Tips for Air Travel with an Infant
- Thread starter K_Jo
- Start date
SoMDGirl42
Well-Known Member
At 11 months, she can probably sit unassisted in the stroller without the carrier, but check with the airline. They may charge you extra to check the carrier, and chances are it may not get as beat up if you check it at the gate.
They will take the stroller at the entrance to the plane, litterally at the door to the plane. When you get off the plane, her stroller will be right outside of the door. Make sure you get a tag from the ticket counter to tag it.
Sula
WDF. So worth the wait.
Another thought on gate checking your stroller. It can be a huge PITA with security now. Everything has to come out of your stroller to get thru security, including your Babe. Make sure you don't have anything in it that is loose. Put everything in a bag ahead of time.
MrX
High Octane
Since she's a cutie pie, people will help keep her entertained when she fusses. If you had an ugly baby then I would say just leave her home.
OMFG
Check the carrier, keep the stroller. Yes, airlines do provide this service. It's very helpful. I have 3 kids all under the age of 5 and have traveled non stop cross country with them.
The stroller to the gate is awesome. Also, get the Airborne "pixie stick" thingys. I don't know that they are really the helping agent, but ever since I started giving them to my family before trips we've never gotten sick, not even my baby.
My biggest advice. Don't sweat the other passengers. I've been flying with my kids for 5 years, on probably 20 different flights, in that time I've had only 2 people say something about my kids. One nasty man complained when my over zealous toddler ran into his chair arm while making a dash for the toilet. I told him his alternative was that my kid crap on him, what was his preference? Pretty much shut him up. Another lady got on the plane, saw I had an infant and immediately started telling me to drug her. Non stop she kept saying don't you sedate her, don't you think she's too young to fly, I have drugs you can give her...my husband got so ticked off he finally told the lady that if she had so many drugs, why didn't she take them? lol
One more thing, I've noticed that more than one airline doesn't allow you to throw your diapers away on the plane. They ask that you keep it in your diaper bag and dispose of them when you land...big hassle. So go to Walmart and buy the scented diaper disposer bags. That way you can keep the diaper if you have to and not offend the senses of other passengers.
I should mention that my kids, have never cried on a flight and are very well behaved. I have heard other kids screaming on a flight and as a parent I feel sympathy, because there's truly nothing you can do, and as a paying passenger I feel...sympathy.
Good luck...I didn't mean to ramble on and on...I hope this helps a little
Chasey_Lane
Salt Life
Who's got some good ones to share?
Maybe it will be helpful to know she'll be 11 months old when we fly, she's on formula, she'll be sitting on our laps, not in her car seat, and it's a 5 hour, non-stop flight.
Discuss.
The air pressure will probably get to her and she'll be cranky. If she likes a pacifier, the sucking should help clear her ears a little. MJ is a sweet baby and I'm sure she'll do just fine.
CableChick
Loved
J just turned 2 when we flew to Naples, Fl for a friends wedding. We went ahead and purchased him a seat ( best thing I did! ). Car seat was snug and he felt safe!
We brought just the small umbrella type stroller w/ us and they checked it before we stepped foot on the plane. Then when we arrived it was right outside the plane door.
Doc said the benedryl can make some kids hyper so we didn't even try that route. He was perfect the entire flight! And from experience, don't forget diapers/wipes/change of clothes for you both!
We brought just the small umbrella type stroller w/ us and they checked it before we stepped foot on the plane. Then when we arrived it was right outside the plane door.
Doc said the benedryl can make some kids hyper so we didn't even try that route. He was perfect the entire flight! And from experience, don't forget diapers/wipes/change of clothes for you both!
MMDad
Lem Putt
Wirelessly posted (Change we can believe in!: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows CE; IEMobile 7.7) 320x240; VZW; Motorola-Q9c; Windows Mobile 6.0 Standard)
Buy her a seat and strp her car seat into it. Turbulence can happen at any time and smash her into the ceiling.
If you are holding a baby and they suddenly weigh three times normal with no warning there is no way you will be able to hold on.
Allowing lap babies while requiring adults to buckle up is one of the dumbest things the FAA allows to continue.
Buy her a seat and strp her car seat into it. Turbulence can happen at any time and smash her into the ceiling.
If you are holding a baby and they suddenly weigh three times normal with no warning there is no way you will be able to hold on.
Allowing lap babies while requiring adults to buckle up is one of the dumbest things the FAA allows to continue.
misshelper
New Member
I flew when my oldest was 1, we flew to MO. He did good I was lucky enough that there was an empty seat beside me and kept him occupied with toys. And if needed I sat him on my lap.
