Traveling with a baby by plane is essential. Babies up to two years old. What documents are required for departure

What documents are needed

To travel with a child of any age, you need:

• Identity document: birth certificate or passport, and when traveling abroad - a passport.
• Notarized consent to travel if the child travels unaccompanied by parents, adoptive parents, guardians or guardians.
• Confirmation of the possibility and recommendations of the pediatrician - for children of the first seven days of life. This is just in case.

How to book tickets

Airlines divide child travelers into two categories: INF - infant (child under 2 years old), and CHD - child (child from 2 to 12 years old).

A child under two years old can fly with their parents free of charge and on the handles, that is, without their own seat. In order for him to be allowed on the plane, issue an air ticket for an infant when booking. In this case, you need to indicate the age of the baby at the time of the flight. That is, if at the time of purchasing the ticket the child is 1 year and 5 months old, and at the time of departure - 2 years 1 day, then you need to buy a ticket for a child from 2 to 12 years old.

Some airlines limit the number of small children on board. Book in advance to be able to choose best places or fly away.

According to the rules of air transportation, one adult can carry only one child under two years of age free of charge. For each next child ticket with a separate seat is purchased.

For children from 2 to 12 years old, a children's ticket with a separate seat is also issued. If your child turns 12 by the time of departure, you will have to buy an adult ticket for him.

Always choose less crowded flights. It's hard to find one during the holiday season, but keep in mind that Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are the least busy flights. If the plane is half empty, you can take more space or move to somewhere more free.

Where is the best place to sit on an airplane?

If you didn't specify a seat when booking, try to visit the airline's website as soon as online check-in opens. Most often this happens within a day.

Whatever the age of the child, it is best to sit in the front rows of the plane: there will be less shaking during takeoffs and landings, you will get on and off faster. Most comfortable places in economy class are in the first row. There is a lot of space and you can stretch your legs. This will be especially useful for mothers with babies: a cradle is attached to the front wall for children weighing up to 10 kg and up to 70 cm tall.

When is the best time to fly

It depends on the child. If he falls asleep easily in unfamiliar surroundings, then take a night flight. The baby will sleep through the entire flight, and you will not have to entertain, soothe and feed him. If the child is too active at night, fly during the day. He will play and have fun, and when he gets tired, he will go to bed.

If you are flying with transfers or your flight is suddenly delayed, try to find other parents with children. The kids get to know each other and find their own way. You will only have to follow the order.

What to take on the plane

For babies and toddlers

• Diapers.
• Wet and dry wipes.
• One spare set of clothes - just in case.
• A diaper or pad.
• A pacifier and favorite toys.
• Moisturizing nasal drops, such as Aquamaris, Marimer, Otrivin baby.
• Moisturizing cream (during the flight, the skin of babies dries a lot).
• Food and drinks: infant formula, biscuits, water, juice, compote.
• Febrifuge. Some sensitive babies may develop a fever.

For older children

• Album for drawing, coloring, pencils or felt-tip pens.
• Small if the child likes to read.
• Favorite toys.
• Tablet or smartphone (if there is no screen with cartoons and games on the seat in front of you). And don't forget to recharge.
• Healthy snacks and drinks never hurt.
• Travel pillow.
• Lollipops to keep your ears open.
• paper handkerchiefs and wet wipes.

In flight

How to transport a stroller

Airlines allow strollers to be carried on the plane. You can use it before boarding.

It is better to find out more about the conditions of transportation and the weight limit of the stroller by phone. hotline or on the airline's website.

Where can I get a bassinet and a changing table?

Infants are provided with cradles. They must be ordered on the airline's website a few days before departure. Your application is reviewed and then approved or not.

The number of cradles on board is limited, and on some ships there are no mounts for their installation at all. In this case, you can take a carrying bag on board. However, if there are no empty seats on the plane, you will have nowhere to put it.

You can change the diaper in the toilet (there is a reclining table).

How and what to feed a child on board

If you are breastfeeding your baby only, then everything is clear. If the child is bottle-fed, you can take the required amount of any liquid for the baby: transportation does not apply to medical drugs and baby food. You can also ask the flight attendant warm water to dilute the mixture.

