Flying with baby?

sharrison88

Who's done it?  Is it better to check the stroller at the gate or check it when we get there and wear her?  Can I wear her through security in my Ergo, or will I have to take her out? I'm planning on nursing when we take off and land, dressing her in layers, bringing a few blankets and toys...We fly out at 6:30 AM, so I'm hoping she'll still be sleepy, but with the stimulation of the airport, I'm not sure.  Any traveling tips are welcome!!!

SteelCity44

I haven't flown, but from what I've read, it's "better" to check the stroller at the gate, because the baggage handle guys can be pretty rough on the equipment. You cannot baby wear through security. I know someone just recently flew with their LO on here, so they might have better advice on what to bring. Have fun!

jcsntms06

I flew with both my kids in September. I took the stroller to the gate and checked it there. The stroller was a life saver for us (sit and stand). I strapped both kids in that things when we landed and made them sit while we gather all the bags, carseats, and pnp. I took the carrier, but I didn't wear her through security. I carried her and she did fine.From what I was told, you can't wear babies anymore. I would just confirm via tsa website.

I would bring a few blankets, boppy if you have room. Much easier to rest LO on boppy instead of just your arms. I would take puffs, paci or whatever she will drink out of. 

My DD at the time was 6 months old and she pretty much checked out all the people around her. 

Good luck! 

KatFCo

As soon as you get to the gate ask if you can have your seats changed to a bulkhead row for more room.

When going through security, we had to remove all sweaters and blankets, although sometimes that might depend on where you are.

Definitely take the stroller with you to the gate.

When I recently flew to Vegas, the flights were really full so they were limiting people's carry-ons. Make sure you board during the early "families with young children" time, or you may not have any overhead space.

KristenS09

I flew on Thanksgiving with DD and without DH.  I'd definatly check your stroller at the gate.  I checked the carseat with my luggage for free.  I put it in a garbage bag so it wouldn't get dirty.  I know they make bags for them but they were about $30 and for a one time thing I didn't feel it was necessary.  I also took my boppy with me on the plane and it was a lifesaver when DD fell asleep I just let her lay on the boppy in my lap.  I also nursed her during take off and landing.  She didn't show any signs of discomfort. GL

Also everyone was so super nice and helpful (even the TSA agents).

sharrison88

Thanks, ladies.  No baby wearing - I just looked it up on TSA's website.  Did you do anything "extra" to your stroller before boarding, like use zip ties to keep it closed or put it in a travel bag?  I feel like I'm thinking too much into this, but the stroller is a necessity since we're going to Disney.

KatFCo

sharrison88:

Thanks, ladies.  No baby wearing - I just looked it up on TSA's website.  Did you do anything "extra" to your stroller before boarding, like use zip ties to keep it closed or put it in a travel bag?  I feel like I'm thinking too much into this, but the stroller is a necessity since we're going to Disney.

If your stroller doesn't lock closed easily, you may want to get something, but otherwise you probably don't have to worry about it. The guys at the gate handle them all the time. One of the flights I was on last month had 5 or 6 strollers at the gate for one single flight.

ADub09

I am going to go against the group here and say check your stroller with other luggage. I have flown on 5 round trips with S and have never taken my stroller through to the gate, for me it was so much easier just to carry him, you have to take them out at security anyway. I also suggest NOT preboarding, if you do you are stuck in your seat for at least 30 minutes while the other passengers board and if LO is fussy that is a long time to not be able to stand or move around and it is a lot of time LO could still be playing on the floor in the airport ~ remember they are going to be held the entire flight. We always wait to board with the general boarding and it is much easier. You can pre-pick your seats early if you have an infant, you probably won't get the bulkhead but you can get close to the front which IMO is easiest. I also suggest sitting in the aisle it give you much more room for nursing and you can get up and walk if needed. Dress LO in light clothing I always put S in comfy pants, a onesie and a hoodie that can be taken off. Bring along extra clothes for LO and you!!  Blankets and toys and anything that you LO finds entertaining! I always nurse on take off but rarely on landing, I find that is the time S is either asleep or busy visiting with the passengers across the aisle!!

GL.

jcsntms06

sharrison88:

Thanks, ladies.  No baby wearing - I just looked it up on TSA's website.  Did you do anything "extra" to your stroller before boarding, like use zip ties to keep it closed or put it in a travel bag?  I feel like I'm thinking too much into this, but the stroller is a necessity since we're going to Disney.

