a mandatory tax. Or you can take an extra seat, it all depends on the wishes of the parents, in this case, as a rule, a 30% - 50% discount is provided, inexpensive air tickets.

When booking a ticket, if you do not take a seat for an infant, you can in any case take an additional 5 - 10 kilograms of hand luggage (depending on the airline's rules). But you should still check in advance on their website or by calling the call center.

Child insurance for trips abroad and more

Newborn insurance is an integral expense item for parents when flying abroad and beyond. According to statistics, the age of the youngest client of insurance companies is 4 days. As a rule, parents purchase insurance for themselves and their infant when applying for a visa. At the same time, ordering for your baby the most extended and expensive policy, which, in addition to medical services, also includes the following risks:

luggage insurance
Flight delay
relief of allergic reactions
exacerbation of chronic diseases
trip cancellation

When choosing insurance, you need to pay attention to the general well-being of the child, also by examining him with a pediatrician to find out whether the newborn is prone to certain diseases, whether he has any pathologies or congenital diseases.

Today, insurance can be purchased online, without any risks; some of the most popular services for comparing travel insurance are and. These insurances are also suitable for obtaining visas.

Compare travel insurance prices you can use the widget that we have placed on our website :

How to make a flight easier for a newborn

A newborn can fly on an airplane from the first days of life, a study by pediatric neonatologists suggests that the body of a healthy child can easily adapt to a decrease in atmospheric pressure without risks to his health. Pressure drops can lead to hypoxia (decreased oxygen levels in the blood) if the baby has congenital heart disease.

Anyone who has flown on an airplane knows perfectly well that during takeoff, the ears become blocked, and that this is associated with a sharp change in altitude. For an adult, this moment is quite familiar, and we can yawn, take a sip or chew gum, but a baby cannot yet use the mechanisms of swallowing spontaneously, so he needs help with this by giving him a pacifier, water from a bottle, or if he is breastfed, giving him a breast. As a rule, these measures need to be applied only during takeoff and landing.

Documents required for a newborn to travel abroad

The international passport of one of the parents, in which the baby must be entered, in order to obtain an Italian visa, a photograph of the newborn must also be pasted in
the child’s birth certificate is not necessary, but it is better to take it with you since passport control may require proof of relationship
if a newborn travels with one of the parents, it is necessary to have the consent of the second one with him in order to leave the country

Feeding a newborn on an airplane

Undoubtedly, if the baby is breastfed, this makes the task much easier and he can eat whenever he wants. If he is bottle-fed, then of course you will have to take baby formula with you on the plane, but unfortunately this can cause a number of problems - how to store it, how to warm it up, etc.

Some airlines allow you to bring baby food on the plane without setting any restrictions (within reasonable limits, of course). Some are even ready provide your own baby food, if you inform them in advance that there will be an infant on board, example Aeroflot.

If you have baby food with you, you can ask the flight attendant to warm it up (but it’s not a fact that she will do this; you need to find out in advance).

Is traveling with children on a plane always a controversial topic? Especially if it is an infant. How will he survive the flight? What will he need? Every parent should know about this.

Baby and flying: how it affects health

Flights on any aircraft are accompanied by pressure differences. They have a negative impact on the health of adults. His head begins to hurt and his ears are blocked. The child also experiences these symptoms.

Important. If in an adult they pass quickly, then in a baby they can develop into a serious illness. His body is not yet strong and cannot resist such negative influences.

Baby bassinet on an airplane

Children are very sensitive to atmospheric pressure. When it changes, they experience discomfort. They may experience a sharp ear pain and feel dizzy. This makes the baby fussy.

Moreover, ear pain can develop into otitis media within a few hours. This is a serious disease that requires treatment under medical supervision.

It is forbidden to fly with a baby if he has a runny nose.. This will cause the baby's nose to become completely blocked and he will not be able to breathe normally. A simple runny nose will develop into inflammation of the inner ear. The pain will go to the head. The pressure will begin to jump.

Advice. Before flying with your child, you should consult with your child's doctor. He will tell you what medications you will need to take with you.

Before boarding the flight, children undergo a medical examination directly at the airport. In some cases, the doctor may not allow the child to board the plane due to the presence of a disease.

At what age can you fly?

Each child's body is individual. Only a doctor can say for sure when it is safe to fly with a newborn on an airplane.

If there are no prohibitions, you can plan travel from the 7th day of your baby’s life. In this case, parents must write a receipt that they will not make claims to the airline if their child’s well-being worsens.

That is, all responsibility lies with them.

How do kids of different ages cope with flying?

