Any tips about taking a baby on a plane?

Cari - posted on 09/28/2009

I flew with my daughter when she was a month old. I took the car seat and stroller. I don't recommend taking the stroller. I also used the snugi to hold her while we went though security. The stroller was a big hassle. Yes it was checked on plane side, but when we landed there were no ramps on the side we had to go. I had to hold my child, her car seat, and stroller up a flight of steps. I don't recommend it. Luckily, there were other passengers willing to help. Even the pilot helped.Bring plenty of clothes, diapers, blanket, toys, and chew toys. I actually missed by connecting flight to change a diaper. So, make sure you leave yourself plenty of time. I had to wait 3 hours for another plane.
She also liked her pacifier dipped in ice water. It felt good on her gums.

Tina - posted on 09/27/2009

Pacifier for take off and landing. I took along the whole travel system (Infant seat and stroller). On both flights I was able to use an extra seat for the infant carrier so the baby was safe during any turbulence. The stroller was gate checked and the basket under the seat was a dream to carry the diaper bag and my purse through the wait in airports through layovers. The other was any lovie your child might have with the comfortable smells of home.

Dawn - posted on 09/26/2009

I suggest taking a pacifier. Also at takeoff and any major altitude shifts give your baby a bottle. I just flew with my baby who just turned 7 months. She still got a double ear infection though. Those tips are what my pediatrician suggested. HTH!!!!

Lisa - posted on 09/26/2009

I flew with my daughter at 4 months old, we had a 13 hour flight in all, including stop overs and I would do it again in a heart beat! She was so good, people remarked when we got of the plane that they never knew there was such a young child on the plane.

i took a carrier and my stoller and found the carries very clumsy, i ussed my stoller , also I found she did not like to nap in the carrier, as I also had her in my lap the whole time. She would not use a pacifier either but we had no trouble with the taking off or landing part at all...

Hope you have a great trip and don't worry to much about it, I found the airlines were very helpfull!

Adisalem - posted on 09/26/2009

I had my Medela pump along with expressed breastmilk and bottles in my carry on. You can take this with you as long as you take it out during the security checkpoint. I would make sure that you have a blanket with you. It can get chilly on the plane. I also take antibacterial wipes to wipe off anything the baby might be touching around them! My 7 month old baby has been on many flights and usually sleeps, but is fine with a pacifier and a few toys when she is awake.

Christa - posted on 09/25/2009

My son is 7 months old and he just took his sixth flight - he hasn't cried on any of them - thank goodness! We used a pacifier or bottle on take-off and landing and we also bought him a special "airplane" toy - a plastic thing with mirrors, attached teether parts, etc. He only gets to use it on planes and it keeps him entertained. It's almost like it's new every time he gets it. Also - I've noticed that he'll get antsy if I get stressed out (I'm a "white knuckle" flyer) - so if I'm getting nervous during turbulence or anything I just try to do some deep breathing of my own. That seems to help both of us calm down :)

Brandy - posted on 09/23/2009

They actually let you through with baby formula/breast milk now for infants. I work for an airline and have travelled with my son and they let me through with his bottles.

Amanda - posted on 09/23/2009

Oh another thing is if your baby starts crying during take off or landing let the baby cry. It's their way of releasing the pressure. =]

Amanda - posted on 09/23/2009

My daughter did excellent on our flight. Nobody else even knew she was on the plane! We took a pacifer and used that for taking off and landing. I would suggest that you take one to so that if baby wants to look around to see whats going on he or she can still be sucking on something. Other than that we took some toys and books and just did what we would do anywhere else. I hope everything goes well for you. =]

Michelle - posted on 09/22/2009

If you take any expressed breast milk in a carry on you will have to take it out along with your liquids. They are likely to make you dump it otherwise as I found out. A pacifier is helpful and a front carrier (some airlines make you take the baby out and sit them in your lap for takeoff and landing) is also very helpful. The stroller can be a hassle to take through security but if you do they will gate check it for you. A lot of times they'll move you to a row by yourselves if you have a baby to try to make a peaceable situation for the other passengers. If this is the case and you've brought your car seat that fits into the stroller they will let you use it and buckle them into the extra seat for free. The only way to guarantee it however is to pay for the extra seat. Otherwise you're just getting lucky because they have an extra seat. I've found out the hard way that not everyone seems to think an airplane is an appropriate place for a baby. So the flight staff usually tries to be helpful to us. I breast feed but I don't think I've been allowed to do during takeoff and landing before. I guess it depends on how breast feeding friendly the flight crew is. My kids are usually asleep during takeoff and landing and that's a good thing. Small new toys are also good. Good luck!

Natalie - posted on 09/22/2009

We just got back from a trip with our daughter. I am still breastfeeding too, so that was handy, but she is getting pretty long so we did feel a little cramped on the full flight. I would recommend a handfull of new toys and something other than your boob that the baby can suck or chew on. My daughter doesn't take a pacifier, but I took one and she enjoyed exploring it.

I also recommend wearing your baby rather than taking the stroller through security. It makes things much easier. I had her in an Ergo carrier and didn't even have to take her out when we walked through. That way you have two hands free and don't have to fuss with the huge stroller.

Be prepared to play lots of peek-a-boo and other games if needed. But if your lucky, you'll have a nice sleepy baby!

Also, we just had her on our lap, since we didn't want to buy an extra seat for her yet.

Good luck!
~Natalie

Sandra - posted on 09/22/2009

I've heard to take your carseat with the baby and use that to strap them in.