Walk me through: baby on a plane

eshee8198 · March 2014

So I know there have been a lot of "how to distract a toddler on a plane" posts lately, but take me through the actual LOGISTICS. I've somehow convinced DH to get on a plane, by himself, with DD in a few weeks, and meet me down in Florida, since I'm there for a conference.

I'm assuming that I need to bring the pack and play - do I check it? Stroller - that should go through security and gate checked, right? Car seat - just rent one in Florida, buy a cheap one there, or try to bring one of our gigantic convertible seats? I can go ahead with a few things - I was thinking I might bring the PnP with me so DH doesn't have to try and carry it. Does she get a carryon (even if she's not carrying it)?

We're going to attempt the lap baby thing. I need to look into the details of what food/liquids we can bring. I'm planning on having DH bribe her with things she doesn't usually eat, like goldfish, and her favorite, raisins. He's going to take an evening flight, and I'm going to recommend Benedryl. If it's JetBlue, should I buy him a tiny DVD player, or headphones (for her, obviously)?

Am I forgetting anything? Will he divorce me immediately upon arrival?

Flamingemu · March 2014

Are you staying in a hotel? See if they have cribs or pnp's to use. Then you can just pack a sheet from home. You can bring milk/water through the gates for babies. Yes, she gets a carryon. I personally, would bring my own carseat. They have things with wheels on them or backpacks to carry them. You can check it with luggage for free or gate check it.

Bribing works well for us. Make sure Benadryl is tested prior to the flight, not everybody gets sleepy on it. GL!

Holly_1007 · March 2014

At this age, it's going to suck. Sorry. Is it in the budget to get her a seat? Bring her car seat on board and strap her in. If that isn't in the cards, then yep, lots and lots of snacks. The safest way to transport a car seat is to bring it on the plane. If you are renting a car you can rent a car seat, or you can buy a Cosco scenera for the trip. It isn't safe to check a car seat with your baggage. I usually bring mine to the gate and cross my fingers there are extra seats on the plane, that way I don't have to pay for a seat. If there aren't and I have to have the babe in my lap, then I gate check the car seat. They make a thing (can't remember what it is called) but it turns your car seat into a stroller, so you can strap your kid in and roll them throughthe airport, then you don't need to bring a stroller. For each ticketed passenger you can have 1 carryon and 1 personal item (purse, or laptop bag) when flying with a lap child you can also carry on a diaper bag. I have used a laptop/ kindle on a plane and just turned the volume up so the kids could hear it. Neither kid would wear headphones when we flew. If your dh is putting her car seat on the plane it will probably fit best forward facing, and needs to be in a window seat. It's a pain to install (in my experience at least ). I would do a test run on the Benadryl first, make sure it doesn't make her hyper. I would bring the pnp with you, it can get checked with your baggage, but it also counts as a bag, so you might have to pay to check it.

Holly_1007 · March 2014

Oh, and if either of you need a ride to the airport so you don't have to pay to park a car, let me know

eshee8198 · March 2014

Thank you, @Holly_1007, for the offer! The good news is because I'm going down for my company, they pay for (1) my parking (2) my checked baggage and (3) my flight.

I will be renting a car - is there any advantage to bringing our carseat vs. using the rental version? My gut is that it will be a pain for DH to try to bring both DD and the carseat - I'd like to have the stroller as well, so that we can go to the Tampa aquarium with her. But if it's worthwhile and not too much of a hassle, I can leave the stroller and just do the carseat. I will have my laptop with me, but DH doesn't have one - that's why I was thinking a DVD player.

A seat for her would be ideal, but since DH would like a non-stop flight, its a little cost-prohibitive to get her her own seat. And it's a relatively short flight, so I'm hoping at least they'll both make it through...

Holly_1007 · March 2014

I've never rented a car seat, but I think that someone said they have to provide a brand new one in order to ensure it has never been in a car accident? Someone else might need to chime in there. The only advantage to bringing your own is that you know the condition, and you know how to install /tighten it. How does your dh feel about wearing her through the airport? Last time I flew, I wore Colby and put the car seat into the stroller thru the airport. That way, if there is an extra seat on the plane, he can strap her in for free. Although, the fewer items he has to bring the happier he will be. Flying with kids is a crapshoot, but the good part is, it's over pretty quickly

Flamingemu · March 2014

eshee8198 said:

Thank you, @Holly_1007, for the offer! The good news is because I'm going down for my company, they pay for (1) my parking (2) my checked baggage and (3) my flight.

I will be renting a car - is there any advantage to bringing our carseat vs. using the rental version? My gut is that it will be a pain for DH to try to bring both DD and the carseat - I'd like to have the stroller as well, so that we can go to the Tampa aquarium with her. But if it's worthwhile and not too much of a hassle, I can leave the stroller and just do the carseat. I will have my laptop with me, but DH doesn't have one - that's why I was thinking a DVD player.

A seat for her would be ideal, but since DH would like a non-stop flight, its a little cost-prohibitive to get her her own seat. And it's a relatively short flight, so I'm hoping at least they'll both make it through...

__________
Stuck in a box

Check the aquarium rules. If that is the only reason you want the stroller - you can't bring one into the Baltimore aquarium, so L gets worn or walks through the aquarium.

AKB090609 · March 2014

Sorry for the wall of text, I tried to edit. I don't know how calm P is, for us it would not have worked to not let DD have her own seat. We were also on a plane or in an airport for 14 hours so that may have been a factor. If you are flying separately I would suggest that you take as much of the stuff as you can so your H doesn't need to. I personally don't trust the rental seats (our rental company tried to help us out by giving us a seat for DD, it was a booster and it was very dirty) I think you are better off buying a $40 cosco seat and knowing that it is safe. We did not take a stroller ad DD was happy to be worn or walk on all of our 8 day trip. Chances are if strollers are allowed at the aquarium, you can rent them there as well. We were aloud to take larger sized liquids because we were traveling with a 'baby' we took full advantage and brought a bunch of pouches which kept her busy during take off and landing.

eshee8198 · March 2014

Thank you, everyone!

Okay, I think I'll leave the stroller at home, bring the pack n play down with me, and buy a cheap carseat while I'm there. That way I can pick DH and DD up from the airport and already have it installed in the rental car, and DH only has to worry about packing DD and all of her stuff.

Fortunately, DD is pretty calm, and she loves to be held. She's also used to sitting on the couch and chilling with DH before I get home in the evenings (or when hockey is on). I'll have DH bring a lot of finger foods, have him test giving her benadryl ahead of time, and find some fun things to try to keep her busy and out of the aisles...

AKB090609 · March 2014

I just remembered, the BEST thing we brought on the plane was from the target dollar bins, it was an activity book with a color reveal marker (like color wonder, no color in the marker, but colors on the pages) it was clean and DD's mind was blown she colored for over 2 hours for around 30 min each time. Ours was Minnie Mouse, but they have other characters as well.

eshee8198 · March 2014

AKB090609 said:

I just remembered, the BEST thing we brought on the plane was from the target dollar bins, it was an activity book with a color reveal marker (like color wonder, no color in the marker, but colors on the pages) it was clean and DD's mind was blown she colored for over 2 hours for around 30 min each time. Ours was Minnie Mouse, but they have other characters as well.

AWESOME. Okay, I am looking for some now!!!

melody921 · March 2014

Ditto with PPs said about seeing if your hotel can provide a crib or PNP. I would gate-check the stroller if you decide you need one and rent a car seat. The one time we rented one it was a brand-new Graco. Lots and lots of snacks and cheap new toys for the plane. Magnadoodle was one of our faves wen we flew with DS at 18 months.

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