You can order baby food only when booking tickets. Children's food is always served earlier than the rest. Please note that juices from ready-made kits are cold. If your child is a picky eater, bring food that he will definitely eat.

What to do if the child has blocked ears

The baby can be allowed to suck on the breast, bottle or pacifier. Give an older child a lollipop. Another way is to play fish. Open and close your mouth like a fish does: this also relieves pressure in your ears.

What to do if the child is motion sick

Children under one year old rarely get sick on a trip due to the special structure of the vestibular apparatus. Older children lose this magical property. If the child feels nauseous, give him a slice of lemon, water, or take anti-sickness medication before the flight. You also need to have a hygienic bag or towel on hand.

How not to get sick

In the cabin there are products of combustion of fuel, including carbon monoxide, ozone, which causes irritation of the respiratory tract and exacerbates manifestations, pesticides, viruses, bacteria and other microorganisms. You can protect the child from the latter with the help of oxolinic ointment. She is usually lubricated with the nasal mucosa.

How and what to entertain a child

Cartoons on a tablet or phone, coloring books with felt-tip pens and pencils, favorite toys - usually this is enough for a child. There are exceptions and whims, so just in case, it’s better to tire the child before takeoff: on the eve of the trip, spend very active time on fresh air. Then, most likely, in flight the child will go to sleep.

Some aircraft are equipped with an entertainment system built right into the seats. You will only have to choose or play. There you can also look at the map, monitor the climb, temperature overboard and other flight parameters. It is interesting even for adults.

You can also entertain your child by contemplating the view from the window or talking with other children. True, during turbulence, everyone will have to sit fastened in a chair.

Traveling by plane with a 2-year-old or younger child has its own specifics, which parents need to take into account on the eve of the flight. Air travel is very different from train and car travel. First of all, the length of stay on the road is implied. If by train and car you can travel from several hours to a day or more to get to the desired point, then the plane makes it possible to cover huge distances in a few hours.

At what age can a baby fly on an airplane

In pediatrics, there are no clear age limits for children to travel by plane. In the absence of contraindications, a trip with one year old baby by plane. On the eve of the flight, you should consult a supervising doctor in order to exclude negative factors along the way. The older the baby, the more problematic it is to fly with him. After all, he will definitely want to move in the cabin, where absolutely no conditions are provided for this. The increased playfulness of the child will annoy the surrounding passengers, and parents will have to use all their imagination to limit the movement of their child around the cabin.

How to fly on an airplane with a baby?

Traveling by plane with a baby will be completely different. Airlines are always ready to accept even the smallest travelers on board, sometimes simply requiring parents accompanying the baby to provide a certificate of admission to the flight issued by a pediatrician. A well-fed baby will sleep peacefully in the arms of his parents, without creating any problems along the way. real time the flight can be no more than 2-3 hours. If the mother feeds the baby before boarding the plane, then the baby’s stable sleep and peace for others will be ensured.

Preparing for the trip

Tickets must be booked in advance so that you can choose the right seat. A trip with a child on an airplane will be more successful if you take seats in the front row of the cabin. The advantages of these seats are provided by the absence of a row of seats in front. This will give the baby a little freedom of movement. Some airlines are willing to provide a specially adapted stroller for a baby to sleep on a long flight. If the child is already eating on his own, then you should ask about the presence children's menu on this flight so as not to clutter up your seat and the surrounding space in the cabin with appliances and containers with products for your child.

If it is possible to choose a flight, then it is advisable to opt for less crowded options. Usually overloaded flights occur on the eve of weekends and holidays, as well as days after the holiday. The smallest passenger traffic is observed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Aircraft hygiene issues

Traveling in an airplane with a baby is inextricably linked with hygiene. After all, in essence, the salon is a place of public use. Even by limiting the child's space for movement and contact with various surfaces, there remains a high risk of infection of the infant by pathogenic microorganisms and bacteria. Reliable companions will be antibacterial wet wipes, diapers and paper napkins to clean up spilled liquids or food debris. The toilet on the plane is usually equipped with a transforming table, on which the mother has the opportunity to change the baby, change his diaper, and carry out the washing procedure.

