Ant tips on flying with a baby?

Question

My daughter will be 5 1/2 months old when we plan on taking a trip, and I was wondering about taking the car seat for when we arrive, her port-a-crib....

Any helpful tips from personal experience are greatly appreciated. It will be about a two hour flight and she's already been on four, 10 hour car rides. Thank you!

Answer 1

Try to book the flight during her nap time as that way she will sleep through the plane ride. If you are planning on bringing the car seat onto the plane you will need to purchase an extra ticket and because most flights are 2 seats per row you may be broken up into the plane. My suggestion would be to check the car seat at the gate (when you get onto the plane) and hold her in your lap through the flight. They will have the carseat ready and waiting for you at the gate when you exit the plane.

Answer 2

i flew with my six months old, carried him in a harness, checked his carseat......made it so much easier. you can fly with them in your lap, feed you baby on the plane to help with the ears, then they sleep so you can relax....dress your baby comfy with no snaps because the alarms are a pain to deal with....i dont know the rules for formula any more but when i went you couldnt have "pre-made" bottles, they made me toss em and make more after security.....bring blanket it cold for the baby on the plane

Answer 3

I would seriously consider traveling light as possible. If you are staying somewhere ( hotel ) tell them you need a crib. Taking a carseat is a big pain, trust me!

Answer 4

Don't worry about the pressure change. I asked my doctor about flying with my baby, and she said she was too young to have the pressure hurt her ears. (she has flown at ages 5 weeks and 4 mos.)

If you are going to use a car seat, you'll need to pay for an additional seat on the plane. I didn't use a car seat, b/c I used  a sling. HOWEVER.... the stupid airline lost my luggage AND her car seat, so we were screwed at the airport with no way of getting her to our hotel. (The airline offered us a TODDLER seat... dumb-asses... she couldn't hold her head up, how was she supposed to sit in a toddler seat?)

My point: car seat + her own seat = best if you can afford it.

DO NOT DRUG YOUR BABY FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF OTHERS! You have the right to fly with your baby!

Answer 5

little toys, alot of milk, maybe some snacks... comfortable and soft pillows and blankets, and comofortable clothing...

hope this helped ! (:

Answer 6

just make sure she has a bottle or passifire in her mouth sucking on it when u take off and land, it will help with the pressure change.

depending on how ful the plane is, you might be able to put the carseat in a seat next to you.

Answer 7

sedate the kid, crying/crapping babies on the plane make it horrible for everyone else

Answer 8

dont bring a port a crib.  Her car seat might be good but bulky and annoying and since I am guessing you are sharing a seat...may I suggest a sling?  You wont have to carry her she can sleep pretty snug to you and will be more comforted and it is far less bulk.  As well if she starts to get really fussy it is poslite to move to the back of the plane...most people understand you cannot do anything to stop her from crying but they do appreciate if you are considerate...and please don tgive her benadryl!  I have heard of so many people that just drug their kids with benadryl before plane rides...very bad idea!  Good luck and be safe!

Make sure she has something to suck on during take off and as well I always am freezing on airplanes so bring extra blankets!

Answer 9

If shes been on cab rides of that length she shouldn't have any problem with the plane.  Just make sure she has something to suck on for the pressure change.

Answer 10

Allow plenty of time at the airport for check-in and connecting flights. That way you've time for surprise nappy changes...and to give attention or snacks to an overtired or demanding toddler. Put a spare outfit in the carry-on in case you need it for a diaper disaster or puke.

Bring a sling/baby carrier.

We did not use car seats, so I would strap the infant or toddler into the baby carrier (front) and then strap myself in, during take off and landing. I would also walk a lot or stand a lot w/ the baby or toddler to soothe them. I joke that I've walked across the Pacific several times.

It's also more convenient to go to the toilet yourself if the baby is in a sling or baby carrier. But, remember to cover baby's ears during the flush, because it's very loud and scary sounding for them.

Breatsfeed or give bottle during take-off and landing

This is important to help keep the baby's ears from clogging due to the pressure changes. Older children can be given gum to chew or follow other techniques like blowing their noses.

What to have in your carry-on bag

Diapers & wipes

Foldable plastic changing pad or towel for baby to lie on during change.

Plastic bags for wipe disposal, separating out messy things, etc.

Cloth diapers or towels to mop up spills etc.

Clean set of clothes for baby in case of vomitting etc. + extra shirt or sweater.

Clean shirt for self to change into before landing. Traveling with a baby can be messy.

Water, juice, sippy cup.

If you give baby formula, bring some empty clean bottles, a thermos flask for hot water and one of those stacking containers with the formual pre-measured.. You can ask the flight attendant to fill the thermos, so you will be ready when you want to make some.

Bottle of water for yourself, or two. If you are breastfeeding it is very important to keep hydrated.

Snacks for yourself like granola bars, or crackers, so if you can't eat when the meal is being served and then it turns lukewarm and disgusting, you will have another alternative.

Maybe a toy or two. This gets more important once the kids are over 2 years old.

Changing Diapers

I usually changed the babies on the floor in the back of the cabin. If my row wasn't crowded and it was just pee, I would change them in my seat. I didn't like the changing shelfs inside the plane's toilets because they were small and it was often hard to know which had them and which didn't.

Consider sedatives.

