Flying Questions

mommabmb · October 2013

In 4 weeks, we are going to Chicago for a wedding. We will be flying. DS will be 8 weeks old.

Has anyone traveled with a young child? Any recommendations? I was thinking we would check the carseat and I would wear DS in the moby. Or is it smarter to push the stroller?

How does taking the pump work? I read on an earlier thread it is hand inspected? I assume you can bring BM through without an issue?

I'm a frequent traveler, and hope this goes well because we want to continue that. I just want to so whatever I can to make it easier on us!

ELauren88 · October 2013

I have a friend who recently flew with her baby, and the only advice she gave me was to nurse during take offs and landings. Keeps LOs from crying because even if they're not eating, they're being comforted.

Good luck!

CelticWife · October 2013

We take the stroller. (I pack our carrier and pump in my suitcase. Are you EP?)

I do love baby wearing. However, I have a hard time peeing while baby wearing. Lol. Plus, I have a hard time carrying my bag, a diaper bag, and baby.

I just pop LO in the stroller, put the bags underneath, check it at the gate, and carry our things on board. The stroller is at the gate when we get where we are going.

mommabmb · October 2013

I am EP at this point. We supplement, which I can do while flying if that's easier but I will still have to pump for supply issues.

mommabmb · October 2013

CelticWife said:
We take the stroller. (I pack our carrier and pump in my suitcase. Are you EP?)

I do love baby wearing. However, I have a hard time peeing while baby wearing. Lol. Plus, I have a hard time carrying my bag, a diaper bag, and baby.

I just pop LO in the stroller, put the bags underneath, check it at the gate, and carry our things on board. The stroller is at the gate when we get where we are going.

How is it taking stroller through security?

carrotcake06 · October 2013

Gate check the car seat and stroller. Bring a carrier for getting on and off the plane. I like backpack style diaper bags for these types of trips.

I send everything through the scanner, including BM but you can request not to, just declare you have liquids.

You'll have to send the stroller and car seat through the scanner.

CelticWife · October 2013

Not too bad. If it is a regular stroller, you just fold it up and put it through the scanner like your purse and shoes. You have to carry baby through; when I wore DS at one of the airports, I had to take the moby off and carry him through.

If it is bigger, like when we take our Bob, you go through the wheelchair line. They inspect it by hand, which takes an extra 10 minutes or so if there are several to do. (You can also pop the wheels off and put it through the scanner if you want.

mommabmb · October 2013

Our carseat might fit through the scanner, but I doubt our stroller would... If I bring it I wonder if I shouldn't just request the handicap lane from the beginning?

Also, does anyone know if there is a limit to how much BM you can carry through? I assume its more than the 4oz?

LokiLahve · October 2013

The feeding on take off and landing is not just comforting but helps their ears adjust, similar to adults chewing gum.
And that's all I got.

MrsI · October 2013

When we traveled with DD we were allowed as much liquid as we wanted. She had multiple cups of water and milk (we even had a bottled water for ourselves with no problems) and they just used a strip to test the vapors. I know every airport can be different but we were amazed at how helpful the crew was at the security check, helping get everything on the conveyor and off again. Also it was suggested on here that I bring the boppy to help support my arms on the plane while holding DD, especially if she fell asleep and I am so glad we had it.

rh10264706 · October 2013

Research the guidelines on flying with a carseat. If you check it at the gate it becomes a carseat with an unknown history because you have no way of knowing if it was dropped or how it was handled once it leaves your possession. If there is an empty seat on board, sometimes they will let you bring the carseat on board, if it is FAA approved, and let your lo sit in it during the flight. That is really the safest option.

BelhurstBride · October 2013

I gate checked the stroller once and found it to be a giant PITA. I've worn DD ever since. It was easier getting through security, I preferred being hands free and I didn't like having to wait for.freaking.ever to get it back gate side.

It's free to check it.

CitrusSwallowtail · October 2013

I bring the bob, send it through for hands inspection. It doesn't matter what line you get as they'll take it to where it needs to go to fit through. I put the diaper bag and car seat on the stoller to get then around easily and carry LO in a carrier.

Feeding on take off and landing really gelid their ear pressure.

I check the car seat and Bob at the gate, but if there is an open seat which there normally is, then I take it on at no additional cost and LO sits in it which is safest.

I have also pumped before the flight and on the plane so LO could have a bottle during take off and landing just to snack and help his ears while still being in the car seat. Just depends what's easier for you.

It's not that bad once you do it the first time!

That.Just.Happened · October 2013

It's super easy to fly with them at this age. I would wear LO and check the carseat, unless you think you will need the stroller at your destination. In that case, I would put LO in the carseat and push it on the stroller to the gate. Then you can gate check both the stroller and carseat. Sometimes they will have an empty seat and if they do, they will typically sit you next to it (if you ask) and then you can actually bring the carseat on the plane and strap it/LO in.

You can bring BM through security with no problem. They will test it to make sure it is BM (super easy & fast process) and there are no restrictions on how much you bring. I have actually also brought whole milk in a sippy cup (like 8oz) before when I was traveling with DD when she was older and they let me bring it through as well, they just test it.

Nurse LO during takeoff and landing to help with the ear pressure. Remember that you can easily buy things like diapers & wipes at your destination, so don't feel like you need to bring a ton with.

LBib · October 2013

Pumps and ice packs need a hand inspection. To facilitate the line at security, take your pump bag out and say there are baby liquids in the bag. If they take your ice pack, which they shouldn't but just in case, have freezer size ziplock bags with you and ask a concession stand for ice past security (this only happened to me once, you should be ok with a closed icepack). For any pumped BM security will ask you to take the top off and then they will pass a test strip above your milk. Nothing ever touches your milk.

Depending on the length of your flight, engine noise will drown out the sound of a pump. Take a nursing cover or blanket and sit by the window. Trust me, nursing on the plane is better than any family restroom or plane lavatory you will encounter. Most flight attendants will be super helpful and accommodating if you tell them what you are doing. I've had a Delta attendants block from other passengers my seats for privacy while hooking up and storing the milk. They also brought extra snacks, fluids, and cleaning pads.

Finally, to find other nursing moms or former nursing moms walk around the airport with a Medela bag and look for sympathetic looks :-). Others have been there and made it work.

Ditto PPs on the stroller and car seat.

Scubagirl79 · October 2013

We flew when my son was 5 wks. We did take our carrier and stroller through, and I was glad we did. Our flight wasnt full, so we got to bring his carrier on, and he slept the entire flight. We gate checked the stroller- had no issues putting through the X-ray machine (it's a britax b-agile). In fact, TSA was super helpful. Just give yourself more time than you would've pre-baby and you'll be fine.

lkobriant · October 2013

Definitely gate check the car seat, think of it this way...what would you do if you checked it and they lost it or it was delayed.

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