ABCs in the air: 26 guidelines for flying with a wee one

Agents Protective Shoes On every flight with my daughter Taryn, I learn more firsthand flying lessons that I'd like to share with other traveling parents. Beyond making sure that your little flier has something to suck on during take-off and landing, here are 26 tips I've gathered after more than two dozen flights with my infant travelmate. This advice is for those traveling with a baby younger than 2.A - Always use the restroom yourself as your final move when you're still in the presence of another adult who can watch your child. Busy moms often forget to think of their own personal needs.B - Buckle up – Remember to buckle your seat belt on the plane before you get your child settled on your lap. Once your baby falls asleep or starts nursing, you'll be hard pressed to find the two parts to your seat belt - especially if you're traveling alone.C - Cheerios are a mom's best friend. It's no surprise that there's a zip-top baggie full of Cheerios in our diaper bag at all times. However, I also keep another zip-top baggie filled with these kid-friendly munchies in my carry-on computer case. Those magic circles can come in handy at the gate, on the tarmac - any time you're in need of a distraction or a small snack for your mini-traveler.D - Direct flights are key to successful flying when it's you and a tot in transit. Check to see if one is available for you and your baby - even if it costs a little bit more, your sanity is worth it.E - Ease your baby into the jet-setting lifestyle. Starting out with an 18-hour flight to Australia isn't fair to your baby, or you. If a long flight is in the works, try out her wings on a quick weekend jaunt before the main event. Another option if you can't actually take a flight: practice sitting with your child in your lap at home.F - Forget about the alcohol. As tempting as it might be, having your wits about you has never been more important than when you're responsible for your little person in a crowded airport, or on a plane full of strangers. Celebrate your safe arrival with a cocktail once you reach your destination.G - Germs are everywhere, so be sure to keep a tiny bottle of hand sanitizer in your purse or diaper bag. Strangers love to touch babies, and air travel is full of germs, so if you want your baby to stay healthy, apply often.H - Have a straw handy. Keep one in your carry-on bag, for those times when you don't have a bottle or sippy cup on hand. You can "feed" your child water with the straw.I - Introduce yourself and your child to the other passengers in your row as soon as you are getting settled on the plane. People tend to be more lenient with a baby who they know by name.J - Journals are a traveling girl's best friend. I started a travel journal for my daughter while she was still in utero. (OK, so I have a travel addiction!) We left for India during my second trimester and one day she'll read all about it. Now that she's even more present in flight, I save our boarding passes and keep track of all her travel plans, including states and airports she's visited. I think she'll be glad I did.K - Knapsack full of soft toys EQUALS lifesaver. Consider a small cloth knapsack to be used expressly for carting in-flight entertainment for your child. It's like a portable treasure chest that will delight your tot, especially infants over 8 months. Have a set of toys that are specifically for travel (and that could be lost without major trauma).L - Leave the diapers at home. Well, not really. Bring plenty for your travel time, but unless you're headed to an incredibly remote destination (not likely with an infant), consider shopping for any bulk items you'll need en route to your final destination. A quick stop at a drugstore or department store on your way to your hotel or rental home is better than trying to pack diapers, wipes, baby food, etc. for a week.M - Make a custom luggage tag for your mini-flyer, to be attached to his/her clothing. Especially if your child isn't talking yet, it's important to be sure they have contact info on their person in case of an emergency or accidental separation. Be sure your cell phone number is on the tag. (Also, tag your car seat with a very obvious luggage tag. Some people prefer to bring the car seat to the gate, just in case the flight isn't ull and they may be able to accommodate you with two seats. However, I find it easier to check the car seat and base at curbside check-in, then wheel my daughter in her stroller as we head for the gate.)N - Nursing Shawl – My cozy green L'ovedbaby nursing shawl makes the flight fly by. It's the most important item in the diaper bag aside from diapers, and can also double as a blanket when needed. Another item I don't travel without: the Baby Bjorn, which allows me to go hands-free as I'm getting on the plane with my carry-ons, the most rambunctious one being my daughter.O - Oh say can you see... your child's name, or "Infant in arms" printed on your boarding pass? If not, be sure to check with a gate agent to be sure your child is accounted for on the manifest. Some airlines will have you write your child's name and birth date on your boarding pass.P - Pack extra clothes for yourself in the diaper bag. You might need a change too, if your new traveler gets sick or has a bathroom accident. A T-shirt or one of your no-wrinkle travel tops will do the trick, and won't take up much room.Q - Quick, change the baby! Even if grandma and grandpa haven't seen their little angel in months, take time out for a diaper change before you leave the terminal. A fresh baby is a happy baby, and once the family reunion begins, logistics tend to get overwhelming. That's why a diaper change before you head for the baggage carousel is a smart move.R - Remember to pack an extra blanket. No matter what the season, or what the destination, it seems there's always use for a second cover. For example, I recently felt obliged to offer our extra blanket to the woman sitting next to us who unfortunately was wearing her hot tea all over her white Capri pants, thanks to my daughter's curiosity and flailing arms. Oops! She was a good sport, and was thankful we had a dry blanket she could sit on for the rest of the flight.S - Savor the budget relief: It won't be long before you have to purchase a seat for your little one. Age 2 is when the airlines require you to do so. Although, some airlines are proposing new fees for flying infants.T - Take time to enjoy the view from her eyes. Nothing makes me smile broader than watching my little girl gaze in amazement at the giant plane wing, follow the clouds or wave to the baggage handlers. Ah, the joys of raising a little traveler!U - Under no circumstances should you leave your baby alone on the plane, even if he's sleeping and you absolutely must use the lavatory. Press the call button and a flight attendant will come to your rescue. Another option: carry your baby with you to the lav, and ask if one of the attendants would mind holding your prize carry-on for just a few minutes.V - Volunteer bumping may be a thing of the past, unless you have a very good travel baby! Remember when you were "eating" for two? Well now you're traveling for two. A 6-hour delay meant nothing when you could shop and work in the terminal, or hop in a cab for a quick excursion. But with baby in tow, getting home to normalcy could take priority.W - Water is a great thing to have on hand when you're stuck on the tarmac - for you and your baby. Keep an empty baby bottle in the diaper bag so that you can pour some bottled water into it for your wee one.X - X-ray machines at security can be alarming for little ones who haven't been through them before. Explain to them that it's like a parade at the airport and everyone has to wait their turn. Remember, your child's shoes have to come off too!Y - You aren't going to get work done on the plane anymore! For some of us, this is a major change in flight plans. If you were formerly a flyer who considered your aisle seat an office at 35,000 feet (free from calls and co-workers), be aware that those days are temporarily over. It's all part of the parenting experience.Z - Zzzzs – If you're lucky enough to get into a bulkhead seat with the row to yourself, put a blanket on the floor and put your sleeping baby down to rest on top of it. Letting infants sleep on the seat next to you might seem like a better idea, but the floor is safer. On the seat, falling is a risk if they wake suddenly.(Stephanie Oswald is editor-in-chief of travelgirl magazine and host of "All-Girl Getaways" on the Fine Living Network. For more savvy travel info, pick up the latest issue of travelgirl magazine or visit www.travelgirlinc.com.)