by Jane.PH

Created on: October 07, 2008   Last Updated: October 04, 2009

Airplane travel isn't the most comfortable situation that anyone can be on, even for seasoned adult flyers who travel alone. Imagine, cramped space, limited leg room, toilet that you have to share with hundreds of different people, that feeling of air-sickness and cabin pressure ringing in your ears, being in a sitting position for hours and hours, airplane food that isn't as fabulous as home-cooked meals and most of all limited (or even lack of) privacy.

BOOKING YOUR FLIGHT

* It would be best to pick a flight that time so well with your baby's rest time or the time of the day when baby is less cranky and easier to manage.

* Book a direct flight rather than one that has a stop-over. In this way, there would be lesser need for you to juggle your baby and your hand-carry around going from gate to gate and checking in.

* If you have a choice, and if your budget would suit it travel with a non-budget airline with big 747 planes that carry those bassinette for baby to sleep in and where there would be enough room for you to stretch out and move your legs. That goes especially for those who would be stuck in a flight more than an hour.

PACKING FOR THE FLIGHT

* Refrain from having too many hand-carry bags considering that you are travelling alone and you have an infant to attend to.

* Try to bring a hand-carry bag that would fit under your airplane seat or under the one in front of you. In this way, you wouldn't be forced to stash your bag on the overhead compartment and would do away with the need to stand and reach up each time to you to get something from your bag.

* Pack with your baby's (and your) complete comfort. Remember to bring all basics that baby would need and always throw in a bit of extras that you know would make baby comfortable, like a blanket, pacifier or a favorite toy (of considerable size).

CHECKING IN, CHECKING OUT AND WHILE AT THE AIRPORT

* Allow ample time for check-in queues and other mishaps. You can't always guarantee to breeze through check-in. With giving yourself plenty of time allowance, you would be able to relax before your flight starts boarding. Remember than any anxious feeling that you have, your baby could pick it up and could heighten baby's own anxiety.

* Don't be shy and ask for assistance. Surely, there would be somebody in the flight crew who would be more than willing to lend a hand to make your and your baby's flight an enjoyable one.

* While waiting for boarding time, make sure that baby has been fed and nappy is clean.

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