For older children, you need to take a potty. It must have a lid. Often the toilet in the cabin is busy, and the child cannot stand it.

Bibs for very young children and disposable tableware for children who are already feeding themselves will be simply indispensable at the time of the flight.

Required hand luggage items

Comfortable travel with a baby on an airplane depends on the number of hand luggage items that parents decide to take with them to the cabin. On some planes, the weight of hand luggage varies from 5 to 12 kilograms per passenger. When buying tickets, you need to specify the allowed weight.

So, the list of necessary things includes:

• water and juices;
• thermos with boiling water;
• jars with baby puree;
• food in containers;
• fruits and vegetables (should be washed and free of water residues);
• dried fruits, nuts, cookies;
• a set of linen for changing clothes in unforeseen situations;
• compact toys (1-2 pieces);
• small pillow for sleeping;
• first aid kit (usually in the cabin they provide all the necessary funds upon request, however, drugs for individual use in cases of rare diseases should be with you);
• drawing set;
• cartoon tablet.

Possible problems when flying with children

If a plane trip with a child occurs for the first time in his life, you should prepare the baby for it morally. This applies to older children, who, unlike babies, already understand everything. Travel problems can occur in both children and adults. That is why it is necessary to provide for the presence of lollipops in case of too much discomfort at the time of starting the car, plastic bags in case of sudden vomiting.

When taking off, the aircraft's turbines emit a powerful roar that can frighten children. Prudent parents can put cotton swabs or earplugs in the baby's ears.

It is advisable to lubricate the baby's nose with petroleum jelly or calendula ointment in order to protect the mucous membrane from the penetration of combustion products from the engine, which easily penetrate into the cabin.

Infants, as a rule, do not experience discomfort in terms of motion sickness, but problems may arise with older children. Usually helps out something sour or sparkling water.

A long plane trip for a child implies at least a small amount of time spent in a dream. A sleeping child will save parents and the salon from many problems.

Advantages of traveling with children on airplanes

Traveling with children on an airplane has a lot of positive aspects. The plane delivers travelers to the desired point very quickly. For passengers with children, the most comfortable seats in the cabin are selected. The weight of a stroller-cane or car seat for a baby is not taken into account when checking in hand luggage allowed in the cabin.

The first trip with a child on an airplane can be a big test, both for the baby and for his parents. However, thoughtful preparation for the flight will make it comfortable and interesting adventure. Children easily adapt to new circumstances, if they do not experience acute discomfort.

Is traveling with kids on an airplane always a lot of controversy? Especially if it's a baby. How will he cope with the flight? What will he need? Every parent should know about this.

Baby and flight: how it will affect health

Flying on any aircraft accompanied by pressure drops. They adversely affect the health of an adult. His head starts to hurt, his ears are blocked. The child also experiences these symptoms.

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

Cradle for a baby on an airplane

Children are very sensitive to atmospheric pressure. When it changes, they experience discomfort. They may experience a sharp ear pain, dizziness begins. From this, the baby becomes capricious.

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

It is forbidden to fly with a baby if he has a runny nose. From this, the baby's nose is completely blocked, he will not be able to breathe normally. A simple runny nose will develop into an inflammation of the inner ear. The pain will go to the head. The pressure will start to rise.

Advice. Before flying with a child, you should consult with his doctor. He will tell you what medications you will need to take with you.

Before boarding the flight, babies 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 any disease.

At what age can you fly

The body of each child is individual. Only a doctor can say for sure when you can fly with a newborn on an airplane.

If there are no prohibitions, you can plan trips from the 7th day of the baby's life. In this case, parents must write a receipt that they will not file claims with the airline if their child's health deteriorates.

That is, the responsibility lies with them.

