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12-27-2012 at 10:37 AM
evertz
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RP: Flying with Baby

I posted this in the Babies 0 - 3 Months forum too but wanted to check with you ladies as I know some of you have LO's already -

I have been invited to a friend's out-of-state wedding 2 months after my LO is due to arrive. I was wondering if you all had any tips for flying with a 2 month old? My husband will be traveling with me and will be able to help. It's quite a ways away so we are likely to have at least one lay-over (2 take-offs and landings).

 Any advice on how to keep baby from having ear pain and crying the whole time? Someone suggested feeding during take-off and landing... Does that work?

Also, I know I will need to check with the airline about additional costs.

For once we get there - Did you take your car seat from your car? Or do you have a travel one? Any other 'must have' items I should bring?

 Thank so much!


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12-27-2012 at 10:54 AM
jillianjig...
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We flew with DD the first time at 4 months. Super easy. Just have something for the babe to suck on during take off and landing. Whether that be a bottle or pacifier. We never had problems with her ears.

 We never brought our own car seat either. We rented one with the car rental.

 


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12-27-2012 at 11:04 AM
CarolynL8
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I'm a first time mom so this is more of a question to add onto your post.

Something to think about.

Will the baby have all of it's shots? I always thought you were kind of stuck for the first 3 months? I don't know if the baby will get sick on a plane without its shots. I know that sometimes people get sick because they're in a cabin and germs have no where to really go.

Like I said I'm going to be a FTM so I'm just throwing it out there.


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12-27-2012 at 11:17 AM
luckylaure...
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FAA allows you to bring liquid through security if it's for your child. So if you don't BF, you'll still be okay to bring formula or pumped BM.  We flew with DS when he was 16 months - I gave him his cup to drink as we took off and landed and it helped him with his ears, so I recommend feeding your LO at take off and landings like others suggested.

You prob won't have to buy a seat for your LO as long as you and your DH are comfortable holding him/her the whole time. You can check your carseat and stroller at the gate for no extra charge (double check with your airline but this seems to be the standard).

I wouldn't worry about the shots that PP mentioned. My sister was able to fly with my nephew at 3 weeks with no problems, but mention your trip to your pedi at the first visit and they may have suggestions regarding germs/sickness.

Good luck! I have a feeling your LO will sleep most of the trip, so hopefully you won't have a crying baby the entire time Smile 


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12-27-2012 at 11:22 AM
kgs0505
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Travelling with a non-mobile baby is fairly easy, except for all the "stuff" you have to lug.  The worst part is getting through security, after that it's pretty easy.  Since the baby in non-mobile, I suggest cheking your stroller (if you think you need it) and carseat (which you will absolutely need) with your luggage.  There are cases you can buy to protect both from damage (check out Amazon).  If you are worried about checking those in with the luggage, you can haul it all through securtiy and gate check instead. 

If you check-in your stroller and carseat before going thru security,  make sure you have an Ergo or some other kind of baby carrier, so you can have your hands free. 

For security - the stroller will have to be folded up and it and the carseat will have to go thru the scanner, so baby will have to come out and be carried thru the metal detector.  I highly suggest wearing yoga pants and a bra without an underwire and as little metal as possible so you don't have an issue going thru the metal detector, some airport have them set very sensitively.

For baby's formula if you end up using it, I suggest getting the pre-made ready to eat (RTE) bottles specifically for the flights.  No mixing, no worrying about buying or getting enough water while you are in the airport to mix, it's just done.  Plus you won't have to carry around a bunch of dirty bottles.  Just make sure you stick all those bottles in their own clear baggie (a gallon size is fine), and take them out of the diaper bag for the TSA people to look at. You can also have your typical 3-1-1 quart sized baggie with your other liquids and gels in it. They will wipe a bottle down and put the wiper in the chemical sniffer.  They make also pull your DH aside for extra pat-downs, etc because of it, especially if the stroller doesn't fit thru the scanner.  Basically, make you you get to the airport early enough to intend to have issues at security.  You don't want to be rushed to get to your gate after you get out of security.  Depending on your airport and previosu experiences with lines at security, plan at least an extra 30 minutes -1 hour than you would pre-baby days.

Your baby will be a lap baby (free) unless you intend to buy them a seat, in which case, you would bring your carseat on the airplane (just make sure it's FAA approved, most are).  I have yet to run into an airline that will charge you extra for the carseat or stroller as part of your luggage.  That is usually complimentary (amazing since they nickle and dime you for everything else).

We always take are regular carseat with us.  I know some people just buy a different one for travelling, but we really haven't had any issues.  Most we had was a tear in the stroller that didn't affect the function and some dirt on the carseat cover.  Both of these were when we didn't yet have a protective cover for either.

