Taking LO on the plane...

KrisM86 · February 2012

I am going with DD and my mom to visit my aunt in Colorado in 2 weeks. I'm pretty psyched because she doesn't know I'm coming and is going to be so surprised and thrilled! However, I'm a little nervous about taking DD on the plane. It's a 4 1/2 hour flight. I know some of you have traveled your LOs on planes already and I'm wondering if you have any advice for me. TIA!

Fianschneid · February 2012

I wish I had a link for you but a bumpie just posted in the last couple of days about taking her LO on a flight for her move. Feeding upon take off and landing seem to be key, because it helps LO pop their ears.

karinothing · February 2012

The PP gave some excellent advice. I will just add that DS has already flown to TX adn San Fran. The San Fran flight ended up being like 7 hours. He slept the entire time. It was wonderus. I wish you the same luck.

jwls84 · February 2012

We went to the Dominican and went on 4 planes in total with our son. He did great. He slept through all but one of our take offs and 2 landings. The landings were far, far worse then the take offs. The descending is a slower process so the ear popping is prolonged. The flight attendants told us we had to hold him in the burping position for take off and landing and if he was awake it really helped to have his one ear on my chest and my hand covering his other ear and have a pacifier on hand. The only other tips I have is if the flight isn't full try to get a full row so you have an extra seat, the extra space is awesome. And have a couple extra outfits and receiving blankets. If it is a full plane it can get hot so have an outfit that is cooler just in case!

GL

lisamonkee11 · February 2012

We flew over the holidays & nursing during takeoff & landing did wonders for us. I definitely recommended wearing the baby in a carrier for security & absolutely bring more stuff than you think you'll need.

joolz17 · February 2012

I agree about takeoff and landing - either feeding or sleeping is great. I have taken stroller and carseat on both flights and not found it annoying with gate check. When you check in, book as far back in the plane as possible as it increases the chances you'll get a full row and book window and aisle for you/husband. It will be just fine!

Creedon778 · February 2012

We're flying in less than two weeks as well. I found it helpful to know that the airline (at least Southwest) lets you check two baby items for free in addition to your two free pieces of luggage. We are planning on checking the stroller and car seat along with our luggage and then purchasing a pack n play to keep at my FILs condo in Florida once we arrive.

Southwest also told me to check when you arrive to find out if the flight is full or not. If not, they can let us bring the car seat onto the plane to use in a seat without an extra charge. If that's the case then we'll be checking the stroller at the gate so we don't have to carry the car seat to the gate.

alison2379 · February 2012

I used our Moby, with C facing out, through most of the airport. I gate checked the stroller and carseat... I needed a place to put her down and load my stuff onto while going through the airport. I brought the Boppy on board since I'm nursing and that was a lifesaver. Extra outfits and extra toys are key- at 4 months old, C needed some stimulating. Feed during landing if possible. And use the Moby to stand in the aisle and bounce if need be when the seatbelt sign is off.

As for you, eat before boarding. It's too hard to maneuver food and baby in an airplane seat.

ebp913 · February 2012

All the advice given is great and I just wanted to add that you may want to bring your Boppy pillow. I loved having it for nursing but also to rest the baby on while she was sleeping. That and the carrier were the best things for me.

Shannon526 · February 2012

I just flew with L by myself a few days ago. Having your mom there will be a huge help. MH got a gate pass to help me through security. I suggest one of you worry about the baby while the other takes care of putting your bags/shoes/etc through security.

Pretty much everything Woodsie said was exactly what I did. L nursed during take off, fell asleep for about an hour, I changed her (such a tight space it's nuts!) nursed her again, and she fell back asleep for the rest of the flight. I was so surprised she slept so much because she's usually awake 24/7 haha.

GL, take your time, and if your DD is fussing/crying on the flight, pass out some ear plugs Wink (totally joking, but when I was on the plane, I pre-apologized to everyone around me haha)

puneet1 · February 2012

We are just back from DS first air trip and thank god it went well!!I would suggest pretty much what all other moms suggested you plus..if you could buy the ear muffs for your baby..go for it!!MH looked online for these And we got them..they were like a blessing because DS was little fussy so was not really nursing or taking paci so these helped to protect his ears during the take off and landing so we were not worried anymore.here is the link and they are not at all expensive

https://www.amazon.com/Peltor-90554-Kids-Earmuff-Blue/dp/B001ET5XAI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1328214242&sr=8-1

KrisM86 · February 2012

Thank you all for the suggestions! You definitely thought of some things I didn't. Hopefully we'll have a fairly low-stress flight!

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