I'm in a bunch of mommy groups, y'all. Because I have a kid.
I know, weird.
One of the girls asked the other day about advice for flying with a baby. She's doing it by herself. With a babe that's about 18 mo? That's tough. I had this advice to give and wanted to share it because
1. Someone else may be asking this same question. Before we flew with N the first time, I was terrified he would scream the whole way. I was fer-eak-ing-out. Silently. With a smile on my face. Because that's how I live.
2. I found myself particularly charming in this post. And supportive. But mostly charming and funny and wonderful.
Here ya go:
My very expert advice (I've done it twice, so I am clearly an expert )
1. Plan your travel during normal napish times. Sleepy babies=good traveling companions
2. Get there EARLY. I know the airport says 2 hours, but we like to get there and not feel rushed. Eat some breakfast at a restaurant. Hang out.
3. We get ear infections and sinus issues easily, so N takes Zyrtec every day. The days we fly, though, he takes Benadryl. Because he needs it, but it also might make him kind of sleepy (I'm not interested in any feedback about how I drug my child, so just stop yourself right there, reader!)
4. Chase your child. I mean put him down an run run run for half an hour "I'm gonna get you!! Here I come!!" OR find another kid a little older and get them chasing each other while you have a Bloody Mary (it's like 2 servings of veggies. Health food.)
5. Get on the plane with all nap-necessities. We had paci and banket, and we checked his seat at the door because we don't care about safety. Not really, but that's what some people think. I'm cool with lap babies. Not everyone is. (Also, not interested in any feedback about how I travel unsafely with my child, thx.)
6. Don't get anxious. Planes are loud as shit. Even if he screams the whole time, only about 5 people will be bothered. If you're anxious, he's anxious. (So maybe have another cocktail before you get on the plane)
7. We sit by the window because N wants to run the aisle (apparently that's not ok?) and at the window he likes to look at and talk about things we see. Airplanes, cars, trees, OOooooh, airplane. Tractor. Good Lord, kid, go to sleep. Mommy has a drink ticket to cash in.
8. Chillax. Have some snacks. Talk to your neighbors. They'll think he's adorable. Have him drink out of his sippy or snack at take off for ear popping. Same with landing if he needs it.
9. Bring favorite small toys. Get a brand new toy that he gets to play with for the first time on the plane. NOVELTY! Yay new toy! Break out the ipad/kindle/books if you need them.
10. If anybody gives you the side-eye, give 'em the finger. If they think you're crazy, they'll leave you alone.
Airports are all different. In Nashville, I wear N in a wrap on my back into the airport, take him down to walk through the metal detector together, and put him back up until we're in our concourse and eating at a restaurant/bar (then chasing. Don't forget that). In Denver, they didn't make me take him down, but I did, and we didn't get searched or even have to take our shoes off. It was the easiest thing ever.
You've got this. It'll be so much easier than you anticipate.
And if it's not, most flights aren't that long. He'll eventually cry himself to sleep... and you'll probably get the whole row to yourself.
WINNING!
What other advice for first time travelers with babies do you have?
Did I miss something? Do we need to add an extra cocktail in there somewhere? Maybe a mimosa?
XOXO,
EM
I know, weird.
One of the girls asked the other day about advice for flying with a baby. She's doing it by herself. With a babe that's about 18 mo? That's tough. I had this advice to give and wanted to share it because
1. Someone else may be asking this same question. Before we flew with N the first time, I was terrified he would scream the whole way. I was fer-eak-ing-out. Silently. With a smile on my face. Because that's how I live.
2. I found myself particularly charming in this post. And supportive. But mostly charming and funny and wonderful.
Here ya go:
My very expert advice (I've done it twice, so I am clearly an expert )
1. Plan your travel during normal napish times. Sleepy babies=good traveling companions
2. Get there EARLY. I know the airport says 2 hours, but we like to get there and not feel rushed. Eat some breakfast at a restaurant. Hang out.
3. We get ear infections and sinus issues easily, so N takes Zyrtec every day. The days we fly, though, he takes Benadryl. Because he needs it, but it also might make him kind of sleepy (I'm not interested in any feedback about how I drug my child, so just stop yourself right there, reader!)
4. Chase your child. I mean put him down an run run run for half an hour "I'm gonna get you!! Here I come!!" OR find another kid a little older and get them chasing each other while you have a Bloody Mary (it's like 2 servings of veggies. Health food.)
5. Get on the plane with all nap-necessities. We had paci and banket, and we checked his seat at the door because we don't care about safety. Not really, but that's what some people think. I'm cool with lap babies. Not everyone is. (Also, not interested in any feedback about how I travel unsafely with my child, thx.)
6. Don't get anxious. Planes are loud as shit. Even if he screams the whole time, only about 5 people will be bothered. If you're anxious, he's anxious. (So maybe have another cocktail before you get on the plane)
7. We sit by the window because N wants to run the aisle (apparently that's not ok?) and at the window he likes to look at and talk about things we see. Airplanes, cars, trees, OOooooh, airplane. Tractor. Good Lord, kid, go to sleep. Mommy has a drink ticket to cash in.
8. Chillax. Have some snacks. Talk to your neighbors. They'll think he's adorable. Have him drink out of his sippy or snack at take off for ear popping. Same with landing if he needs it.
9. Bring favorite small toys. Get a brand new toy that he gets to play with for the first time on the plane. NOVELTY! Yay new toy! Break out the ipad/kindle/books if you need them.
10. If anybody gives you the side-eye, give 'em the finger. If they think you're crazy, they'll leave you alone.
Airports are all different. In Nashville, I wear N in a wrap on my back into the airport, take him down to walk through the metal detector together, and put him back up until we're in our concourse and eating at a restaurant/bar (then chasing. Don't forget that). In Denver, they didn't make me take him down, but I did, and we didn't get searched or even have to take our shoes off. It was the easiest thing ever.
You've got this. It'll be so much easier than you anticipate.
And if it's not, most flights aren't that long. He'll eventually cry himself to sleep... and you'll probably get the whole row to yourself.
WINNING!
What other advice for first time travelers with babies do you have?
Did I miss something? Do we need to add an extra cocktail in there somewhere? Maybe a mimosa?
XOXO,
EM
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