In Kenya, planning for the holidays as new parents can seem daunting especially if you are travelling with your baby. Air travel seems to be the scariest for most parents, with many opting to wait till their babies are a bit older before getting on an aeroplane. However, for those that decide to travel by plane, it is advisable to prepare early and have a checklist of the “must-have” items and have them packed and ready to go. Apart from baby supplies, parents also need to devise ways to make the plane ride comfortable for the baby, while considering their age at the time of travel.
Here are some helpful tips to make travelling by air for your baby a great experience.
• Book a baby-friendly seat
When making booking your plane tickets, it is advisable to inform the airplane staff that you will be travelling with a baby. In most cases, they will assign you a seat that allows you to install a safety restraint and does not block other passengers from accessing their seats. If possible, request for a seat at the front of the plane because it is much quieter and is easier to alight from when you reach your destination.
• Carry protection for their ears
When a plane is taking off or descending, babies sometimes experience pressure in their ears causing a lot of discomforts. To avoid discomfort, have them suck on a pacifier or the bottle to let the pressure out at such times. Even so, some babies do not have any reactions during such times, but if travelling for the first time by air, it is still advisable to carry ear protection.
• Bring an extra pair of supplies
Although most mums carry more than one pair of suppliers for babies when travelling, it is advisable to keep at least three pairs of clothes and extra food or snacks in a carryon bag. Plane trips can sometimes be unpredictable with cases of delays or lost baggage resulting in you and baby having to spend more time than planned before reaching your destination.