How babies of different ages tolerate flying:

• Up to 6 months. Flying with babies is pretty easy. They quickly fall asleep as soon as the plane begins to climb. They are not susceptible to extraneous sounds. It is worth considering that they will endure the trip well if they do not have diseases. Otherwise, the flight will be restless.
• 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 knows the world. Keeping it is quite difficult, but possible. To divert your baby's attention from constantly looking at other passengers, you can take a few new toys on board.
• From 12 to 24 months. Flying is already easier, but you still can’t keep the baby in place. There's no need for new toys. In this case, modern gadgets with cartoons will come to the rescue. Putting a baby to sleep can be difficult.

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

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

As a rule, children after a week's rest upon arrival home become very ill. 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 loyal ticket prices. They are classified according to the age of the child.

Name of tickets 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 of age fly in the arms of one of the parents. Their ticket price is 10% of the adult price travel document. In many airlines, babies under two years old fly for free. This is possible when traveling on local airlines.

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

When buying a plane ticket for a baby 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/her according to the airline's fares.
2. If a child turns two years old when he is on a trip, 1 ticket is issued for him free of charge, and the second at established rates.

You can purchase tickets in advance. But on the condition that their cost will correspond to the tariffs of the airline. If parents have issued a travel document for a child under 2 years old, and he has already reached 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 of 12 years old, tickets are purchased at full price.

Documents required for a flight 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);
• documents proving the identity of the parents.

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

To travel within the country, you also need to have a birth certificate and parents' documents. Permits and visas are not required.

Important. When traveling with children, a notarized permission from both parents is required.

Registration

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

Note. The faster you go through the registration procedure, the higher the probability of choosing normal seats in the cabin. This is provided that the parents are not flying 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 option to check in online at the Business or First Class Desk.

Stroller in salon

Each airline has its own rules of transportation. children's luggage. When buying a ticket, you need to check with the employee whether it is possible to fly with an infant on an airplane along with a stroller.

As a rule, such a child's attribute is taken away when boarding the plane, and then they are allowed to take it. Especially if the journey is long. In some companies, a stroller is equated with luggage. They put her in cargo compartment. Receive it only upon landing. She is taken to the exit.

Takeoff and landing with an infant

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

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

Advice. When taking off and landing, you need to give the baby a pacifier or a 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 forefront of the cabin. There are definitely windows in this part of the plane. The child will be fascinated by the view from it, so the flight will pass quickly and without tantrums.

Parents with children are prohibited from occupying places that are in close proximity to emergency exits. If you do not keep track of the child, he can pull the handle. This will lead to depressurization of the cabin.

Advice. When registering, an employee of the company must be asked to provide for the child and his parents the most convenient places. As a rule, such requests are always granted. It is important to arrive early for registration.

Children under one year old can sit in the arms of mom or dad. Also, airline employees can provide a special chair. It is installed on the seat next to the accompanying person.

What to bring to the salon

In order for the child to be comfortable during the flight, he should be dressed in light clothes. It is necessary to take a replacement kit with you if the baby sweats or gets dirty. Also, do not forget about warm clothes if a cold climate awaits him when leaving the plane.

Necessary care items:

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

The aircraft are equipped special places for swaddling and dressing. They are in the bathrooms.

Nutrition for the newborn

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

The first thing you should always have is water and baby food. All this is easy to carry in hand luggage.

Important. When checking things, a bottle of water may be asked to leave, but an exception is made for babies.

The total amount of food and water for the child should not exceed 1 liter. Parents need to provide enough fluid. Airplanes have dry air and babies are often thirsty.

If hot water is needed to prepare infant formula, the flight attendant will bring it. Therefore, do not worry about this, and collect boiling water in a thermos.

first aid kit

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

As for children medicines, their number is limited.

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

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

It should contain the following drugs:

• For pain and colic in the abdomen. It is especially important to take these medicines if the baby is not yet 6 months old.
• Painkillers and antipyretics. During the flight, the child may have a fever, pain in the ears and head.
• Remedies for diarrhea. With a pressure drop in a child, the stool may be disturbed.
• Vasoconstrictor nasal drops. They will help relieve the baby from 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 adversely affect the health of the child.

Amenities on the plane

In addition to the fact that in the aircraft cabin, the sanitary rooms are equipped with folding tables for swaddling, on board there is everything you need for comfortable flight with kids. The first is cradles. They are issued when needed. They can fly little passenger weighing up to 11 kg.

