BTDT: Flying with baby edition

Clyde013 · July 2014

So I'd like some of your views. We are moving to FL and DH and I decided it's most efficient if we split up for the move. Meaning he will drive the car and some of our belongings and lo&i will fly down a couple days later. However, I am petrified of flying! So we could be less efficient and all drive but then there isn't enough room, and it would take 3 days to drive w LO.
So I've decided I will suck it up and fly, alone with LO.

BTDT moms can you give me some pointers? I will likely have her on my lap and need to entertain her for at least 3 hours. She typically doesn't love to be held and likes her freedom. Should I request a bassinet for her? Just for a place for her to sit? I think she's still under the weight limit for those. Do th stewardesses help at all? What if I need to go to the bathroom? Another option would be to buy her a ticket and a seat. So what are your thoughts?
Tia!

Clyde013 · July 2014

@juliedave151‌ wanna fly together? Creepy? Lmk

Kitten80 · July 2014

I've flown with kids a lot. From infant - 4 years and from 1 to 3 kids. I've flown alone and with DH.

This is a harder age to fly because they don't want to sit. From like 1 - 2 is most difficult that way. I didn't get them seats at this age because I was still nursing for take offs and landings, and my kids wouldn't sit in it anyways - no one wants to listen to my kid scream bloody murder because I have them in the car seat. This probably depends on the child, but that was my experience with my children. If there are open seats on a non-sold out flight, some airlines will let you bring the car seat on then. You have to ask at the gate when you get there.

My experience with the flight crew really varied from airline and flight - even within the same airline, different crews were much more pleasant/helpful than others. I tried to limit what I drank before getting on so I wouldn't have to go to the bathroom. And I go right before boarding in the airport.

I have to run for a few, I'll be back. :)you can do it.

[Deleted User] · July 2014

Well we have just survived our second trip in two weeks. The first was a 5 hr flight non stop and she was on our lap. She did well gave her bottle up and down. Snacks in between when she was grumpy. She napped. And played under a blanket. Her favorite calming method. And we just tried to entertain her. The bathroom has a changing table. I held her when I had to go. Flight attendants gave no help.

Second flight we got her a seat. She did not really sit in her car seat except getting on and off of the plane. Car seat has to be by the window. I fed her up and she passed out for both of the flights today. Woke up after we landed. It was nice having the whole row since we did not have to worry about bothering someone else.

Try to schedule around nap time or just wake up super early and then she has no chance of staying awake...but then you are tired too. DD smiles and flirts with everyone and most people did not know she was on the plane. But most everyone is understanding of babies on the plane.

martyn17 · July 2014

I still rely on babywearing a lot when traveling. She likes the ergo and I will wear her if I have to pee. Obviously not ideal but we have done lots of solo traveling.

Kitten80 · July 2014

Tips:

1. Pack a busy bag - keep this under the seat so you have access during the flight and if there is turbulence and you can't get up. Also have the basics under the seat - changing pad, wipes, diaper, change of clothes for LO, jacket/blanket, LO'S cup, hand sanitizer, gum/bottle of water for you, snacks, scented bags (I use powder ones from walmart) for diapers/any clothes that get icky, etc.
2. Try to get there with enough time to let LO wear herself out wandering around the terminal. The more energy she gets out before getting on the plane, the better.
3. Have little one drink something on take off and landing. Lids/spill proof things are your friend, especially when they lap sit.

4. Wipe down the tray, chair, plastic reading emergency thing before LO starts exploring it all. Small packs of sanitizer wipes help.

Other tips kind of depend on time of day. I like having a stroller because my kids won't sleep at airport if I'm carrying them. Huge problem if flight gets delayed and you enter nap/bedtime.

Busy bag activities: I try not to bring things that can't be replaced and try to make it things that are easy to clean. I do bring a lovie/comfort item. home made shaker bottles in travel size containers(favorite of all my kids), rattles, books (bath time books, dollar store books), links/beads, wrapped small trinkets that can be unwrapped and played with, stickers and small pad of paper, jumbo washable crayons, klennex box that LO can put items into and out of, tablet or dvd player, cars/trucks, little people/animals, snacks (cheerios, goldfish, bananas (just don't mush them on accident), puffs, pancakes (frozen that will thaw), etc), bandana that can be used for peek a boo/ blanket for figures, etc.

Good luck!

