Traveling Help

The only thing I didn't see that I believe is a must have when going anywhere is a baby sling. It keeps baby snug and close, and hands free (if you are comfortable enough to let go!). I, and my kids, never go anywhere without one. I keep one in the car. Mamma's milk.com has some good ones.

I flew all the time with my baby. The first time, he was three months old, and we traveled by plane regularly until he was about 18 months old. Younger ones are easier!

Here are some thoughts for you:
bring your car seat and stroller (assuming the car seat can fit in the stroller) through security; yes, a hassle, but invaluable in the airport
gate check, never bag check, your car seat (I've had two sets of horror stories)
feed your daughter on the way up and on the way down to help her ears pop (or give her a pacifier)
take lots of diapers and wipes (enough for one full day, so about seven diapers)
take a change of clothes for her and you
try to fit everything in your diaper bag so you only have the diaper bag, car seat/stroller, and baby to handle
take a book for you for the plane (she'll most likely fall asleep)
take a favorite blanket/toy or two

Have fun with your daughter!

Good for you! It is not s bad as it seems. First advice: pay the extra $$ and get a confirmed seat for the baby. My best friend is a flight attendant and has seen SEVERAL instances of babies sliding down the aisle, flying out of the parent's arms, etc because they were not in their car seat during turbulence. Not to mention other horror stories. Most airlines (I know for sure about Southwest) offer half price infant fares, but you have to call.

Besides, I would not trust the airlines with bag checking my car seat! They broke one of mine, and the hassle of getting anew car seat at our destination was a nightmare!

When my son was 3 months old, we flew from Alaska to Denver nonstop, a 5 hour flight. I got him his own seat and he barely made a peep! He felt comfy and the motion and white noise of the plane put him to sleep! He is now almost 4 and a great flyer.

Also, make sure you take a change of clothes for you as well as for the baby. Sometimes the pressure changes can really make them throw up all over you. If she is in her car seat.

Good Luck. The first time is hard, but it will get easier...until she starts walking! ;-)

We flew with our daughter when she was 6 months old from Honolulu to Los Angeles. What we did was got her a seat and used her car seat to keep our hads free during the flight.( and you had her car seat for the trip in the car to grandparents house :) ) we also gave her a bottle before we took off and as we landed because that helped with her ears. I also had one of those carriers you wear like a bjorn but less expensive and instead of using the stroller through the airport I had her close to me. We mailed a lot of stuff prior to our trip so we didn't have to wait for things.

Hi D.,

I travel Internationally with my son, now 18 months old, every 2-3 weeks. When we travel it takes, on average, 23 hours. Two weeks ago it took us 50 hours to finally make it home due to weather, plane issues, no flight crew etc. We first started flying internationally on our son's 5 month birthday. What I do is plan for one diaper for every expected hour of travel. This may sound like overkill but you never know when you will be delayed {see above : ) } I also always pack a few new toys. Before each trip we find inexpensive books and toys to suite his age at that time. I always carry more wipes than I think I will need, a bulb syringe, saline drops (you can't fly with the aerosal ones and their noses get VERY dry if you fly very long), a thermometer, a sippy full of water and infant's tylenol. I also carry a small bag within the diaper bag that I can shove just a few diapers, wipes, etc into and stash under the seat in front of me so I don't have to deal with the hassle of holding a baby and getting into overhead during a flight. My experience is that 98% of people are wonderful when you travel with an infant. I have had people help me fold up and unfold my stroller when I gate check it, help me put luggage in overhead, let me get in line at ticket agents and security first etc. You do get to board first with most flights (B group with Southwest) if you are travelling with an infant and that helps tremendously! I am certain you will do fine. If your baby is fussy just do your best and ignore the rest. In all of my travels I have never had anyone be nasty because of my baby. In fact, most people are kind and sympathetic. In you have to do this often you will soon be a pro. We travel so much that I pack everything automatically now. If my son and I can survive 50 hours of straight travelling you can travel domestically. Safe travels!

Hey D.!

I did a lot of traveling when my first son was really little, so I wanted to second several things I've read so far. Definitely take the stroller and the car seat! I went once without a stroller and it was SO difficult. Buying an extra seat for your baby's car seat is definitely worth it if your trip is long enough.

I also recommend nursing or providing a bottle at both take off and landing. My son never had ear popping problems and he would usually fall asleep and I'd bundle him into his seat and he slept through most of the flight. :) I always changed the baby right there in the seat as quickly as possible, since they don't have changing tables anywhere. ;) Do your best to be friendly and outgoing with the flight attendants, as they can really make the difference on how things go for you. I also agree with trying to stay as relaxed as possible (ha, easier said then done, I know) no matter what happens. You'll work the bumps out as you go and regardless of what happens, it'll make a great story!

Best of luck,
S.

You don't say whether you are breast feeding or bottle. If bottle call ahead to the airlines and make sure you have a place for bottles. I travelled for over 8 hours with an 8 mo and 2yr. Had to carry my own cooler. Only one airline was very nice to me and actually gave me a ride to my next gate and that was in Miami. good luck.