• Up to 6 months. Flying with babies is quite easy. They quickly fall asleep as soon as the plane begins to gain altitude. They are not susceptible to extraneous sounds. It is worth considering that they will survive the trip well if they do not have diseases. Otherwise the flight will be hectic.
• From 6 to 12 months. At this age, the child no longer wants to sit in his mother’s arms. He needs to move. He learns about the world around him. It is quite difficult to keep it, but it is possible. To distract your baby's attention from constantly looking at other passengers, you can take a few new toys on board.
• From 12 to 24 months. It's easier to fly, but you still can't hold the baby in place. New toys are not enough here. In this case, modern gadgets with cartoons will come to the rescue. Putting a baby to sleep is quite difficult.

You need to be extremely careful when flying with an infant to hot countries. Firstly, the journey takes several hours. Secondly, each baby reacts differently to changing climatic conditions. He might get sick.

Advice. You need to fly on vacation with a small child for several weeks.

As a rule, after a week's rest, children become very ill upon arrival home. Planning a long trip virtually eliminates this possibility. The child’s body will have time to adapt to the climate.

Buying a ticket for a newborn

Airlines provide younger travelers with more favorable ticket prices. They are classified according to the age of the child.

Ticket names according to age:

• 0-2 years - “Infant”;
• 2-11 years old - “Child”;
• from 12 years old - “Adult”.

According to the rules of the Infant fare, children under two years old fly in the arms of one of their parents. The cost of their ticket is 10% of the price of an adult travel document. On many airlines, children under two years old fly free. This is possible when traveling on local airlines.

In some cases, flight attendants leave a free seat in the aircraft cabin specifically for the baby. It is located next to mom or dad.

When purchasing a plane ticket for a child 0-2 years old, you must consider the following:

1. If the child is already two years old at the time of departure, a ticket is purchased for him according to the airline’s tariffs.
2. If a child turns two years old when he is on a trip, he is issued 1 ticket free of charge, and the second at established rates.

You can purchase tickets in advance. But provided that their cost corresponds to the airline’s tariffs. If parents have issued a travel document for a child under 2 years old, and he has already turned that age on the day of departure, they will have to reissue it.

Children under 11 years of age can enjoy benefits. The price of their tickets is 50-75% of the cost of an adult travel document. For a child 12 years old, tickets are purchased at full price.

Documents required for flying with a child under one year old

If parents take their child on a trip abroad, they need to have the following documents with them:

• birth certificate;
• visa (if required);
• parents' identity documents.

If the child travels with one of them, you must provide the airline employee with permission to take the child abroad from the other parent. It must be notarized.

To travel within the country you also need to have a birth certificate and parental documents. No permit or visa required.

Important. When children travel with third people, a notarized permission from two parents is required.

Registration

Before the flight, all passengers undergo the necessary registration. During it, they confirm their identity, show documents, weigh their luggage and check their hand luggage. This procedure is necessary even when traveling with children. Parents must register as soon as an airline employee announces it.

Note. The faster you go through the registration procedure, the higher the likelihood of choosing normal seats in the cabin. This is provided that parents do not fly business class.

Registration can be done not only at a special counter. Many airports have written priority rules for passengers with children. They can be served without a queue. They also have the opportunity to check in online at the Business or First Class counter.

Stroller in the salon

Each airline has established standards for transporting children's luggage. When purchasing a ticket, you need to check with the employee whether it is possible to fly with a baby on the plane along with a stroller.

As a rule, such a child's attribute is taken away when boarding the plane, and then allowed to be taken. Especially if the journey is long. Some companies equate a stroller with luggage. They place her in the cargo hold. They only receive it upon landing. She is brought to the exit.

Takeoff and landing with a baby

These moments in flight are considered the most critical. They sometimes experience turbulence, which makes even adults worry. This is stressful for a child.

All passengers must wear seat belts during takeoff and landing. This also applies to children. Babies must be secured in the arms of those accompanying them. For this, the flight attendant will provide special belts. They are attached to an adult's seat belt.

Advice. During takeoff and landing, you need to give your baby a pacifier or bottle of water. This will help stabilize his blood pressure.

The best seats on board when flying with a baby

As practice shows, airline employees try to place passengers with children in the front rows of the cabin. There are definitely windows in this part of the plane. The child will be captivated by the view from it, so the flight will go quickly and without hysterics.

Parents with children are prohibited from occupying seats that are located in close proximity to emergency exits. If you don't keep an eye on your child, he may pull the handle. This will lead to depressurization of the interior.

Advice. When registering, you must ask a company employee to provide the most comfortable seats for the child and his parents. As a rule, such requests are always granted. The main thing is to come to registration early.

Children under one year old can sit in the arms of their mother or father. Airline employees can also provide a special seat. It is installed on the seat next to the accompanying person.

