AboutSuzan Jackson Expertise I am a writer specializing in topics related to family, especially enjoying travel and the outdoors with children. My husband and I have traveled extensively with our own 2 sons - now ages 10 and 14 - since they were infants. I can advise on travel by air or car and on a variety of destinations across the US. We also enjoy many outdoor activities with our sons. For more information, see my websites: www.travelfamily.net and www.outdoorfamily.net.
Experience Traveling with my own 2 boys since they were infants, by air and car, to a wide variety of destinations, both urban and outdoor. Writing about travel with children.
Publications FAMILY FUN magazine
See my website www.travelfamily.net for articles and tips on traveling with kids.
Question Hi,
I'm planning on traveling to Sri Lanka from San Fransisco (2 flights, one for 12 hours and the other for 8 hrs)with my 1 year old son, alone! I'm right now really nervous as this will be his first time on plane for him and the flight durations are very long. I plan on taking my stroller (quinny zapp)and my baby is still been breastfed. Please advice me how to get ready for this long trip.
Thank you for your precious time...
Answer Dear Himasha -
I apologize for not getting back to you sooner - I've been sick this week.
Wow, your trip sounds wonderful! Those are some long flights, though, so I can understand your concerns.
You're already doing some good things for the trip - with a breastfed baby, you won't have to worry about managing bottles and formula on the trip, and breastfeeding is probably soothing to your son, which can come in handy on a long trip.
Have you purchased a seat for your son? Although babies under 2 fly free as "lap children", there are some benefits to purchasing him a seat, if you can afford it (many airlines discount seats for babies). He is probably safer buckled into his own seat, especially during take-off and landing. We always brought our own car seat for our son when he was young, in part for safety and in part because he slept well in his car seat, and it was familiar to him. In addition, it would be pretty tiring for you to hold your son for two such long flights; an extra seat will give you both more room and freedom.
Does your son also drink from a bottle or cup? If so, you might want to bring a bottle along so he can also suck during take-off and landing (if he'll be buckled into his own seat). Sucking (from either bottle or breast) will help him to equalize the pressure in his ears - that's the main reason babies cry during take-off and landing, because of the pressure change (they don't know how to clear their ears like adults do).
The other good thing you're already doing is bringing your stroller along. This is so helpful when traveling through airports. We also found it helpful to use a backpack instead of a traditional diaper bag. With his supplies on your back and him in the stroller, you'll have your hands free. The airline will allow you to bring the stroller right up to the door of the airplane. Then they'll check it for you and return it to you as you exit the plane. Just let the agent at the gate know you have a stroller with you.
Even though you have the stroller, be sure to give your son plenty of time to move around while you wait for your flight. Once you're in the gate area, let him out of the stroller so he can crawl or walk (if he's walking yet) - you want him to use up lots of energy before he's confined to the plane!
For more tips on air travel, check out my article at my website:
www.travelfamily.net
Click on Travel Tips, then on Air Travel with Kids. In the article, be sure to click on Tips for Babies and Toddlers, too.
