Flying with a Baby or Toddler? How to Sail Through Security and Prevent In-Flight Fuss

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Flying with a Baby or Toddler? How to Sail Through Security and Prevent In-Flight Fuss

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Ylonda Caviness on Nov 21, 2011 at 9:58AM

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Stress-Free Travel with a Baby or Toddler

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a Ylonda Caviness on Dec 17, 2009 at 8:11PM

Traveling during the holidays almost always feels stressful -- and adding a new baby to the mix can make even the shortest flight seem overwhleming. It's true, managing airport crowds, security, the luggage, a toddler and a baby -- while keeping your sanity -- is a lot to ask of a new mom (or any mom, really!). But with a a little prep and lots of patience, you can have a smooth travel experience. Here’s how:

Consider the Right Time to Fly
There's no surefire way to avoid a tie-up on the tarmac, but you’ll do yourself a favor by traveling during off-peak hours. The highest traffic periods are generally those times most convenient for business travelers -- think mid-day and mid-week. Also, avoid scheduling early Monday morning flights, and never book the last plane of the evening. “If the flight is canceled or anything goes wrong, you’re stuck,” says Melissa Klurman, a travel expert and former spokesperson for Fodor’s Travel Guides.