What to take to the salon

To ensure that your child is comfortable during the flight, he should be dressed in light clothing. It is necessary to take a replacement set with you if your baby gets sweaty or dirty. Also, do not forget about warm clothes if a cold climate awaits you when leaving the plane.

Necessary care items:

• several bibs;
• disposable diapers;
• dry and wet wipes;
• several pacifiers;
• diapers.

Airplanes are equipped with special places for changing and changing clothes. They are located in sanitary rooms.

Nutrition for a newborn

Many parents are interested in how to fly with an infant on an airplane? What can you take on board?

The first thing you should always have is water and baby food. All this can be easily transported in hand luggage.

Important. When searching your belongings, you may be asked to leave a bottle of water, but an exception is made for infants.

The total volume of food and water for a child should not exceed 1 liter. Parents need to ensure adequate fluid intake. The air on the plane is dry, and babies are often thirsty.

If hot water is needed to prepare baby formula, the flight attendant will provide it. Therefore, you should not worry about this and put boiling water in a thermos.

First aid kit

In the cabin of each aircraft there are the most necessary medications for adults. Airline employees undergo special medical training. If necessary, they can even deliver babies on board.

As for children's medications, there are a limited number of them.

Important. Children's medications are selected depending on the individual characteristics of the child's body

Therefore, parents should take care of collecting a children's first aid kit in advance.

It should contain the following drugs:

• For pain and colic in the stomach. It is especially important to take these medications if the baby is not yet 6 months old.
• Painkillers and antipyretics. During the flight, the child may develop a fever and experience pain in the ears and head.
• Remedies for diarrhea. If the pressure drops, the child's stool may be disrupted.
• Vasoconstrictor nasal drops. They will help relieve your baby of congestion.
• Ear drops. They are used in case of ear pain.

You need to make sure that the drugs have not expired. Otherwise, their use will negatively affect the child’s health.

Amenities on the plane

In addition to the fact that the sanitary rooms in the aircraft cabin are equipped with folding tables for changing, there is everything on board that is necessary for a comfortable flight with children. The first is cradles. They are issued if necessary. They can carry a small passenger weighing up to 11 kg.

Note. The bassinets are attached to the partition between business and economy class.

If the mother prefers to be in close proximity to the baby, she may be provided with another cradle. She is installed on the passenger seat next to her seat.

Advice. Cradles for children must be reserved when ordering or purchasing a ticket.

Some airlines allow folding strollers on board. They do not take much time, and the child feels comfortable in them. It is important to remember that children must be in the arms of their parents during takeoff and landing and be fastened.

If you're wondering whether to fly with a one-year-old child on an airplane, reviews from other parents can help guide you. By learning from other people's mistakes, you will avoid your own!

At what age can you fly on an airplane?

Recommendations from other parents play a role, but listen to experts too. Dr. Komarovsky answers the question at what age is a baby ready to travel by air. According to him, 2 weeks after birth, a healthy baby can fly with his parents on an airplane. But you need to consider the following factors:

• Dry air in the cabin affects the mucous membranes, which makes it difficult for the child to breathe. To avoid the problem, buy a saline solution at the pharmacy and periodically bury it in your baby’s nostrils. You will also need to give a bottle: you will prevent dry mouth and even alleviate discomfort during takeoff and landing.
• Pressure changes lead to the development of otitis media, so pre-drip drops into the child’s nose to narrow the blood vessels.

It is enough to take into account these rules, and the trip will be comfortable for the baby. And to clarify unclear points, watch a video with a story about how the baby felt on board the liner:

Should I buy a ticket?

When thinking about how to fly with a small child on a plane without unnecessary discomfort, determine whether you are ready to hold him in your arms the whole way. After all, a child under 2 years old does not require a ticket on domestic flights, but it will not be possible to seat him in a separate seat. If you are taking a long-haul flight, you will have to pay 10% of the full ticket price for a child.

What you need to know about bassinets and strollers

What should those who don’t want to hold their one-year-old baby in their arms for several hours do? Carriers provide special bassinets that must be ordered in advance. You are not always allowed to take a stroller into the cabin: you will take the baby to the gate, after which you will put it in your luggage. Air carriers also provide temporary strollers, which you will use between the gate and the boarding ramp.

Please check the conditions in advance as they vary depending on the company:

• Aeroflot makes sure that one-year-old passengers receive a bassinet. Parents should order it 24 hours before departure.
• Transaero not only provides bassinets, but also allows strollers to be taken into the cabin. You will bring “cane” models with you, provided that the dimensions are no more than 0.57 x 0.27 x 0.97 m. The maximum permissible weight of the stroller is 4.5 kg.

If you wish, you can take a child seat into the cabin, but its size should not exceed 0.4x0.4 m. If this condition is met, it can be placed on a seat near the porthole. You will need to purchase a ticket with a separate seat for your child.

