Here are a few suggestions for traveling with children:

• If you are looking for a smoother or more stable ride, book your seats or attempt to sit in middle of the plane – over or near the wings.
• Give your child the window seat so that they can look outside during the flight. This can help minimize motion sickness and may provide an entertaining distraction for them.
• Bring plenty of entertainment for the kids (tablet, movies, toys, books, etc.)
• Make sure all tablets, electronics, and headsets are fully charged before the flight and/or bring spare batteries Ask the flight crew if there is any likelihood for bumps or turbulence.
• Consider bringing a stuffed animal or doll on a flight (a favorite item of some kind, but try to avoid one that makes noise and might disrupt other passengers or draw extra attention to you and your family)
• Concentrate on the positives when speaking to your children… (See how cool that looks! Look at those pretty clouds!)
• Distract the kids with questions or games. (How many people do you think are on our flight? Where do you think we are flying over now? Where else do you want to fly someday? How many planes do you see? What else makes loud noises like this? Does that sound like our washing machine/lawnmower/etc.?)
• When booking your flights, try to limit your connections and consider spending more money for a non-stop flight instead. This will help with kids getting fussy, wanting to move around, or missing nap time.
• If possible, schedule flights around sleep schedules or naps. It might cost more money but it can go a long way towards reducing stress and/or preserving your sanity.
• Realize how difficult it can be to retrieve items off the floor if they fall or are dropped. Attaching a cord to bottles or other items can be helpful.
• Travel with lots if sanitary wipes as airplane floors and other surfaces might not be quite as clean or sanitary as those in your house (for items that fall on the ground)
• Bring earphones or headphones for each child (and noise cancelling for yourself!)
• If possible, purchase your kids a similar carry-on to what you use. Backpacks or roll-a-boards for everyone. This can help to make them feel more included as they get to be more like their parents.
• With young kids (and especially infants), save the bottle or any drinks for takeoff and landing if possible. The sucking and/or swallowing action has the added benefit of helping them to equalize their ears with the changes in pressure inside the cabin. Drinking or feeding during this time will help to avoid any potential discomfort as the aircraft climbs.
• Bring empty drink containers that you can fill up in the terminal prior to your flight. This will ensure that everyone has water, so that no one becomes dehydrated on the flight.
• If you or your children need water, don’t hesitate to ring your flight attendant call button and ask for some.
• Kids are almost never too young to start flying. Begin early. You might be surprised to learn that it’s often times easier when they are infants.
• Ask the friends, relatives, or hotels that you will be staying with if they have cribs, car seats, etc. so you don’t have the added stress or hassle of bringing them.
• Familiarize yourself with the TSA/Security rules regarding breast milk prior to planning your trip.
• Research where the lactation rooms are in the airports that you’ll be traveling through.
• If you can spare the expense, consider purchasing the seat next to you even if you kid is a lap child. You’ll appreciate the extra space and ability to put the child somewhere other than your lap.
• Consider traveling with a car seat. Aside from a safety benefit, your child might be more comfortable and familiar with that seat and more likely to nap.
• Plan ahead for the landing phase of the flight. About 30 minutes prior to landing is typically when the plane begins its decent and the seat belt sign is turned on. Try to change diapers, use the restroom, and any other tasks about 45 minutes prior to landing.