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The air necessities: 39 tips
Babies and toddlers
1. Whenever we fly, my almost-2-year-old always experiences terrible ear pain when the plane starts its descent before landing. We’ve tried ear plugs, lollipop-sucking, and drinking water—with mixed results. I saw this tip on Cheapflights.com’s family page: “Ask the flight attendant to soak a couple of paper napkins in very, very hot water. Wring the napkins out and stick them in the bottom of plastic drink cups. Put the cups over your kids’ ears. It creates a vacuum, and reduces the pressure fast.” We gave it a try, and it worked like a charm! — Jean from Beaverton, Ore.
2. About 10 days before we flew to Florida, I shipped a box of diapers, wipes, and baby toiletries to myself at our hotel. First, I called our hotel in advance to see if it was okay. When I addressed the box, I wrote my name and then “(Guest, Arriving March 9)” so the hotel staff would know to hold it for me. This worked out great! I was able to travel ultralight with just a minimum of supplies in my hand luggage, and I had all my baby supplies waiting for me when we arrived. — Noelle from Morrison, N.J.
3. Keeping your hands free is handy anytime you have a little kid in tow—but especially in a busy airport. Before my last trip, I bought a pack of inexpensive carabiners (D-ring snap-on clips), which are available in most grocery and big box stores. I snapped a couple of carabiners on to my carry-on bag (and to my 5-year-old son’s backpack) and I was able to tote extra items of clothing, small toys, and sippy cups while still keeping my hands free. Best yet, everything stayed within easy reach. When we arrived at our destination, I transferred the carabiners to my daypack. — Eileen from Gilbert, Ariz.
4. Most airlines allow a child under 2 years of age to fly for free as a “lap baby” if sharing the seat of a parent. Because our son is a tall 20-month-old, we’ve been asked on several occasions at the check-in counter to provide proof of his age. My advice: If your baby is going to travel this way, be sure to bring a birth certificate. It can make the difference between a fast, streamlined check-in and being forced to purchase a seat for your child. — Margot from Ann Arbor, Mich.
5. On long flights, I keep my 13-month-old son busy with small, inexpensive toys that I've bought at the dollar store or borrowed from friends. I keep them all hidden in my carry-on bag, then produce them, one at a time, in 20 or 30 minute intervals. A new item keeps him happily occupied and quiet longer than one he already has seen. We also go for short walks on the plane once the "fasten your seatbelt" sign goes off. — Gwen from Chatham, N.Y.
6. I always keep my hands free in the airport. When my daughter was an infant, I used to tote her in a baby carrier or a sling. When she got too heavy for the sling, I would wheel her right to the plane door in the lightest umbrella stroller I could find. I'd ask the crew to stow it, and I'd collect it when the plane landed. — Lindsay from Walla Walla, Wash.
7. I've learned the hard way that it's important to prepare for delays. To calculate how many diapers, baby wipes, meals, and beverages to bring, I compute the length of our door-to-door journey and add six hours. — Barbara from Atlanta, Ga.
8. I do what I can to get my baby to sleep during the flight. Ideally, I choose a flight that coincides with his naptime, and I bring his favorite sleep-inducers: storybooks, his beloved blankie, and his comfiest jammies. — Janette from Fort Meyers, Fla.
9. Ziploc bags are an essential in-flight accessory. Pack a complete change of baby clothes in a two-gallon Ziploc bag. In case of an accident, you'll not only have clean replacement duds but a place to put the dirties. Give yourself 10 bonus points for packing a clean tee-shirt for yourself. Also, pack your toddler's full sippy cups (even the "no spill" kind) in large Ziplocs, since changes in cabin pressure can turn them into bubbling fountains. — Editor 
10. Check in early to gets the best seats. If I think that my baby will sleep for most of the flight, I ask for bulkhead seats and reserve a portable bassinet. Bulkhead rows have extra legroom, but there are two big drawbacks. First, you have to store your diaper bag overhead. Second, since the tray pops out of the armrest, it's hard to use it with a baby on your lap. — Sheila from Manhattan Beach, Calif.
11. Have your child chew, drink, or suck something prior to and during take-offs and landings so pressure changes won't hurt her ears. For older babies (12 months and up), child-size EarPlanes can work wonders. These silicone ear plugs regulate air pressure inside the ear's Eustachian tube, relieving the pressure that cause pain. They're sold at Wal-Mart, Target, and major drug store chains. — Editor
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