One-year-old passenger in a cradle

What else to consider

If you are planning to fly with your child on an airplane in a year , Pay attention to the following nuances:

• Plan your flight as carefully as possible. There's no such thing as too many wet wipes, extra diapers, or playdates when traveling with a one-year-old baby. You will also need a change of clothes for the baby, as well as medicine: you cannot predict when the baby’s health will worsen. But you shouldn’t be overzealous, so don’t try to take a supply of diapers for the entire vacation. Bring what you need during the flight and buy the rest on the spot.
• Write apology cards and prepare small gifts for passengers sitting next to you. If the baby cries the entire flight, you will apologize for the trouble, backing up your words with a bag of chocolates. Those around you will be more tolerant, and you will save your nerves.
• When packing your carry-on luggage, take a shoulder backpack rather than a bag. You will free your hands and it will be easier to carry your child.
• Is your baby naughty? Raise him higher and he will calm down. The advice has no scientific basis, but parents note that the method works. True, it cannot be used during the takeoff of the airliner.
• Don't travel without a tablet! When you are about to travel on an airplane with a one-year-old child, advice from other parents will help you navigate the situation: forget about the time limit for playing with gadgets. Children will be captivated by the tablet and will not cause problems for others.
• Make sure you have fun: babies up to one year old enjoy finger games. They also love toy mobile phones, as little ones will enjoy pressing buttons and looking at the flashing lights. Just make sure that the toys do not make too much noise, as this will be a test for those around you.

How easily do one-year-old children cope with flying on an airplane? In the absence of medical contraindications, your attitude will be the decisive factor. Since children sense their mother's anxiety, prepare for the best!

Using a backpack and sling allows you to free your hands.

Flight reviews: real experience

03/22/2018, Lyudmila

We always went on vacation to Thailand, so after recovering from childbirth, I wanted to visit the country again. We had our 9-month-old daughter with us, who was traveling by air for the first time. Everything went well: the baby slept almost the entire way.

Is it worth taking baby food offered by airlines? If the child is not prone to allergies, there is no reason to refuse. But breastfeeding became the ideal option. After giving birth, I was embarrassed to offer my baby the breast outside the home, but then I got used to it. After all, you can always cover yourself with a flap from a sling! Of course, I go into the mother and baby rooms, but there are none on board.

Don't be shy about this natural process: just make sure you have a large handkerchief or wide scarf on hand to hide from prying eyes. You can also wear a nursing bra, so you don't have to fully remove your breasts. The baby ate a couple of times during the flight, and the rest of the time I gave her a bottle so that her ears wouldn’t get stuffy. Relatives said that traveling with two-year-olds is much more difficult than with infants!

08/15/2017, Alina

My journey with one-year-old Sasha began with waiting for the plane at Samui airport. It is considered unique because instead of the usual building you will see a large gazebo. Some places don't even have a roof! But we didn’t appreciate the beauty because of the heat: only fans were working in the open space. Sasha began to be capricious, and I didn’t feel well either. Finally we got on board and went to Bangkok: since the flight was short, my son was sleeping peacefully.

The next leg of the journey, Bangkok-Kyiv, went less smoothly. Sasha behaved well at the airport, but after landing he became capricious due to fatigue. Although he managed to sleep, later noisy passengers woke up the child: he was again unable to calm him down. Therefore, for the remaining 3 hours we watched cartoons on the tablet and played finger games. Fortunately, there were no problems with feeding: Sasha willingly took the breast.

One-year-old Sasha during a flight

All that remained was to get to Kharkov, and it was necessary to transfer to local airlines. We left the transit area and found ourselves in a common waiting room, cold and noisy. Tired Sashka threw a protracted tantrum, and my husband got angry and said that I didn’t know how to calm my son down. The crying did not stop until landing was announced: by this time the child was so tired that he fell asleep before the plane took off.

In general, the trip went well: I noticed that problems arise in noisy airports, but on the plane Sasha sleeps peacefully if passengers do not wake him up.

12/30/2017, Alexey

We travel a lot, so I can compare the services of different companies. Aeroflot is suitable for flights with one-year-old children, since the carrier is attentive to the needs of children. We traveled with this company when my daughter was 1 year and 3 months old: I studied reviews about flying with a baby on an airplane and knew that you can take to the air as early as 2 weeks. But we were worried about the health of the newborn, so we decided to wait until our daughter was one year old.

To get comfortable seats, we arrived early for registration. You can also go through web check-in by independently indicating the desired chairs, but for technical reasons we were unable to go online. We were offered options in the 1st row: they are reserved for travelers with children, so they cannot always be selected during online check-in. We also pre-ordered a bassinet; We were also offered special meals, but we decided to stick to proven options. My wife stocked up on puree in soft packaging: it’s more convenient than carrying jars. It is advisable to take a spoon as well, so as not to use utensils in cafes or restaurants (in case you decide to have a snack while waiting for your flight).

