travel by plane with a baby?

Jamie - posted on 03/10/2010

I flew with my daughter when she was almost 4 months old. I did not buy her her own seat on the plane, I figured I would save the money and have her sit on my lap. I didn't use a stroller either, I had a front carrier for her, I did not want the hassle of it (although since your baby will be older, he may be heavy and you might want an umbrella stroller) I gave her tylenol before the first flight because I wasn't sure how she would be, but she was fine, I had a bottle ready for takeoff and landing (easier on the ears) and a few little toys for her to play with. The way home I did not give her tylenol and she was perfectly fine, she sat and laughed the whole time, and took a little nap.

Amy - posted on 03/10/2010

If you do not bring a car seat (or I think you could check it), you can have them sit in your lap, otherwise it's the cost of a seat. At 7-8 months they'll be moving around a lot, so I'd say if it's a long flight make sure you get a seat for her.

My son is VERY active, and we flew on a long flight (one short, one long both ways), and got him an extra seat, it was defiantly helpful!

Also, get 1-2 new toys that you don't show her till you'r on the flight if your worried, that way she has something new to entertain her with! You may also want to bring an umbrella stroller and check it as you walk on the plane if you have room.

Leah - posted on 03/10/2010

My husband works all over the country, so my daughter and I fly all the time. As long as you are on a domestic flight a child under 2 is allowed to sit on your lap at no extra charge. Some airlines do offer an infant rate if you decide to purchase a seat for your child. Make sure to call the airline and ask though b/c it is not always available online. Also, some airlines allow you to bring a car seat for your "lap child", and if a seat if there are extra seats they will allow you to use it at no extra charge. If one is not available they will gate check it. Also make sure that your car seat is approved by the FAA. It should be labeled on the back if it is. If you decide to purchase a seat for you child, they have the same baggage allowances as any other ticket passenger would have. If you choose to fly with your child on your lap, the baggage allowance will depend on the airline. Some will allow you to bring a diaper bag in addition to your carry on allowances and some do not. This information is available on their websites. I would take your stroller. You can gate check it (leave it at the gate) as you are getting on the plane and it will be stowed underneath the plane and then returned to you as you get off. This way you have it if you have a layover. You are allowed to take more than 3 oz of formula or breast milk through security, but you must let the screening agents know that you have it so that they can do an additional screening on it. If you use formula powder, it is as big of a deal. They will test what is already made up in a bottle, but you are required to buy the water once you are past security. If you use a pre-mixed formula, just let them know that you have it. As for your childs ears, the doctor told me to give them a dose of Tylenol before they got on to lessen the pain and then to let them nurse, take a bottle, or a pacifier during take off and landing. Some children handle the pressure changes better than others and most passengers and crew members are very accepting of that matter. My daughter at 7 months slept for most of the plane rides. (2 trips with 2 different plane rides each). When she was awake she was easily entertained by playing peek a boo, patty cake, looking out the window, and watching other passengers. She also enjoyed ripping up my magazine, which was a mess, but entertained her for a long time so well worth it. Good Luck! Just remember to stay calm b/c your child will feed off of your emotions.

Katherine - posted on 03/10/2010

i recently flew with my 5 month old and it was fine. I nursed on assent and desent and she had no problems. It shouldnt cost anything because she will be on your lap. I found that bringing a new toy that she had never seen before really helped too. Good Luck

Allyson - posted on 03/09/2010

I just took my 4 month old son home to Pittsburgh last month and it was not fun! I don't think I'll ever fly by myself with a baby again. However, if you're going to do it make sure you give her a bottle or paci during take off and landing so her ears pop. As for the cost, you can put your stroller and car seat with your luggage for no extra fee and you don't have to buy a seat unless you want to, she can sit on your lap throughout the whole flight. However, if you do decide to buy one it will be the same price it would be for you. I think the hardest part was trying to keep him quiet so I didn't bother anyone on the plane, ugh. Good luck!

