Edited by Helen from Mom’s Journal
Female celebrity Lin Kexiao joyfully became a mom last September. During her first New Year as a new mother, she took on the challenge of bringing her son on a flight to Japan. Lin Kexiao said that the night before the flight, she was so nervous she couldn’t sleep, worried that her baby would be restless on the plane. Indeed, the whole flight turned into a symphony of crying children, with frazzled parents everywhere. But no matter how tired she was, she felt that taking her child abroad was a rare and precious experience.
Image courtesy of \Lin Kexiao’s Facebook
Describing the “scene” on the plane, Lin Kexiao said, “As soon as I entered the cabin, I could see every parent was well-prepared. Right after takeoff, some were giving water, others feeding milk. At the slightest cry, all kinds of toys came out to distract and soothe — but... when one child cried, another followed; when one spat up water, another threw up milk; there was a poop explosion to the left rear, and to the right rear, a toddler was arguing with their parents!” She joked that everyone in the cabin must be crazy in love with their kids to even have the courage to take them out.
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Actually, every day of growing up with your child is an adventure. All parents are constantly overcoming challenges, breaking through limits for their kids, learning how to be good moms and dads. Lin Kexiao has felt this even more deeply since becoming a mother. In the past, she thought hiking Mount Everest while stepping in donkey poop was brave, but after having a baby, even having poop stuck under her fingernails didn’t seem like much at all.
Image courtesy of \Lin Kexiao’s Facebook
Even though the child is still young, many parents still hope to create unique memories with them. After all, whether sweet or tough, shared experiences are priceless treasures. Goddess Xu Ruotong often takes her son on flights and has also shared some soothing tips. For example, bring something your child loves to fly with, which can help keep them calmer. Some moms even go the extra mile by bringing their home phone on board so the child can explore it and get distracted.
Image courtesy of \Lin Kexiao’s Facebook
Takeoff and landing can cause ear discomfort, and the cramped, enclosed space of the seat restricts children’s movement. Wanting to sleep, eat, or simply move around can all lead to crying during the flight. Not to mention other unexpected situations that test parents. Now let’s look at some ways to soothe kids on a flight.
Before boarding, try to tire the child out by letting them play, walk, and run around as much as possible, keeping them awake. When they start showing signs of sleepiness, try to redirect their attention. Remember not to let them fall asleep before the flight — that way, once on board and exhausted from activity, they’ll be easier to calm down and put to sleep. Parents can also use the chance to catch a little nap themselves.
When traveling abroad, always remember to bring a few of your child’s favorite toys, picture books, or small items. That way, if your child doesn’t sleep on the plane and is full of energy, at least they’ll have something to play with or do to stay occupied, which can help redirect their attention. When they get fussy, you can pull out a toy to soothe them, thus getting through the boring flight time with ease.
Image courtesy of \Lin Kexiao’s Facebook
Airline meals are usually just enough to stave off hunger and might not suit your child’s taste. Therefore, when bringing your child on a flight, make sure to prepare some small snacks — they can both relieve hunger and help soothe emotions.