Since the wife chose the flight time so that it would coincide with the baby's sleep, the daughter slept almost the entire way. Then she had lunch and fell asleep again. My daughter didn’t notice the turbines, takeoff, or pressure drop: during landing, my wife gave me a bottle, and everything went smoothly.

02/14/2018, Evgenia

Air travel on Boeing will be a disappointment for those who plan to sit in the 1st row with amenities. The fastenings of the tables make it difficult to lower the armrests completely, and it will not be possible to place a sleeping baby on 2 chairs. There are usually no bassinets on these liners, but check the conditions with the company. But on the Ilya there will be enough space in the 1st row: the option is suitable for passengers with children.
In general, I flew safely with my one-year-old son, except for the time when he started cutting teeth. Fortunately, the flight lasted only 3 hours, but they were remembered for a long time.

I prevent other possible discomfort with Otipax pain-relieving drops: I use them before takeoff and landing. The drug “Nazivin” also helps, 1 drop per nostril. Be sure to use the product if your baby has a stuffy nose! I once flew with a terrible runny nose, and due to improper pressure regulation, my ears hurt terribly. Stock up on medications and travel without problems!

Conclusion

Are you wondering how one-year-old children cope with airplane travel? If there are no medical contraindications, you can safely travel with your baby. Just decide whether you are going to hold your baby in your arms for the entire flight or are you ready to fork out money to buy a second seat. Also pack toys, medications, and spare clothes. And most importantly, be polite to the staff and other passengers!

I have compiled a list of working and proven tips from parents who already have their own positive experience of flying with children from six months to 4 years old, as well as the experience of children’s doctors and airline employees. Now is the height of holidays and holidays, which means it’s time to remind you of these simple but very necessary recommendations.

1. Psychological preparation of yourself

“The issue of a screaming child is a matter of preparing the accompanying parent.”

Prepare in advance for the fact that everything will be bad: the child will cry, and the neighbors will be unloving and scandalous. Particularly sensitive parents are better off drinking a sedative (not to be confused with vodka) in advance, so as not to fall into hysterics themselves. Calm parents mean a calm child. The calmer the parents, the easier it is for the children. Even if you have conflicts in your family, conclude a peace agreement in advance for the duration of all flights with your child. Agree to immediately make peace with any quarrel, no matter who is to blame. You can do it childishly by shaking each other’s little fingers. Your swearing will certainly plunge the child into depression, he will also start crying, and this will make it worse for you, for him, and for everyone around him. Dads who are used to flying without children and drinking alcohol need to immediately understand that they will have to give up this habit and take full care of the child (either alone or with the mother). There should not be a situation where the mother cannot calm the child, and the father drinks and watches a movie.

2. Psychological preparation of the child

On the eve of the very first flight (if the child is already able to understand what it is about), it would not hurt to tell him what an airplane is, how it hums, how many people are around and how interesting and easy it is to play in it. It is advisable to do everything so that the child already dreams of flying and looks forward to it like a birthday or New Year. Some parents recommend allowing many things on board that they forbid in ordinary children’s lives: “For them, this is a kind of holiday, because only on the plane can they drink cola and suck candy. I don’t allow them to do that at home.”

To book such seats, when purchasing tickets, you need to check whether they are available and whether a bassinet is provided during the flight. The office staff of the selected airline will provide such information. After purchasing tickets, you need to immediately book these seats - sometimes this can be done directly on the airline’s website, sometimes by contacting its employees. And a few days before departure, call back and confirm. If the airline does not provide the ability to reserve such seats, you will have to go to the airport in advance to be one of the first to be at the check-in counter. And here’s another important thing: if you are flying with a stroller and with transfers, you must indicate when registering where you would like to receive it.

Most non-breastfed children prefer to sit by the window and watch what is down there. In addition, it is more comfortable to sleep by the window and the child certainly does not risk getting hit in the leg or arm with a cart. So try to book at least one window seat. As for the choice of flight and time, opinions differed. Some argue that it is better to take tickets for flights that minimally change the child’s daily routine, and try to maintain it during the flight. Others advise getting your child up early or not letting you sleep at all before the flight. “To exhaust the child before the plane so that he falls asleep on the plane.” Another option: “We choose early flights when the rise occurs at one or two in the morning. The child sleeps most of the flight.”