Good luck.
Good luck.
StrawberryGal
Sweet and Innocent
Yes, that's true. They will storage your stroller on the airplane and get it out when you landed all ready for you and your baby.
Don't use travel system stroller. Use umbrella stroller. Much easier to storage and get out quickly.
Do you need to bring the carseat/carrier with you? If so, check them in with the baggages. Get a big plastic bag and put the carseat/carrier in and tied it up. Write your name on the baggie along with phone number, address, and your destination locations. This will be useful to find your stuff alot quicker and if it missed the plane before loading, they will call you to deliver your baggages/carseats.
As for baby flying, I flew on airplane with a 10 months old baby few years ago. No problem with the baby. Get a diaper bag to hold diapers, wipes, extra set of clean clothes, toys, snack, bottled waters, forumla in neat single packages, and a camera to take picture of her first flight and with the pilots.
Ask the flight attendances for Certification for your baby. They will give her a "My First Plane Ride" certification. It's perfect for scrapbooking. Sometimes, a pilot will give his pin to the baby. My baby received a pin from the pilot.Warning: change the baby's diaper before getting on the airplane. The bathroom on the plane for changing table is so freaking small! If the baby made a poopy diaper, change her right away.
Your baby will sleep on the plane for most of the ride.
migtig
aka Mrs. Giant
I know that expense may be a concern, but I couldn't agree more with MMDad. I flew once in severe turbulance a long time ago from TX to TN and we had to make an emergency landing shortly afterwards because a child went flying through the air. It's something I've never forgotten and always swore I'd buy the extra seat or take a train if I had a kid.
Club'nBabySeals
Where are my pants?
I'm totally with MMDad.....Shell out for the extra seat for the kid. Hook her carseat up and strap her in. She'll be as comfortable as if you were just driving down the road, and a hell of a lot safer. Also, if you don't have a laptop (or won't have it with you) it may be worth investing in one of those portable DVD players.
Baja28
Obama destroyed America
My advice is to make sure she completes the preflight checklist. No short cuts. Double check her fuel calculations too. She should call that other Captain and go over water landings (just in case).Who's got some good ones to share?
Maybe it will be helpful to know she'll be 11 months old when we fly, she's on formula, she'll be sitting on our laps, not in her car seat, and it's a 5 hour, non-stop flight.
Discuss.
Tell her to remember the passengers are her customers and to chat with them over the PA periodically. Also tell her not to fudge the landing.
twinoaks207
Having Fun!
Definitely check with the pediatrician on this one. I take that stuff for allergies (the Children's liquid as it works faster) and half the recommended children's dose knocks me out. I can only take 1/2 tsp at a time if I want to still semifunction. Whoever said don't give it to her the first time for the flight is giving good advice. You don't know how they're going to react to it & you don't want to be wishing you had a doctor close at 30,000 feet!
Enjoy your trip -- you are a braver person than I -- never would have dreamed of taking any of mine on an airplane trip!
MMDad
Lem Putt
WTF do you think you are doing? There is nothing worse than a chatty pilot."Ladies and gentleman, we are now passing over the Grand Canyon. If it weren't 2 AM, and it wasn't cloudy, you would be able to see a big ditch in the middle of the desert. Now have a good nap and I'll wake you in a few minutes to let you know that you are not seeing Las Vegas."
Baja28
Obama destroyed America
Baby K_Jo would never do that.
"Ladies and gentleman, we are now passing over the Grand Canyon. If it weren't 2 AM, and it wasn't cloudy, you would be able to see a big ditch in the middle of the desert. Now have a good nap and I'll wake you in a few minutes to let you know that you are not seeing Las Vegas."
She'd tell jokes and make fun of her parents.
itsbob
I bowl overhand
She's not too young for Benedryl?
The mom's not.
itsbob
I bowl overhand
Or fly Delta on one of their recently upgraded planes witht he Personal Entertaninment device in the seatback in front of you!!
I spend about $10 per flight on movies and the like becasue of those evil devices, BUT I get to pick the movie I want to watch.. not some sleazebag movie from 6 years ago on VHS..
As others have said give them something to suck on that encourages swallowing while climbing or decending. Also if the child falls asleep during the flight wake them up prior to descent and give them the sucker, bottle or pacifier because you don't swallow as much when asleep. Also during descent it sometimes helps to place dixie cups snuggly over their ears to help reduce the change of cabin pressure that they will experience. If they already have a cold, sinus congestion or an ear infection don't risk flying with them.