Flying with Kids Made Easier: Tips from a Mom of Three (and Flight Attendant!)

by Barbara Krattinger

Traveling with kids doesn’t have to feel like a survival mission. As a mom of three and a flight attendant, I’ve learned a few tricks that make flying with little ones smoother, calmer, and — dare I say — enjoyable!

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Here are my tried-and-tested tips to make your next family trip in the air as stress-free as possible.

1. What to Bring (for Everyone, Not Just the Kids)

Bring a change of clothes for yourself too — not just a shirt.

You probably already have spare clothes for your baby or toddler packed. But between drink spills, baby food, or unexpected motion sickness, it’s surprisingly easy to end up wearing something… unpleasant.

Make sure to pack:

• a spare T-shirt or top

• a pair of pants or leggings

• underwear

• and even socks

  
  

Because let’s be honest — liquid (and smelly) messes don’t always stay on the shirt. Keep your spare outfit in your hand luggage where it’s easy to reach — you’ll thank yourself later.

Also, pack enough nappies. Flights can be delayed or even cancelled, and most airlines only carry one or two emergency nappies (usually size 3). Don’t rely on those, but it’s good to know they exist.

2. Bring New Toys — the Secret Weapon

   
   

Kids get bored fast, especially when strapped in for hours. My secret? Pack small toys or activities they’ve never seen before.

Think:

• Coloring books with a water pen. (You can find them on amazon.sa)

• Sticker books

• Fidget toys

Unfamiliar toys keep their attention longer because they feel like a surprise.

What about you? What’s your go-to entertainment for flights? Share your favorite travel toy ideas in the comments!

3. Boarding with Babies and Young Kids

Here’s a perk: Families with small children usually get to pre-board.

Take advantage of this extra time to get settled without the crowd behind you. Use it to:

• Stow your bags

• Get out essential items (snacks, wipes, favorite toy)

• Settle your child comfortably before everyone else boards

4. Strollers and the Gate: What You Should Know

You can bring your stroller right up to the aircraft door — a lifesaver for tired little legs and heavy diaper bags.

A few key things to remember:

• One-piece strollers are easier to handle than two-piece ones.

• Some compact strollers (like the Babyzen Yoyo) are cabin-approved, meaning you can bring them onboard as carry-on. (add photo)

• If your baby doesn’t have their own seat, they often don’t have a carry-on allowance — so the stroller might count as your carry-on item.

• Check your airline’s policy before flying. Some require strollers to be packed in a bag (the Yoyo comes with one), and not all brands of the same size are accepted in the cabin.

  
  

If your stroller doesn’t fit in the cabin, it will be checked into the cargo hold. When you’re in transit, ask the cabin crew where and when you’ll get your stroller back. Sometimes it’s brought to the aircraft door or end of the jet bridge — but this can take time. Don’t walk off without it! If you leave before it’s returned, it might end up on another flight.

In some airports, strollers can’t be brought up at all — in that case, you’ll need to collect it from the baggage belt, usually where oversized luggage is delivered.

5. Car Seats and Baby Bassinets

You can bring a car seat to fix onto the aircraft seat and place your baby inside. The seat is only allowed if it doesn’t hinder the passenger in front of you from reclining.

You can also request baby bassinets for free. They’re usually hooked to the wall in front of certain seats.

Keep in mind:

• There’s a weight limit — don’t overload it with heavier babies or extra items, as the hooks could break and cause injuries.

• Only one person per booking can be guaranteed a bassinet seat. Your family might have to sit in separate rows, though often two adults can sit nearby if not all bassinet seats are booked.

Important: If you are traveling with more than one infant without their own seat, you might not be able to sit in the same row. Often there is only one additional oxygen mask per row for infants. And yes, there are 2 oxygen masks in the lavatory, which you can use if needed.

And an important safety note:

Babies and children are not allowed to sleep on the floor. In the event of a cabin decompression, the oxygen mask tubes are not long enough to reach the floor — and you might lose consciousness in as little as 15 seconds at 40,000 feet without oxygen before you are able to help or pick up your baby.