For the last several trips, I have asked our pediatrician that to give me something that would mellow the kids a bit for the flight. He gave us some phenegram. Phenegram is a decongestant (so it helps w/ the ears) and also is given to kids as a pre-aneasthetic before surgery. I also use it after we arrive to help the kids adjust to the 12 hour time difference. Some people really disaprove of it, but I think it makes a calmer and more pleasant flight for everyone.

IMPORTANT: Try the sedative on the baby at home a few days or a week before you leave. This way if there is an adverse reaction (maybe that medicine makes your baby more hyper) you will know about it.

I would not bother with a sedative for a flight of less than 6 hours.

Accept help

When I flew with my son when he was 7 months old, I flew with him as a "lap baby" on a full flight. On the Hong Kong to San Francisco leg of the journey, there was a grand-parenty couple next to me who enjoyed playing with him. They held him while I ate my meal, and the husband took him for some walks around the plane, it really helped. When I flew back to HK the flight from LA (I had flown Boston->San Francisco-LA-Hong Kong that time) was also full and I sat next to a nice single lady who also held the baby while I ate.

Practice Self-Help

I try to get things ready for myself, because I don't expect much immediate help from the flight attendants. They are very busy, so I try to plan ahead (e.g. asking for the flight attendant to fill the thermos when things are not busy).

Timing Meals

If you are flying with another adult to help you, ask your flight attendant to serve yourmeals separately, so one can eat while the other takes care of the baby.

Endure and Accept Suffering

In all my flights there's been moments (or even hours) that were very hard ("sheer h**l") but most of it was OK.  I also remind myself of how it is better than other experiences I have had: labor for instance, or an 8 hour trip on a Chinese bus that turned into a 17 hour long epic journey;  or the time that the 1 hour trip on the Trailways never happened because the bus broke down and I  had to spend the whole night on a COLD broken bus...

Things do get better. I was amazed last year when I traveled with my kids who are now 5 and 3. I was actually able to read and finish a novel on the flight, for the first time in 5 years!

Keep Calm

Try to think about what you would need to pack for your baby if you were going to spend a long day out shopping or visiting relatives in your own town. The supplies you need are not that different.

Answer 11

bring food. . and toys.

Answer 12

I don't know from personal experience, but I have heard that when flying with an infant it, one should bring along a pacifier so the child will suck to release the trapped air in their ears. Or a bottle to drink. I would also ask to be seated on the outside of the seating, so that you can get up easier to hold your baby and walk her. Hope this helps.. Have a nice trip.

Answer 13

please please leave baby at home or go by car or train. way too young to fly. the pressure hurts the little ears.

Answer 14

I flew with my son a couple of times when he was around that age, and other than a major diaper blowout right before we were starting to land, we didn't have any problems.

I'm not sure if you are nursing or bottle-feeding, but if you are bottle feeding, see if you can find some of the ready-made formula in the small, disposable bottles (they come with disposable nipples as well).  They are great for travel, because you don't have to worry about finding water, mixing the formula, washing bottles, etc.  You just crack them opne, pop on the nipple, and throw the whole thing out when you're done.  I know Similac makes them, but I'm not sure about any other companies.  Make sure you bring extra, in case there are flight delays.

Try to feed the baby as you're taking off, as it will help with the pressure change in her ears.  If she doesn't want to eat then, you can give her a pacifier to suck on--that helps, too.  

I would check the car seat through and just hold her on your lap in a baby carrier.  That will save you having to buy another ticket, will still keep her secure if there's any turbulence (or if you fall asleep), and will keep your hands free, plus you won't have to lug the car seat through the airport.  Bring her stroller, as you can wheel her right up to the door of the plane in that, and they will check it through as "Priority" luggage, so it's waiting for you right when you get off the plane.

Forget the port-a-crib if you can.  If you're staying in a hotel, they have cribs available for use.  If not, see if you can borrow something for the time you'll be there, as a crib is a big pain to take with you on a trip (and they are charging more for extra luggage now).  If there is no crib available, it would be easier (and probably cheaper) to send the port-a-crib ahead of time via UPS or FedEx Ground.

Make sure you have plenty of diapers, disposable changing pads, bags for diaper disposal, wipes, a few of her favorite toys, sanitary hand wipes, a change of clothing, and a blanket packed with you (it can get cold on the plane).  Change her before you get on the plane, as most planes dont' have a place where you can do it.

I wouldn't bother taking advantage of the ability to board first, unless it's an airline like Southwest where the seating is first-come, first-served.  By boarding first, you're just making it that much longer that you have to sit on the plane, and it really shouldn't take you that much more time to get situated.  When booking your ticket, get an aisle seat, so you can get in and out without stepping over other passengers.  

That's all I can think of for now.  Bon voyage!

EDIT:  Here are the bottles I was talking about.  You can shop around to see if you can find a better price, or ask at your pediatrician's office.  The formula reps used to bring those around, and they probably still do:

http://www.amazon.com/Similac-Advance-Fo...

Answer 15

Something we found to be very handy was a car-seat that doubles as a stroller. In the airport, you can use it to push them, and once you get on the plane the handles and wheels are retractable so then it's a carseat.

Answer 16

You could try to rent the baby equipment when you get there this saves on the hassle of carrying all that stuff and they are usally reasonable to rent. Also portable DVD players and some good baby einstiens help make the airplane trip go smoother

Answer 17

Spike the babies juice box with sleeping pills.