Babies are born with built-in self-soothing capabilities. In other words, they have the tools they need to fall asleep, they just need our direction and encouragement to use them.
After years of supporting mothers at all stages of breastfeeding, I’ve learned that there are four key areas to focus on when helping mothers get breastfeeding off to a good start: milk supply, 
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4.Baby Seatbelt and Bassinets: Call, confirm and repeat when it comes to securing a bassinet for your 0-6 month-old before a flight. If they’re young enough to go in it, it’s a lifesaver for long plane rides. Once they move to lap infant status, most airlines outside the USA require babies to have an infant seatbelt for takeoff and landing. Since I’m boarding the plane with a hungry, tired, Furby-like creature attached to me, I ask for the infant seatbelt right away. Once in the seat, strap everyone in, nurse and nap. The last thing you want to do is mess with a babe who has just fallen asleep to get their seat belt fastened.
5.Inflight Magazines: Pretend as if you’re the sole provider of the confetti for the Times Square New Years Eve ball drop and RIP THAT SHIT TO SHREDS! They said it’s free to take and no other rules were provided, therefore we assume creative control. There’s something about the noise and physical motion that results in a seriously satisfying situation for all ages. Rae can be whatever she wants when she’s older, but I’m going to suggest her first job be a human paper shredder.
6. Frozen/Cold Water Bottle: It’s cold, it crinkles, and it can be thrown away when it gets chucked on the floor. Can you say airplane toy bingo?! Most airports allow you to bring liquids through security as long as they’re for the baby, so chuck one of these bad boys in the freezer at home and bring it on board. Alternatively, just buy a cold water bottle at the airport and it’ll work just as well for sore teething gums to chew on.
7.Strategic Seating: You know who brings out the best in me? Nope, not Sunday. AIRPORT CHECK-IN PEOPLE. I’m the best version of myself in front of them, all in the name of securing anything from a bulkhead to a blocked middle seat. You would have thought they gave me their left kidney for how much I thank them when they come through with some goodies. And if they’ve given me nothing, at least I’ve pre-chosen a window seat for the baby and me. This way we’re protected from interruptions while nursing, sleeping along with aggressive boarding tactics of fellow passengers, and provides a handy window to play with while she’s awake.
8.Carrier: Whether it’s up to the airplane or down to baggage claim, we’re constantly dealing with stairs. Having her strapped to me compared to trying to wrangle a wiggly baby in my arms has been clutch. It’s important to note that most airlines will not allow you to wear the baby in the carrier for take off and landing, so I don’t use them once on the plane, unless it’s a long haul journey.
9.Snacks: I dare you to name a situation that food hasn’t made better. Ok, maybe swimming to be fair, but it improves most other moments for mammals of all ages. Bringing any kind of snack can earn you loads of time sitting still (and by loads I mean 3-minute increments. Hey we’re traveling with a baby here; let’s keep our expectations low shall we?).
10. Baby Apps: A baby app may only get you 5 minutes of distraction but I’ve done a lot more for a lot less!Babies are like caged animals on flights, so give yourself a fighting chance and combine all of these methods to survive! Considering how tiring flight days are I must be burning calories from all my evil scheming. At this rate I should be Kate Moss by the time she’s 2!
Why not?!
Follow Erica on Instagram @theworldwidewebers . She Blogs at www.theworldwidewebers.com
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