First Flight/trip Away from Home with 10 Month Old

I am a mother of a 14 month old and we have been actively traveling with her since birth (even to Hawaii). Similac makes the ready-to-feed bottles. Just unscrew the cap and put on your nipple. Make sure you have this ready at take off. I open my bottle when we begin to taxi away from the jetway.

Umbrella strollers are the way to go. If you don't have one, you can get an inexpensive one at BRU for about $20, and it will be great for a trip. We have a Maclaren VOLO which is super lightweight, and it is our primary stroller. I would recommend getting a bag to put it in because they get really dirty in the cargo hold even if you are gate checking. You can find those on-line for cheap or at BRU.

I never take cloth bibs when I travel. I buy those diposable ones. I don't want to be doing laundry or carrying around dirty bibs when I can use those for so cheap. Plus the pocket they have catches all the falling food.

Most important, prepare your child verbally before the trip. I know people might think this is crazy, but we start discussing the plane ride & pending vacation at least a week early (even when she was tiny we did this). Kids understand, and they don't like surprises. I tell my daughter about the whole process. We even start a countdown each morning when she awakes, like "Daddy, how many days until our trip?" I have found this to make a HUGE difference in her ability to be comfortable traveling.

Bon voyage, and just try to enjoy yourself...your tot will pick up on that.

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I just got my new issue of parents magazine and they had a great article on this...

http://www.parents.com/family-life/travel/vacation-planni...

Also, they sell "trollies" for convertible car seats at Babies R Us and that looks like a great thing to take along.

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There is already some really great advice here. I travelled with my son a lot when he was younger (now 19 months), and here are some things I really could not have done without on the plane:

Snacks for him
Snacks for me
A Baby Bjorn (my son didn't really care for strollers, but he loved the sling... we still used a stroller to cart his stuff in, and the umbrella strollers are awesome... just check them at the gate so you can use it in the airport)
Enough diapers for one full day and night (essential for delays or "explosions")
Extra clothes for him and me
Two books
Four toys (he found other things to play with on the plane)
The kindness of strangers (esp. helpful going through the security line)
My sanity (which I lost a few times)
My restfulness (make sure you get enough rest before the trip)
A camera to capture his flight experiences
Ability to improvise
A light blanket for a nursing cover/ear cover (some of those announcements are really loud!)
A growing wonder for the resiliency of my son and his delight in new experiences (he made it easy because he kept talking to people, pointing out new things, and loving life)
Phone cards to keep in touch with family and friends (let them know we got there safely)
Mostly, though, your little one needs you. If you are there, calm, rested, and looking out for your child's best interests, it will be a great trip. Just keep loving like you know you can, and it will be awesome!

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Something that hasn't been mentioned yet...if you are in a new environment/hotel, think about packing a nightlight. It not only helped to soothe my little ones in a strange place, but it kept me from bumping into things in the middle of the night! I completely agree with booking a seat of his own during the flight and checking the stroller. Perhaps you will get lucky and find a flight assistant willing to help carry extra baggage to your seats. I disagree about packing just enough supplies to get you through the flight. I say, be prepared for extra long layovers/security delays and such. A happier, comfortable baby makes for a happier mommy. Good luck!

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It's been many years since I have flown with a baby, but our experience with an 8 month old was very good. I nursed him during take off and landings. I also remember having a few new books and small toys. Of course, we had his favorite stuffed animal. I would also recommend an umbrella stoller. It's worth the expense even if you never use it again. With security the way it is now, I would put him in slip on shoes instead of tie shoes. They will make you take his shoes off too. I would also check the regulations on baby bottles and sippy cups. I witnessed a crabby security guard make a harried mother pour out her toddler's sippy cup-- the one the poor child was drinking from.
I saw the neatest idea last week. It is a FAA approved child harness type restraint. It fits onto the back of the airplane seat and integrates with the seatbelt. Too bad it took someone this long to come up with that idea! Here is the website:
http://www.kidsflysafe.com/?gclid=CKyT0sLxgJQCFQqgnAodMlrOWw

Have fun!

