- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
Babies: 6 - 9 Months
Those of you that have flown with baby! Please advise :)
I'm flying with my 4 month old next Monday from Seattle to CA. (approx. 2 hr trip.) This is my first time flying with her, so want to see if this is correct:
I have Snap and Go with carseat. She has her "own seat" on plancde... so do I roll stroller carseat to gate... and then go from there, leaving stroller and carrying her in carseat to our seat??
What about the carseat base? I'm bringing that, correct??
Also, those who have flown, was it easier just to stroll baby down to gate in stroller or did you use baby in carrier.. such as bjorn or ergo?
Any other advise is appreciated for flying!
I have heard that having a pacifier and bottle ready to go for air pressure is a must. Also to have small mini bag with diaper.. for tight space in lavatory.
I'd love to hear about any of your experiences so that I can be prepared.
Thanks!
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Those of you that have flown with baby! Please advise :)
I strolled my infant carrier in the snap and go to the airplane. They gate checked both pieces, and returned them to me - at the airplane door- upon arrival at my destination. I carried my baby on the plane without a carrier or seat. I also did not bring my carseat base, because the carseat can be belted directly into the car (once we arrived). I felt comfortable with that and did not want to lug around an extra piece (the base). That being said, the airlines will check your carseat, base, stroller and even a pack and play for free.
Have fun!
When I flew with B he was a lap baby... so I am not sure, but I would say, yes- bring your base. And as far as the whole stroller thing... I say YES bring it. I had B in the Moby, but all of our crap in the stroller which was nice to not have him with bags on my shoulders. And then just collapse it when you get to the gate.
I would def do a bottle once the plane starts moving (not sooner) and then maybe water or a paci for landing as soon as the plane begins its desent.
B was also 4 months and we flew from CA to TX to Cabo... 12 hours total and he was a total champ. I know its stressful, but try not to let it be and enjoy it! Its easier now than it will be when they are mobile
KWIM? 
I've been flying with mine since he was 5 weeks old. We fly all the time. I keep him in the carseat snapped into the stroller and have my diaper bag (backpack) and a duffel bag that hangs on my stroller handle.
Good for you for buying a seat. It's more safe and a lot easier then holding them the whole trip. I use my car seat that fits on my stroller and I don't bring the base. it's a bit of a PITA when you have to buckle it into the car when you get where you're going, but all in all it's not bad.
Make sure your car seat is government approved and has "This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft" printed on it. Otherwise, you may be asked to check it as baggage.
I print off this page from the FAA website
https://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/crs/
as well as the page on the airline website referring to their car seat policy because often the employees are confused about what is allowed and what is not. I almost got kicked off a plane once because they over booked the flight and tried to intimidate me into giving up his seat. I refused.
My stroller is large and they usually roll it around security and wipe it with that paper. You will have to remove your child from the carseat and take his shoes and stuff off just like for yourself. The car seat has to go through the scanner and you will carry the baby through the metal detector. There is usually a "family line" go through that one. They have been very helpful with me.
I roll the stroller up to the plane and gate check it. I don't use a bag or anything. Take advantage of the family boarding. It's a life saver, and if you have time wait until everyone else is off the plane to deplane because you'll have more room and you just end up waiting for your stroller anyway.
I have always worn Hadley when flying and have never bought her a seat so I can't be of much advice on that point. If you are bringing a stroller though it will definitely be easiest on you to gate check it.
But, we checked in her carseat and base the first time we flew and I ended up leaving her base in Tennessee because it was such a PITA and we had an extra at home...that we don't even use anyway.
A 2 hour trip should be a piece of cake. We have never flown that short of time, I am jealous. From what I read on here most babies do really well on planes so good luck!
Oh, and it will be so much easier on you if you just go ahead and change her diaper before getting on the plane. Hopefully she won't poop while you're on the plane because it is not fun changing them in those tiny bathrooms.
Don't bother with the base. I brought mine and it was a nuisance the entire time. I used the snap n go up to the gate where they checked it for me. I carrier her on in the infant car seat and strapped her in. They gave me the snap n go back then we got off the plane, at the gate. I did give her a bottle as we took off and landed. She didn't seem bothered by the pressure at all.
If you havent bought baby a seat and there is an empty seat on the plane, you will be allowed to bring the car seat on and if not, they will check it at the gate along with the stroller. I found it to be a PITA to not have the base. Try attaching your car seat to the car without the base before you go to see if your car seat is easy without the base. If it's not, I recommend bringing it.
Have a good trip!
We pushed DD in her stroller, and DH carried her car seat.
We then left the stroller at the gate, and got it back at our destination gate.
DD's Graco SnugRide fit rearfacing on the airplane seat. We left the base at home. Just used the selt method to put her car seat in the rental car.
Enjoy your trip!
Please keep your LOs RF as long as possible
I have flown with Caitlynn 3 times. Her first flight being when she was jut 2 months. and I was by myself. I found it easier to bring the stroller. They take it just as you are about to board the plane and bring it directly under and have it waiting for you when you arrive.
I would have a bottle or paci ready when you take off and another when you are about to descend. (when your ears pop so do theirs)
I carried my regular diaper bag (which was easy to stow under the stroller) and my carry on I did buy a changing pad that had pokets for a diaper or 2 wipes and diaper rash cream. that way I didn't have to lug a big diaper bag to the lavatory on the plane. and it does come in handy.
I did not have a seat fo her I held her the entire time. knowing she wouldn't stay in her car seat for that long but you do need to bring the base as well. (It was too much for me)
The only other thing I can recommend is asking for help if you need it. the flight attendants were all very helpful on each flight and surprisingly so were the people next to me.
Just be ready for the "looks" from the other passengers as you get on the plane :-)
and if your baby sleeps thewhole time they will all comment on "what a good baby" you have. 2 hours isn't long so you should be safe