Family vacations should be exciting but often, traveling with infants makes it challenging. Nobody wants to see their kid scream throughout a flight, making everyone uncomfortable or running amok. But we understand that it’s often inevitable, so we’ve compiled some tips to help handle kids when traveling.

1 Check your airline’s child policy.

We recommend checking with your airline to know their kid policy and provisions. For example, find out if they allow formulas onboard and bassinets on long-haul flights. Consider what is vital for your kid’s comfort and check the airline’s website or call their customer care line to know their policy.

2 Book early morning flights.

Early morning flights are usually uncrowded, making them less agitating for children. Additionally, kids tend to be tired during these flights and only want to sleep. So plan several months ahead to enable you to choose a convenient flight time for your family.

3 Pack just enough.

Traveling with kids often means having bags filled with items for the children, and it can be nerve-wracking to dig through all those items for documents needed at different points of your travel. So instead, we recommend carrying only the essential kid items and putting your documents in a separate purse, folder or an easy-to-reach place.

4 Prepare for air pressure.

The change in air pressure can cause ear pain, which is more intense for toddlers. Most airlines offer earplugs to help with the pain. If you’re unsure about your airline, call their customer service to check. We also advise buying and carrying yours in case of necessity.

5 Get a light pushchair for easy mobility at the airport.

Pushchairs or strollers are an absolute necessity when traveling with infants or toddlers. So, use a lightweight foldable pushchair that you can take into the plane’s cabin. Remember to check with your airline to know their policy regarding this.

6 Don’t forget food, snacks, water, and pacifiers.

See them as the little bribes you must keep handy to get kids to behave. You want easy compliance. Most airlines might not allow heavy food onboard, but they might accept snacks or light foods. So, prepare your arsenal of snacks, drinks, and pacifiers, and put them in an easy-to-reach bag.

7 Always take extra clothes, diapers, and wipes.

Infants and toddlers are prone to messes, so carry extra items. Some extras to consider are clothes, diapers, wipes, and masks.

8 Dress the child in layers.

While weather and temperatures are mostly predictable, they also tend to fluctuate. Therefore, dress kids in layers to avoid clothing them too warm or too airy without alternatives. That way, you can easily adjust their outfits to the variable weather conditions.

9 Carry entertainment items.

Carry whatever keeps your child occupied and entertained. It could be a tablet, their favorite book, or a stuffed animal. Unoccupied toddlers tend to find other means to amuse themselves, which might mean disturbing other travelers, running off, acting out, and keeping you on your toes. So keep them occupied with their favorite entertainment.