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If your are nursing I would plan his schedule to nurse him on take off and landing otherwise, or if you're not comfortable nursing in front of 50 people you don't know (believe me I'm not but neither of my kiddos would take a bottle or a NUK so I was kind of out of luck) that will help his ears and from my experiences the uncomfortable ears are what makes a baby sad. Otherwise just prepare yourself mentally its like any other day, try not to feed him gassy foods and bring wet naps or something to give a good wash off. The do have great little family bathrooms now in most airports with a chair and room if you can change the punkins diaper before and after the trip or just relax a little just the two of you. A lot of times they will move you to a seat with an extra seat next to eat, you think their being nice but its probably for the other people. You can check your car seat with baggage and they can usually put your stroller at the front. You may think bad thoughts about me but I gave one of my sons Benadryl once because I he was teething horribly and really grump I just wanted to help him sleep. Most importantly if he cries its okay, mommies can travel too and its safe to say that a lot of the people on that plan will b e mothers as well. I like to bring a little pillow so I can rest my elbow on those metal arm rests with my chunky little ones weight on it comfortably. Good luck traveling's not so fancy free. I would check everything you can bring a small diaper wipe and modest amount on diapers and say a prayer your luggage doesn't get lost, truthfully mine has, but trying to tote everything is just too much. Bring a new toy or an old fav. that hasn't lost its wonder, Good luck, I'm rootin for ya. Prepare yourself to tell people no, or yes if your comfortable but I'm constantly having people want to hold, play with, or sooth my son. I'm not good at saying No but after one woman actually asking to nurse my son it became clear to me that saying yes was not an option and I'd have to get over it. As for the reunion, its family girl give you back a rest and let that little one be the life of the party chances are if you have anxiety the baby will too, he's gonna want his mommy but he'll be okay and what better time for him to learn than with the fam. You're the Momma you'll know what to do, God gave you this beautiful little creature because you'd understand him, or her, sorry I have boys so I tend to say him.

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My thoughts are if you can afford to pay for an extra seat for him you won't regret it. Once they are mobile, they really don't want to "sit" on your lap! They should let you check the stroller at the gate, but I would check your car seat with checked luggage if you aren't going to use it on the plane (one less thing to carry). As for keeping your family in tune with yours/his wishes....if you usually have him on a strict scheduele (naps, eating) stick with it bc the trip itself will be hard enough. Just say "he naps from 10-12 and I am keeping it that way, go ahead without me, I'll meet up with you." Let them no from the beginning you aren't going to be flexible, and they can deal with it. As for what to bring on the plane, lots of handiwipes (I wipe EVERYTHING down that they can possibly touch), also a change of clothes not just for him, but for you! I have had so many friends tell me nightmare stories abuot their child throwing up on the plane (how do we know if they get motion sickness or not?) and they had a change of clothes for the baby, but noth themselves and that is the WORST! Don't bring juice in a sippy cup, it won't make it through security...only formula or breast milk. Even regular milk they will tell you to pitch. Have fun and good luck!

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Hi C.!

I just took my 9 month old on his first flight a few weeks ago on Southwest and was worried about carting around his carseat, stroller, etc. We bought a seperate ticket for him and used his car seat and base on the plane. You can keep your stroller, they will take it from you when you board and have it ready when you get off the plane. When you go through security, make sure you put formula/food items in a ziploc bag so they can easily be taken out of your carry on if needed. I let them know as soon as we walked up that there was bottled water and formula in my bag. As far as being on the plane, it is loudest and has the most soothing vibrations in the middle of the plane, over the wing. If you can, try to plan your flight around nap times. I had also read to make sure to have a bottle ready during take off and landing because the sucking motion helps with their ears. Before I left someone had suggested giving the baby a dose of Benadryl to help him sleep, but since our flight was only 1 1/2 hours, I didn't feel I needed to do that. Also, pack a few favorite things in your bag (a favorite book, toy, etc) to bring out throughout the flight. My son has his favorite teethers and then I brought out his favorite book right before we landed. The only issue I had was trying to get my son back in his car seat and in the stroller when trying to get my shoes and bag and get out of everyones way in security. Luckily a nice person would usually offer to help :). Good luck!

