Flying with baby

jcbh2018 · June 2018

My grandparents are coming to visit me the end of July, then we’ll be heading back to my homeland after, it will be a two day drive (which is fine) well make plenty of stops along the way, and hotel stays. But, I’ll be flying back down. Anyone ever flown with a baby before? Are there any precautions, tips or tricks I should know about in advance. This is not an international flight, This flight will take a max of four hours and maybe a layover.

conineml · June 2018

Here's the tips I have heard but have not had to use myself since I haven't flown yet.
1. On take off and landing you want to help with the pressure for LO, so most suggest nursing, but if you aren't BFing a bottle or paci sucking should help too.
2. Make sure to get up and down a lot and you might want to bring extra toys or new toys.
3. Bring extra clothes for EVERYONE in your carry on
4. Again not sure about the bfing here. Bring your pump and any milk in an ice chest as a carryon (it doesn't count toward how many you get). Put the milk in a ziploc. Doesn't matter if it's frozen or not but no ice at security. There is no limit on liquids if its bm, but they will need to know its there and will test it and screen it separately. Put ice on it after you exit security.
5. Not sure what you are planning for stroller/car seat situation but there is a fancy backpack thing that allows you to carry your car seat on your back.

jcbh2018 · June 2018

@conineml
Yea, he’s just a formula baby. He can probably make the 4 hour trip without eating, I’ll just feed him before we exit the vehicle. I’ve heard that pressure doesn’t effect babies,not like toddlers, just cause their sinuses aren’t open or closed yet (I forget which one). But, either way, he’ll have his pacifier. Bringing the stroller with the car seat. Just not sure if they charge that as luggage. Thanks for all the advice. I’ll have to call the the actual flight company once we figure out who I’m flying with, that way I can ask about his stroller and travel pack n play.

jennymor · July 2018

Start packing ahead of time - way ahead of time!
And with all the preparing for baby, don't forget about you!

fivetimesnoluck · July 2018

jcbh2018 I recently flew for the first time with our 7 month old. She did great, but I am glad we were prepared for eventualities. Hopefully this is still relevant. Sorry to be so late to the discussion!

Pack formula and water for a bottle or two (even if you think he might not need it). It's allowed and you'd always rather be safe than sorry where food is concerned - especially as it may just be needed for comfort if DS reacts poorly to all the new stimuli). It is not unheard of for there to be significant delays on tarmacs or with layovers, so you just want to have anything you may need if an unexpected delay arises.

TSA allows for formula and water to be carried through. It can be pre-mixed, but then you have to worry about it being kept cold. (I found a Dr. Brown's formula carrier that allowed me to portion out enough for three separate bottles and then just mixed as needed.) Surprisingly, DD took the unheated bottles pretty well.

The stroller and carseat can be checked at the gate and I don't think any airline charges/counts them as luggage, but you will want to check with your specific airline.

Pack more diapers and clothes than you think you will need in the carry on - spit up, vomit, blow outs - these are all possibilities but totally manageable with the right gear.

The crew on our first flight didn't want me to use our carrier for takeoff/landing, so I just held her close and she didn't seem bothered. I did feed her her bottle at takeoff and she eventually drifted off to sleep. Return flight crew didn't advise against the carrier so I placed DD in it on takeoff and as usual that put her right to sleep and she stayed asleep the entire 2.5 hour flight.

Good luck! People are typically kind to you when they see you traveling with a baby. I had several strangers help me in getting all of our stuff after the security checks and our seat mate on our first flight was simply lovely. I am sure you'll both do great!

jcbh2018 · August 2018

@fivetimesnoluck
Just wanted to give an update on how everything went. We visited Ohio for 2 1/2 weeks. I couldn’t have been luckier on how well he did. Being in lots of different arms and houses. Even the plane ride, he didn’t cry once. Thanks for all the helpful flying tips.

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