flying with LO

kmm2150

sorry if this has been posted recently - just looking for anyone's experiences flying with LO around 8-9 months old, especially if it was just you and LO with no other adult help. Was it a nightmare? Not that bad? Any tips? TIA!

gajumper

I flew with my son a few weeks ago and I was pleasently suprised at how easy it was.

I flew out of ATL and into Austin, TX.  All of the TSA agents were very nice to both me and my mother who was my helper.  I informed them at security I had formula in the diaper bag, etc.  For me, having my Mom on the flight was a huge help.  She was in charge of putting the stroller, etc on the security belt and just generally helping me. I tried to be polite and thank every TSA agent and flight person that I asked a stupid question to and that seemed to keep the mood much lighter.  You know, with the TSA you never know if you are going to get a grouchy one who has been on shift for 7 hours or a nice smiling face, it really is a toss up.

I also packed two new toys in my carry on for him and gave them to him once we got in the air.  I also offered him a bottle on both take off and landing.  He never once made much of a peep.  He slept about half way going and 3/4 way coming back.

LadyMadrid08

I flew with DD last Thursday.  A ten hour flight just me and her.  I did end up getting the bassinet and that was nice, but she didn't really sleep in it--just 45 minutes.

Anything under 6 hours I'm sure you'll be fine.  Even 10 hours was fine, just exhausting for me.  She did great though.  Remember to give her a bottle, pacifier, nurse her during takeoff, take snacks, and I packed new toys for her which we didn't really use.  I also let her crawl around on the floor at the airport before boarding the plane to let her work off energy.

It was definitely not a nightmare by any stretch of the imagination. 

aimlessone

We've taken our LO on two flights.  One at 6 months and one at 9 months.  She did fine both times, slept most of the trips (one was 3 hours, the others were 8 there and split into 5 and 3 back).  Just remember to have him suck on his pacifier or feed on take off and landing to help equalize the pressure.  Other than that, she was generally curious about the people around her, just looking around and playing with the seatback magazines and stuff.  Then just fell asleep for most of the flight.  3 of the 4 flights, I scheduled so they were during her naptime or sleeptime, that probably helped.

Margaret Lemon

I have flown with LO several times, some with DH, some alone. Every trip was fine. Most people are super nice and helpful. 

Do you have a carrier for your baby?  I bring the stroller, but put her in the Ergo before we board. Then I have my hands free. It is a real lifesaver. Plus, she often falls asleep in it.

I remember being nervous the first time, but I'm sure you will both do great.  

Margaret Lemon

Margaret Lemon:

I have flown with LO several times, some with DH, some alone. Every trip was fine. Most people are super nice and helpful. 

Do you have a carrier for your baby?  I bring the stroller, but put her in the Ergo before we board. Then I have my hands free. It is a real lifesaver. Plus, she often falls asleep in it.

I remember being nervous the first time, but I'm sure you will both do great.  

Also, ask the flight attendant when you board which bathrooms have a changing table. I have been on planes where only one of the bathrooms has a changing table.  

blu-eyedwife

We recently flew with our 10 month old and the airport was the easiest part (and the part I was most worried about). On our way there he slept during takeoff and landing and was up for about 2 hours of the 4 hour flight.  On the way home, he slept for almost 3 hours, so was only up for a little over an hour.  My guy was fussy on the plane when he was awake, but he's a crawler and he didn't want to sit still - it sounds like the other babies here didn't have that issue though, so maybe I'm unique in that respect.

We're also unique in that we checked our stroller first thing - and I'm so glad we did!  I can't imagine dealing with that thing in the airport.  It was much easier to maneuver with just our carrier.

Here's a little write-up I did on our experience.

LadyMadrid08

blu-eyedwife:

  My guy was fussy on the plane when he was awake, but he's a crawler and he didn't want to sit still - it sounds like the other babies here didn't have that issue though, so maybe I'm unique in that respect.

DD is also a crawler and cruiser (the past 3 flights we've done with her) and of course she wanted to move around more than she was able to in our limited seat space, but that didn't make it a nightmare.  You just distract with toys or, on a very long flight, walk them up and down aisles while people sleep or let them crawl in the back (if flight attendants are okay with it).  There're always options, even on airplanes.

I also wanted to say I agree with the PP who mentioned putting LO in a carrier before boarding.  I would've died without having the umbrella stroller, but I do always put her in the carrier right before boarding so I can fold the stroller and get the bags away without having to have her in my arms too.  It works great.  I've flown with DD 6 times now on flights varying from 2 to 10 hours in length, sometimes with DH and sometimes on my own and none of the times have been terrible, though of couse all children may get fussy or want to move around more than they are able.  I hope it goes well for you!  

Oh, and advice from other moms that I found helpful was to bring extra food, snacks, toys, and plastic bags in case you have a blowout or some other reason you have to store dirty clothes until you get home. I think I forgot that in my previous post.