Any flying tips?

MaggieF516 · January 2013

We are going to be flying to AZ later in the week and I am getting so nervous thinking about taking him on his first flight at this age. It is causing me MAJOR anxiety.

My little guy is just such a high maintenance baby, I don't see how be will be able to stay content and occupied for 5 hours in basically the same area. He likes to move around constantly, have his scenary changed, etc. I'm really annoyed my boyfriend didn't book a flight with a layover like I asked him to. Just sitting at the table at a restaurant for an hour was a nightmare the other day and I had to walk around with him the entire time. He also fights sleep and basically thrrows a temper tantrum almost every time before he goes to sleep.

Anyone have any travel tips they found helpful or have experiences where flying was better than they thought? I am going to bring a lot of his toys and hope for the best. I am so nervous and really worried I am going to have to buy drinks for all the passengers on the flight if he creates a scene LOL!!

Also, will all airlines let you bring the carseat and stroller in addition to your carry on bags? Thanks!!

wedsept · January 2013

Car seat and stroller can be gate checked.

The best tip I had was to have him use his pacifier or drink a bottle when you are landing (descending in elevation) and taking off (ascending in elevation). This will avoid his ears popping, which will be very painful for them due to the change in elevation.

topaz7777 · January 2013

Check with your airline. I checked a bag, and put my carry on/diaper bag under the stroller and just wheeled DD, carseat and stroller to the terminal. I found that the cheap "gate check" bag I bought at target or BRU fit my infant carrier well and kept it from getting wet and dirty. I used a carrier and strapped DD to me to board the plane, but you have to unstrap it during take off and landing. (I just slipped the sholder straps off and that was enough). I also scheduled the flight during her usual nap time. Use an isle seat so you can get up and down/change a diaper if you need to. Oh and I had a little "single diaper change kit" specially packed so I didn't need to go rummaging around. Carrying the purse and diaper bag and baby to the tiny lavetory sucks, so the kit was perfect. I also brought a new toy DD had never seen just in case I needed to break that out. She ended up needing one change, and slept the entire rest of the way, both directions. I did have a pacifier and a bottle ready just in case she had trouble, but didn't need to use them.

wheelsonthebus · January 2013

oh boy, I flew with DS when he was a little older than your LO. He is also a high needs kid. The way down was fine. The way back was a NIGHTMARE. Do you nurse? That saved me. He was screaming at one point and I just nursed him and he fell asleep. You might have to walk up and down the aisle. I've seen people letting their LO's crawl around too. It depends on how "cool" your flight attendant is. haha. My thoughts are with you!

mamayo26 · January 2013

We just flew down to florida to visit my grandparents.

I was like you very anxious about the whole thing we tried to time everything to go smoothly and wouldn't you know i, my AirTran (who I have never had a good experience with) flight was delayed. So we had to feed DS before boarding, but I had a little bottle of water for him for take off.

Here is what I have learned and hope you find useful:

Plan everything you can because something if not everything will spoil those plans, so you will need to be flexible.

Bring extras of everything. Diapers, wipes, bottles/formula (unless you nurse), toys, change of clothes, etc. Also, your LO might not be able to make it the whole flight without a change, but I changed DS right before we boarded the plane and did have to change him until we got to the restaurant.

You can gate check or actually check the car seat/baby carrier car seat and you will not be charged for it. The you can take the stroller and gate check it right before you get on the plane.

I do recommend a car seat carrier bag. I got the jeep one on Amazon for $18, and it was worth its weight in gold. Not only did it protect the seat from getting wet and damaged, but you can pack extra supplies in there and not get charged for it. we put our extra carry on and coats in there and it was awesome.

Try and get LO to take something water, formula, BM,nurse during take off, but have a pacifier or something to suck on just in case he won't. DS took water on take off on the way down to FL, and fell a sleep about 5 minutes later ans slept until we got to baggage claim Smile .

On the way back due to a major disruption in his normal schedule which was already kind of messed up from the holidays, DS was slightly less cooperative. I had to fight him to take a bottle at take off. Then he was al fidgety, luckily I had DH who was able to get him to go to sleep, but believe you me, DS was a handful up to the point. Whining at the gate and on the plane until take off.

DS woke up about 20 minutes before we landed in a good mood. He sucked on his nuk and ended up being fine (the pilot was actually great and I had very little popping in my ears.

I know you are upset with you BF for booking a nonstop flight, but it might be easier on you and LO. As for his activity there is lots of new things to see and look at at the airport and ont he plane, plus the plane is loud and will hopefully lull him to sleep. MY DS fights his naps too.

Getting through security wasn't too bad either, you just have to send your stroller through with everything else, just carry you LO through the metal detector, just make sure you aren't wearing a big coat/sweatshirt or have him in a carrier. Also on the way back I forgot a bottle of water was in our bag, but they just put it in a machine and tested it and we didn't have to buy one to make formula. (You can bring a reasonable amount of formula/water with you. If you don't nurse I recommend the single packs they are very convenient.

I know this was long, but hope it helps.

GL!

SunAndRain · January 2013

All of the above and beyond that RELAX!

Honestly, if you are relaxed there is a better likelihood that LO will be calm too.

Mentally prepare yourself for a very busy flight keeping LO happy and entertained. Now is NOT the time to expect him to sit quietly (obviously). So bring books and toys. Sing songs and ake funny faces. Point him at the people sitting next to him and let him stare at them for a while while you narrate "Do you want to say hi to the nice lady across the asile?" Sounds dumb but the person will probably smile back and entertain your LO for a few minutes. And believe me they would rather have a happy baby stare at them over a crying baby!

MaggieF516 · January 2013

Thanks so much for all of the great advice!! This is so helpful

topaz7777 · January 2013

I totally forgot about security. The carseat, your carry on, and the stroller all go through the belt fed machine... so trying to get it all up there if you aren't going with anyone else is a bit difficult. I took DD alone, and I was SO glad to have her in a strap on carrier just so I could hold her and still load the carry on items on the belt. If you go with someone else, it's much easier to have someone hold the baby, or have the other person load all of the stuff. Good luck!

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