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Babies: 3 - 6 Months
Flying with baby....any advice?
So were taking a memorial weekend trip to visit some family in Arizona this weekend. We leave Thursday, and I'm a little nervous. I've read up how to take bottles/formula, and getting through security. but I'm more worried about the actual flight. I plan to feed on take off and landing to help with ears (i've heard that helps). And with it being a 5 hour flight it will be perfect. But any advice on how to help baby deal with time change.... or will he notice? Also....can I gate check our infant seat with stroller? Or do they make you check your infant seat with luggage? Were trying to do this by only carrying on, not checking. So any adviceon travelling with a 4 month old would be much appreciated !!!!
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Re: Flying with baby....any advice?
I don't have personal experience but my sister in law flew with my niece and her doctor said to feed her during take off and landing. Bring something for them to suck on also to help with their ears but attach it to them since the airplane floor isn't the cleanest if it's dropped.
She was able to check the stroller at the gate but had to check the car seat although it was free.
The diaper changing wasn't ideal either on the plane because the bathroom didn't have a changing table. They did it once in the bathroom holding her up on their lap and then would change her on the seat. If you do change them in the bathroom, I've heard it's easier to get them undressed and ready to be changed before getting in there because it's such a cramped space.
We will be traveling with a 5 month old so come back and share any tips!
I also flew Southwest when DS was about 10w. I was able to gate check both items no problem. They also have giant plastic bags to wrap the car seat in (if you care), but you have to ask at the check in counter and not at the gate. If your flight isn't full, you can carry your carseat on and have a seat for LO. I was able to do that on the flight back and it was really nice to not have to hold him the whole time (and my flight was only 2.5 hrs).
When we traveled the time difference was an hour later. Since it was only an hour..I just did everything an hour later - bedtime at 8:30 instead of 7:30 and what not. For that type of thing...it might depend on how big the difference is and how long you'll be gone. If it's just for a long weekend I might not worry about it too much.
We flew with DD at 4 months from Florida to California with a layover in TX. It was MUCH EASIER than I thought! I didn't see a siggy for how old your LO is, but when they are this young, they seem to sleep a lot. We got a seat in the BACK of the plane where the engines are loud and it put her right to sleep. One time during thewhole trip (there and back) she got fussy and no one could hear her b/c the engines were so loud. One thing I can recommend is if you have the $, to get her own seat- I know it is expensive!!! We paid $380!!! But worth EVERY penny! We put her car seat in the seat next to the window and I bought a mini tiny love mobile to attach to it and keep her entertained. I was told to have her sucking on the way up and down, but she was always asleep, and her paci did just fine! We brought an Ergo but the isles were just too small to walk her up and down (we were on American and Southwest).
You can find out ahead of time if your plane has a changing table in bathroom. Our first plane did, but that's it. It is TINY!!! Thank goodness we never had to use it. BUT I did read that something about the pressure can make the baby have a "blow out" so I kept a diaper and wipes in seat pocket in front of me in case I needed to make a run for it. But don't stress, it really was easier than I thought it was going to be. Just go ahead and tell yoruself she IS going to cry and everyone will just have to deal with it! We all have. We checked our stroller at gate- they will give you a tag and just leave it right before you get on plane. GL!!!
I flew American when I moved to Chicago by myself a few weeks ago w/ then 2.5month old DD & my 40lb dog.
AA lets you gate check both car seat & stroller - I only checked the snap n go since I purchased a seat. I gave DD her bottle when taking off, then she slept the whole flight (3hrs). The lavatory didn't have a changing table (M83), but I've heard of some closing the toilet lid & just using the toilet seat.
Good luck and enjoy your trip!