Flying with infant!

amanda0126 · October 2013

FTM here taking a 2 hour flight with E on Friday! Any tips from those of you who have flown with your LOs?

Sorry if this has already been discussed earlier

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rzurbr · October 2013

E did great if she nursed on landings otherwise she would fuss and cry. Flying really isn't hard with a LO but definitely do a bottle, breastfeed or give a pacifier when landing. Although her screaming after one flight for us of the flight super fast.

If you are taking a car seat you can check it for free.

rzurbr · October 2013

@amtobey We flew somewhere new to go house hunting a few weeks ago and had to take our car seat and base with us. The planes were smaller and there was no room at all for us to bring the car seat on so we had to check it through and had no issues.

If you can use a car seat and base where you are going then I wouldn't bring it but sometimes you don't have a choice. I'd rather check it then lug it around during layovers.

needanustart · October 2013

The actual flight was easy (nursed or slept on me the whole time) but security and airports were the challenge. I wore Arlo in the Ergo and put my travel docs in the front pocket. Then I stuck the diaper bag in the stroller and just pushed everything else (and put my 2 year old on a leash as I was flying solo, but thankfully you don't have to do that!). Most airports will let you get patted down and wear baby through security. I keep a huge thin blanket at the top of my diaper bag to cover the whole changing station (and then use changing pad too, but they are so small and I hate when their little toes or head touches the plastic!) or seat on a plane if I need to put the kiddo down. Keep an extra copy of the birth certificate handy. Also keep hand santizer and paci wipes handy.
If you do need to bring a carseat, I would suggest trying to bring it on the plane if you have purchased a seat. If you are doing in lap and need to check it, definitely invest in one of those covers to protect the seat and the fabric. They get filthy when they are checked. I actually just rent carseats with the car rentals because I can't deal with more stuff!
Have fun!

jlml2008 · October 2013

I would suggest gate checking your car seat if you can. Then it gets loaded on the plane last and taken off first. Less likely for it to be handled wrong and cause damage

Also, like PPs said nurse or pacifier during takeoff and landing for sure

JeseyJo · October 2013

I flew by myself with LO about a month ago but it was only a 1 hour flight... he did really well. The worst part of it was going through security because I was by myself and carrying him while trying to take my shoes off and put them back on. My tips are mostly the same as others

Take copy of the birth certificate... especially if you're on southwest!

Keep them awake as long as possible before boarding so they sleep during the flight.

Gate check the carseat/stroller.

Take only as much as you need on the plane with you and sit in an aisle seat.

Nurse/bottle/pacifier during takeoff and landing and then the hope is that they sleep the rest of the time.

GalLaura · October 2013

I just received my lo's passport. We are hoping to fly home in January. It's a 23 hour flight back to NYC. I'm terrified of the flight and time difference! Good to read this and hear about security etc.

ASmallWonder · October 2013

Like others said, checking the seat (regular or gate check) is dangerous, plus the fact that the baby can become a projectile in turbulence. But if you have your mind made up about that already, the best you can do is pack it in the original box, which is made to withstand a certain amount of impact/wear/tear/etc.