Alanna Panday recently embraced motherhood with the birth of her first child, son River. The social media influencer, who is based in Los Angeles, recently took a flight out of the USA with her husband Ivor McCray and her newborn. She shared a glimpse of "River's first flight" on Instagram on Sunday. It featured Alanna and Ivor sitting in the first-class section of the aircraft. The couple took turns babysitting their little one in their laps. In between, the two enjoyed delicious food served on the flight.
Also Read: Alanna Panday's "Baby's Day Out" Features Her Baby Boy And Radiant Glow Of Motherhood
If you are planning to take a flight with your baby anytime soon, here are some tips you can follow to make it easier for your child:
1. Use the lap infants option
Airlines provide two options for infant seating: either you buy a special ticket or can carry the baby on your lap. If you buy an extra ticket, you can choose to use an airplane bassinet or sky cot for the baby, as Alanna did. If you are not buying an extra ticket for the baby, you can still add them to your reservation with a confirmed ticket. In the case of overseas travel, you might have to pay for lap infants but it will not be the full cost of the ticket.
2. Change diaper before boarding the flight
While changing tables are available on most flights, they can prove a hassle, and diaper switches on the flight are hardly easy. A more convenient option is to change your baby's diaper before you board. If it's a short flight, the infant might not need another change on the flight.
3. Match flight timing with your baby's sleep pattern
If possible, choose flight timings that align with your baby's sleep pattern. This could match the time that your infant takes a nap. Rather than going through security with your child fast asleep, you may find it more convenient if they take a nap during the flight.
4. Use noise-cancelling headphones
To block out the external noise on the plane, you could have your baby wear noise-cancelling headphones to allow them to have a more peaceful nap, giving you more time to rest and the same for the other passengers on the flight.
5. Align feeding time with takeoff and landing
While it might not be easy, try to match the feeding time with takeoff and landing timings. Your baby's eustachian tubes open during feedings, distributing the pressure in their ears while also reducing discomfort and crying bouts.
6. Travelling partner
Alanna had help in the form of a very useful travelling partner, i.e. her husband Ivor McCray. But if you don't have that as an available option, reach out to friends and family who can travel with you. If that's not possible either, before you check in, ask at the counter if you can be seated next to another mother who could potentially become your travel buddy and aid for the duration of the flight.
