Redux: Traveling with a baby by airplane

Married2MrWright

Okay, we're about a month out from flying to CA with Libby.  I am getting anxious about it!  I know it can be done, but I want to figure some stuff out soon so I am as prepared as possible. 

So, for you mamas who have done this, please give me your pearls of wisdom!  FWIW, we're flying American Airlines and she'll be a "lap child"...we have this trip in late August and then another one in mid-October to Seattle, so I am hoping that whatever "gear" I may need will work for both trips.

1) How did you bring your carseat?  Gate check?

We have a Graco32 and a Snap n Go but honestly she HATES being in the Snap n Go (she wants to sit up when she's strolling) so I've been considering getting a Maclaren Volo or Keekaroo Karoo for the trip.  The upside to using the Snap n Go would be that the carseat fits on it and it would be easiest to get through security and gate check.  If we do this we won't be bringing the carseat's base and using the carseat w/out the base for the entire week in CA.

Another option I am considering is buying a Britax Marathon online and shipping it to my friend in CA who will be picking us up.  Then I would keep the box and check the carseat, in it's box, for our trip back.

Third option is renting a carseat from Alamo (we're picking up a rental SUV the second day we're there since we'll be driving from SoCal to NorCal)...not crazy about this idea though as I've read that it can be dicey AND it's $50 to rent for the week.  I found a new Marathon on sale for $189 with free s/h and we'll need one eventually, so I think I'd rather put the $50 towards the purchase, KWIM?

2) Wearing baby in the airport...

I plan to get an Ergo Sport soon (all these baby purchases right when I've had a significant reduction in salary is KILLING me right now!)...and wanted to use it for our trip...to wear her in the airport/plane and for once we're in CA (and later, WA).  I've read conflicting things about whether TSA makes you take the carrier off or not.  Also, I've read that you're not allowed to have baby in the carrier for take-off although I personally saw a woman with her baby in an Ergo for take-off/landing and thought it was BRILLIANT (when I flew in my third tri...it's the first time I ever saw an Ergo and of course noted that almost EVERY person travelling with a baby/toddler had Maclaren strollers)!

If I get the Ergo I am considering skippng the umbrella stroller (Maclaren or Keekaroo) and just planning on wearing Libby during our whole trip.  Is that insane?  I don't imagine we'll be using the stroller a whole lot since this trip is mainly to visit with friends and family and not to tour around, shop, etc.

3) Helping her ears during take-off/landing

I plan to BF her on the plane (she won't take a bottle anyway and hates pacis) to help her ears.  That said, we have a short flight (less than an hour) from Tulsa to Dallas and then a longer flight from Dallas to Burbank.  If I nurse her on the short flight I don't think she'll be ready to nurse again for take-off on the longer flight.  Will her ears "pop" on the short flight?  Should I try to nurse her for all take-off and landings and run the risk of her not wanting to nurse for the second-leg?  Have any of you used those special "ear planes" earplugs to help with their ears (I've seen them for kids, not sure if you can get baby ones or what).

4) White noise in-flight

I know the engine makes a fair amount of white noise and I hope that helps Libby, but she's weird.  She LOVES the sound of a hair dryer and it pretty much calms her and she passes out within 5 minutes!  She HATES the vaccuum, which to me sounds almost like a hair dryer.  Go figure!  So I worry that the engine noise might not do it for her.  I have found an MP3 of the hair dryer sound that I can download to my iPod and plan to use this with little speakers while we're traveling, but would it be horrible to use headphones on her in the plane with this sounds playing?  Everything I've read says no headphones for children under 5.  So I don't know if I should try this or not.

5) High-chair alternatives

Libby will be on solids for both trips and while I fully expect that she'll still be getting the majority of her nutrition from BFing, I want to keep mealtimes consistent with what we're doing at home (BLW).  Should I just plan to have her in my lap or try to get some sort of travel chair (like those fabric tie-on chairs or the ones that clip onto the table)?  What did you do if your baby is on solids already?

