Arriving early at the airport goes a long way in enhancing your chances of bagging that bassinet seat, especially if you are travelling during "peak season". Since these are limited in number, in spite of your pre-arranged booking, they get usually allotted on a "first come, first served" basis, at the time of checking in.

Once this is obtained, the boarding pass of junior will carry the "No Seat" stamp, apart from the usual flight details. Meanwhile, nursing mothers waiting long hours before a flight, may check out the "infant care / nursing room" at the airport lounge, for some much-needed privacy.

In the air:

To ensure that your child does not have any discomfort in her ears during take-off and landing, do what most parents advocate: have the baby gently sip water, since the action of swallowing helps normalize pressure on the ear-drums.

Older children can suck on some candy. Take-off and landing also call for a special seat belt for junior, securely attached to your seat belt. If in doubt, ask a member of the cabin crew to check if baby is buckled up snugly enough. The bassinet will be used only during steady flight, never during take-off, and landing, or during turbulence.

The steady drone of the aircraft is a welcome soporific for many children, who oblige parents by drifting off to sleep for a good part of the journey. The wide-awake ones can be distracted by the numerous sights and sounds around.

This is also when the toys and books make an entry. In-flight entertainment, especially music, helps quieten the fidgety child. If a bawling session still seems imminent, a quick walk down the aisle may be enough to satisfy the child for the next several minutes.

On reaching your destination:

It helps to accept that baby's usual schedules for food, sleep and play are likely to be disturbed for a while. It's sensible to work with these changes, rather than force a recalcitrant child. This is also a very good time to explain the whole process of air travel to an older toddler.

Nuggets of information, garnished with new sights, smells and sounds, add to the rapidly developing intelligence and awareness of the youngster. And do remember to replenish your "baby-kit" stocks before your return journey. So here's to some great air travel soon! Bon voyage!

Author: Piya Mukherjee

(The author is a Corporate Trainer and Academician)