Clyde013 · July 2014

Good luck @Rmnam1‌
Thanks guys. I'm so nervous for it. Maybe well just all drive

[Deleted User] · July 2014

I just flew with DS alone this past weekend. I figured out that the less stuff you pack in your carry-ons the easier things will be for you. Things that helped us were lots of snacks, a sippie full of water, a soft blankey, and his lovey (oh and the kind woman next to us who let her watch cartoons on her ipad). I planned on nursing on the plane, but he only tolerated that for one leg of the trip (right before he fell asleep). He also did a lot better next to the window because he liked to look out. Good luck!

[Deleted User] · July 2014

Clyde013 said:

Good luck @Rmnam1‌ Thanks guys. I'm so nervous for it. Maybe well just all drive

It totally doable alone and wasn't as bad as I thought it would/could be. However, given a choice I'd rather drive because things are within my control. We had two delayed flights and that was really hard on DS.

SMac85 · July 2014

We fly a lot with our kids, and I flew by myself with both kids this past May. I got a bunch of window decals from the dollar store and let DS2 take them on and off the window. Pack lots of snacks and if you have an ipad or mini DVD player it helps a lot. I also have a little Tupperware container that I cut a hole in the top. DS2 loves putting little Pom poms into the hole. I used it at restaurants all the time, and I imagine it would keep him busy on a plane as well. Good luck!

Clyde013 · July 2014

Thanks ladies. I knew all you super moms would make me feel better about it.

Kitten80 · July 2014

Also, I pack different categories of items in ziplocks. This makes pulling things out easier, keeps them safe from random spills and other travel ickyness.

hollandmama · July 2014

We've flown together with LO countless times in long and short flights... it's really not a big deal if the flight is less than 4 hours even if they want to walk you can take them up and down the aisle. However, going alone may be completely different! I am flying solo with G in August to Italy and in September to Mexico (yes, 12 hour flight+1 day transfer+2 hour flight the next day, wish me luck)....

I'd rather fly for a few hours than drive for 3 days, actually that is the reason I'm flying solo to Italy, DH and MIL are driving there and I didn't want to be in a hot car crossing Germany for 2 days!

The PPs gave great advice, the busy bag under the seat is a must! I'd definitely take a light umbrella stroller with me all the way to the gate and the baby carrier because it's useful when boarding, leaving the plane, going to the toilet, etc.

IMPORTANT: If you can refrain from checking-in luggage then do and also check-in online and print your boarding pass at home, when we travel with LO we try to not document any luggage because you save so much time both at arriving to the airport and at landing. Also, your hand-luggage is better in a backpack than in a small suitcase. I am planning to go all the way to Mexico with just a change of clothes for both of us and the busy bag contents. I will buy clothes for LO over there because there is no way I can handle train+airport+hotel+transfer+airport with a stroller, a baby, hand-luggage and a big suitcase...

@SMac85 your idea about the window decals is genius! I need to get those asap for our next flight, last time we flew he was happily playing with the window door. Also the tupperware with a hole ^:)^

Clyde013 · July 2014

@missymr (and others) did your LO sleep in your arms?

Kitten80 · July 2014

All of mine that have lap sat generally fall asleep for some of the flight. How much varied by child/flight.

hollandmama · July 2014

@Clyde013‌ LO fell asleep in my arms in every single flight we've taken (around 10) I think the white noise in the cabin makes it easier for him to fall asleep on me because at home he never does.

DenverBride2005 · July 2014

We flew with DS1 many times when he was 1 and 2, and have flown with both boys twice now. I love wearing the baby in my Ergo, and that is an option if you have to go to the bathroom on the plane, too (just wear her!). If she is really too wiggly to hold for the flight then you could buy her a seat and put her in the carseat (we were still able to hold DS1 on our laps until he was about 18 months, then he started not liking it so we bought him a seat once or twice even before we had to).

But if you prefer to travel light then I say just wear her and hold her on your lap, and that way you can skip a stroller and/or carseat.

theuntaggablek · July 2014

Just no raspberries as a snack no matter how much your baby loves them. I was a really really dumb first time mom. You are probably much wiser.

Clyde013 · July 2014

@theuntaggablek‌ bc they're messy? Totally don't get it :-/

EagleWife · July 2014

Clyde013 said:
@theuntaggablek‌ bc they're messy? Totally don't get it :-/

I believe they have a laxative effect?