Any other advice or travel tips?  I know once we get to our desitination we'll be great.  We are making the drive from SoCal to NorCal a few days after our plan trip out there, so I know we'll have to allow for twice as much time to do that leg.  When we go to see my MIL Libby does pretty well and she's in the carseat for about 3 hours.  Sometimes we stop but usually she sleeps the whole way (and wakes up 10 minutes before we pull into our driveway...every.single.time)!

myday1708

Whew! LOTS of questions! You sound like me before our first trip. You should use the first trip as a "test" because no matter what advice we all give you, once you do it on your own, you'll know better what works for YOU for next time! Anyway, with that said, here goes!  

1) How did you bring your carseat?  Gate check?

Alexa was still in her infant car seat, so we put it in the Snap 'N Go and pushed it to the gate. The only reason we did this was that 1) we wanted a stroller on our trip so that she could nap there at the park where we watched the fireworks, 2) we wanted to take our OWN car seat, and 3) on Unted Airlines, it's FREE to gate check a stroller and/or car seat while it costs $25 each way to regular check it.

SECURITY: Each airport is different and each agent is different... Generally, though, when you go through security, you will need to put everything through the conveyor belt... car seat, collapsed snap 'n go, etc. On our first flight, DH took care of the gear while I put Alexa into the Ergo and walked through. They did not make me take her out or take her shoes off. On our second flight, they made me go back and put her little shoes through. Then they said I had to take her out of the carrier or be wanded. I said, fine, wand me. 

Both times, I kept her in the Ergo while we walked from security to the gate. The stroller was helpful to push our stuff! Then, when we got to the gate, I put her back in her car seat to feed her bkfst. Then we collapsed the Snap 'n Go and packed up the car seat in the padded JL Childress bag and DH carried them to the gate to gate check them. I put Alexa back into the Ergo to carry her onto the plane.

NOTE: When you get to the gate, you will need to get special "Gate Check" tags for each piece of equipment you are gate checking. Also make sure you have your own ID tags on them.

 

CAR SEAT: DH tried securing the car seat with the seat belt and no base, but he decided that it was not secure enough for him. So we brought the base. It easily fit into the car seat carrier bag, so it wasn't hard to bring it. We did not want to rent a seat. 

 

If you take your own car seat, you can ask at the gate whether the flight is full. If it's not, they might be able to seat you next to an empty seat so that you can take your car seat on the plane. If not, then just gate check it. 

2) Wearing baby in the airport...

I believe you are supposed to take the carrier off for take-off, but if they don't tell you, then no worries! I took it off when I sat down, but she was all over the place! 

I don't think it's insane to use JUST the Ergo and skip the stroller for the whole trip, actually. I prefer to carry Alexa rather than use the stroller... It's just that when you have gear to take with you, a stroller is easier! Besides our diaper bag, I like to take a cooler with cold water and applesauce, plus a blanket. Plus we wanted to take the car seat anyway, so it made sense to take the Snap 'n Go also.

 

If our next trip is when Alexa is out of her infant seat, we'll probably check her car seat and either get an umbrella stroller to gate check or just use the Ergo. 

3) Helping her ears during take-off/landing

Since it's such a short flight, can you BF her one side on take-off, the BF the other side on landing?

 

Also, does she take a sippy cup? Because you can put water in a sippy cup for her. On the way there, we got bottled water to fill it up after we passed security. On the way back, I forgot to dump the water in her sippy cup and so they tested it and then let it go. Weird.

4) White noise in-flight

The engine is pretty loud... I think playing a little white noise on your speakers might be OK... Maybe try without it and if she seems really anxious, then break it out? Not sure if I'd use the earphones.

5) High-chair alternatives

We got the Phil & Teds clip on chair but didn't use it. We fed her in her car seat and on our lap. 

 

HTH!!! 

sanae78

1) How did you bring your carseat?  Gate check?

We checked it at the ticket counter when we went to Hawaii because my friend had a snugrider that we were able to borrow once we got there.  When we travel in the future, I'll probably bring it to the gate to gate check so it doesn't get as beat up.  The frame, that is.  When we checked the carseat at the gate they had big plastic bags that we were able to put it in.  But they don't always so bring your own if you can.

2) Wearing baby in the airport...

They didn't make me take her out of the Ergo when we went through the checkpoint.  This was so nice!  Especially because she had fallen asleep.