Trina - posted on 03/09/2010

It would be better if you could take a car seat on the plane. If the plane were to hit turbulence a car seat would safely hold your sweet baby :)

Lori - posted on 03/09/2010

She should be free too fly. I did it by myself with a 2year old and a 5year old and it was a connecting flight . it wasn't that bad. Just a few tips take a light weight stroller you will have to break it down and put it threw that belt.

Karin - posted on 03/09/2010

Hi my son and i flew from chicago to alaska about 3 months ago. There were 2 flights an hour and a half between the two flights. Also each flight was about 4 hours long. I flew by myself with him (15 months old) at the time. Generally depending on the airline it is free to fly the baby with you as long as he is under 2 years of age. You can buy a ticket ahead of time for him to use a car seat. Another option is to wait and once you get there it is sometimes available to buy a seat at a discounted price. But that isnt always available and it depends on how many people check in for the flight etc. I flew with him in my lap and it was difficult. I brought 3 bags on the plane and was able to check one. A backpack or suitcase, a purse for yourself, and you are allowed a diaper bag under a certain measurement for him and all of his supplies. You are also allowed to check for free under the plane a normal stroller. Id recommend getting a folding one that can be checked. I had a connecting flight that was very difficult for me since my stroller had to go under the plane. Thankfully there was a cart someone had left by my terminal. Make sure you call the airlines and get the weights and dimensions that are allowed on the plane. Depending on if you are still breastfeeding or using formula they dont allow anything over 3 oz of liquid on the plane.



My son was a fussy when we departed and as we were landing. But thats because of the air pressure and their poor ears. He was still on the bottle at the time so i gave him one to help with the popping. There was some turbulence on the last flight here over the mountains so i had to hold on to him firmly. He kept wanting to play around with the passengers next to me and tried to run off a couple times. He slept a couple hours on each flight. I was flustered trying to change his diaper in the tiny airplane bathrooms there was almost no room lol. I wish i would have been able to buy an extra seat for him but couldnt afford it. It wouldve made it alot easier on myself because he loves his car seat and hes calm in it too. Bring toys and snacks that she can eat easily and isnt messy. Otherwise good luck if you decide to fly!

Tabatha - posted on 03/09/2010

i did it whan my boy was 14 months old. it was a short 1hr flight and he did better then i did ;) lol he just sat on my lap during take off and landing when we where able to move about he sat on the seat next to me and we played with his cars and i ended up paying for head phones so he could listen to and watch tree house on the plane!!! just keep in mind they will need something to suck on because of the pressure! the ppl and attendents where very good and understanding that it was his first flight and my second flight ever! i also broght with me dissenfecting wipes cause we flyed during flu season ;)

Loren - posted on 03/09/2010

I'm taking the plunge and flying with my 2yr old and 1yr old this weekend because we have to attend a funeral. Luckily it'll be me and their dad so we're not outnumbered, haha. If she sits on your lap it's free (under 2) but if you want to get her a seat and keep her in her carseat then it's normal ticket amount. I'll let you know how it goes.

Stevie - posted on 03/09/2010

most babies (so i have heard and read about other experiances) do fairly good but your child is probably very active now or will probably be around that time i think it is still do-able you might talk to her daughter about her ears idk about ears so much but as long as you have enough stuff for her to keep her busy and clean and stuff to help her feel at ease to sleep or take her naps and able to still feed her she should be just fine lots of toys maybe take a new one or two on there she hasnt seen before also i know that when we took a trip to missouri threw the mountain area to a familly renuion my son was about 6 or 7 months old last year and he was a little bit more fussy but really it was in the end when we were just about there we were going by car so he was just tired of being in the car you can take your daughter out while on the plane and in the air so if she gets tired of being in the carseat you can take her out and bounce her on your leg or something just keep a good calm energy also and she shouldnt freak out either good luck and have fun