(CNN) – Flying with a baby or toddler can have its fair share of turbulence. From finding a place to change diapers to keeping your child quiet to dealing with eye-rolling passengers, parents have their work cut out for them on a plane.

Still, with some careful thought before, during and on the flight, you and your baby can survive the ride with minimal headaches.

Booking seats

In a perfect world, your child will sleep on the plane. But kids can be unpredictable — as can flight delays — which makes the planning process tough.

If your child sleeps well in the car, your best bet is to schedule a flight during nap time, said Elizabeth Pantley, author of Gentle Baby Care.

But if his or her nap time isn’t like clockwork, you’re better off not trying to schedule a flight during usual sleeping time, because the baby might stay awake for the whole flight and act fussy, she said.

Pantley suggested requesting the bulkhead seats and a bassinet if you have an infant. However, she cautioned that the front of the plane is less convenient with older babies and toddlers because, with the absence of under-seat space and seat pockets, you’ll have to store toys and supplies in the overhead compartment, making them less accessible. iReport.com: Share your experiences of flying with kids

What to pack

Parents shouldn’t count on anything on the plane keeping their children occupied, Pantley said. It’s important to bring plenty of toys, especially unfamiliar ones that the child can explore for the first time on the flight. Rather than buying all new toys, you can take away some of their toys for a time and have them resurface on the flight, she said.

Remember, your young child can also be easily amused by lots of things, even something as simple as a crinkled, empty bag, said Rachel Fishman Feddersen, director of Parenting.com.

Bringing an ample amount of snacks is key, because "the last thing you want is to be trapped on a plane with a toddler that has not eaten," Feddersen said. These foods can also help the babies with ear popping and keep them occupied in flight.

As an added bonus, Feddersen said, by distributing them to neighboring passengers, you can make some friends of people who may not be thrilled about sitting next to the family with a baby in tow.

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written by Andrew