However, this is not suitable for all children: “But lack of sleep can have a different effect on us. The last time the child cried for half an hour that he didn’t want to sleep on the plane, but wanted to go to bed, although he was already dying and wanted to sleep.” In general, here rely on your own experience and your own child, but in general the “exhaust” method works for most children. Especially if they are given sleeping pills or a sedative before departure. There was also advice not to fly long distances with a connection in one sitting: “We fly from Moscow to the States and always sleep the night at the Amsterdam airport - this greatly reduces the number of hysterics. A well-rested and well-fed child is already 50% success.”

4. What to take with you

For a very young child: diapers, wet wipes, water in a bottle with a sippy cup, dryers, new books with engines and a couple of old favorites, three new small cars in mom’s pocket (take out in critical situations), a change of clothes;

1-2 years: potty, wet wipes (wipe your hands more often), water, dryers, books, cars, a couple of toys, a change of clothes, patience for mom and dad to walk around the airplane cabin. Children at this age always want to go out and see everything;

3-4 years: pot, napkins, water, dryers, clothes, favorite books, puzzles, construction sets, magazines with stickers, puzzles.;

5-6 years: napkins, magazines with labyrinths, stickers, scanwords, Legos, cards, dominoes, backgammon, checkers, etc.;

“Bring a change of clothes for the child and mother. It’s not so rare that a child, especially under 2 years old, who sits in his mother’s arms, gets wet himself and doesn’t forget his mother.”

Also, a few apples cut into slices, medications for motion sickness, pain, and sedatives are always useful. “I also always take a couple of shawls/scarves with me - firstly, you can save the child from the cold, and secondly, it’s like dressing up (I have a classic girl).” And of course, a great toy is a dad’s/mom’s smartphone if you are sure that the child won’t erase anything on it.

5. What to do with your child during the flight

“If a child is nervous in a separate seat during takeoff, you need to ask the flight attendant for a child’s belt, sit him on the lap (not the flight attendant, but the child) and fasten it to you.”

“During takeoff, she distracted attention - she asked me to hold my hand, feigned fear of flying, the child took care of his mother and was happy.”

“On long flights, be sure to let your baby walk/run/jump. At this age, it is difficult for children to sit in one place due to the growth of the musculoskeletal system. It’s also useful for adults to stretch their legs. Once we had a whole kindergarten in the back of the plane - five children entertained each other.”

“Not just to put a new coloring book or PSP in your hands, but to fully communicate, tell where we are flying, what we will do, play, draw together.”

“Looking through the window and explaining it is very entertaining.”

“When the child was tired, we wandered around the neighbors, changing the situation a little. Friendly neighbors on the plane were immediately present; a couple of minutes of cooing with someone else’s aunt gave 10-15 minutes of silence.”

“You don’t even have to play with the child, you can just talk. If you manage to talk with a child for an hour, it will forever remain in his memory. There is no need to look for ways to make the flight painless. It seems to me that you need to look for opportunities to enjoy it.”

“Preparing for food, eating and assembling trays is always mega fun. You may be allowed to take one of the sets of plastic cutlery with you, promising to then arrange a separate lunch for the toy characters.”

“The main thing is to alternate entertainment (distractions). There is little distraction for more than half an hour.”

“We definitely ask permission after landing (already at the exit) to look at the pilot. Usually possible for those who have behaved well. This won’t buy you a two-year-old, but at 3.5-4 years it will help you control yourself.”

6. Flight delays and transfers

“The biggest problems are long transfers and flight delays. This is where you need to keep him on a leash. The terminal building is being turned into a playground. I’ll never forget how in Prague I caught a guy on a travelator on New Year’s Eve and how he almost dropped the decorated Christmas tree at the gate. Children need to be distracted or occupied. Otherwise, they distract themselves and find something to do.”

“A good way is to cooperate with other parents. Oddly enough, the more children, the easier it is to cope with them. Plus, they entertain themselves. We just need to make sure that it doesn’t cause harm to other people or the airport building.”

“Once in France, in the mountains, we sat at the airport for 10 hours. The child was 5, and we just went to the store for the next lego as we built and remade the previous one.”

7. About plugging ears and feeding

“If we’re talking about very young children (up to a year), then during takeoff and landing you need to give them a breast or a bottle so that their ears don’t get blocked. If you miss this moment, your ears may hurt and you won’t be able to calm your child until the end of the flight. Until she was one and a half years old, while she was breastfeeding, she planned to breastfeed during takeoff and landing. As a result, passengers were surprised upon exiting that they did not even notice the child during the flight. Now (4 years old) we try to have fun before takeoff and during the climb we give him juice from a straw. On boarding, if he’s not sleeping, too. So far it has saved me."

“They saved an almost one-year-old child from blocked ears with a bottle of water with a pacifier for a younger age so that he had to pull harder. Well, naturally, there was another bottle with a normal nipple, too, so I could get drunk.”