6. Safety During Take-Off and Landing

During take-off and landing, babies must be held on your lap, facing forward. Most airlines offer infant seat belts — ask for one if it’s not provided.

Never buckle the seat belt around both you and your baby together. In case of an aborted take-off or turbulence, the force of your body weight could cause serious or even fatal internal injuries to your baby.

For the same reason, when taking a taxi, don’t use one seat belt for both of you. KAUST’s Taxi company provides free child car seats upon request — though they aren’t pre-installed, so allow extra time to fix them properly.

For very small babies, the safest option is to fasten your own belt first, then hold your baby in a baby carrier, so the belt goes between you and your baby — not over both.

If you want the safest option for your child, you can buy a FAA certified in-flight child harness designed specifically for airplane use.

7. Baby Changing on Board

Many aircraft lavatories have fold-down changing tables, but not all are the same size. It’s worth asking the crew which one is the largest — a little extra space makes all the difference!

Solo traveling tip: If you are traveling alone, don’t hesitate to ask a cabin crew member to hold your baby while you need to go to the restroom. That’s what we are here for too.

8. Dealing with Ear Pressure

Babies and small kids often struggle to equalize air pressure, especially during descent. They can start crying as early as 40 minutes before landing because they feel the change earlier than adults do.

To help:

• Offer a bottle, breastfeed, or give a pacifier.

• For older children, chewing gum works wonders.

• If your child has a cold, use nasal drops before descent — they reduce swelling and help open the Eustachian tubes (ear drops only ease pain; they don’t fix the pressure issue).

You’ll often notice all babies start crying around the same time — and stop once you’re on

the ground. You’re not imagining it!

9. Meals and Baby Food on Board

Did you know you can order kids’ meals in advance — usually for free?

They’re child-friendly (if not always the healthiest), less spicy, and served before the adults’ meals — giving you time to help your child eat first.

Tip: Kids’ meals should be ordered no later than 72 hours before the flight. If you bid for or receive a last-minute upgrade, let the cabin crew know you had ordered it and are happy to take it, even if it comes on an economy tray.

You can order them:

• On the airline’s website

• Or through your travel agent

Remember to select the kids’ meal for all flight segments, including the return flight.

For babies without a seat, you can also request baby food — usually a puree in a pouch or jar, provided for free.

Cabin crew are always happy to refill your kids’ bottles or cups — just ask. As a mom, I always bring a small PET bottle to pour drinks into, to avoid spills.

10. Heating Food and Safety with Hot Water

For safety reasons, there are no microwaves on airplanes. We heat baby food or milk by placing bottles in hot water, which takes about 15–20 minutes — so plan ahead.

Some parents use one-way aluminum containers for baby meals, which we can heat in the ovens. And yes, we do have boiling hot water (95°C) on board — but it’s not safe for passengers to handle due to the risk of burns. That’s why only crew can provide it.

11. Stay Hydrated — Especially When Breastfeeding

The air in airplanes is extremely dry. On an 8-hour flight, you lose about 1 liter of water through your skin alone.

If you’re breastfeeding, both you and your baby need extra fluids.

Flight attendants follow a rule of thumb: 200 ml of water per flight hour.

So, bring enough water or ask the crew for a large bottle — we’re always happy to provide one if possible.

12. Moving Around on Board

It’s perfectly fine to walk around the cabin with your little one.

Most flight attendants understand it helps calm babies. Just avoid the aisles during meal service — the heavy trolleys can be dangerous, especially for small kids at knee level.

Final Thoughts

Flying with kids can feel overwhelming, but with the right preparation and mindset, it can be a truly enjoyable experience — even an adventure.

Remember: every child is different, every flight is different — and that’s okay. The key is flexibility, patience, and a bit of humor.

If you have any questions or want to share your own tips, please leave them in the comments — I’d love to hear what works for your family.

Safe travels and happy flying!

✈️

A mom of three — and a flight attendant who’s seen it all.