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

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

Advice. Cradle for children must be booked when ordering or buying a ticket.

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

Dear visitors of the Aviawiki site! There are so many of your questions that, unfortunately, our specialists do not always have time to answer all of them. As a reminder, we answer questions absolutely free of charge and on a first-come, first-served basis. However, you have the opportunity to get a guaranteed prompt response for a nominal amount..

The birth of a baby is not only the hassle of finding a stroller, crib, toys and a high chair for feeding. This is also not at all a reason to deny your family travel, including long-distance ones. You should know some points so that the flight of children on an airplane passes without negative emotions.

1. In the process of searching and then booking a plane ticket, if you do this not online, but through representatives of the airline, be sure to warn the latter that a baby is flying with you. More comfortable seats will be reserved for you in the cabin - in the front of the cabin.

2. If you are traveling with a baby, you should know that airlines provide a carrycot for babies weighing up to 8 kg. and up to 10 months of age.

It is better to contact the airline representative in advance and check the availability of a cradle for children on the plane. There are no such cradles in domestic aircraft, in particular in "TU-shki". But if you fly on a Boeing or Airbus, this problem will not arise.

3. The cost of a plane ticket for a child under 2 years old is 10% of the fare for international flights, and completely free for flights within the country - without providing a separate seat.

If you are flying with two babies under the age of two at once, you can buy one seat with a discount of 25 to 33% on international destinations, and for 50% of the fare for domestic flights.

Tickets for children aged 2 to 12 will be 25% cheaper for international flights, and 50% cheaper on domestic flights. According to the rules of flying with a child, if you decide to buy a plane ticket for a baby under 2 years old with a separate seat, the cost will be calculated the same way as for a child t 2 to 12 years old.

4. As happy parents, you can enjoy some perks if you have already decided. For example, do not stand in line for registration. This is an unofficial rule for flying with a child, however, you can safely proceed forward to the check-in counter. If there is a source of disturbance in the queue, contact any airport employee for help.

5. Flying with a baby is often the need to carry a stroller. So, dear parents, a stroller-cane is not considered luggage, and its weight is not taken into account. So, you can simply check in the stroller in your baggage right in front of the gangway and get it back immediately after landing.

6. To make the baby feel comfortable in the cabin, you need to try to surround him with familiar objects. Therefore, when deciding what to take your child on a plane, do not forget about his favorite toys.

7. Doctors recommend putting cotton swabs in the child's ears, because many children, especially on the first flight, are frightened by the sound of turbines. Accordingly, throughout the flight they feel uncomfortable and act up.

8 . During takeoff and landing, as you know, it is very stuffy in the ears. A child, especially an infant, is unlikely to understand your explanations of what needs to be tolerated, etc. So, just in these few unpleasant minutes, breastfeed or bottle feed him. And in order for him to have a bite with great pleasure, delay the “snack” a little and do not knock down the baby’s appetite before registering.

9. On a long flight with a baby, that is, lasting more than 3 hours, you have the right to count on a special set for the baby. Usually it includes cottage cheese, fruit drink, juice and mashed potatoes. Often, passengers with children are also provided with a diaper, oilcloth and wet wipes.

10. The most worrying thing for parents is the issue of baby food. In fact, the airport staff will let you through with the amount of food that your baby will objectively need during the flight. Therefore, thinking about what to take your child on a plane, you can safely put his breakfast, lunch or dinner in a bag.

Your baby’s “snack” may well cool down during the time it takes to go through control, check-in and fly. Feel free to just ask the flight attendants to warm up the food, they are obliged to comply with your request.

eleven . You should be careful with drugs against motion sickness on the plane. If you think that your child should be given such a remedy, check with your pediatrician first. (Read Overview of Airplane Motion Sickness Remedies)

12. Depending on the country you are flying to, you should take care of all the necessary vaccinations and vaccinations in advance. It is also better to take a list of vaccinations with a doctor's stamp with you.