For baby not crying the whole way, I truthfully have never had an issue (I am so lucky to have had the perfect, easy "starter" baby), the droning of the plane knocks my kiddo out cold.  For take-off and landing, he either got a bottle or a pacifier depending on whether it was time to eat or not.  It worked out well for us.

Must haves - make sure you have a change of clothes for everyone in your carry-on (in case of blow-outs), baggage check as much as possible so you don't have to drag everything thru the airport.  Have enough formula for at least an extra 2-3 feedings to cover any potential delays.  Same for diapers, but I usually have 4-5 extra.  I also took some powedered formula and one empty bottle for extreme emergencies.  Pacifiers (at least 2-3 in case they get lost).  I highly suggest a clip for those so you can just attach it to the baby.  They don't really need toys or books or anything at that point, maybe a small toy they can grasp and look at if they are doing that then, but don't over load. 

One tip for the heavy formula RTE bottles if you go that way, once you get thru security, divide the bottles up into half between your diaper bag that will go under your seat and your roller which will go over head.  It'll just make things lighter to lug around and little less bulky once you are on the plane.  Same with the diapers and wipes.  You just want your essentials in your diaper bag so it'll be easier to find stuff while you are flying.

Sorry for the novel, but this is what I found helpful.


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12-27-2012 at 11:39 AM
llsarmy
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Everything KGS0505 said.

I flew with my second baby when he was a week and a half old. Easiest flight with a kid I have ever had.


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12-27-2012 at 11:42 AM
LibbyLouHo...
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kgs0505:

For baby's formula if you end up using it, I suggest getting the pre-made ready to eat (RTE) bottles specifically for the flights.  No mixing, no worrying about buying or getting enough water while you are in the airport to mix, it's just done.  Plus you won't have to carry around a bunch of dirty bottles.  Just make sure you stick all those bottles in their own clear baggie (a gallon size is fine), and take them out of the diaper bag for the TSA people to look at. You can also have your typical 3-1-1 quart sized baggie with your other liquids and gels in it. They will wipe a bottle down and put the wiper in the chemical sniffer

I have flown multiple times with DD starting at 6 weeks and all of kgs's advice is great. The RTE bottles are fabulous. I've only had one problem with carrying them and that was in a small airport. They didn't have the bigger chemical detection machines and had to actually open the bottles and use some kind of strip in them which I was not happy about, especially since they start to spoil after opened.

 Make sure you bring more formula (if not BF) and diapers than you think you will need. We were stuck on the tarmac for over 2.5 hours on a flight that was only supposed to be 2.5 hours total. Prepare for delays.

Also, extra clothes are a must. My DD exploded several times on one flight and ended up in just a diaper by the time we arrived at our destination.

If you can afford it, I would recommend buying baby a seat and bringing your carseat on the plane. It is safer than having a lap baby and you don't have to worry about your carseat when you arrive. DD always slept great in her carseat and it made the flight so go so much smoother.


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12-27-2012 at 11:59 AM
nyki06
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I didn't fly with my daughter until she was 11 months old, but I was really thankful for nursing during that trip! I would say expect the baby to eat more and that will also help with the ear pain. 

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12-27-2012 at 12:51 PM
1026pumpki...
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lurking- but wanted to add that if you bring a car seat on board, the baby is required to be in it for take-off and landing, and breastfeeding won't be an option, so you'll need to use bottles (pumped milk or formula) or a pacifier.

If you are sure you want to bring the car seat on board, you'll need to buy a ticket, and some airlines have reduced fares for babies.  If you want to hold baby, you just need to alert the airlines ahead of time that you'll have a lap baby.  You can also check at the gate and see if there are any extra seats on board, if there are, they'll let you bring the car seat on board if you want for free.

For us, I preferred nursing DS under a cover during take off, and then he would just pass out.  DH and I would trade him back and forth while he was sleeping and I'd nurse him again for landing.  Up until a year, he would just eat/sleep on flights and was a perfect traveller.

Last tip- while dragging the car seat through security/the airport can be a PITA, you can't leave the airport without one.  So if the car rental place messes up your reservation or your luggage goes missing, you are going to have a problem.  We found it easiest to snap the carrier into a snap and go and hang the diaper bag off the stroller in the airport.  I pushed the stroller, and DH wheeled our roller bags.  If you have a convertible car seat, Amazon sells backpack style carriers for them, which make it very easy to throw on your back and have baby in an Ergo/carrier in front.


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12-27-2012 at 12:57 PM
evertz
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Great advice everyone. Thank you so much!!!

