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Babies: 3 - 6 Months
question about flying with babies
does anyone know if I need a birth certificate for DD for the airline? I had heard that somewhere but I didnt see anything about it on the airline's website. Although I didnt look very hard. I've leaving in the morning and I'm thinking now that I should have verified this before now...
Also, if you've flown with LO, what are some tips you could give me? Anything in particular I should bring or do that maybe I havent thought of?
TIA ladies :]
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Re: question about flying with babies
we flew southwest with dd when she was 2 months. they asked for a birth certificate, i gave the 'what the heck are you talking about look' she told me to bring it next time.
just feeding during take off and landing to help with the ears! dd did great, and just looked around while she was awake, but slept most of the time. she was only 2 months though.
my blog :: the domestic wannabe
Call the airline. I didn't have a birth certificate so they told me to bring him immunization card.
Also, ask for a large bag to put your infant seat/stroller in when you check-in (but you'll check them at the gate). I waited until we got to the gate (like they had told me on the phone) and they told me they only carry the bags at the check-in counter. So, I didn't have a bag and my brand new stroller got all scratched up.
DS and I just got back from our two week trip to Michigan. We took the trip solo so there was a lot of anxiety on my part.
I didn't need to show a birth certificate. I overheard at security this morning that kids 0-18 do not need to show identification so that's nice.
I would definitely pack light (easier said than done though). I had a ziplock bag of two-three pacifiers with an extra ziplock inside the bag. That way, if a pacifier fell on the floor, I could put it in the extra ziplock to keep it away from the clean pacifiers. I also bought some of the 8 oz. ready to feed bottles from Similac because I didn't want to mess with refrigerating breastmilk. This was great because you never know when you're going to run into delays and I knew that I had PLENTY of food for DS this way. Be careful if you use Dr. Brown's nipples on them though. They tend to leak so I would put it in an empty bottle anyway.
I liked using a backpack rather than my usual diaper bag. I could fit more and it was easier to carry. You can take your stroller and car seat right to the gate. I did that with the base of the car seat underneath the stroller. When it was time to carry baby on board the plane, I took the base out, put the car seat on it and locked it in, collapsed the stroller, and then got baby out of the car seat.
The other thing I would be prepared for is that you might get searched. On my flight out of Phoenix, I was told I could either get searched or they would have to open up my bottles of formula. I chose to get searched because once you open the bottles, you need to refridgerate them. I was expecting the same thing when I was flying back out of Detroit's airport, but they didn't give me a second glance in security. So I guess it just depends on who's there.
Try to feed during take off and landing, but don't stress out about it if they're already asleep. DS was asleep before take off on our first flight and kept sleeping without a problem.
Phew, that was long enough but I hope it helps. Just stay calm and everything will be fine!
each airline is different so check the policy. I didn't need one. my tips are:
1. have a baby carrier handy if you own one. It can help if when you are grabbing your carry on and waiting on the stroller. 2. an umbrella stroller or snap n go will be a big help for getting through the airport.
We flew with DD at 4 months old. If you can bring a bottle incase they don't want to BF at take off and landing. She slept through 7 of our 8 takes off and landings and the one she was awake for she wouldn't BF, but quickly took a bottle. If their into toys bring something quiet. Don't worry about the people around you most everyone has flown with a child at some point, they are forgiving. Be prepared to have very tired arms when you get where you are going.
We called ahead and had babies name added to our reservations and they did ask for the Birth Certificate or Passport. Make sure you ask to board early or during family boarding so you can get a good seat and settled before the plane is packed.
Good Luck!
we did not need a birth certificate (i asked when i called ahead of time) but i brought a copy anyway just in case. We flew delta. you should call the airline once you have your tickets booked so you can tell them you are flying with an infant. on delta they want to know so they can print "infant in arms" on your ticket and make sure you are sitting in a row that has enough oxygen masks.
We just came back from a trip to Chicago. It was a 3 hour flight from where we are. They asked for a birth certificate when I called the airlines, but no one asked to see it at all.
I made sure to have him sucking his bottle and pacifer. He got a little fussy but nothing major. He slept most of the time. I also brought my boppy pillow for him to lie on. I traveled by myself and kept him on my lap. It was very helpful!