Jetting off on holiday is an exciting time, but it can also be stressful, and doubly so if you are travelling with a baby.
Flying can be overwhelming in general. There is lots to prepare - tickets, passports, boarding passes. And travelling with a baby requires a lot more prepping and extra packing.
Ensuring you do things like pack extra diapers and investing in a baby carrier can make your travelling experience run much more smoothly.
Car rental experts at StressFreeCarRental.com have put together a range of ways to make travelling with little ones easier, from bringing double the baby necessities to pre-booking airport transfers.
A spokesperson from StressFreeCarRental.com said: “Travelling with a baby can be daunting, there’s so much to think about, and you just hope that your baby has a safe and comfortable flight.
“We’ve got a list of things parents should consider before travelling with a baby this year, from dressing their little ones comfortably to ensuring airport transfers are booked in advance.
“The most important thing to remember is to stay calm and be patient with yourself and your baby, travelling with an infant isn’t easy and it’s OK to feel overwhelmed, just ensure you ask a trusted flight attendant for help if you need to.”
Here are seven top tips from StressFreeCarRental.com
Go to the airport bathroom before boarding
It is a good idea to board the plane with your baby's nappy freshly changed, so head to the airport bathroom for a change before going to your gate. These bathrooms are much roomier and better equipped than those on the plane.
Bring double the baby necessities
Never underestimate the amount of baby necessities you will need for a flight, especially if it is a long haul. Bring twice as much formula, bottles, baby food, and snacks on the plane as you think you will need. If your plane becomes severely delayed or cancelled, you will be grateful.
Dress in comfortable layers
If this is your baby’s first time flying, you may be tempted to doll him/her up in a cute outfit, but think of comfort and convenience first. You want your baby to be as comfortable as possible to avoid any fussing, and make sure his/her clothes are easy to change.
Baby carrier
Managing luggage, coffee, gate details, tickets, and food is complicated enough when travelling, so it is worth getting a baby carrier and wearing your baby while you are going through the airport.
Pack zip lock bags
Babies can be pretty messy, and there is not much space for mess on a plane. It is worth having zip lock bags with you to easily clean up and dispose of any mess that your baby may make, rather than waiting for a flight attendant to come around for rubbish. It will be easier to manage and your fellow passengers will also be grateful.
Plan your airport transfers in advance
Be sure to book your transfers to and from the airport in advance, and specify that you will be travelling with a baby. By doing this you will not have to hang around the airport waiting for transport with your child, and your journey will be smoother and quicker.
Be patient with yourself
Flying with babies is not easy; try not to stress, stay calm, and be patient with yourself and your little one. There are usually friendly flight attendants who will do whatever they can to make your flight go smoothly.
