Traveling With Baby

[Jill]

My dh and I are taking a trip and of course our ds is going with us! We are very excited but I am a little apprehensive about flying with the baby. He will be 6mos when we go. Does anyone have any tips for what to bring and for flying? I know that I should b/f when we take off and land. I will also watch closely for ear infections. We will be taking a hotel bus from the airport to the resort. It is about and hour ride. Should I hold him on my lap? I don't think the bus is equipped to handle a car seat. I am bringing the pac n play for sleeping...any other suggestions?? Thanks!

[breezykc2]

Keep them sucking during takeoff and landing and flight...pacifier. They also have special ear plugs for little ones at OneStepAhead.com for just a few bucks that my friend used and said they really helped too.
Whatever you do too, if you check your carseat...make sure they carry down and place it gently under the plane or if they're too rough with it, it's just like being in a car accident and would need replaced! You can ask to watch them put it under the plane!

[MomFromCanada]

My dd is now almost 2 yo and we have flown with her a total of 3 times now (incl. next week). One thing we have found that was great was an umbrella stroller. That way once you get off the plane you can push it through the airport and also use it where you are. It is great because we had been holding her for the whole flight and it gives your arms a rest. We also took baby toys, snacks, a spare blanket, change of clothing. The airline attendants are usually really great and sometimes they will even let you travel in the bulkhead (I think they call it at the front of the plane) to give you more leg space (you have to ask though). Another possibility is to have an extra seat beside you, if the flight is not very full, to also give you more space to put your diaper bag, but your ds cannot actually sit in the seat (otherwise you have to pay for it like an adult seat). We also changed her diaper right before and right after we got off the plane so that is not an issue once you are on it. I would advise if you can to take a jug of water if possible, we found that even when we traveled to Ontario the change in water made my dd's stomach sick. Just a thought.
Otherwise have a great time!

[breezykc2]

Ah, I also take my baby snuggli in my carryon since is squishes down so well...that way I can wear them between flights and still have my hands free for my two year old and the luggage, etc!
I do that instead of the stroller until 1 year and then I switch to an umbrella stroller.

[jen1981]

Get some new toys and save them for on the plane, if he is eating solids take some snacks( gerber has some puffs that are nice), let him eat as often as he wants. If anyone says anything just ask them if they would rather he screamed. :lol: Your carseat doesn't count as a piece of luggage so be ure to take it with you. Ask them to gate check your stroller, then it will be waiting at the door for you when you get off the plane. He'll probably sleep and be happy with Mommy and Daddy's undivided attention. Have a wonderful time! :wink:

[Jill]

Thanks for all of the advice! I am sure this will be a vacation we will never forget! It used to be so easy...one suitcase to share, a bottle of water and a pack of gum. Even with all of the hassle, it's so much sweeter now! I think Jack will like the plane b/c of the white noise. I will let you know how it goes when we get back:)

[mhall]

Do you mind if I ask? Where are you going? DH and I are considering a BIG trip in the Summer and I wanted to take the baby, but DH didn't. He said it was too much hassle. So, we are leaving him with the ILs.

[Jill]

We have 2 trips planned. The first is to Puerto Rico. My dh won the trip with work. The second is with my family. We are going to Jackson Hole to a dude ranch!!! Should be interesting with an 8month old but we don't want to leave him...

[SupermansLady]

I lived in Wyoming when I was little, beautiful country. I've been to Jackson Hole hundreds of times (literally). You'll love it there. And I will be jealous as I haven't been back there since I was 19, I miss my summer trips to Wyoming.

Have fun!

[Jill]

I am so excited. I have heard how amazing it is. We are actually going to be 50 miles away from Jackson Hole in the middle of nowhere. It will be great!

[irishmum2boys]

The first time we flew with our oldest ds he was about 4 months old. I think a lot of good suggestions have already been posted. I would also add that it is good to dress them in layers due to the change in cabin pressure. A change of clothing for baby is also a good idea esp. on a longer flight. I also packed in infant tylenol & gas drops. I also found that it is better to have less stuff, I used to pack in a bunch of toys etc. but they just became a hassle when you were going in and out of your bag. A lightweight stoller is very helpful and a suggli too.
We have flown back to Ireland with both boys and they did really well. On our way over this last time, we had a free seat next to us, our youngest boy who was 11 months old then, went to sleep, so we wrapped him in a blanket and placed him on the floor right by my dh's feet and he slept for about 7 hours, it was wonderful :)
Have a wonderful trip!

[hosh]

You might already know this, but a car seat and a stroller are not counted in your checked luggage limit for flying. You can gate check both of them. My husband and I spent three weeks traveling with our son who was 7 months at the time. When checking in for our flights, we asked how full the flight was. If there were open seats, we took our car seat on the plane and were able to put our son in it,a without paying for a seat. If not, we just gate checked it. Our son did great for 3 out of 4 flights, and then he screamed and cried the WHOLE flight home. Ugh. Thank goodness people are sympathetic about crying babies if they are still to young to know any better.