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We've traveled quite a bit with our kids. If you can, I would buy him a seat for the plane--that way you can put him in his carseat in the seat (much easier on everyone than to have a wiggly 10 month old trying to be held still on your lap for the flight:) Take the stroller to the gate and they'll check it there and give it back once you get off the plane-makes it much easier to carry all the stuff. Pack your normal stuff in your diaper bag--a few extra diapers, an extra bottle or two, and a change of clothes for the baby (plus an extra shirt for you-it's amazing how messy baby's can get mom). You might want to bring a few snacks if he's eating table food. As for the flight, my kids always flew great as babies (I would just nurse them or give them a bottle on the way up and down). As long as they were in their car seat, the roar of the plane would usually lull them to sleep. I see the same all the time with others traveling with babies.
As for other packing, your pack and play is vital! (baby's will sleep so much better in something familiar-I'd have him try it out a few times at home before your trip). Your stroller, a few toys (not his whole toy box:), a few extra outfits. If he's crawling around-you'll need to take a few electrical outlet plugs for the hotel room. A baby monitor is also very helpful-you can put him to bed in your room, then go next door and visit with family while he sleeps or sit in the hall while he falls asleep (otherwise, your day will be over at bedtime). If he sleeps with a particular CD or sound machine-definately take that. Bedtime was always the hardest for our kids when they were really little.
As for the people at the reunion-just let them know that he's afraid of new people. If they let him come to them in his own time, he'll be much happier. As for planning his day, I would let everyone know that he is on a schedule and stick with it (unless he's one of those great baby's who can sleep on the go:)-if he is, let them plan away!). I bet you will be able to find at least one family member (if not 10 of them) who would be happy to watch him for a few hours so you and your hubby can go out and enjoy a bit of time for yourselves. That way, others can enjoy the baby, and you can enjoy yourselves.
Good luck and have fun.

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Not sure if you're nursing, but if so get a window seat (and a pillow for your arm) and nurse during take off and landing. Sucking helps with ear popping and staying calm during all of the noise. If you have a night flight, I recommend a new light up toy to catch/keep interest.

We checked the car seat (at the point at which the plane crashes, what good is a car seat?). We did a gate check with the stroller so we'd have it in the airport between connections.

As far as packing, if you'll be someplace where running to a Target or Walmart is feasible, you might plan on buying a small thing of diapers there. That will save you some packing room, if you need it.

Don't be afraid to assert your will about your baby's schedule. People forget how cranky kids can become when that is disrupted.... so don't stress it. Just assert it as a 'this must happen at this time' as if there is no other way.

Have a great trip!

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My advise for the flight is to give him a little pain reliever
one hours prior to your departure. Also make sure he is drinking something when you take off and land - other wise his ears will hurt. About the 15 people. You must be traveling in group. I would just explain this is his first flight and you would like to keep him as close to you as possible to let him know he is secure and safe. (nothing safer than a mothers arms) hopes this helps

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Good Morning C., First and foremost you are his day planner, keep to his schedule as much as possible. If it's nap time he doesn't need others occuping his down time.
You can tell when he has had enough and just remove him from his audience ;)

If he uses and binkie let him have it when you get on the plane, will help with the pressure in his ears. Small hand toys, the card board books you can read him, cheerios, or fishie crackers for snacks. A changing pad bathrooms on planes are not very roomy, so ask a hostess/host if there are empty seats you could use for changing.

Usually when you fly if you call ahead the airline can let you know what you will need to do about strollers etc. My brother in law adopted two little boys from Russia 5 yrs ago, last time they flew in to see us they found out they could get two car seats at the car rental place. They just said they needed them and they were in the car when they arrived.
That would be one less thing to worry about.

