This month’s theme comes in the midst of our founder giving birth to her first bambino in February, so we couldn’t think of a better theme than to showcase everything about traveling with the little ones. From tips on how to travel 8 months pregnant and traveling on a long-haul flight with a baby, to the best luxury hotels and cruises for kids. If you have a little one, you won’t want to miss.

This week’s travel tip is all about managing that long-haul flight with young children. We’ve all experienced crying babies on our flights (annoying when it’s not yours), but here are some tips on how to make it less unbearable and even enjoyable for you and the family.

Choose seats strategically

When you are traveling on a long-haul flight, make sure you book the best seat possible, which in this case is the bulkhead when you travel with infants. You can request the bulkhead seats and a bassinet when you book your flight. Remember to check-in early and make sure you reiterate that you need a bassinet because most of the airlines have a first-come, first-served policy regardless if you have a bassinet note in your reservation. If you are traveling with toddlers, make sure to check the seat rating on SeatGuru and find the seats with the most legroom in the back of the plane. You will need to have easy access to the lavatories either to change diapers, take them to the bathroom or ask the stewardess to heat the bottles for you.

*Remember, too, that emergency row seats are not an option when you’re traveling with a baby as you need to be 15 years or older (depending on the airline).

Apologize in advance

This has to be the best advice I have received from new mommies. Make in advance little Sorry Bags and bring them with you to the flight. Write a note inside apologizing for the loud noises your baby might make, together with cheap headphones, chocolates and other goodies that you might think people would appreciate. Once people take their seats, start handing them out  to the passengers in front, next to and behind you. This way hopefully no one will give you evil eyes if your little angel throws a fit.

Diaper Bag Essentials

Make sure you pack Tylenol baby, a thermometer, extra diapers in the event of a delay and an extra change of baby clothes in case of an accident.

Take a late afternoon or evening flight

I’d say the best way to keep a child quiet is have them coincide with a nap time or bed time to have them be asleep during the the flight. That way you also have them waking up jet-lag free and ready for a few day’s activities, then an early night in your cozy hotel bed with room service.

Get them excited!

Chances are, if you get them involved by showing them beautiful photos of the places they will be traveling or cool facts about the destination, they’re going to be very compliant because they want to get there as badly as you do! Disclaimer: this may backfire, there is nothing as wild as an amped-up kid on a tiny airplane.

Bring cards and games

When I was little, I could not fly without a deck of cards. I would not let me poor parents sleep and I’d make them play endless hours of Go-Fish. Another great thing is cross-word puzzles, which I still vigorously play today. Cross-word puzzles are great because it not only teaches children interesting facts about the world, it helps build cooperation in a team setting. I Spy and Where’s Waldo are also two great other books.

Snacks, snacks, snacks

If you are traveling with an infant, make sure you feed the baby during take-off and landing, this will prevent their ears from hurting due to the aircraft’s change in air pressure. For toddlers, most of them eat every hour and meal service is only dolled out every few hours on long-haul flights. Bring healthy snacks low in sugar to make sure it doesn’t get the little ones too amped. For a great list of healthy snacks for kids, check out our healthy eating article.

 Apps

Let’s face it, most kids these days either have some form of iPad or Laptop. However, these devices can often be put to good use when traveling with kids, it entertains them for hours. PBS Kids Video shows clips from children’s favorite shows like Dinosaur Train, Sid the Science Guy, Sesame Street, Curious George, The Electric Company, Martha Speaks and more. Draw and Tell by Duck Duck Moose is an interactive coloring and drawing app with 27 coloring utensils, stickers, and you can even use your voice for a greeting card.