Soaring with Smiles: 7 Best Hacks for Long-Haul Flights with Your Baby

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June 23, 2024

Does long-haul flights scare you?

Traveling with a baby is akin to embarking on an epic quest. The destination is wonderful, but the journey? Full of unexpected challenges, magical moments, and, sometimes, a dragon or two in the form of crying fits. For new parents who love to travel and refuse to hang up their globetrotting shoes just because a baby’s in tow, here’s a real but fun guide to tackling common in-flight issues such as crying, feeding, and diaper changing, like a pro.

Part A: The Crying Conundrum: Taming the Tiny Dragon

The Pre-Emptive Strike: Preparation

First, let’s face it—babies cry. It’s their primary form of communication, and long-haul flights are bound to bring out their inner opera singer. But fear not! With some preparation, you can minimize those tearful (and fearful) moments.

Timing is Everything: Try to book flights that align with your baby’s sleep schedule. Night flights can be a godsend, as your little one might sleep through most of the journey.
Comfort Zone: Bring familiar items from home—favorite blankets, stuffed animals, or a cherished toy. The familiar smells and textures can be incredibly soothing.

In-Flight Wizardry: Tricks to Soothe

Once airborne, your primary mission is to keep your baby as calm and comfortable as possible.

The Suckle Solution: Takeoff and landing can be rough on tiny ears. Breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, or offering a pacifier can help equalize the pressure and reduce discomfort.
Distraction Magic: Bring familiar items from home—favorite blankets, stuffed animals, or a cherished toy. The familiar smells and textures can be incredibly soothing.
Walk the Aisles: Sometimes, a change of scenery does wonders. If the seatbelt sign is off, take a stroll down the aisle. The gentle movement and new sights can be calming.

The Social Strategy: Handling Fellow Passengers

Your fellow passengers can be allies or adversaries. A little charm goes a long way.

Pre-Emptive Apologies: A friendly smile and a heads-up to nearby passengers can set the right tone. A simple, “Hi, we’re traveling with a baby. We’ll do our best to keep him/her calm,” can make people more understanding. We do it unashamedly, and it really brings the best out of folks, from smiling and bearing with us, to even changing their seats to accommodate more space for us!
Earplugs as Peace Offerings: Carry a few packs of cheap earplugs to offer to passengers if the crying gets out of hand. It’s a humorous and kind gesture that shows you’re considerate. While we have hardly ever had to use this tool, we do throw in a couple in our carry-on, just in case!

Part B: Feeding Frenzy: Navigating Mealtime in the Sky

Feeding a baby on a long-haul flight can feel like a juggling act, but with the right strategies, you can keep mealtime messes to a minimum.

Breastfeeding Bliss

If you’re breastfeeding, the logistics are relatively simple.

Nursing Cover: A lightweight nursing cover can give you privacy and help your baby focus on feeding. Here are our favourites from amazon.in and amazon.com.
Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water. Airplane cabins are notoriously dry, and staying hydrated is crucial for maintaining your milk supply.

Bottle-Feeding Brilliance

Bottle-feeding requires a bit more planning but is entirely manageable.

Pre-Measured Formula: Pack pre-measured servings of formula in easy-to-access containers. This way, you’re not fumbling with scoops and bags at 35,000 feet. If you want to know more about feeding tools and gadgets to use when traveling with a baby, check out this blog of ours: Bite-Sized Adventures: 14 New Food Gadgets for Infants and Toddlers on the Go
Sterilized Bottles: Bring enough sterilized bottles to last the journey, plus a couple of extras in case of spills or delays in long-haul flights.
Hot Water Hack: Flight attendants can provide hot water for mixing formula. A thermos with a built-in cup can be handy for mixing and cooling the formula to the right temperature.

Solid Food Smarts

If your baby is on solids, bring a variety of easy-to-serve options.

Pouches and Snacks: Pack baby food pouches and snacks like teething biscuits or rice crackers. They’re less messy and easy to manage in long-haul flights.
Portable Utensils: A set of travel-friendly baby utensils and a few disposable bibs can make feeding easier and cleaner.
Baby Food Powder: There are a host of healthy options nowadays, where all you need is warm water to activate the powder to a delicious meal. Bring a few boxes, and then some!

Part C: The Diaper Dilemma: Mastering In-Flight Changes

Changing a diaper in an airplane bathroom can feel like a contortionist act, but with the right gear and mindset, you’ll be a pro in no time, especially in long-haul flights!

Preparation is Key

The Diaper Bag of Wonder: Pack a well-organized diaper bag with all the essentials: diapers, wipes, changing pad, hand sanitizer, and a few plastic bags for dirty diapers and clothes. To know more about this wonder bag, head out to our blog: Best Diaper Bags of 2024: 5 Key Features
Extra Outfits: A set of travel-friendly baby utensils and a few disposable bibs can make feeding easier and cleaner. We have written another blog with more details on What to Pack for Infants in your Carry-On: 3 Ultimate Guidelines for Adventures in the Sky. Check it out to learn more insights!

The Art of the Change

Turbulence Tactics: If the seatbelt sign is on and you need to change a diaper, use the changing pad on your seat. It’s not ideal, but safety comes first.
Compact and Efficient: Airplane bathrooms are tiny. Lay out everything you need before you start the change to minimize the time spent in that cramped space.
Ask for Help: Don’t be shy about asking the flight attendants for assistance on long-haul flights (or any flight for that matter). They’re usually more than willing to help make your journey smoother.

Bonus Tips: Surviving and Thriving

Dress for Success: Dress your baby in layers during long-haul flights to adjust to the fluctuating cabin temperature. Onesies, footed pajamas, and a cozy blanket can keep your baby comfortable. Wear comfortable clothes that help you tackle your little one with ease. Additionally, bring a set of backup clothes for you too!
Tag-Team Parenting: If you’re traveling with a partner, take turns caring for the baby. This way, each of you gets some rest and the baby benefits from varied interaction.
Positive Attitude: Stay calm and positive when on long-haul flights. Babies pick up on parental stress, so keeping a relaxed demeanor can help your baby stay calm too.

Embrace the Adventure of Long-Haul Flights!

Traveling with a baby on long-haul flights is no small feat, but with the right preparation, a sense of humor, and a touch of creativity, you can navigate crying, feeding, and diaper changes like a seasoned pro. Remember, the journey is part of the adventure, and these challenges will one day make for great stories. So, pack your bags, grab your baby, and keep exploring the world—one flight at a time!