You are supposed to take them out for take off and landing.  It's an FAA regulation.  But some F/As don't notice or enforce it.

3) Helping her ears during take-off/landing

I think it's not as big a deal as people make it out to be.  I did nurse her because it was the only way to get her to fall asleep at that time, but on descent on the way home she was sleeping and I didn't wake her to nurse and she slept fine right through the landing.

4) White noise in-flight

Kaya totally slept most of the time and I think the engine noise totally helped with that.

5) High-chair alternatives

Not sure about this one.

 

Good luck!

mrspresley

1) How did you bring your carseat?  Gate check?

on our 1st trip we traveled both ways together....so we brought the carseat + base w/us.  it wasn't a full flight so they did the infant block on the middle seat for us and we brought the carseat on board w/us and she was in the carseat for part of the flight...the other part of the flight she slept in my arms (she was 6 wks and slept most of the way).  if the flight is full i would just gate check the seat.

for our other trips, since we were going to see the grandparents, we simply bought carseats and left them there w/them.

if you buy a carseat, you may want to check the weight of the box and see if it is cheaper to ship the carseat back via fedex or UPS vs paying the $25 baggage fee on american.

the volo has been on sale on gap.com a lot recently for $90 or so, not sure if it is anymore

of all the options, i would not rent a carseat. seems like a total waste of money to me.  at least if you ship or check the carseat, you're only losing $25 vs the $50 or so to rent. i don't know what weekly rates are but when we looked into it, the daily rates were about $13/day.  we lucked out and i was about to get the britax roundabout 50 when it was clearanced at target for $50 for my parents' place.  

2) Wearing baby in the airport...

I've been through security 6 times w/her in the angelpack now and not once did they ever make me take her off.  

as an aside, if you pack your breast pump, make sure and take it out of your bag (like you do a laptop) or else they'll stop you and rummage through your bag and run it through the xray machine a 2nd time.  not a huge deal, but a hassle that can slow you down

3) Helping her ears during take-off/landing

I honestly don't think she was bothered by her ears.  I wasn't nursing her on all flights during take off, just some of them and she was ok. but every baby can be different

oh and if your layover in DFW is any significant amount of time, let me know so we can meet up w/you there

4) White noise in-flight

not sure about this.... i don't think miss A cared for or was bothered by the sound of the engine.  if ear phone aren't recommended in babies i wouldn't do it. not worth possibly harming her hearing just to keep her from fussing/crying on a flight.

5) High-chair alternatives

we did not have one while i was in CA for 3 wks. would have been nice but totally not necessary.  i either put her on the table and fed her from my chair....or went in the family room and put her on the chair there and fed her while i was on the floor.  i also fed her while she was sitting on the floor a few times too but that was harder for me since i had to stoop to get to her mouth.  she was pretty good about sitting and not lunging anywhere b/c she was very interested in eating...but if Libby won't sit still then you'll need something for her.  if you want something cheap i guess you could always DIY a tie chair

Any other advice or travel tips? 

aside from what i already wrote in the weekly check in thread...not sure if you saw but i did add that you should not book a late evening flight.  the earlier flights worked out much better for us.  night time = cranky baby

myday1708

mrspresley:

of all the options, i would not rent a carseat. seems like a total waste of money to me.  at least if you ship or check the carseat, you're only losing $25 vs the $50 or so to rent. i don't know what weekly rates are but when we looked into it, the daily rates were about $13/day.  we lucked out and i was about to get the britax roundabout 50 when it was clearanced at target for $50 for my parents' place.   

FYI, on United, it's $25 EACH WAY to check a car seat, so $50 total. That makes gate checking a real savings!  

myday1708

mrspresley:

of all the options, i would not rent a carseat. seems like a total waste of money to me.  at least if you ship or check the carseat, you're only losing $25 vs the $50 or so to rent. i don't know what weekly rates are but when we looked into it, the daily rates were about $13/day.  we lucked out and i was about to get the britax roundabout 50 when it was clearanced at target for $50 for my parents' place.   

FYI, on United, it's $25 EACH WAY to check a car seat, so $50 total. That makes gate checking a real savings!  

Married2MrWright

Thanks ladies, I really appreciate your insights!  Malia...we're going to get the JL Childress bag you reocmmended, so thanks.  We've decide to get that rather than rent an iffy carseat from Alamo. 

