Travel advice - LO's first flight

jessica_gail2 · April 2014

We're flying out Saturday morning for what will end up being 6 hours of flight time (with a very short layover in Minneapolis). This will be S's first time flying (she'll be 1 in about three weeks). We're going to Anaheim for a few days for DH's conference then driving up the coast to see some friends before driving back down to fly our of lax.

For those of you who have BTDT, what travel tips do you have? She's FF so I know I need to pack that and bottles. A sheet for the pack n play at the hotel. But what else are must-haves?

Any tips for the flight? What about LAX with a baby (we've flown in and out there before, just not with S).

Also prayers needed that her ears are better. Last Monday took her to the dr and she had a double ear infection - on a really strong antibiotic so praying they've healed or she and I will be staying home. We go tomorrow afternoon to have them checked to make sure she's ok to fly.

Thanks ladies!

TJ1979 · April 2014

I don't know if she takes a paci, but if you are worried about her ears, something to suck on during take off and landing might help. A bottle will work too, but if it's not eating time a paci will work. Try to find some quiet things to keep her occupied. Books, some new toys, or if you are okay with electronics, let her test out your iPhone. There are lots of videos that I call toddler crack. Giggle bellies videos on you tube will mesmerize E for a long time, but I don't know that you would want to annoy your neighbors with that. But maybe some of the shape sorter type games on the phone. And lots and lots of snacks. E slept the whole way on her first flight, but on the way back was awake the whole time, and ate just about everything we could get our hands on. Cheerios are great for that.
I hope you have a great trip!

kmc84 · April 2014

Using her carseat on the plane will help her sleep easier (and keep her safe) and will make your life infinitely easier. The easiest is to use your stroller to get her and/or the carseat through the airport and gate check the stroller. Bring some new books and small toys for the plane. Bring some snacks if she eats puffs or yogurt melts to keep her entertained. Since she takes a bottle, plan on giving her a bottle just as the plane takes off. A pacifier is a good idea also. FX her ears are better! Safe travels

jesselayne8 · April 2014

Snacks snacks snacks snacks!

emwaiting · April 2014

We just flew with our 7 month old. They were about 2 hr flights so not nearly as long but he did great. He doesn't normally use a paci but after hearing about ear issues I brought one and I think it did help. I would either get him fed at the gate right before we boarded or as we were taking off and then he was usually ready for a nap. I just brought some toys and snacks for him and he did really good. A man in the row next to us told me that mom and baby both get an A+ for that flight because he was so good. I hope this means he will continue to be a good traveler. We didn't bring the carseat, I just held him and he seemed to do fine. Good luck

mdiblasi10 · April 2014

I'm not sure if you bought a seat for LO, but for us, having his own seat was a lifesaver. He wasn't a big fan of sitting on our laps, but as soon as he had his own seat and space, he was great. We have been lucky on all the flights we've taken with him and ended up moving to a row that had three open seats (without buying one). The flight attendants helped coordinate it on some of the flights too. It was very nice of them. Snacks are another huge help. We tried the iPad games, but he has no interest. We also bring a new toy. His favorite thing on a flight? The remote controllers (they have them in the armrest on Virgin America) We have flown in and out of LAX several times. I don't think there is anything particular to that airport that I would note.

My biggest tip? Try your best not to worry what others think if LO gets upset or restless. There is such a huge stigma with kids flying and I think that is what stresses parents out the most.

Have fun and good luck!!

boymomstrong · April 2014

We are frequear fliers here, military family! My advice is go minimalist! Dont bring a stroller if you can wear her, gate check her carseat if you dont have a seat for her, bring snacks for the plane and dont be afraid to get up and move! The flight attendants will let you stand near the bathrooms for a bit if it helps to get up! My LO likes to walk so we do a couple laps, from out seat to the back of the plane and back again... Also we bring a couple toys to help entertain him.... As far as packing remember you can buy diapers and wipes when you get there so dont pack too many, bring a few toys or books whatever she likes, and bring extra clothes, we always go through pants like crazy! And dont go crazy with shoes! Remember anything you forget you can buy when you get where your going! Good luck! We did a 9 hour flight from wa to fl including our layover and thats our longest so far! It was rough at times bc LO wanted to be done but dont worry ab crying it happens and dont focus on others work on baby and making her happy and comfortable, dont get frazzled that will just cause more anxeity! You can do this dont worry! It will be amazing!

Dragonfly1226 · April 2014

If the flight isn't full then you can sometimes let LO sit in an extra seat into he car seat. We were able to do his a couple of times with DS. If you get to the gate and it is full you can just check the car seat at the gate. You would be amazed at how long those little foil bags of pretzels can entertain a child.

We are not a big screen time family at all, but in the plane toe iPad or iPhone has been a life saver for DS! I can recommend some good apps if you want.

