Flying with a 8 month old

Hannah - posted on 02/13/2010

I have flown 9 times with my 13 month old. A few times by myself and it's really not so bad. I made sure to have PLENTY of diapers, a few changes of clothes, toys, and that's about it for my daughter. I nurse her on the way up and down to help with her ears popping. And if she doesn't sleep on the plane, then we play. She likes to stand on the tray table or play with my cup that the flight attendant gives when passing beverages. It's really nerve-wracking at first, but I get so many compliments on how good she is.

Good luck!

Hannah - posted on 02/13/2010

I've flown twice now by myself with my daughter (once when she was almost 4 months old and again 3 weeks later). I made sure to have at least two changes of clothes packed for her in the diaper bag incase she made a mess. I also prepared a bottle of breast milk to feed her on the plane at take off and landing so her ears would pop. You just have to remove any breast milk or formula from your carry on luggage when going through security. I also put an extra shirt for me in the diaper bag incase I needed it. To easily get through the airport by myself, I put my daughter in her car seat in the stroller. I packed the Baby Bjorn in my carry on. I carried on the diaper bag, with plenty of diapers and wipes, and my laptop bag. To easily get down the aisle of the airplane, I put my daughter in the Baby Bjorn before I boarded and pushed the stroller down the jet way. When you get to your gate, you'll need to go to the counter to get tags on your stroller and car seat that you're checking plane-side. It was helpful to get the stroller and car seat (my car seat attaches to my stroller as the seat right now so I needed it to put my daughter in) back when I got off for my layovers. I folded up the stroller and set off the car seat at the end of the jet way and it was stored beneath the plane. It was there by the time I got of the plane. I was easily able to carry my two bags and my daughter in the Baby Bjorn as we boarded the plane.

I put my nursing cover (incase my daughter wouldn't take the bottle or drank it all) and my pack of wipes in the seat pocket in front of me for easy access. I then had one toy/rattle that she played with when she was awake on the plane. My daughter fell asleep typically when we took off because of the noise/vibrations of the plane. She actually didn't eat but once at take off and the change in pressure didn't seem to bother her. I flew Southwest and was able to keep her in the Baby Bjorn all but one time at take off.

In addition to taking out the breast milk or formula when you go through security, if you're taking your stroller and car seat to the gate, you will need to take your baby out and they will run the car seat and stroller through the machine. The first time they tried squeezing my stroller through and it got stuck. The car seat fit fine. After that time, I made sure to just tell them it wouldn't fit and they checked it by hand. With my shoes off, laptop out, cell phone out of my pocket, breast milk bottles out, jackets or sweatshirts off, car seat through and stroller being checked, I carried my daughter through without a problem.

The one thing I did learn after the first time through security is that they needed to check my ice pack from my breast pump that keeps the milk cold. I decided the second time I flew to pack my breast pump and accessories in my checked baggage. I'd read before that breast pumps were difficult to get through security so I'd packed the actual pump each time. I didn't need the cooler pack so I just put it all in my checked luggage.

Hope this helps! I think the best thing I did was have my daughter in a carrier to easily fold up the stroller and get down the aisle of the plane while carrying my two bags. Best of luck!

Tiffany - posted on 02/11/2010

Thank you ladies and I am so glad I posted this because now it looks like I will be flying with her sooner than I thought. Oh well. All the advice will help and I appreciate it.

Kim - posted on 02/11/2010

I have flown many times (almost monthly) in my lil ones 18 month life and I always plan the take off time around nap time(short flight 2 to 3 hours) or a time I know that he will be asleep at night(any flight). I had a 6 hour ride to Hawaii and he slept the entire time because we left at 8:30pm. It was so nice. We also wait to nurse until we lift off so that while he swallows for that 15 min or so his ears pop too. I have never had a sad baby on a flight and people always compliment on how good he was! Strollers are also a cinch because you can check them at the gate and it makes it pretty easy to push your carry-ons around (no carrying).

Constance - posted on 02/11/2010

I recently did it with a six month. Try and make sure your baby is tired then when your on the plane give it a big feed and hopefully it will sleep the whole time. Your baby will be fine. Biggest problem is bordom so give it lots of toys. Lets him/her have a suck (breast/bottle/dummy) when the plane is taking off and landing to avoid sore ears.

Jasmine - posted on 02/11/2010

I would double check with the airline to make sure about the carseat thing (that Emily Britt posted) -- it counted as a checked item for me, which bothered me greatly.

Jasmine - posted on 02/11/2010

I flew from Las Vegas to Nebraska alone with my then 7-month-old daughter. This was her first plane trip, and my first one traveling with a child. My advice would be to make sure you have plenty of snacks, toys, a binky, and a bottle/sippy cup handy and easily accessible for the duration of the flight.

Don't expect the airline to be very helpful--they weren't with me. Also, don't expect them to be understanding if you need to walk your baby up and down the aisle a few times.

Hopefully you'll be able to keep your baby distracted so that you won't have to get up. Also, you can give her a dose of Tylenol before the flight to help with any ear aches that might occur due to the change in altitude and air pressure. Don't think that once you're on the ground, you're in the clear with this either. My daughter's ears popped the night we got home from our trip right after we put her to bed, and she woke up screaming.

All in all, it was a successful couple of flights. My only complaint would be that the airlines make it extremely difficult these days for anyone to fly alone with a baby.

Melanie - posted on 02/10/2010

I flew with my son alone when he was 18 months old. One thing that I think helped the most was that if you are using a car seat, it HAS to be in a window seat!!! I also got a seat at the back of the plane and boarded near last, the less time sitting and waiting for others to board the BETTER. He watched out the window during every take off and then immediately fell asleep. I just carried him in his car seat to the stroller and then my car forward car seat fit on my stroller with me holding it so that i didn't have to carry it separately and he could stay asleep on our way to get our luggage.

