Flight Tips

Nhull22 · May 2014

Any good tips on flying with your LO'S. Were taking a 2 hour flight next week with our twins.

katie.725 · May 2014

We are taking a trip in June and this is super helpful!!

I had already planned on wearing LO most places and we are checking the carseat for sure

Nhull22 · May 2014

Thx so much for the great tips!

BeachCouple · May 2014

Sing2phins said:

Some people are militant about carseats on airplanes; given what my DH does, we know the precise risks and didn't buy a seat for her (you've likely already made this decision, since your flight is next week, but I wanted to mention it). Most airlines have a policy that you can't wear the baby at takeoff and landing, but I understand that they don't all enforce it, so YMMV.

When we flew with my 1st daughter at one year old we bought her a seat and used a carseat. Now that we will be flying again come this October and new LO will be around a year, I am debating whether to lap seat her to save on airfare since it seems to really be climbing. My question is what is the protocol for the oxygen masks if she is not in her own seat?

edit: for quote cutdown

SittingOnAMtnTop · May 2014

Sing2phins pretty much covered it. But i'll add a few other tips. Bring a couple extra outfits for your LO and consider bringing something for yourself as well. DH was holding DS1 on his first flight and he had a huge blowout...poop all over DH's pants. But this was when he was 3 months and more prone to blowouts.

Also bring a favorite toy or something for him to hold/chew on. DS2 loves his nuby teething ring so we'll throw that in my carry on when we fly in July.

I get grossed out by airplanes so I would also suggest bringing a travel sized package of antibacterial wipes and wipe down everything when you get to your seat.

After I switched DS1 to formula I found that having a few bottles of the premixed formula came in handy. That way I didn't have to worry about pouring water, formula and mixing while in flight.

missqueens · May 2014

My LO has now been on 5 flights with us, so I just wanted to add my 2 cents.

1. The airlines will allow you to bring a small bottle of water with you if its in your diaper bag. It can be larger than the 3 oz rule. This will Really help if you have to make a powder formula bottle so that you won't have to wait for a flight attendant to bring water.

2. As previously said, Make sure that the babies have something to suck on during takeoff and landing. I find that this is when the change of air pressure can really affect them. So have a paci or bottle handy for these times. I was caught on one flight without these and let's just say it was a Nightmare for all involved!

3. When you board, ask the flight attendant which bathrooms have a changing table. Not all do and you'll want to know which line to get on when its time. Otherwise, changing a baby in a airplane bathroom is NOT fun...

4. We usually take the stroller/carrier to the gate instead of checking it ahead of time. We've had delays and diversions that were made MUCH easier with a stroller. Do try to put your stroller in a bag or cover as they can get wet or just Really dirty under the plane.

5. We have always lapseated her. Since we try to schedule our flights for less crowded times, we've have at least 3 where LO was able to sit in her carrier in a seat between us. It definitely made it easier than holding her for so many hours (longest flights were 6 hours from NY to CA), but I can't pass up the FREE flights under 2 yo.

ENJOY your trip!!!

YummeeCookee · May 2014

Just adding a tidbit on the oxygen masks, I was told by the airlines they do have special infant ones but only one per row, so 2 babies cannot be in the same row (unless its across the aisle). They also have special infant life preservers. United gave us one to store in the seat back pocket during our flight. OP, I know this doesnt apply to you since youre on a quick flight, but for others who do long haul flights, I def recommend the red eye. Our LO slept thru the whole thing, which was great. Much better than a 10hr flight during the daytime where she did not sleep and I could see she was very restless and curious, wanting to get into everything.

Kfran84 · May 2014

I'm so nervous about flying with LO at the end of June. Do I just stroller him through security? Will I have to take him out?

Someone said wear him through security, but then are you carrying your stroller or just pushing an empty stroller? @Sing2phins‌ ?

I'm so nervous, I don't even want to go.

3Dewdrops · May 2014

Kfran84 said:

I'm so nervous about flying with LO at the end of June. Do I just stroller him through security? Will I have to take him out? Someone said wear him through security, but then are you carrying your stroller or just pushing an empty stroller? @Sing2phins‌ ? I'm so nervous, I don't even want to go.

..........quote box fail

I'm going to put the carry on stuff in the stroller. I'll be flying with three kids in June and not looking forward to it.

missqueens · May 2014

Kfran84 said:

I'm so nervous about flying with LO at the end of June. Do I just stroller him through security? Will I have to take him out? Someone said wear him through security, but then are you carrying your stroller or just pushing an empty stroller? @Sing2phins‌ ? I'm so nervous, I don't even want to go.

@kfran84 DON'T be nervous, it will be JUST fine!!!! Like I said, we have been on 5 trips, so have had 10 separate boardings/security scans. Truly, the TSA people Will tell you everything you need to know and you'll be surprised at how helpful they are with babies. My LO is an expert flyer by now, but I hear that all that is going to change soon. Flying with toddlers can be an whole different experience, So, Enjoy your trip in June!

We always use our travel system stroller, so its too big to go through the machine. We have to disengage the carrier, put that through the machine, then let them hand scan the stroller itself. I carry LO through the scanners and we wait for the other stuff to come through.

One more thing I forgot to tell you to expect: If you'll be carrying liquids (forumula, breastmilk, water, etc) in your baby bag, they will do a separate handcheck of that bag. They physically inspect the bottles, sometimes TSA agents run the outside of the bottles through a swab test to detect explosive materials. They will physically inspect every bottle. So, I would suggest having the bottles organized together instead of stuffed into every inner pocket of your diaper bag. Depending on the airport this has taken up to an additional 10 minutes before someone got to us, so Definitely allow extra time at security.

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