flying w/baby

[rocking baby]

ok..i have a chance to go to tx to visit my fam. in june when my dh has to go to a schooling thing for his job for a wk..my fam. is coming up here the wk before to visit and site see..then i will be heading back w/them and then flying back w/the lil one the wk after..i'm kinda unsure whether i want to go or not cause of the lil guy. i'm not sure if he'd be really fussy or if i cant keep him entertained..he'll be one by that time?? the flight i've seen so far will be bout 5 hours..should i take a small stroller w/ me if we have a stop?

the last time we went on a plane was when he was 1mt and half..but i had help cause my dh was with me..this time it would just be me...so i need suggestions or advice...

[jwright]

How old is your baby?

I flew when youngest was 7 weeks old (with a 3 1/2 yr. old and dh). I also flew by myself with youngest when he was 2 1/2 yrs. old. My boys have done fine although my oldest seems to dislike the actual getting on the plane and the take off (freaks out a bit). The only problem I had when I went with 2 1/2 yr. old was they wouldn't let me use his car seat (he had his own ticket) because his car seat didn't say that it was FAA approved (sticker had come off). They gave me a car seat to use one way and he did fine but they didn't give me one on the way home and he was a little fussy without it (not as secure in just a lap belt).

Janell

[rocking baby]

he will be one..but i'm also going to take him on my lap due to finances...tickets are so pricey..

[jwright]

The only thing I can think of is to get a blukhead seat where there might be room for him to sit/play on the floor (if they will let you do that). With that age he probably doesn't like being confined or sitting still so could you keep him on your lap for that amount of time? That just seems like it would be a bit hard/difficult. I guess it depends on how long the flights are. Our flights were 40 min. and 1 hr. 20 min. I took a stroller with my 2 1/2 yr. old because I had to RUN to make the connection, also he doesn't like to hold hands with mom and doesn't always stay with me. I took a stroller and gate checked it, had a basket for my carryon bag so I was able to RUN without carrying anything. When I traveled with them as small infants I had a carrier - if your son isn't too big/heavy I'd use a carrier if you can manage carrying him through the airport. take snacks/drinks, books, new small toys for entertainment.

Janell

[rocking baby]

i was thinking bout scheduling a flight around the time he takes his nap or late in the evening..he may just fall asleep..i dunno..

[Madre]

If he is still nursing or drinking from a bottle, I would try to get him to drink during take off and landing to avoid ear problems.

[breezykc]

They say a pacifier or cup at take off and landing and periodically through the flight is good for the ears and requesting not to be in the back next to the engines! Also, they have an incredible product! A sit and stroll...it's a carseat that works in a plane or car and wheels and a long handle pop out of it to become a full size stroller with attached stroller bag! They work soooo well! I wouldn't fly without one! Pricey, but a good investment and resale is good too.....good luck!

[e&m'sirishmum]

We have flown with our ds 4 times since he was born, he is now almost 3! The longest trip was to Ireland! I would definitely take a light weight stroller for the airport, I didn't do that one time and lived to regret it! Esp. since your pregnant you will probably need a break from chasing after him, holding him etc. The one we took to Ireland got really badly thrown around, so i would take a cheap one! You can also take them right up to the airplane in the stroller, the flight attendant will take it and then you get it back again after you depart the plane.

I would also travel as lightly as possible, a change of clothes is very helpful for your ds and maybe one toy, book that he likes and some snacks, juice! I found too much stuff is a burden and you end up not using all during the flight anyway! If he nurses, you can nurse him during take off and landing which will help with his ears, or a pacifier or bottle will work too. I found that infant tylenol was great to have for ear aches etc.

Feel free to PM me:) Hope this helps!

[mamaroo]

I agree with e&m, Travel light!!! Check a bag and keep your carryon to the minimum. I've traveled quite a bit with my almost three year old...never had any problems. I gave her her a sugar free lolipop for take off and landings ( a real treat for her--I rarely let her have candy). I also brought a few crayons and a small coloring book, some stickers, and small snack foods like raisins or cereal (it keeps them busy for a minute or two). Once I brought a portable dvd player, but the stewardess wanted dd to wear headphone( yeah right!!!) Definately bring a blanket--it gets cold. Have fun!!!

[DuckyMomma]

I am so glad you wrote about this because we're flying in MAy and I had the same question! I wanted to know though whether you're taking a layover somewhere or not? I've flown for DFW to LAX several times and the trip has never been more than 3 hours. Of course I realize coming from Sac that you probably arent' flyin from LAX. Are you going into a different airport in TX?

[rocking baby]

i'm going to san antonio...i'll probably have a layover so it seems in denver for about an hour..the flight it is going to take bout 5 hrs i think

[mamaroo]

I just got our tickets to go out west next month too, my sister is having har first baby!!! Due in early may, so dd and I will be flying thank to my dear sis getting me the tickets. I can't wait!

Oh I also remembered that I use to always take the middle seat on airplanes and let my dd play at my feet. Having a stranger by the isle kept her from running up; and down the isle the whole flight. Nowadays she gets her own seat, I'll take the isle, she'll get the center seat to herself.

[tracy]

Check with the airline you'll be flying with. Sometimes they have good suggestions - where to sit, least busiest flight time... Bring a carseat and ask to gate-check it, just in case there is an extra seat. We haven't paid for a seat for dd,yet. So far I've only had to hold her once, the other times she had her own seat. SWA seating is 1st come. "Save" a seat so when the plane is done loading and there are empty seats you already have one for him. A cheap stroller is a good idea. Try to find one with a basket beneath and test before you go.
If it's not nap time, try a meal time, or both! That worked for us.

[MomFromCanada]

Our dd is now 1 and we flew at Christmas with my dh and I, and recently I flew with just me and dd. It can feel overwhelming. I agree with the other responses, make sure you travel light and our plane had TV screens on the back of the chairs so that was nice to keep her occupied for a bit. Toys are great, (I brought the book we bring to Church to keep her entertained) and snacks will buy you some time too. The stewards are usually pretty helpful. I found as well giving them a bottle during descent is good as it helps their ears. Other things that I would highly recommend (we asked for a bulk head seat and they said moms with babies weren't allowed to sit there) but I asked to see if I could get a spare seat beside me, just to have a little bit more space to put out the diaper bag and then our dd could at least stand up that way too. On the one way I got a whole row to myself and on the way back the plane was too full to allow it. The other thing that I would recommend would be to have an umbrella stroller, this was the best thing ever. It makes it so much easier when they have been in your arms for so long to just put them in this when you get to the airport.
Good luck! I felt rather apprehensive about the whole thing but it turned out just fine! And of course it was nice to see my dh when we got back too!