Flying with 6 month old

StayingFocused

Edited: I finally found TSA regs and looks like I can have premixed formula and cold pack no problem.  But, will I need to be ready to unload the diaper bag(backpack) or can the whole thing get sent through on the belt?

We are tentatively flying to meet DH for a super mini vacation to round out his work trip next week.  Flight would be just 2 hours and only one way since we would drive back with DH.  It's a small plane and I would have Levi in my lap/carrier (body not seat).  We are only going for two nights and since hotels provide most toiletries I would need I can really consolidate my belongings and have more space for his stuff.  I plan to only pack a few bottles and enough diapers and formula for trip down.  I can buy small amounts of both after we get there.  
I will have to check his car seat and one suitcase.  No base though bc DH will have one in his truck (along with stroller and possibly the PNP).  
Tips for in flight and what to expect checking the carseat?  Does unmixed formula have to be in original package? I plan on using those travel packets. Can I have a bottle or two already mixed that's over 3oz?
Lastly, he's not a paci kind of baby, although I will bring one in hopes he takes it at least during takeoff and landing but are there other tricks?  

vintagevix2016

I've flown into the US and out of it with (4) 8oz formula bottles already prepared. They just did a dip test to be sure it was legit. No issues at all. I actually didn't unload my diaper bag at all and it was fine. The prepped bottles were in a small thermal lunchbag with an ice pack (I used frozen peas but TSA laughed and told me an ice pack would have been fine). The only thing I took out of the diaper bag was that bag of formula and I pointed it out to the agent for testing too. You should be okay with the travel packets as long as they are closed. They may want to yest the contents tho so I would bring a few ziplock baggies just in case.

I kept a few small toys in the diaper bag for him to play with and used a pacifier clip to tether a toy to him during the flight so the risk of dropping one was minimal. I also packed a light blanket, a warm onesie in case of an accident, and the usual diaper bag stuff. Since it is a small plane, the bathroom may not have a changing table so be sure to change you baby beforehand. The flight attendant can let you know where youcan change a diaper on board if you need to do so. I kept the plastic cover of my tommee tippe cup with me so I could ask for hot water to warm a bottle either at a restaurant at the airport or on the flight. I found it better to warm a bottle at the airport right before boarding so that I had a bottle ready to go if Damien needed it while we were in the air. It minimized the risk of him getting fussy while I waited for the bottle to be ready. It was a risk tho since he could jave decided he didn't want it and then it would be a waste but I found it gave me peace of mind to just do it anyway.

Checking his car seat was super simple. They tag it with your other luggage and just put it on the belt. You can take it with you to check at the gate too. We did that since his carseat clicks into his umbrella stroller.

During the ascents and descents, I found letting him suck on my finger really worked well. The change in air pressure didn't bother him at all. I wasn't allowed to feed him during those times since I had to hold him up to me. When he was in his own seat in the carseat during those times, I used either my finger or let him drink.

rlbrooks84

With my boys I've always just brought a bottle of water, 2 empty bottles, and those single packets of formula. You'll need to pull anything with liquids out, that's why I'd just bring a bottle of water, they just test it by swabbing the outside usually. I'd  avoid premaking bottles so you don't need an ice pack, it's just extra stuff you have to bring. As far as take off and landing goes if he'll take a bottle then that will help or if he has a toy he likes sucking on that'll do too. Also I always like to have my hand sanitizer, Motrin/Tylenol, diaper cream, auquafor, and chapstick in a quart size bag that's easy to pull out for going through security. The first time traveling can be a little overwhelming but it's gets easier.

splsmama2016

We just flew back from Texas, and here's what we did on both flights. We bought ready made bottles of formula, so all we did was shake the thing and put a nipple on it. I packed new toys for her so she had something that was new and not just the same two I carry on the daily. 

For TSA, I put all the bottles, formula, meds (she was teething so Tylenol), etc in a gallon ziplock. That made it easy for them to pull it all out of the bag. I put her travel diaper cream, lotion and my hand sanitizer in a quart ziplock as well. They didn't question any of it on either flight. We gate checked her stroller, but we paid for a seat for her so the car seat came with. That had to go through the X-ray machine, as with the stroller. 

Keep in mind that if baby if a lap baby, the diaper bag DOES NOT COUNT as a carry on. So you still get your one carry on, plus your personal item AND the diaper bag. 

Std fell asleep before we even left the gate to come home, so she slept about half that flight home. We also had "quick change kits" ready. It was a bag that had a disposable changing mat, a diaper, 5-6 wipes in a ziplock, Wet Ones hand wipes, and a doggie bag to throw away the diaper in. Made it so much easier when we needed to change her. 

Good luck and safe travels!

StayingFocused

Thanks!  I actually got a new teether/toy yesterday specifically to have something new in flight.  I'm flying alone with him and the flight is only two hours but it's also a small plane (2 seats on one side and one on other). I'm currently planning to check one bag and gate check car seat but wondering if I can consolidate our stuff enough for carry on.