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May 2011 Moms
mrbear83
member
XP Flight tips, please!
mrbear83
member
Hey Mamas!
I am flying with my 2mo in 10 days, and I'm looking for some flight tips. I've called my airline and the TSA for proper prep of formula and checking baggage, but I want to hear about some first hand experience, from feeding during takeoff to your loves and hates about your trip.
Expected flight time is 2 hours.
Thanks, Mamas!
This discussion has been closed.
Re: XP Flight tips, please!
I have no advice, but I do have a question. I will be flying W/O DD in a few weeks and I will need to pump. How do I get a hold of TSA and such to ask about breast milk?
Easy! Call this number, listen to the rather long tag message, and hold for an operator.
They told me that for formula or breastmilk, to declare it as soon as you enter teh security area and they will take care of you.
THis helped, too. Scroll down to breastmilk. https://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/index.shtm#formula
TSA Contact CenterEmail: TSA- ContactCenter@dhs.govPhone: Call 1-866-289-9673Flight time is actually quite perfect... try to plan a feeding for take off and a feeding for landing. It will help with the pressure and hopefully avoid the ear popping (number 1 culprit of screaming airplane babies). If LO just is not interested in eating, try a pacifier. Any sucking they do will help equalize their inner ear (it's something about the swallowing). Hopefully, if your LO is anything like mine, after they eat they will fall asleep and wake up up just intime for a feed during landing and then sleep while you get yourselves out of the airport.
HTH
(PS I've never actually tried this, but I have heard it is the miracle magic to flying with baby)
I flew last week with DS on a 2.5 hr flight and everything went great. I BF, so I nursed him on takeoff and landing. He barely fussed, although there was a 4 mo. old and a 1 yr old on the plane who cried a lot. On landing he was falling asleep and not nursing consistently, so I tried a binky, but he wouldn't take it, so he ended up sucking on my finger for the last part of it.
I only took the diaper bag with baby necessities on the airplane (extra diapers/wipes, change of clothes). I took the carseat, not the stroller since my sis has a snap n go for me to borrow. We had to put the carseat upside down and send it through the x-ray machine and I think you would have to fold up the stroller and do the same. The airlines will call for gate checked items and you have to go up and have them put a tag on them, then you leave it in the tunnel as your are boarding the plane, and pick them up right when you get off the plane. On the way back, I won't have DH's help, so I may just check the carseat with the rest of my bags.
One thing I realized I had never payed attention to before was the changing station situation, so I had to ask the flight attendant. One of the bathrooms at the back of the plane had a changing station symbol on the door and inside there was a table that folded down over the toilet.
I flew a few weeks ago when he was about 5 weeks and had no trouble. You have to put the carseat upside down through security and carry the LO, so as soon as I was through I put him in his carrier and carried the carseat the rest of the way.
(Small hiccup for me was that he actually had a blow out I discovered when I took him out of the carseat, fun stuff, but a quick change and we were back in style. Therefore I suggest an empty plastic bag for such occasions!)
I also used a backpack as a diaper bag/carry-on which I think made things easier. I also BF so I nursed him on take off and landings, but on the second landing after layover I mistimed it and nursed too early. By the time we were on descent he was whining (but not full out wailing) but still even the lady behind us said she could barely hear him because of the air blowing, so I wouldn't worry too much about a little crying, I know I was self-conscious about it more than it seemed to bother anyone.
I also heard people suggest to sit near the wings or in the back because its noisiest there and the "white noise" helps keep them sleeping.
Have a good trip!
I am flying next month with both kids and I won't lie, i am having a mini panic attack about it since I remember what it was like flying alone when DS was 7 months old.
Ask for help. Most of the flight attendance are more then happy to help you out. Also, when you first get the gate tell them you are flying with a child and if it's available they will try to get you next to an empty seat so you can spread out a bit.
If the baby is a lap child, you will need to get a boarding pass for them.
Try to go to a female TSA agent, I have noticed they are a bit more understanding then men(at least that was my experience lol). You will have to declare any bm or formula and only bring what you need for the time you are traveling. I actually plan on wearing DD the whole time and just asking them to wand me down. I am flying southwest and they have said I can wear her during the flight too, just not during take off or landing.
Also, if you are flying alone, when you check in ask for a non-traveler pass for who ever is taking you to the airport to help you through security and while waiting to board. On the other end give who ever is picking you up a copy of your flight info and they can meet you at the gate as well.
The less amount of stuff you bring, the better. Check what ever you can and travel light.
And don't loose your sense of humor. Stuff happens and you just have to roll with the punches! Good luck!!
ETA: when I flew last, i found out most people are willing to help you out too. I can't tell you how many people offered to hold a bag or grab my gate checked stroller for me. I know one of my friends who flies solo with her kid always brings small gift cards for the people that help her out.