Flying with 5 month old

LorraineBlush · August 2013

Has anyone flown with a 5 month old? Are there ANY tips or tricks you can share?

CougFan · August 2013

It has been a while, but I am about to do it next month!

Check as much stuff as possible--especially if it is just the two of you. But be sure to have a clean outfit for each of you in carry-on (or at least a shirt for you).

Aisle seat in case you need to get up.

If you are traveling with another adult, one of you boards early with all the crap, the other gets on plane with baby last.

It really is safest and smartest to buy a seat and bring the car seat on board. But it is expensive. Know that if you check your car seat (or stroller) they could likely be dropped, man-handled and even be broken without you knowing it--even if you "gate check" them. I have heard it is better to check your car seat in the box you purchased it in. Some people will buy/make a special bag and pad it with blankets. When I go (it will just be DD and I), I will buy a Cosco Scenera seat ($40) just for the trip and check it. I would hate for an expensive seat to get damaged. If we were being picked up at the airport I would order the seat and have it sent to those people so it doesn't have to travel on the plane.

I won't be bringing a stroller as it is a short trip and I shouldn't need it. I will bring her through in the Ergo, in my experience you can go through security with baby in it.

I have heard of people doing elaborate things like handing out candy/earplugs to the whole plane. That doesn't seem necessary. If you are BFing, just plan on doing that during take/off and landing. Good luck!

montie99 · August 2013

If you are bring BM with you make sure to give yourself extra time, Security will test it.

MrsG071809 · August 2013

I am getting ready to do this as well in a couple weeks...so I'm interested to hear tips as well!

I was planning to gate check the car seat...but PPs comment makes me nervous about that.

DevinS1 · August 2013

My husband and I flew from NY to Florida with our 3 month old. We brought a car seat/frame stroller combo and gate checked both pieces, super easy. I bottle fed one way upon take off and BF the other way. . I put him right into his ring sling to burp him and after some bouncing he fell asleep and slept the whole flight. Fed again on both descents. We did bring tons of diapers,wipes and a change of clothes for us and him just in case but never used them.

kmc84 · August 2013

The FB group car seats for the littles can give you great advice about traveling with a car seat. It is NOT a good idea to ever check a car seat. When I think of the damage that has been done to my suitcases in the past, it makes me not want to chance it!

musicalmama5 · August 2013

I just flew this week with an almost 5 month old. By myself! It was his second flight (first was at 3 months).

One the way there, I brought the stroller, Ergo, my trombone (yes, I needed it) and diaper bag on the plane. I checked the carseat and my luggage. On the way back I switched the carseat and trombone because LO was sleeping in the carseat so I just kept him in it (it's the kind that attaches to the stroller).

My ultimate suggestion is this: Don't worry. The worst that can happen is that LO will scream the whole way and you will get poo all over you. And in the grand scheme of things is that really so bad?

musicalmama5 · August 2013

OH! If you haven't bought your ticket yet, make sure and get an early flight. We learned the hard way that "if it's bedtime, he'll just sleep the whole time!" is NOT true.

BreeNicoleE · August 2013

another tip.. baby gets their own 'carry on' that doesnt count against you as your 'carry on bag'. a lot of people dont realize that so they think they have to cram as much into one bag to carry. so I typically pack enough formula/bm for the flight, snacks if they are eating snacks and a few things to keep them entertained.

give them a snack/drink during take off cause it seems to help with the elevation (aka - ears popping) that they are chewing or eating something so it can help with that.

I find it so much easier to travel with a stroller as they allow you to push it right up into the plane and its waiting for you as soon as you exit. which was always helpful for me during traveling.

BreeNicoleE · August 2013

@katiechanning - the family line definitely comes in handy and makes things so much easier.

jamu · August 2013

PP's all gave good tips. We did it at 4 months- the way there was amazing, the way home tears and a poop explosion. Either way you'll be fine

VPGIRL06 · August 2013

I flew with my then 18 week old to Hawaii about 3 weeks ago...about a 5 to 6 hour flight both ways

What I brought

-1 diaper per hour we would be in the air and airport
-extra outfit
-magic sleep suit
-a hat to shield her eyes if it got overwhelming
-3 clean bottles
-a can of powdered formula
-bottle water
-burp clothes
-plastic bag
-a rattle
-links
-stuffed animal that crinkled
-stroller
-wrap carrier
-light weight blanket
-pacifier
-maple syrup

So the first flight was at 10:00. It fell right after nap, so she took a short nap in the carrier after I fed her...she was pretty busy looking at everything at the airpor so she ate later than normal, which was good since Hawaii is 3 hours behind. She slept through the boarding process and woke up right when we took off. She wasn't hungry so I dipped the tip of her pacifier in syrup ...I know I'm awful...and she sucked on that until we took off. She had 2 bottles on the trip and 2 naps, minimal fussiness and no poop explosions. Most people didn't even realize we had a baby. I walked up and down the aisle with her once, put her sleep suit on for her naps, and she played with a few toys. She slept through the descent and her ears be E

The way back was at about 12:35 pm. She had a bottle when we took off and a blowout poop. She fussed more, but after we changed her she took a 3 + hour nap. Woke up hungry, fed her and by then there was only 45 min left on the flight.

Surprisingly she did well at the airport, never crying During any of the process

jensriot · August 2013

I've flown with all my kids as infants. We just recently took DS to CA. If you can, take a nursing pillow. My LOs all slept on the Boppy for the flights and saved my arms. I have a travel one and love it.

Put a few diapers, a small pack of wipes and anything else you need for quick diaper changes in a gallon size zip lock bag. Put it within arms reach so you can grab it easily and won't be fumbling through the diaper bag to collect everything. It's also a PITA to drag a diaper bag to the restroom, bumping other passengers along the way.

Good luck! Flying at this age is so much better than oldr kids. You don't need the snacks, crayons, entertainment, etc. for bigger kids.

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