Dr. Smerling was recently quoted in a piece about the proper etiquette for dealing with crying babies on a plane on bravotv.com. She’s quoted as saying:
That said, any parent knows that there’s no such thing as being too prepared. You have to expect the unexpected, especially when it comes to airline travel with your child. “It’s impossible to predict what could go wrong. That being said, it is possible to baby-proof as much as possible pre-flight, keeping in mind that we can [try to anticipate and] prepare for any kind of situation,” says child and family psychologist, Dr. Kathryn Smerling of Upper East Side Family Therapy. “I recommend bringing a toolkit full of the child’s favorite soothing items. Think beyond a pacifier and a bottle. What are the child’s most coveted toys, books, and electronics? What is something you regularly use to comfort your child that works? What’s guaranteed to always make them feel better when they’re in a mood?” Smerling says.
In the end, though, she notes accurately, “Babies are babies.”
To read the full article, click here.