13. Do not think that during the search your baby will be able to avoid this unpleasant procedure. The rules for flying with a child are such that in some countries babies have to be undressed for screening. If you are flying alone with a child, do not hesitate to ask the airport staff for help.

14. On a flight, you may need to change your baby's diaper. To do this, use the toilet room. If you are flying in a Boeing or an Airbus, consider yourself lucky, because specifically for this purpose, the voiced aircraft have a folding changing table, all in the same toilet. Ask a flight attendant to show you one if you can't find it yourself.

15. Flying with a baby is not only unfamiliar, but also somewhat uncomfortable. If your child easily tolerates a little high blood pressure, then he will quickly fall asleep on the plane. If not, then be prepared for the whims and discontent of the baby.

Do not be nervous, who knows how sensitive the child is to your mood. If you are calm, then the child will most likely calm down quickly.

16 . If you have not just a flight with a child, but also a journey with a connection, relax in the mother and child room. Not only do you have it full right, but it’s just a sin not to take advantage of this opportunity to be with the baby in a calm environment.

17. What should a child take on a plane? Depending on the age of the baby, these can be coloring books and felt-tip pens, a favorite toy, change of underwear and diapers, napkins, medicines if necessary, baby food. It is absolutely optional to take a blanket into the cabin of the aircraft - flight attendants will provide it upon request.

As for medicines, if you are prescribed a course of treatment and have prescriptions, it is better to take all these prescriptions with you. Moisturizing nose drops are best poured into a large bottle, because under pressure the liquid pours out of the “tight” bubbles.

18 . As a rule, the allowance free baggage for a child is 10 kg.

19. If you need to go to the toilet, you can ask the flight attendant to look after the child. In general, do not hesitate to ask the flight attendants for help.

20. If you are flying with a child charter flight It's better to arrive at the airport well in advance. There are usually many parents with babies on such flights, and if you find yourself at the end of the check-in line, it may happen that your family is divided into the remaining empty seats. For example, dad will sit separately from mom with a child. So, it is better to get to the very beginning of the queue.

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 pediatricians and airline employees. Now is the height of holidays and vacations, which means it's time to recall these simple, but very necessary recommendations.

1. Psychological preparation of yourself

“The question of a screaming child is a question of the preparation of the accompanying parent.”

Tune in advance that everything will be bad: the child will roar, and the neighbors will come across unloving and scandalous. It is better for especially sensitive parents to drink a sedative in advance (do not confuse it with vodka) so as not to fall into hysterics themselves. Calm parents - calm child. The calmer the parents, the easier it is for the children. Even if you have conflicts in the family, conclude a peace agreement in advance for the duration of all flights with a child. Agree to immediately put up with any quarrel, no matter who is to blame. It can be childish, shaking each other's little fingers. Your swearing will certainly plunge the child into depression, he will also begin to roar, and it will be worse for you, and for him, and for everyone around. Dads who are used to flying without children and drinking alcohol should immediately understand that they will have to give up this habit and completely take care of the child (on their own or with their mother). There should not be situations when 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 will not hurt to talk about what an airplane is, how it buzzes, 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 dreamed of flying and was waiting for it as a birthday or New Year. Some parents recommend allowing on board a lot of things that they forbid in ordinary children's life: “For them, this is a kind of holiday, because only on the plane can they drink cola and suck on candy. I don't let them do that at home."

To book such seats, when buying tickets, you need to clarify whether they are free and whether a cradle is provided during the flight. Employees of the offices of the selected airline will provide such information. After buying tickets, you need to immediately book these seats - sometimes this can be done directly on the airline's website, sometimes you can contact its employees. And a few days before departure, call back and confirm. If the airline does not provide the possibility of booking such seats, then you will have to go to the airport in advance in order 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, then you must indicate when registering where you would like to receive it.

Most non-babies prefer to sit by the window and watch what is down there. In addition, it is more convenient to sleep by the window and the child definitely does not run the risk of getting hit on 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 here. Some argue that it is better to take tickets for flights that minimally shift the child's daily routine, and try to support him during the flight. Others advise waking up the baby early or not letting them sleep at all before the flight. "Exhaust the child before the plane so that he falls asleep on the plane." Another option: “We choose early departures, when the rise occurs at one or two in the morning. Most flight the child is sleeping.