Katie - posted on 02/10/2010

I just flew with my son for the first time 2 weeks ago. He's almost 14 months so a little different. But I would think that an 8 month old would actually be a little easier. My son is normally not too pleased with me if I try to keep him on my lap for any extended amount of time because he can walk and just wants to go go go. I was very surprised at how smoothly our trip went though. It was a 2.5 hour flight and the only time he got a little bummed out was during the descent. I'm so glad he's still nursing because that was so comforting to him on the flight. My son wasn't even interested in the toys I brought him. All he needed was me and my boobies:) Oh, and I brought some puffed wheat for a snack.

Karina - posted on 02/10/2010

I too am seaking for suggestions or helpful tips. We are flying to Soutth America, and our son will be 7mon. He'll have his own seat, but what about the base (he should be about 17-19 lbs by then)? He'll still have to ride rear.

Thanks also for the other tips, especially about the "speacial Items" vs additional luggage.

Emily - posted on 02/10/2010

I flew with my daughter when she was 8 months old on a flight that lasted about 5 hours; she did great. I kept her up/ a bit hungry until when boarded the plane, when we got on I nursed her and she fell right to sleep and slept through take off and again through landing, so I did not worry about ear popping. When she got fussy I typically nursed her and that helped sooth her. We did have a nightmarish experience at one point though, because she was sitting/laying at such an awkward angle in our laps the entire flight, once her diaper got semi-full she just peed right out the side of her diaper...we had to go into the EXTREMELY small airplane bathroom and I changed her on the changing table in the plane bathroom (yes, they actually do have changing tables in those tiny little bathrooms and yes it is disgusting that I had to take my baby in there! but that was the only way!). Other than that things went very well and the young women sitting across the isle from us did not appear to be bothered at all by my frequent nursing.

The car seat does NOT count as a piece of luggage, most airlines (I don't know of any that don't) count all car seats and strollers as "special items" much like a walker, or wheelchair, cane, etc. So, if she will be sitting in your lap during the flight, definitely check the car seat, and it won't count as a piece of luggage!

Tiffany - posted on 02/09/2010

Thank you ladies! That helps so much. I was wondering about the stroller thing and the ear popping. So I think yall covered my biggest fears lol. Oh yeah carseat...Does that count as a piece of luggage or are you suppose to take it to the plane with you?

Marcy - posted on 02/09/2010

If you are nursing her you don't need much at that age except patience, a light weight blanket to cover you up and maybe a small pillow for your arm. Depen ding on which side she likes to nurse on best I would suggest sitting against the window where her head would go. My son is a right boob kid so we always sit window seat on the right side of the plane. It just makes it easier especially if you are doing this solo. Keep her up as long as possible prior to the flight and as soon as the captain clears you for take off stick her right on you. Make sure you bring lots of diapers and wipes....4 hours of flying and nursing makes for lots of poo. We never brought a stroller with us and always borrowed a car seat on the other end. I just tossed my son in a front pack, carried a backpack on my back and it was easy. Good luck and don't sweat it. If she cries and you get dirty looks just give them the death glare right back....crying isn't such a bad thing especially when other people are boarding and looking for a seat. It often times buys you an empty middle seat..Oh yeah and make sure you bring your sense of humor.

Nikki - posted on 02/09/2010

I've traveled with my daughter quite a bit. We flew when she was 3 months old and drove from Utah to Texas when she was 5 months. We also flew when she was 5 months. We're actually flying tomorrow and she's just over 1. What you need is to make sure you have enough food/snacks/milk (or formula and water) for the trip...maybe a little extra just in case there are delays. Make sure that you have sufficient toys and if she has a "special" toy, make sure you have that. During take-off and landing...it sometimes helps with the popping of their ears if you give them a bottle/breastfeed them/ or a pacifier. Good luck!

Lena - posted on 02/09/2010

Hello, I flew with my baby ever since she was 2.5 months old :) I can give you some helpful hints.. I would take a thermos with me filled with warm water (thats if your daughter drinks her milk/formula warm) I know they say that they can microwave your bottle for you on the plane, but while waiting to get on the plane, it will save you ALOT of trouble. They will run a test though to make sure, but it is so worth the wait for me. Also bring anything else you would for a regular car ride; toys to play with, something to keep her entertained. Sit in the way back and aisle seat, that gives you more room to deal with her, and close to bathroom. I know you will be the last one off the plane, but if she throws a tantrum it is much easier to deal with it that way. I myself once sat in the way front, and it was awkward bc my daughter was very fussy the entire time. The biggest hint I can give you is, play out her nap time so that as soon as you get on the plane, she passed out to sleep. Give her some tylenol to keep her calm. When we would get on the plane we would make sure is dry and fed and ready to nap. We flew the entire time and she was out sleeping and didnt make a noise and it was very nice :) Bc when we landed she woke up and it was so much less trouble. If your daughter does get cranky it is because of her ears. Give her some juices to suck on it opens up their ears. This usually happens as you are climbing up in elevation. We would constantly give her the bottle to ease it off a little (thats only bc she does not take the paci. ) Also, bring her favorite blanket or comfort toy so she feels comfortable. And dont worry, if she needs a diaper change while in flight, you can change her in your lap when you are not allowed to leave your seat or they have changing tables in the bathrooms. You can take the stroller with you, just MAKE SURE you have a tag on it when you leave it before you board the plane. I had trouble once and had to run around looking for it all over the airport. If you dont pick it up as you leave the plane, they will send it to luggage claim. But it is so much easier to have it once you leave the plane, you dont wanna carry your stuff and baby all over the airport. If you have any other questions feel free to ask, I've been through those security lines with baby too many times! Good luck :)