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12-27-2012 at 1:40 PM
heatherdav...
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Are you renting a car once you get there? If so, just rent the carseat with it. It will save you a lot of hassle if you just use a sling and baby will probably sleep most of the time. If you aren't renting a car, you can rent a carseat from the nearby babies r us. Probably a lot cheaper than the fees you will pay to take your own.

For the formula, we used powder and just bought a room temp bottle of water after we went through, so their was no extra waiting in security.

When I booked our flight, I picked the seats right by the engine and my son was knocked out the entire flight, I just popped a pacifier in his mouth on take off and landing and he never woke up. The sound of the engine keeps them asleep pretty well.

We asked the Dr. if we could bring him in for a quick check up to make sure he didn't have an ear infection because the pressure can make it worse. We were in the doc's for about 10 minutes, he gave us the okay and we had no problems at all.

I work at the airport and I would say this is the most efficient way to go. Good luck with everything!


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12-27-2012 at 1:57 PM
cheshireka...
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DS#2 was 4 months the first time flying... as long as you are feeding or have a pacifier during take off and landing you should be fine.  For me the lifesaver was wearing him in a front carrier.  I was able to take a little nap, as did he, and we didn't have to worry about him falling or anything... it was comfortable.  As for the carseat... it travels free... i brought my whole travel system, since i had a double stroller DS#1 was 15 months.  No charge.  I would find out from your airline.  It makes it easier in the airport also.  We brought our pack n play for sleep, and that's about it... he slept the entire 5 hour flight, both ways.  GL!!

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12-27-2012 at 2:30 PM
evertz
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We are renting a car and I had no idea you could add a car seat during the car rental. That's awesome!! We'll probably do that instead of lugging ours around with us. We won't be doing much walking so I'll probably skip the stroller and just bring a small PNP for setting him down/sleeping in. Thanks again for all the great advice ladies!!

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12-27-2012 at 4:32 PM
JaimeCH
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Having worked at a car rental company when I was a teen I wouldn't rent a car seat from them. I don't recall them ever cleaning the covers besides a quick vacuum. They were pretty gross. Also, I would prefer an infant seat to the crappy seat you would get from them.

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12-27-2012 at 4:49 PM
alohachris...
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flying with my almost 3 mth old was easy! just make sure you feed them or have a paci and make sure when you put the carseat under the plane (if you do) that you cover the thing! I didn't and they left my carseat in the rain! it was soaked and I just sat looking out the window at it getting drenched, they had no care at all and my baby had to ride in that freezing cold wet thing for the 2 hr ride to the house....

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12-27-2012 at 6:32 PM
ladybugpjb
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Someone mentioned using a front carrier on the plane - I don't think the airlines are supposed to let you actually wear them on the flight. I was never allowed to when I wore him at the airport.

Easiest trips for me were when he was little and I used the snap-n-go. I could actually fit my carry on in the basket. (I had the Maclaren version.) I always gate-checked it with no problem, and I flew alone for most of the flights.

Put the necessities you will need for the flight in a big zip lock bag and have that at your feet: a bottle (or two) for take off/landing (if you're not BFing), a pacifier, a diaper or two, wipes, a toy for distracting LO. Digging through your diaper bag when you have a blow-out diaper in your lap is not fun.

Also, have a game plan to get through security - think out in what order you want to send stuff through the x-ray, and make sure you have your liquids easily accessible.

The TSA people SHOULDN'T hassle you about having formula/BM, but I finally bumped into one who thought he knew the rules on baby liquids better than I did. He was new. Read the TSA website so you know what is allowed, and print out the page if you're nervous. I once travelled with a cooler bag with 4 4-oz bottles of bm PLUS the ice pack with no problems. (I never needed to do that again.) Oddly, I had the issue at LAX where I expected them to know the rules since they are such a big airport.

We got the $15ish red "Gate Check" bags from BRU for the car seat and stroller. After seeing how filthy those get, I was glad we used the bags. Some other airlines have plastic bags you can put them in if you check them.


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12-27-2012 at 8:26 PM
milkergirl...
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I'm a FTM so I don't have any advice for flying, but for the opposite side...the pax around you.  I'm the one that groans when someone brings a baby on a plane and sits near me.  Like a lot of people now, I use my headphones to drown out a crying baby, but you may want to consider bringing a handful of cheap earplugs to pass out if your lo gets fussy.  It may make people around you just a little happier. 

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12-28-2012 at 10:46 AM
kchoi
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not sure if this was mentioned or not, but i've been on planes where they wasn't a baby changer in the bathroom.  so i always took a large liner with me in case i had to change the baby on the seat.

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