We'll take our SnugRide32 and Snap n Go and gate check it (putting the infant carrier/base in the padded bag before we head down the jet bridge).  I like that the bag can be used for the Britax Marathon, once we do get it.

I am ordering the JL Childress bag and the Ergo Sport (in black) today...thanks ladies!  I really do appreciate your real-world advice.

mrspresley

myday1708:

mrspresley:

of all the options, i would not rent a carseat. seems like a total waste of money to me.  at least if you ship or check the carseat, you're only losing $25 vs the $50 or so to rent. i don't know what weekly rates are but when we looked into it, the daily rates were about $13/day.  we lucked out and i was about to get the britax roundabout 50 when it was clearanced at target for $50 for my parents' place.   

FYI, on United, it's $25 EACH WAY to check a car seat, so $50 total. That makes gate checking a real savings!  

oh yeah. duh. i forgot you can gate check for free. it's $25 each way on American too. i was thinking about Lori's situation of getting one shipped to the destination and then checking the carseat on the way back.  but yeah, would make total sense to gate check instead.  gate checking just was NOT an option for me since i was traveling by myself with 2 carry on bags + diaper bag + baby...no way would i have had another hand to carry a carseat to the gate w/me! (plus it made sense to have a carseat at the grandparents)

Hawaiian Honey

Just FYI about the Tulsa airport specifically Lori, they just replaced all of their security checkpoints with those body scanners now. I don't like those things at all and even though they claim to be harmless I don't want to subjest the kids to any kind of radiation at all unless it is medically necessary. You can request a manual search. But make sure you allot extra time to get through. And do make sure to ask about the middle seat blocking as mentioned in the PP. American is super nice about doing that for families with babies if the flight isn't full. What day are you flying? Maybe Matt will be working and he can talk to the agents for you. It can't hurt right?! But I would gate check anything you can(stroller, car seat...) because American is really starting to crack down on all baggage types...even carryons. And we've taken Matty on quite a few flights and only had to take him out of the carrier once for takeoff. It really does just depend on the F/A you get as Christine said. Good luck and Libby will be a rockstar!!!

MrsZiz

Everyone gave you great suggestions. When B was small we took her car seat, base and stroller (we went to HI) and gate checked ALL of it to save $$. I really felt strongly about having her base because I knew how to properly install it. 3 in 4 car seats are installed incorrectly and I wasn't willing to take that chance since I wasn't 100% sure how to install just the car seat alone. 

I did end up wearing her though for several times through security. About 50% of the time they make me take her out, which is a PITA when I was alone with her... This last time I didn't take her stroller so I only had the Babyhawk and two carryons so it wasn't that awful. I wore her our whole trip and didn't take a stroller at all. She was 10 months old and I didn't find it to be insane at all She enjoys being worn and doesn't really like the stroller so it works better for us.

On our flight to and from HI, I nursed her during take off and landing and she was fine. On our most recent flight it was only a 45 min flight so there was no way she would've nursed again. I did end up having to take her to urgent care in KC though because she kept pulling at her ears. The MD said they looked fine but it could be ear pain and gave us drops to put in before takeoff and landing and that helped a ton!

As for the noise, Bella LOVES the hum of the engine. It lulls her I think. I personally wouldn't try to earbuds because their tiny ears are so sensitive...but that's just my opinion.

Bella was on solids for our last trip and was eating 3 meals a day AND she likes to feed herself She wants NO part of us feeding her. I sat in a chair and put food on the table in front of me for her to eat. It was messy but it worked. The bib with the catcher was a lifesaver! Libby is much smaller so I would do what Jaime did for A.  

Good luck! I'm sure you'll be fine and have a fabulous trip! You should post a blog about it when your done for all of the other mom's to check out!  

SanHawaii08

all the other tips are great - i'm keeping notes

i just had a comment on the earbuds - I notice i have to really crank up the volume on my ipod if i want to listen to music on the plane - to many times higher than normal - to hear it over the engine.  I worry about *my* hearing when I do that so for me personally, i wouldn't put earbuds on a baby (since it's not recommended), but *definitely* would not on the plane.