Long-haul flights are tiring. And taking them with a little one in tow is an altogether different story.

Flying with a baby isn’t easy. It can feel like a monumental task, from managing diaper changes to keeping them entertained for hours. But don’t fret. You can get through it.

Take inspiration from Lydia Warren. She flew cross-country from California to New York with her five-month-old son. If Lydia can do it, so can you, mama!

So, if you’re gearing up for that big trip, here are some essential tips to help you navigate the skies with your baby in tow.

Book the Right Seats

Don’t just book any seat you find vacant when booking your tickets—reserve bassinet seats.

The director of content at The Points Guy, Summer Hull, considers front-row seats with bassinets the best for parents flying with babies on long-haul flights. These are perfect because you can settle your baby down without holding them the whole flight and give your arms a break.

Book your seats as early as possible. However, keep in mind that some airlines, like Air New Zealand, allow you to reserve these seats in advance. Others, though, assign them on a first-come, first-serve basis at the airport.

American Airlines is a great example of the latter. It has bassinets only on its 787, 777-300, and 777-200 flights. It assigns bassinets at the airport—no advance requests allowed.

No bassinet? No worries. Go for an aisle seat. You’ll want easy access to get up for walks, diaper changes, or just a much-needed stretch.

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Plan for Your Baby’s Milk Needs

Flying with a baby can be challenging, especially when mid-flight meltdowns happen.

Just this year, in July, Jess Spaulding posted a video of her four-month-old baby letting out a continuous piercing scream for three hours on a flight. Jess, defeated by her attempts to calm her baby down, ended up crying.

Keep your little one well-fed; they are less likely to get grumpy that way, advises Dr. Laura Markham of Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids.

If you’re a breastfeeding mom, you don’t need to pack any supplies unless you decide to feed pumped milk. But if your little one is formula-fed, pack enough formula in your diaper bag to last the entire flight.

Pre-fill bottles with formula powder and add water during the flight. Airlines often provide hot water. But it’s a good idea to bring your own bottled water, just in case.

A heads up, though—be careful when selecting a baby formula. Parents all across the U.S. are filing NEC lawsuits.

These lawsuits, TorHoerman Law informs, target Mead Johnson & Company and Abbott Laboratories—the manufacturers of Enfamil and Similac Infant Formula, respectively.

Elizabeth Whitfield’s suit, which she filed at the beginning of this month, is a case in point. She sued the two infant formula manufacturers on behalf of her son for causing necrotizing enterocolitis.

NEC, or necrotizing enterocolitis, is a severe gastrointestinal disease that occurs when the tissue lining the intestine becomes inflamed. This condition mostly affects preemies, but it can also affect full-term infants.

Whitfield’s son acquired NEC after being fed Mead Johnson’s formula during his time in the ICU. Sadly, he had more than 80 percent of his bowel removed.

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Whitfield aside, thousands of other parents have sued the two infant formula manufacturers.

For your little one’s safety, it’s best to steer clear of Similac and Enfamil. It would be best to consult a pediatrician for recommendations.

Board Last

It sounds counterintuitive, but waiting until the last minute to board is a good strategy.

Samantha Brown, an American television host, describes the boarding process as the journey’s most stressful part.

Airlines offer early boarding for families with small children, and it’s tempting to use that extra time to get settled. But think about it: the longer you’re on the plane, the longer your baby is cooped up.

Wait until the last minute. That way, your baby won’t be too fidgety once they’re buckled in.

Prepare for Ear Pressure

One of the trickiest parts of flying with a baby is helping them deal with ear pressure during takeoff and landing. Their little ears are more sensitive, and they don’t know how to pop them like adults do.

Offering your baby something to suck on can help relieve your baby’s ear discomfort, says Mayo Clinic. Plan to feed them during takeoff and landing. The swallowing motion helps equalize the pressure. If they use a pacifier, that works, too.

Flying with a Baby? Make the Journey Easier

Flying with your baby is anything but easy. But these tips will help you get through it.

Babies are unpredictable—plan ahead, but go with the flow. Don’t stress if there’s a meltdown or two; it happens. Just take a deep breath and stay calm. The flight won’t last long; it will eventually end.

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