Hellobee

Most of us have already heard the common flying tips like nurse or feed your baby at take off and landing to keep baby’s ears happy, or what to pack. But what I don’t hear a lot of is how to pass the time on the flight itself. While I am no pro – I’ve only flown three times – I did find a few things to be pretty helpful.

1) Spoon or Cup – Maybe it’s just my guy, but he loves to play with spoons. He doesn’t know how to feed himself, yet, but they are sure fun to play with – stick it in your month, bang it, or conduct an orchestra. Also, a plastic cup they use for drinks on the flight will works pretty well for a few minutes of entertainment.

2) Nibbles – Giving something for your baby to nibble on helps keep them preoccupied for a bit. The best things are little nibbles that they (or you) can pop in their mouth. My favorites are the puffs and yogurt bites. We buy the Plum Super Puffs and Happy Baby Yogis brands and Petit Macaron enjoys them.

3) Food Feeder – This came in the most useful on our recent flight. The morning of the flight, I chopped up some applies and put them in a little baggie. On the flight, I stuffed a little piece of apple into the feeder, and Petit Macaron when to town gnawing on it. Plus, I got some apples slices as a snack for myself. A win win. The Kidsme Food Feeder has worked great for us – easy to put food in and easy to clean as well.

\4) Sippy Cup – Remember not to put water in before the airport. Then remember to fill it with water on the other side of security, or ask the flight attendant. If you can remember all this, or heck empty probably works, then this makes a great distraction on the plane. My little guy loves to hold the handles, bang the cup on the seat, and chew on the top of this sippy cup. Oh yea, and drink some water (he’s still figuring it out). In a pinch, an empty water bottle can work well, too.

5) Blanket – There are so many uses for a blanket on a plane. First, and primarily, to wrap your baby to keep him snug and warm. But it can also be something for them to flap around or suck on – at least, my son does this. It can be used as a cushion on the arm rest or wall while you nurse. Another way to make use of the blanket is to use it to play peek-a-boo. Just lightly lay the blanket over your baby’s head, and then pull it off and say, “peek-a-boo!”

6) Apps – I know screen time is a debated topic, but sometimes it comes in handy. Th only problem here is if the app makes noise or music, which might drive your fellow passengers nuts. A few that have been working well for us are the Fisher Price apps like the Laugh & Learn Shapes & Colors Music Show for Baby as well as the Baby Bubbles app.

7) Pacifier – If for some reason your baby doesn’t want to nurse on take off or landing, then a binkie might come in useful. Petit Macaron just enjoys playing with it as well as sucking on it. While they are more expensive, we enjoy the wubbanub. It’s easy to hold on to, harder to lose, fun for the baby to play with and cute.

8) In Flight Magazine – Yup, that magazine right in front of you in the seat back pocket. You can flip through the pages with your little one. If you’re desperate, you can rip out one page for them to crunch up a bit (or sometimes I let him have those square inserts you find in magazines). The colors and shine of the pages can be pretty fun.

9) Toys & Books – Perhaps these are obvious for entertaining your baby, but heck let’s state the obvious! Some toys and books we’ve enjoyed (at 8 and 9 months old) are the crinkle books, Bright Stars Snuggle Teether Elephant, Fisher Price Laugh & Learn Remote, My First Touch & Feel Pets, and Indestructible books.

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Lastly, I wanted to share some other tips that are not always on the usual “how to fly with a baby” posts.

1) Check-in Stroller & Carseat – Mr. Macaron is big on checking in bags, and always has been. I drag my feet with checking in since it is usually more money and takes more time once you arrive. But with babies, this has changed and I’m definitely on board with the check-in your bags idea. We not only check-in our bags, but check-in the stroller and carseat, too. Then you just use a carrier to get through security and to the gate. We unpack them at the baggage claim and it’s just so much easier. Maybe this isn’t necessary if you have a uber light stroller, but even so it’s just one piece less to worry about until your destination.

2) Carrier – Since you check in your bags from the tip above, you’ll have a carrier. You have to take the baby out of it during take-off and landing, but you can strap your baby back in once you’re in the air, and walk up and down the aisle. I have hung out in the back with the flight attendants and let Petit Macaron watch all the action.

3) Ship Supplies – If you’re staying in one place, or know your first stop, then it’s so convenient to ship all your diapers, wipes, and food in advance. Then all you need to pack are supplies for the traveling segment of your trip.

4) Fly at Naptime – If you can, plan your trip around a scheduled nap. Your baby may not nap, but it definitely increases the likelihood of a nap. It’s worked so far for Petit Macaron. He gets pretty tired with all the action of getting onto the plan, that he’s pretty tuckered. Then I use the nursing cover to keep all the distractions hidden and create a more peaceful environment to help him nap.

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If you search Hellobee, there are other posts with great tips for flying. I still get nervous every time we fly. Will he cry? Will he annoy all the other passengers? Will there be turbulence? But stay calm – it’ll all work out! Be strong, mama! It’ll be over before you know it. The hopefully you can relax at the end of the travel day.