On the flip-side, there are some perks to this: your child learns how to be flexible and self-regulate in new situations. If you are one of those people whose baby has to sleep at a particular time, in a particular place, this new adaptability could be liberating in a way you never imagined. Read our note on combating jetlag when you get off the flight.
Worst Case Scenario 2: Baby will scream all through the flight
It’s happened to some, and it’s not happened to many. Babies are hard to predict in unfamiliar situations, and traveling with an infant is definitely one. My son had a fit on a one-hour flight that I thought would be a breeze, and slept like a king on a 12-hour one. But the reality is, your kid doesn’t scream endlessly for hours on end at home, so why should they on a plane?
If they are agitated, they may fuss and shout for a little while, but eventually they will get tired too, and with a little distraction, you many find that they too can settle. If your child is unwell or uncomfortable (ear infection), you can try nursing them, giving a pacifier or a mild painkiller like Tylenol or Panadol. For infants, walking them up and down the aisle with a little bounce should help to put them to sleep. And don’t worry, you won’t be the first person this has ever happened to. And if you have unsympathetic fellow passengers, remind them that airlines fees are the worst things about flying, not kids.