What could possibly be more terrifying than childbirth? I'll tell you. Bringing that same child onto a plane for the first time. Here are a few tips to help you on that dreaded flight.
I feel that since Scarlet has now been on six plane rides I can speak about some of the challenges that parents face on a plane.
The first is: other passengers. You are now known as 'That-Person-that-brings-a-baby-on-an-airplane'. Yes, the woman may smile at you while you walk down that skinny ass aisle but inside they're saying "Really? I can't have just one flight without an infant screaming? This is supposed to be my vacation!" And the men - they don't even smile because they're too busy chanting "Not beside me, please God not beside me, not beside me, not beside me. Go to the back, go to the back, go to the back". But irritable people is something that you have to just accept and let go of. If you think about it, we were all babies once, and we all screamed our heads off either on or off of an airplane, so those people can just deal with it. If they have had kids, they know and they can shrug it off.
Challenge two: babies, like adults, get bored on airplanes really quickly. Think about it - you're staring at the back of a chair for five hours and unless you have a movie playing in front of you, a magazine, a book, a sudoku, you're going to get antsy fast. So is a baby. Bring toys. Lot's and lot's of new shiny toys. Not in the budget? Hide certain toys four weeks prior to going on your trip and bring them out on the plane. 
Challenge number three: ear canals. The first flight Scarlet was on was slightly mysterious in a good way. She didn't cry at any point. Not during take off, not during flight time and not during the landing. I was actually slightly concerned that she may have an issue with her hearing because I was told so often that the pressure hurts the baby's ears so I just prepared for tears during all of these times. What I realized was in her fourth or fifth flight (where I was told that I had to hold her in a burping position) was that she wasn't nursing and hence more suseptable to popping ears. I guess WestJet is more laid back concerning whether baby is held or not during these times which I absolutely did until I was told NOT to by Air Canada. Providing your baby with something that she can suck on or drink is crucial. Holding her in your arms in the burping position without anything in her mouth is bad news bears.
Challenge four: sleeping. If you have a red eye, your baby will hopefully sleep, that is if other passengers and/or the airline are willing to shift, move, provide you with an extra seat. As some of you know, babies under one are free, but they don't get a seat of their own. You are left holding her, which isn't so bad if you have your partner/husband with you. I did two flights just holding Scarlet on my own without an extra seat. Hard. Very hard. She didn't sleep in my arms after around six months unless she was uber tired so forget any sleep on that plane. If you have a red-eye flight, and an extra seat it can be wonderful. Our last flight from Kauai worked well because she drifted off in my arms and then I was able to put her down. We were forced to hold her during turbulence which woke her up, but eventually we were able to get her back down when the seat-belt sign went off.
Challenge five: eating and drinking. Those little squeeze packets and small puff bites are allowed. So is 100 ml of water is allowed. Everything else is not. Found this out the hard way.
I found that I got excited when I saw other parents with children. I was on a flight where we were literally the only family with a child, so I knew I couldn't hope to blame anyone else when Scarlet let out her wails - and listen up - at some point your child will wail. Get ready for the glares. But honestly, it isn't that bad. The positives are that the noise of the plane can put them right out, or the stewardess may have a new treat or game for your little one. The first flight might be your most intimidating, but after that it will feel like a breeze. Hope this helps some of the new mommies out there.
#Planetipsformoms
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