We are active flyers, and have had our now 20 month old on a plane since she was 5 months. Most likely, your daughter will sleep. I did always observe the bottle on take off & landing rule, so no ear problems. BTW, Similac makes an 8 oz. bottle for travel...just put your own nipple on the bottle...they were lifesavers for us. Go to the TSA's web site. There is lots of good info on traveling with infants and getting through security. You can bring formula/breastmilk on with you. You are allowed to check a car seat/stroller with your luggage for free, and also you can gate check, as someone mentioned before. See your airline's web site for more detailed info. Our diaper bag is an Eddie Bauer backpack-type diaper bag, so it holds lots of stuff and you can just have it on your back (ie, hands free) when going throught he airport. Make sure you have plenty of formula & daipers...that's the key so that you're prepared for any delays. You might bring a few baby toys, like keys, beads, etc. Also, if she is a lap child, ask the gate agent if there are any empty seats so that she can have her own space. If you're bringing your carrier (which is advised), it makes it really easy, especially when they fall asleep. Someone mentioned your attitude will help, and that is totally true. Stay calm and happy. I have also found that the flight attendants are extremely helpful with little ones, moreso than when we were childless! Let them help you if you need it. They know what they are doing. Enjoy your trip; we have had many wonderful adventures with our little girl. Bon Voyage!

I think, with a 4 month old that YOUR attitude will have more to do with the success of the flight than hers...she will definitely pick up on any stress or nervousness on your part. Be prepared to either nurse or give a bottle as the plane ascends and descends...to help the pressure in her little ears. Try to get on the plane with as few "things" as possible...a small diaper bag with the necessities...etc. I have never actually flown with an infant...but I DO know that seats are VERY tight now...hardly any leg room...no real room to maneuver at all. It would be wonderful if you could get a vacant seat next to you...so you have room to lay her down to change her, etc...keep your fingers crossed.
I would be tempted to contact the airline ahead of time and find out what, if anything they will be willing to store onboard for you after you board...they may charge you an arm and a leg to bring a stroller with you...and although it would be convenient to have...it might be more expensive than it is worth. I would opt for a sling or a baby carrier of some sort...that way you could have your hands free in the airport and not have to pay to bring the stroller.
Good luck...and I know that your parents will be so happy to see you and their grand daughter....I know that I am in HEAVEN whenever I get to spend quality time with my precious grandson!!!
Have fun!!!

D.,

Once you are clear of security (or if they will let you) have a bottle of breastmilk or formula (your preference) ready and as soon as you take off giver her the bottle. I did this when my daughter was six months old...worked great! They say the real hard part for them is their ears pop and then don't know how to clear it. If they have a bottle the motion does it for them. I also took her "B" (as she calls it now) favorite blanket, and just let her snuggle up with me.
HOpe that helps.

Just a little tip for the lil one's ears (I've even used this myself when flying if it gets bad!), just have the flight attendant put a hot, wet washcloth (squeeze the water out so it won't run in her ears) in the bottom of 2 smalls cups and hold over the cups her ears if you need to, this will make them "pop" from the steam. I flew a few times with my son when he was little and this worked every time! Good luck, and have a safe trip!

I had no trouble traveling with my dtr all the way up to 1 y/o (when she was no longer free to fly). Be sure you take an umbrella stroller, to keep your hands free when going through the terminal. I found it VERY useful to wear slip-on shoes of any sort, since they have to come off at security. Also, pack your carry-on with items you may need if either your luggage gets delayed OR your dtr has a major blow-out (don't forget the ziploc bags!). I also found it helpful to pack my carry-on so that it was organized into compartments for her and for me (saved me from digging for stuff as much).

For her, bring her favorite snuggle (blanket, toy, whatever) and a bottle or pacifier (to help equalize ear pressure in flight). Of course, if you're nursing, that would have the same effect. I found it VERY helpful to try to put off feeding my dtr until takeoff and landing, since 90% of the time this put her to sleep and because of the sucking, she barely noticed the changes in cabin pressure.

If you have ANY concern that she may have an ear infection AT ALL go to the doctor before you leave. The pressure in her ears will be excruciating if she already has one or is on the verge of one. It may not hurt to give her some acetaminophen or ibuprofen about 1/2 hr prior to the flight, just in case she has something going on you're not aware of.

You will do fine, I promise!

The best advice I can offer is be prepared. Make sure you have more than enough stuff. Even if you think you won't need it, take it just in case. About a month ago I flew on an 8 1/2 hr flight by myself with 3 kids ages 7,6 and 3. I was so worried that it was going to be horrible but it turned out great. None of the kids took a nap but they were all very well behaved. I had lots of activities(so many that they never even got to them all!) and kept reminding them how exciting it was to be going on a trip. Not sure if your baby is into playing with toys at all but if so, you might buy a few new ones. Something that will keep her interest a little longer than the same 'ol stuff. Good luck!

We've traveled a lot with our boys. It was always easy when they were babies. Take your stroller and carseat to the gate with you. It's a hassle to get through security, but it's much easier to get through the airport with your hands free (not to mention checking in, going to the bathroom, having a snack, et.) They'll check it all at the gate for you and have it for you when you get off the airplane. Ask at the gate if there are extra seats on the plane, so that you can take your carseat onto the plane with you and have her next to you-babies usually sleep better in their own car seat.
We used to pre-board when they let you, but we never do anymore. It's just more time on the airplane with a little one.
Definately give a bottle or nurse on the way up and down and offer a pacifier if she takes one. When my kids were babies, they always slept throughout the flight-the drone of the engines helped them fall right to sleep. I've rarely heard a baby crying on a plane-usually it's just a few minutes, then they're asleep for the rest of the flight.
Enjoy your trip-traveling with a 4 month old is much better than traveling with a 2 1/2 year old:))