“Sometimes our ears get clogged, this is how Cheburashka helps – put a napkin soaked in hot water in a plastic glass and apply two glasses to your ears.”

“When my ears were blocked, I taught him to hold his nose and blow into it - everything goes away right away.”

“There was medicine dripping into my ears during takeoff and landing.”

“We flew for a long time, the child was a year old. During takeoff and landing, the child's ears became blocked. The flight attendant used a technique that we still use successfully: pour boiling water into a plastic cup, splash it out, and apply it to your ears. Cupping effect: the child immediately calms down.”

“It is advised to drip any vasoconstrictor into the nose before the flight (when pressure changes, the eardrum presses, which causes pain). Give small sips of water (any liquid) during takeoff and landing. Blow your nose (like divers), but this is still for older children, and with caution. We also have a pipe that you can remove the tip from and it stops whistling. So, during takeoff and landing, we “play” it, blowing it with all our might. It helps a lot with my ears, including me.”

I hope these tips help you and your baby. And I also hope that you will share them with other parents, and there will be fewer children's tears on airplanes.

Flying on an airplane with a baby is a test for both the child and his parents. Unusual physical sensations, a confined space, a large number of unfamiliar people around - all this can affect the health and emotional state of the baby. Therefore, if circumstances force you to travel by plane with your baby, you should carefully prepare for the trip. The article gives recommendations to young parents on how to fly with an infant on an airplane.

How flying can affect your health

Most airlines have a ban on flying with a newborn under 7 days old.

One of the dangerous factors for a baby is the pressure difference during takeoff and landing. Even adults feel discomfort at this moment. This affects the work of the auditory (Eustachian) tube, which balances the difference in pressure in the middle ear cavity and the environment. If the auditory tube does not cope with this function, pain is felt in the ears, and hearing deteriorates (up to its temporary loss). In a newborn, this can lead to inflammation of the auditory tube and the development of otitis media.

A common cold in a child, and even more so the pronounced symptoms of ARVI, themselves worsen the functioning of the auditory tube, so there is a high probability that otitis media will develop after the flight. Doctors do not recommend transporting babies even with a slight runny nose.

Another harmful factor that affects the condition of small passengers is low air humidity on board. During a long flight, the nasal mucosa may dry out.

Important! To make breathing easier for children, irrigate the nasal passages with special solutions.

When traveling with a child, you should consider not only the impact of the flight, but also the consequences of sudden climate change. Visits to hot countries in winter have a special impact. It should be taken into account that acclimatization at the resort takes 2-3 days. And if the trip only lasts a week or less, returning to the cold can lead to a lingering cold even in an adult, let alone a child. It is advisable to vacation with your child at sea for at least two weeks.

At what age can you fly?

For the reasons described, caution should be exercised when planning a flight with infants.

If circumstances force you to fly earlier than a week after birth, parents will be required to sign a document in which the airline declines responsibility for the health of the baby.

If 7 days have passed since birth, the little passenger will be accepted onto the plane without additional formalities. But parents are advised to first make sure that their child can fly on an airplane. After an examination, the pediatrician will determine from how many months it is safe for the baby to travel by air.

The behavior and well-being of each little passenger is individual, but there is some pattern:

• It is easier for children under six months to fly when they sleep most of the time and are not too sensitive to extraneous noise;
• From six months to a year it is more difficult to fly: the child sleeps less, he is already bored of just sitting in his arms, but he still cannot focus on one activity for a long time. The baby will show curiosity or anxiety in an unfamiliar environment, so you will have to keep him occupied with something all the way;
• Children from one to two years old can already become interested in toys or cartoons for a long time, so it is easier to distract them from the whims and activities that disturb other passengers.

Ticket price

The cost of children's tickets is determined by the airline. As a rule, one adult can transport one child under 2 years of age throughout Russia free of charge without providing him with a separate seat. In this case, a child's ticket is required. When flying abroad, you may need to pay up to 10% of the full price, even if the baby flies in the arms of an accompanying person.

If a passenger is traveling with several children, for the rest it is necessary to buy a ticket at the child fare (for different carriers it is 50-75% of the adult fare).

Airlines adhere to strict rules regarding the age of children: if the trip coincides with the second anniversary, you should be especially careful when buying tickets. If you turn two years old the day before or on the day of departure, then round trip tickets must be purchased at the rate for children 2-12 years old. If the birthday was on a trip, then only the return flight is paid at an increased rate.

Registration

When flying with children, it is better to check in online as soon as it opens. This will allow you to choose convenient seats and fly the whole family together. If this is not possible, then at the airport check-in counter you should ask for comfortable seats. Carriers have rules that require priority when boarding passengers with children. But if the plane is full, there is a possibility that only the mother and child will be placed in the safe seats at the front of the cabin, while the accompanying persons (including the father) will be in other places. When checking in at the airport, passengers with children must be allowed to skip the line.