I bought a bag from amazon for the carseat, but for the stroller I didn't do anything, but fold it up and left it outside of the plane door.

sharrison88

ADub great points. I thought about the preboarding issue. We are flying Southwest and so I will most likely try to get on the early a boarding group by checking in 24 hrs before our flight. DH and I have also been trying to figure out seat location options. I was thinking sitting near the window for more privacy while nursing, but hadn't thought about space...

KatFCo

sharrison88:

ADub great points. I thought about the preboarding issue. We are flying Southwest and so I will most likely try to get on the early a boarding group by checking in 24 hrs before our flight. DH and I have also been trying to figure out seat location options. I was thinking sitting near the window for more privacy while nursing, but hadn't thought about space...

I suggested preboarding only because of the recent flights I was on where by the time I boarded they had run out of overhead space and we had to check anything that didn't fit at our feet. I had my pump with me for the layover so I had to do quite a bit of quick shuffling in order to make sure I had everything I needed for the layover in just one bag.

If that's not a concern, definitely board as late as possible--or have your DH board earlier with your stuff.

sharrison88

I'm trying to minimize packing while bringing the necessary items oxymoron??. I think we will have 2 to 3 backpacks. 2 of them can probably go under the seat. I really need to get on the ball with packing so I can assess my situation.

ADub09

How long is your flight? I have flown with just my diaper bag and been fine for our flights, the longest being 5.5 hours.

sharrison88

Our flight is only 2 hours long (MD to FL).  I'm thinking about taking a back pack for baby and a back pack with my camera and our things.  We should be good to go with those two things and the stroller.  Any entertainment tips for the flight?  For some reason, I have this odd feeling that Caroline will be wide awake the whole flight.

ADub09

S loves staring at the other passengers. Playing with a cup and package of bits and bites from the flight attendant was a big hit on last week's flight! Sophie and any other small easy to carry toys. 2 hours isn't too long you will find it goes by quickly. Don't over think it gerab some of her favourite toys and have fun!!

JaimeG183

I've always worn him in the ergo through security- and this is through multiple airports too- not just one nice one...PDX, Newark, PBI, PHL, BVT- no one asked me to ever take him out. I did have to have my hands swiped but that was it

definitely extra clothes for you both- my bff's baby likes to have blowouts during takeoff... and since they're on your lap...

I gate check the stroller in a bag, i like having it to pile my stuff on if I'm babywearing.

biochembelle

We check the stroller at the gate. We have a nice bag for it because we knew we'd be flying multiple times with it.

We carry-on the diaper bag and my pump bag, plus DH usually has his backpack. We usually check one large suitcase with everything else in it.

LO almost never sleeps through flights for us! She likes playing with Sophie, bouncing up and down on my lap, and playing with the plastic cups. I do nurse through takeoff and when we start the descent. I've found waiting until landing is too late. As soon as my ears start feeling pressure and she starts fussing, we nurse.

jrichards1

KatFCo:

sharrison88:

ADub great points. I thought about the preboarding issue. We are flying Southwest and so I will most likely try to get on the early a boarding group by checking in 24 hrs before our flight. DH and I have also been trying to figure out seat location options. I was thinking sitting near the window for more privacy while nursing, but hadn't thought about space...

I suggested preboarding only because of the recent flights I was on where by the time I boarded they had run out of overhead space and we had to check anything that didn't fit at our feet. I had my pump with me for the layover so I had to do quite a bit of quick shuffling in order to make sure I had everything I needed for the layover in just one bag.

If that's not a concern, definitely board as late as possible--or have your DH board earlier with your stuff.

I'm a wait until the last minute to board the plane, kind of gal myself. We are usually flying from Philly to Phx and back, which is about 5 hours nonstop, so the less time we have to spend with her on the plane, the better.  We only bring carry-on's we can fit under our seat (e.g. diaper bag and DH's tote). I actually fit my pump bag with the other two under the seat the last time I flew.

My tip: put LO in an overnight diaper to guard against leaks if you have a long flight. My LO fell asleep once we were in the air with all of the noise, but now that she's older, who knows how she'll be... Those who have flown with the Boppy, did it take up a lot of room?