PennyLane26 · April 2014

I'm interested to hear how your trip goes! G was easy peasy on our flight to St. Thomas in Nov. but she was only 7 months. A mobile baby will be a whole different story, I'm sure! G loves quiet books (those soft cover books that have buttons/snaps/zippers etc). Also if S doesn't already use one those snack catchers provide a lot of entertainment. It takes a lot of concentration to get cheerios or puffs outta that! Ditto PP that you should make sure she's sucking on something on the way up and down. Be sure to time it right!! Have so much fun!

Update when you get back! We are headed to the caribbean on the 22nd so any tips with a crawling/walking baby would be helpful!!

TJ1979 · April 2014

PennyLane26 said:

I'm interested to hear how your trip goes! G was easy peasy on our flight to St. Thomas in Nov. but she was only 7 months. A mobile baby will be a whole different story, I'm sure! G loves quiet books (those soft cover books that have buttons/snaps/zippers etc). Also if S doesn't already use one those snack catchers provide a lot of entertainment. It takes a lot of concentration to get cheerios or puffs outta that! Ditto PP that you should make sure she's sucking on something on the way up and down. Be sure to time it right!! Have so much fun!

Update when you get back! We are headed to the caribbean on the 22nd so any tips with a crawling/walking baby would be helpful!!

@PennyLane26 Wait, what? Snack catchers? Entertainment? Sounds like something I have for my dog... but I'm not familiar with these for a kid. Please elaborate!!!

Mnerani · April 2014

Very frequent flyer here. Our last flights were two 9-hour flights back-to-back (as in we jogged off one flight and on to the next). I have a ton of tips, but I'll try to focus on a few of my top ideas.

- The carseat is bulky to carry in the airport, but it makes ALL the difference in the world on a long flight. It is a total game changer. If you can't afford to buy LO a seat, still take your car seat to the gate and ask them to put you next to an empty seat. Out of 21 flights w LO, we've only been denied an extra seat couple of times. And this includes our hefty toddler car seat.

- Take little, interesting activity-type toys that you don't care if you lose or throw away. On my last trip I had: muffin papers, pipe cleaners, tiny animal figurines, post-it notes, little plastic jars, a bunch of $1 toys from Target, and a few of his favorite books.

- Food pouches, disposable bibs, and disposable changing table papers. All available on Amazon. Oh, and hand sanitizer and wet wipes.

- Ask for help if you need it, don't be shy. Take them up on boarding early!

- Wear LO in the airport rather than using a stroller. You can check the stroller for free so you have it at your destination. Put your stroller and car seat in bags designed for travel. Amazon.

- Pack a carry on with "might-needs" (extra clothes for you and LO, extra diapers, extra food, etc), then a personal item with "must-haves" (toys, food, bottles, etc). And within that personal item, pack an even smaller bag with only the essentials needed for diaper changes. You don't want to take your entire carry on or personal item into the tiny bathroom for diaper changes. In that small bag, put a couple of plastic grocery bags for poopy dipes, as a courtesy to your fellow passengers.

- iPhone/ iPad toddler apps can be a lifesaver, even with the volume off.

- Try to make sure LO is a bit hungry/thirsty leading up to take off, so she's sure to take a bottle, which will help her ears.

- Open a barf bag at the beginning of the flight and make it your trash bag throughout the flight. It will help you feel more organized and less yuck. Just watch, you'll have the whole thing filled by the end of the flight!

- Don't stress about it. This will make everything worse. We have to travel almost 30 hours each way to visit the States, but it's NEVER as bad as I make it out to be in my mind beforehand.

Let me know if you have any other questions- I'm sure I left a ton of stuff out. Have fun!

jessica_gail2 · April 2014

You guys are amazing!! Awesome tips!!

@Mnerani‌ so changing diapers in the bathroom - tips for that? When I called delta to let them know if have an infant in lap, she said to just change at our seat but that sounded weird. Particularly if it's a blowout - I don't want to stink up the whole plane!!

@PennyLane26‌ awesome idea about the snack catcher! We have a couple but have never used them!

Thank you again ladies!! I'll make sure to let you know how it goes!

imoverit · April 2014

Lots of great advice and I ditto what mdiblasi said about not caring about what others think if LO is fussy. Hope ears are clear so you can go on yout trip.

BabyKsMommy · April 2014

There is actually a changing table in the bathroom. It's a board that you pull open and it's usually over the toilet. I never notice it until I had to change DS.

I would try to get some new toys. They dont have to be super expensive but try the dollar store or dollar bin at target. And of course small because you will have enough to lug around.

Mnerani · April 2014

jessica_gail2- It's really strange that they advised you change her at your seat. All airplane bathrooms (that I've ever seen, even on the tiny planes) have a fold-down changing table above the toilet. Take a disposable or reusable pad to lay on it, as they are probably pretty germy and very hard plastic.

One option for wet diapers is to put pull-up's on her and those you can change as she stands on your lap or on the floor in front of you. The problem is, if she poops in a pull up, it's a little harder than a regular diaper to change in the bathroom.

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Travel advice - LO's first flight

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