Children without documents are not allowed to fly. On domestic flights, you must present your birth certificate upon boarding. When traveling abroad - a small passenger's international passport. If the child is accompanied by a third party, a notarized permission from the parents or guardians may be required for the child to travel abroad.

Takeoff and landing

The most unpleasant moments for a baby are takeoff and landing. It's better when he sleeps at this time. If you can’t put the child to sleep, he is restless or cries a lot, you should try feeding him or giving him a pacifier. Swallowing movements will help relieve spasm of the auditory tube and reduce discomfort. For the same purpose, it is recommended to put vasoconstrictor drops in the baby’s nose before takeoff. Their choice should be discussed in advance with your pediatrician.

All passengers must wear seat belts during takeoff and landing, as well as in the landing zone. A special seat belt is issued for the child, which is attached to the adult’s belt.

Flying with a stroller

Each airline independently determines its children's baggage allowance. If you are bringing a stroller with you, check in advance whether it can be transported in the cabin. As a rule, strollers are picked up at the time of boarding. It’s better to find out when you can use it again: sometimes they are brought to the gate, but more often they are unloaded along with their luggage onto a conveyor belt or at the oversized baggage counter.

For children under 2 years old, strollers are carried free of charge in addition to the children's free baggage allowance (10-15 kg per child in different airlines). If the child is older, the weight of the stroller will be included in the free baggage allowance.

The stroller will definitely be inspected, so you shouldn’t load it with things. Some airlines allow you to take a folding cane stroller into the cabin if it fits into the standard dimensions. Others only allow the stroller to be used until boarding, and then transport it to the luggage compartment. You are only allowed to take the carrycot from the stroller into the cabin.

For flying with a baby, a book stroller is more suitable. The baby can either lie or sit in it, it is convenient to guide it with one hand, and it can be folded quickly and compactly.

As an additional service on board, carriers can equip their airliners with special cradles that are attached to the partitions between cabins. This service is free, but it is better to arrange it in advance.

What to take on board

Baby food and water

During personal search and search of hand luggage, passengers may be asked to leave bottles of liquid at the airport - this is a security requirement. An exception is made for children - they are allowed to take baby food and water on board (the required amount for the flight) with a total volume of no more than a liter. The child needs to drink more on the plane because the air in the cabin is dry. Some carriers offer special children's menus on board upon prior request.

Care items

The comfort and well-being of the baby is the key to a smooth flight. The toilets on almost all planes are equipped with changing tables, so hygiene procedures for babies can be carried out right in the cabin. To be prepared for any situation, you will need the following set:

• diapers;
• wet and paper napkins;
• bib (if you feed baby food);
• disposable diapers;
• a few pacifiers.

Cloth

The baby must wear comfortable clothes and a spare set is required. Additionally, you will need warm clothes or a blanket (plaid) - it is usually cold on the plane due to ventilation. Warm clothes will come in handy if you have to go outside straight from the plane to get to the terminal.

If you can fly light with a one-month-old baby and hope that he will sleep the whole way, then for older children you will have to think about leisure time. Toys, books, cartoons on a tablet (smartphone), etc. will come in handy. You may have to keep your child's attention all the way so that he doesn't get capricious and disturb other passengers.

First aid kit

When traveling on an airplane, you need to take first aid supplies for your child, tested or recommended by a doctor:

• remedies for abdominal pain and colic;
• means for normalizing stool;
• painkillers and antipyretics;
• vasoconstrictor drops;
• disinfectants: bandage, cotton wool, cotton swabs.

Proximity with other passengers

Travelers with children, in addition to caring for the child’s health, have to worry about how their relationships with others on the plane will develop. Infants may begin to be capricious or cry out loud, and it is very difficult to calm them down. In this case, dissatisfied or even aggressive passengers will add stress for parents. The task of the flight attendants in this case is to “resolve” the situation, perhaps by moving nervous neighbors away from the family with the baby. You shouldn’t get into conflict; usually children feel their mother’s nervous tension and this can make them cry even more.

From what age does it take to fly with a baby on an airplane? This is a decision for each individual family. But at any age, traveling with a small child must be carefully organized. It is important for parents not to get confused and understand what to expect from each stage of the trip.

Preparation begins even before purchasing plane tickets - you should study the rules for flying with children from suitable companies, they can differ fundamentally. The main points are check-in, seat selection, baggage allowance, carriage of strollers and meals on board.

In general, the staff is very child-friendly, as airlines fight for customer loyalty. Comfortable flight conditions have been created for children and their accompanying passengers, and on board the flight attendants provide attention.

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