Many mothers dread the thought of getting on an airplane with a baby or young child. The responsibilities are seemingly endless, with child passports, nursing, changing diapers, and other motherly duties. Each minute a new challenge appears, and with the right amount of planning, you can have a nice, relaxed flight.

Preparation can ultimately make or break your flight experience, and there is no such thing as being to prepared. When your travel plans are formulated, and you've begun to shop for airline tickets, double check to see if your airline provides a free flight for your child. Most airlines allow a child under two years of age to sit on your lap but check just in case. If your airline doesn't provide this, you will need to use a carseat. Booking your significant other in a seat separate from you may prove to be useful, especially on long flights. This arrangement allows you and your loved one to switch off baby responsibilities, letting one rest. Check your airline's stroller policy. Most airlines now don't allow strollers to be stored in the overhead compartment, so they have to be stowed.

Locate your family's passports as soon as possible, and if you cannot find them, apply for new ones immediately. Having them in a safe place in advance brings peace of mind and is one less thing you need to worry about. If you are recently married or divorced, a new passport is required by law. A child passport is only valid for five years if they are under age 16, while an adult's is valid for 10. Having these together early can help reduce stress as flight day approaches. If you plan on getting a rental car, be sure to mention that you need a baby seat.

The day of your flight, pack a big purse with everything your baby might need, from a bottle with formula, to a clean diaper, small toys and snacks, baby food with utensils, and a pacifier for the descent, which can hurt their ears. If you think you may need to nurse your baby, pack a baby blanket, so you could have some privacy. Change and feed your baby as close to boarding time as you possible can. This reduces the probability that you will have to do either on the flight. Let a flight attendant know if your baby needs to be changed, because he or she may be able to set up a changing table for you in a bigger bathroom.

There doesn't need to be any nightmares involved with preparing you and your family to travel. Planning ahead can make the process run smoother and allow you to enjoy your vacation. Start your American passport application early if you are traveling outside the United States, and be sure to apply for a passport for kids for anyone under 16. Don't become flustered if someone gives you a hard time about an unhappy baby. You are the one raising your child and other people don't know how to work with your family. So grab baby, hop aboard, and bon voyage!