Snack Time In The Skies: Navigating Air Travel With Snacks For Your Little Ones
Happy and well-fed littles ones can be a key aspect of a successful journey. In this blog, we hope to give you some tips on what to pack for your flight in order to make your travel experience as smooth as possible.
Before you start packing your child's favorite snacks, it's important to familiarize yourself with the airline's regulations regarding food items. In general, most airlines allow passengers to bring baby food, formula, breast milk and snacks for infants and toddlers. However, there are some restrictions to keep in mind, check out the airlines website for more information.
Do not feel overwhelmed if your bag is selected to be searched during the security check. This is quite normal, especially when packing baby formula in your hand luggage. The key is to keep calm and make it as easy as possible to explain and show what you have packed. For this reason, our Number 1 tip is to always pack baby food in clear and sealable plastic bags or containers, while also packing it in such a way that it is easily accessible. This helps security personnel quickly identify the contents and ensures a hassle-free experience.
Here are are some of our other packing tips when it comes to snack time in the skies:
Pack in Snack boxes: Using clear snack boxes with different compartments is a way to keep your child engaged and entertained during the flight. This also allows you to pack small amounts of different snacks.
Use a Lunch Bag: This way you can keep your snacks fresh and also in one place without spending too much time searching your bag for a specific item. Look for a lunch bag that your child will also enjoy and feel proud of.
Choose Non-Messy Snacks: Opt for snacks that are easy to handle and won't create a mess. Think about items like dry cereal, cut-up fruit, or crackers that are less likely to crumble and make a mess in your carry-on.
Bring Variety: Pack a mix of familiar and new snacks to keep your child engaged and satisfied throughout the journey. Having a variety of options can also be helpful in case your little one becomes picky during the flight.
Consider Allergies: Be mindful of any potential allergies your child may have or any restrictions on certain foods in your destination country. Choose snacks that are safe and suitable for the journey.
Wipes: As a general tip, always have a pack of wipes close by, especially during snack time.
Many parents are also a bit anxious when the time comes for take-off and landing, as this can unsettle your little one. Believe me, we were also experiencing the same nervousness the first few times. We have, therefore, always tried to be as prepared as possible for take-off and landing. Here are our best practical tips:
Feed During Takeoff and Landing: If you have a baby, consider feeding them during takeoff and landing to help with ear pressure. With toddlers, give some water to drink during takeoff, or alternatively a lollipop is always a nice treat that helps with the ear pressure.
Keep Hydration in Mind: Remember to stay hydrated, especially during longer flights. Pack a sippy cup or a spill-proof bottle to provide water for your child throughout the journey. Most airlines have great air hostesses and they are always willing to assist with something to drink for kids.
Don’t be afraid to ask: Do not be hesitant to ask a question or help from the flight crew. For example, our little one was at a stage when she only wanted to drink warm milk. During a flight we only had cold milk with us and she refused to drink it. We asked the air hostess if it would be possible to warm up the milk and they were more than helpful to assist us. At the end our little one got her warm milk and this calmed her down for her upcoming sleep time.
Always try to make snacks enjoyable and fun for your child. As always be flexible during your journey, sometimes snacks will be your best friend and other times it might be your enemy. But with kids it is always important to keep them fed and hydrated, as that way you're already halfway successful in your travel day.