EagleWife · July 2014

SMac85 said:
We fly a lot with our kids, and I flew by myself with both kids this past May. I got a bunch of window decals from the dollar store and let DS2 take them on and off the window. Pack lots of snacks and if you have an ipad or mini DVD player it helps a lot. I also have a little Tupperware container that I cut a hole in the top. DS2 loves putting little Pom poms into the hole. I used it at restaurants all the time, and I imagine it would keep him busy on a plane as well. Good luck!

@SMac85‌ - I tried making a Pom Pom cup as a dexterity game. LO popped the Pom poms right into her mouth!!! :P

Clyde013 · July 2014

I am now thinking I will get myself a first class ticket to have the extra space. I haven't booked yet but I probably will this weekend.

SMac85 · July 2014

@EagleWife some of them get in Cruz's mouth too. But for the most part he enjoys putting them in the hole. Maybe in another month or so your LO will enjoy it more. otherwise you could always use Cheerios or goldfish

EagleWife · July 2014

SMac85 said:

@EagleWife some of them get in Cruz's mouth too. But for the most part he enjoys putting them in the hole. Maybe in another month or so your LO will enjoy it more. otherwise you could always use Cheerios or goldfish

Lol @SMac85 - Cheerios would be perfect. I didn't even think of that.

rondosa · July 2014

You ladies are ahhhmazing, keep the ideas coming!

I just booked our flights to visit my family out west. It was a last minute surprise trip that DH's work was able to pay for me and DS to join which is awesome but I have to fly both legs on our own.

Toronto - Vancouver is 5hrs! There and back! On our own! :-SS

@clyde013 if I can do it, you guys can do it!!

theuntaggablek · July 2014

EagleWife said:

Clyde013 said:
@theuntaggablek‌ bc they're messy? Totally don't get it :-/
I believe they have a laxative effect?

@Clyde013‌ They are crazy messy. One trip flying solo with S I thought -- what's a good healthy baby snack - I know a yogurt cup with raspberries! And he proceeded to whip and spill yogurt and smash raspberries all over his hands, face, everything covered in sticky, clothes staining raspberry juice.

I just remember some woman giving me a super judgy look and a squirmy baby and being mad that I spent $7 on a yogurt cup that was almost entirely going in the trash.

Clyde013 · July 2014

I bought tickets last night. I decided to buy E her own ticket so I can put her down for some of the flight. We are going on Tuesday really early. Hopefully it goes well. Thanks for your suggestions ladies!

Pink724 · July 2014

Just wanted to add that I am doing this exact same thing in October. DH is driving our car down to atlanta (with the dog) and L and I are going to fly (with the cat). Should be interesting. I've flown many times with her on my own (in my lap) and it's never been too bad - the most recent was a flight to FL with layovers last month. Others have given good suggestions. Just wanted to wish you luck and say that I know what you are going through!

rondosa · July 2014

Good luck @Clyde013‌! It'll be fine >:D<

hollandmama · July 2014

missymr said:

@Clyde013‌ Yes he sleeps in my arms and probably would even if he had his own seat. But now that he's bigger it would be really hard if I had a stranger next to me instead of DH.

This is the exact reason why I am so nervous of my next flights

@Clyde013 Good luck! I hope everything goes as expected, my first flight alone with LO will be this Friday... not looking forward. Because we're in the exact same situation (DH driving, mom+LO flying) I thought I'd share the list of things I'll have with me for the trip:

-baby carrier

-stroller

-Backpack as hand-luggage (not documenting anything) with:

-Sippy cup

-diapers (6, better safe than sorry)

-wipes

-diaper changer

-diaper cream

-1 change for baby

-1 shirt for mommy

-fruit squeezer (2)

-finger foods that he loves and are not messy!

-baby's shoes

-post-it notes for playing

-baby book, iPad,tupper-ware with hole (as suggested by PP), window stickers

lancomechica · July 2014

Nothing more than what others said.
We didn't do 1st class but did economy comfort on our flights to have extra room. I don't think I would last with a lap child in regular economy.

Where in FL ya moving too?

hollandmama · July 2014

@lancomechica you just gave me a great idea... I'll upgrade to a comfort seat now using miles

at least some extra space will be needed

Want a personalized experience?

BTDT: Flying with baby edition

Re: BTDT: Flying with baby edition

Choose Another Board

Search Boards