traveling by air with baby...please list all your tips and tricks here!!

we are leaving for fla in two weeks, actually 13 days but who is counting....lol....

i could use any tips, tricks or advice for bringing stuff too.....

shoudl we bring the car seat and snugrider (we still use it at home instead of the stroller) - or just the car seat and stroller......

in which case, should we buy a car seat carry case thingy and one for the stroller, or just through them in garbage bags?

what else might I need?
(yes, we are bringing a pack n play for dd to sleep in!)

edited to add -when i said snugrider i meant snap and go frame - or is it better to have a stroller with us??


thanks!

Message edited 6/10/2007 8:22:37 PM.

Re: traveling by air with baby...please list all your tips and tricks here!!

I haven't done it yet (we are leaving in a month for Fla) but this was my plan (and the BTDTs can feel free to correct my plan )

We are flying JetBlue, they told us that we can bring the stroller and car seat right to the gate and they will check it there. I have a Metrolite and the snugride so that s what I am bringing. I am planning on carrying DS in my Baby Bjorn (he will be 3 months).

They also said that he is allowed a piece of carry on luggage (basically the diaper bag doesn't count as my carry on) so I am going to stock that up. I am planning on feeding him during take off and landing (direct flight, so that works out well).

We aren't bringing a pack and play b/c someone will have one for us there.

How old is your DD? I would just make sure to have her familiar favorite things with you.

Re: traveling by air with baby...please list all your tips and tricks here!!

thanks - we are flying jet blue too....

dd will be 9 mos old the day before we leave.....

Re: traveling by air with baby...please list all your tips and tricks here!!

Re: traveling by air with baby...please list all your tips and tricks here!!

Just an FYI- the Baby Bjorn (or any other infant-wearing carrier) is NOT approved for use during taxi, take-off, or landing. You have to remove DC from these when the doors close. You can put them back on once at cruising altitude.

IF your flight attendant looks the other way or allows it, she's not doing her job. Crash studies have shown that more injuries occur to both parent and child when wearing these devices, it also impedes quick movement in an evacuation.

Most airlines will allow you to bring your carseat onboard if the seat next to you is empty- so bring all your gear to the gate- they;ll check it at the airplane door if there is no room.

Re: traveling by air with baby...please list all your tips and tricks here!!

Re: traveling by air with baby...please list all your tips and tricks here!!

Don't check your stroller at the counter- check it at the gate (meaning they'll take it from you just before you get on the plane). It's WAY more convenient for you. The stroller will then be brought right up to the jetway at your destination, rather than having you trudge all the way to baggage claim holding your baby.

Another tidbit: when you check it at the gate there's less likelihood of your stroller getting lost or damaged, as it goes right from the jetway into the belly. When you check at the ticket counter it has to be loaded onto a luggage cart and driven across the tarmac- WAY more distance for it to get lost/damaged.

Re: traveling by air with baby...please list all your tips and tricks here!!

A great tip- when dh and I went to florida we bought huge, bright orange laundry bags from the laundromat for the car seat. Much cheaper then a car seat travel bag and we saw it right away at the baggage claim.

Re: traveling by air with baby...please list all your tips and tricks here!!

I traveled with my son when he was about 4 months old to Florida...

It's better if you don't check your stroller or car seat. When you are waiting at the gate, go and speak to the airline crew at that desk. They will tag your stroller and car seat. They will take them at the gate just before you board the plane so it will be a lot easier for you and when you get to your destination, it will be there as well just as you get off the plane.
I fed the baby as soon as we started taking off on the runaway. I think it helped to alleviate the pressure off from his ears. I burped him and he slept the whole flight.
On his bag that you are bringing on the plane, bring a blanket for your little one and a hat. I think this helped tremendously to help him fall and stay asleep.
You may also want to put extra diapers, and bottles of formula just in case your flight is delayed.
We only took with us some diapers and formula for 2 days. We bought in Florida more so that we didn't have to carry it with us. It's amazing how many things you must pack when you are traveling with an infant.

If I think of anything else, I'll post it.

ETA>>Put in your little one's bag, Mylicon Drops just in case.

Message edited 6/10/2007 11:09:33 PM.

Re: traveling by air with baby...please list all your tips and tricks here!!

We're flying soon with 1yo DD and 4yo DS. We're using the carseats on the plane (they both have their own tickets). We'll be taking the stroller right up to the plane, and let them stow it during the flight. Hopefully, DS will agree to walk, so we can use his seat to carry some of the baggage...

We are bringing my laptop with DVDs, his leapster with some games, a few books, and some action figures for him to play with. For DD, we are bringing several (relatively quiet) toys for her to play with. We are also bringing snacks along with us to keep everyone occupied. Also bringing lollipops for DS to help with the ear pressure.

Since the rows are 3 across, DW and DD will be in one row, with DD in the window seat (regulations say the car seat has to be by the window), and DS and I will be in the row right in front or right behind them. That way, we can pass things back and forth, or if one of us has to go to the bathroom, the other one is right there.

Hopefully it goes as smoothly as I'm hoping....

Re: traveling by air with baby...please list all your tips and tricks here!!

Great tip that I learned on these boards -- give the baby a bottle as you take off and another as you land. The sucking helps prevent any trouble with their ears popping. This worked like a charm for me.

Re: traveling by air with baby...please list all your tips and tricks here!!

Another tip- Make friends with the flight attendent and let her know you are breastfeeding. Ours brought me food from first class to keep up my strength.
She was awesome