However, this is not suitable for all children: “But lack of sleep can affect us differently. IN last time the child roared 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 like he wanted to sleep. In general, focus on own experience and your own child, but in general the “exhaust” method works for most children. Especially if they are given sleeping pills or sedatives 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 tantrums. A well-rested and well-fed child is already 50% of success.

4. What to bring

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

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

3-4 years: a pot, napkins, water, drying, clothes, favorite books, puzzles, constructors, magazines with stickers, puzzles.;

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

“Take a change of clothes for the child and mother. It is not so rare for a child, especially up to 2 years old, who sits in his mother’s arms, throws himself on himself and does not forget his mother.

Also, a few apples, cut into slices, medicines for motion sickness, pain, soothing, will always come in handy. “I also always take a couple of shawls / scarves with me - firstly, the child can be saved from the cold, and secondly, like, she dresses up (I have a classic girl).” And of course, a father's / mother's smartphone is a great toy, if you are sure that the child will not erase anything there.

5. What to do with the child during the flight

“If a child is nervous in a separate seat during takeoff, you need to ask the stewardess for a child's belt, put it on your knees (not the stewardess, but the child) and fasten it to yourself.”

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

“On long flights, be sure to let the 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. Yes, it is good for adults to stretch their legs. Somehow we formed a whole kindergarten in the tail 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 are going to do, play, draw together.”

“Looking out the window and explaining is very entertaining.”

“When the child got tired, they dragged around the neighbors, changing the situation a little. Friendly neighbors on the plane were right away, a couple of minutes of hooting with someone else's aunt gave 10-15 minutes of silence.

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

“Preparing meals, eating and collecting trays is always mega fun. You can allow to take one of the sets of plastic cutlery with you, promising to arrange a separate dinner for the toy characters later.”

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

“Be sure to ask for permission after landing (already at the exit) to look at the pilot. Usually possible for those who are well-behaved. You can’t buy a two-year-old for this, but in 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 converted into playground. I will never forget how in Prague I caught a kid on a travelator on New Year's Eve and how he almost dropped a 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. You just need to make sure that it does not harm other people and the airport building.”

“We once sat in the mountains in France for 10 hours at the airport. The child was 5, and we just went to the store for the next lego as we assembled and reworked the previous one.

7. About laying ears and feeding

“If we talk about very small ones (up to a year), then on takeoff and landing you need to give a breast or a bottle so that your ears do not lay. If you miss this moment, then the ears can get sick and there is nothing to calm the child until the end of the flight. Until a year and a half, while she was feeding, she calculated so that during takeoff and landing she would give breasts. As a result, passengers were surprised at the exit that during the flight the child was not even noticed. Now (4 years) before take-off we try to take a walk and during the climb we give juice from a straw. On landing, if not sleeping, too. As long as it saves."

“An almost one-year-old child was saved from laying his ears with a bottle of water with a nipple for a younger age, so that he had to pull harder. Well, of course, another bottle with a normal nipple was also there to get drunk.”

“Sometimes our ears are blocked, so “cheburashka” helps - put a napkin dipped in hot water, and put two glasses to the ears.

“With laying his ears, he taught to hold his nose and blow into it - everything goes away at once.”

“Medicine dripped into the ears during takeoff and landing”

“We flew for a long time somehow, the child is a year old. During takeoff and landing, the child's ears were blocked. The stewardess used a technique that we still use successfully: boiling water is poured into a plastic cup, splashed out, and applied to the ears. The effect of cans: the child immediately calms down.

“It is advised to drip any vasoconstrictor into the nose before the flight (during pressure drops, the eardrum presses, because of this pain). Give small sips of water (any liquid) during takeoff and landing. Blow out your nose (like divers), but this is still for older kids, and with caution. We also have a pipe from which you can remove the tip and it stops whistling. So, during takeoff and landing, we “play” with it, blow with all our might. It helps a lot with the 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 less children's tears on airplanes.