[jaenelle]

We're planning to fly out to visit my husband's parents in June, and I just wondered if anyone had any helpful advice about flying with a baby. I've obviously never flown with one before, and would appreciate any suggestions you might have that would make our trip easier and more pleasant.

[snaps]

We flew last summer from Georgia to California with a 9 month old. I can give you my opinions on things, but it really depends on how long your flight is and what the disposition of your child is. We opted to purchase a seat for DD for several reasons. At the time was very squirmy and she was also not going to sit in our laps without fussing for 4.5-5 hours of flying. I also knew that she would need a nap during the flight (due to the time of day we were traveling and the length of the flight) and I felt she would sleep longer and more peacefully in her car seat. I also felt it was safer for her to be in her car seat than in our laps. Many airlines do not require that you purchase a seat, but some do. You will need to check with your airline.

It also worked well to plan take off and or landing with feeding. Our pediatrician suggested this and said it helps with their ears. Our daughter had a bottle on both trips at the beginning of the flight and there were no problems with take off.

Now with regards to entertainment. Finger foods are a must if your child is ready. Our pediatrician suggested this and we used Gerber puffs which worked like a charm. If she got a little fussy we gave her some and that seemed to soothe her. Our pediatrician also suggested a new toy or book or something for the trip. This worked well for us too. As you know anything new will fascinate them much longer.

All in all she did very well on the long flight. She did get fussy a few times on our return trip, but we were able to walk with her in the aisles.

Good luck!

[kmsga]

I second Snaps' suggestion about a bottle on the way up and on the way down; we've been flying w/our boys since E was six weeks old, and that was the advice given by a flight attendant on his first flight. Just make sure you start the descent bottle as close to beginning the actual descent as possible; I've missed "the window" twice w/Q, and it's not been fun.
We've been lucky in that both boys usually fall asleep on take off, and stay asleep most of the flight, even on long flights to CA, HI, and AK from GA. On those times they don't, walking the aisles helps, and sometimes we've been able to hang out in the rear galley if it's not serving time. Be sure to check w/the FAs first, though; some are fine with this and some are not. Bring whatever loveys she usually has, if any, and snacks, of course--we like the Annie's bunny crackers and cookies; organic and natural ingredients. Stay away from messy things like bananas (learned that the hard way! ) and be sure to bring a change of clothes and more diapers/formula than you might usually need for that timeframe, just in case.
Most importantly, change her diaper before boarding, as close to actually boarding as possible. Airline bathrooms, even on cross-country flights, don't always have changing tables, and the toilet seat lid makes a poor substitute, especially w/a squirmy 8 month old.
Have a great trip!

[snaps]

Oh, I forgot to mention about the changing tables (thanks kmsga). On our flight we had one, but it was the smallest changing table I have ever seen and of course DD is really tall which made it harder. Changing the diaper before the flight is a must.

[jaenelle]

Thanks! I'm bumping this for more suggestions.

[Lovebug]

How is babe in the car? For us, our babes are FANTASTIC travelers and they fly easier than I do. All the above suggestions are great and the one I second the most is buy her the extra seat. You will appreciate being the only ones in your row. Hands down.

You'll be fine...have a great flight!

--Renee

[enerad]

We're flown with our twins since they were 9 days old and I think at this point we've done about 7 or 8 flights. I have done both buy them seats, and also have held them. Short flights around 2 hours we've held them and it's worked great. We pack a backpack of supplies, bottles ready to go, snacks, toys, change of clothes, for everyone (one of our daughters peed on daddy during the flight. Diaper changing is a hassle in plane, no changing tables, and many times you might have to do it in your seats. One of my tricks with formula is to pre-measure into my bottles, and then have the water in a small thermos (my girls like warm milk.) Otherwise... the planes do have bottled water.

Getting through the airport. Backpacks for everyone has been our saving grace. Keeps our hands free. We've learned to take our carseat into the airport and if we are holding we turn them in at the gate (helps with luggage and we always felt they weren't thrown around with the general luggage. You turn your stoller in at the gate as well, they will ticket it at the desk.

Despite some airlines who don't let you in first, go anyway. Getting yourself set up without all the people going in at once. We've been bold and just line up with the first class and go...we've never been turned away.

The kids usually sleep, we've haven't had to entertain them the entire time which has been great.

Hope that helps.

[kmsga]

I can't believe I forgot about this...we have two Sit N' Strolls, and we LOVE them! It's a stroller and carseat combination that we use exclusively for airline travel. You can get them pretty reasonably on ebay, and if you're going to be traveling by plane more than a few times while Yuna is little (under 4 or 5), it's well worth it. It's awesome, and much better, in my mind, anyway, than lugging a car seat through the airport, or taking a chance by checking it, or, horror of horrors, renting one w/a car rental agency (bleh!). It does fit in most airline seats, so if you buy her a seat, great. If you don't, you can gate check it, or if you're lucky, the flight will be relatively empty and you can get seats together where you can use it anyway (she'll need to sit next to the window so it doesn't block anyone else in). A gate check warning, though: make sure all of the straps are tucked in before you leave it; baggage crews don't necessarily watch for that and you may end up w/missing or ripped straps.
Safe and happy travels!

[rredhead]

Hey!
We've flown with Jack several times now. Sadly, he is not a patient baby. Two things that have helped, are:
- a sling, to carry him in. We put the hand-baggage in the stroller and get it all through security while I'm wearing Jack. After security, depending on where the gate is, we'll either put Jack in the stroller or I'll keep carrying him. Don't have the baby in the stroller at security, or people will scowl at you as you take the baby out, take other stuff out of the stroller, fold, etc.
- the Fisher Price dashboard. I'm wary of the no-ads policy here, so PM me if you can't find it. We got ours at Target. Jack LOVES his. It's this great toy that sits on the baby's lap, and is not too loud, has lights, songs, beeps, etc. Best purchase ever!
Good luck!

[CovenantMom]

We've travelled with Isabella (9mo.) several times. This last time we had to use the baby changing table in the airplane bathroom. First - that thing is too tiny. Second - my daughter was scared by lie down on it. Third - after I threw out her diaper in the receptacle, the flight attendant handed me a baggy to discard the diaper. I guess she had to fish it out.

Other than that, she was ok flying. Of coarse we fed her during take off and landing, and in between.

You'll be fine.

Susan