Have a wonderful time at your reunion. Good thing your not coming to ours this weekend in Benton, ks. I have planned for 50. The two little guys from russia will be here today ;)
They have really blossomed

Let us know how it goes.
Hugs
K.

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We just got back from a 10 day trip with our 2 kids, one 4 years and the other 6 months. I was so worried and stressed before we left but I realize now that didn't get me anywhere. Here are two tips that you probabaly already know but may find helpful in review:
1. Bring a small bottle of dish soap for washing bottles and baby stuff in hotel sinks.
2. Prepare a bottle for feeding on the plane for when the baby wakes up for no apparent reason and starts screaming. I was counting on our baby sleeping through the whole flight but for some reason he woke up after only 20 minutes and since the seat belt sign was on, they wouldn't let me stand up with him to console him. I had to ask the flight attendant to get down all the stuff out of our carry-on to make a bottle real quick. And...I purposely kept my attention focused in on the baby so that I wouldn't notice the ugly stares I was probably getting from our co-passengers! Oh well.
I also had asked the hotels we stayyed in for a crib and all but one of them was able to offer one (but they might not provide a sheet).
Good luck and try to have fun making memories with your family!

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I can't help with the flight (it looks like you already got some great tips on that), but we just took our first trip with our 11-month-old for about a week. One thing that REALLY seemed to help was I brought the sheet he'd been sleeping on in his crib for several nights (unwashed) so it smelled / felt like home. The entire trip, I only had to hold / rock him to sleep once. I really think that sheet helped! I would just suggest trying to recreate his sleeping environment as closely as possibe. As for the people, it seems most understand that babies need downtime so just keep an eye on him and take him away when he needs some mommy time or a nap. Good luck and have a great time!

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well I would pack little hand toys, books to read to him and important to make sure he is tired prior to flight he may sleep awhile.
At the reunion just enjoy the time and let him be spoiled by relatives. Maybe pick a tween (11-12 yr old) to oversee his activities. Then enjoy......

I'm not sure a 10 month old needs help in handling a flight. He has no clue what's going on and will be just fine. He will also be fine w/ 15 people wanting to cuddle him and I don't think they are wanting to plan his day they just want to see the baby! Geez, lighten up a bit!! It just might make your life a little easier.

We flew from Honolulu to LA when our daughter was 6 months old and we had the car seat and bought her a seat because I didn't want her on my lap the whole time. I gave her a bottle before/during take off for her ears and one for the landing. She slept most of the way so I really didn't need any toys. I had one of those carriers like the Bjorn one and used that instead of a stroller so we could get right off the plane and didn't have to wait for it. And with airlines charging to check bags now, not sure if it would apply to carry on strollers...I would check that out.

carrying him in a front carrier or hip hammock will keep people from grabbing him at the reunion (but they can still see him); ask your doctor about ear drops to prevent discomfort on the flight (and have him suck a pacifier, bottle or sippy cup during take-off and landing); take some new or "new" (put some away for a couple weeks) toys for the plane; talk about flying in advance, and read a book about planes. Relax, he'll probably like it. If you get to the airport a little ahead of time, you can ask for the bulkhead seat(s)- you'll have some room in front of you for him to stand or sit on a blanket if he gets to squirmy. Good luck and have fun- oh, and I recommend big disposable covers to put on the changing station in the airport (they sell them in catalogs, and maybe at babies r us), lots of antibacterial hand wipes, and maybe even a travel size bottle of clorox anywhere spray for arm rests and seat-back trays (but I'm kind of a germ-phobe). Have fun!

I am about to do the same with a 5 week old, so again any advice on this topic would be most greatly appreciated.

what to pack (i.e. the must haves) ----- If you are wanting to know what to pack on the plane I'd go to the dollar store and let him go hog wild picking out stuff, then put it away until you get on the flight so it's new.
helping him handle his first flight --- I'd talk to the flight attendants to see if he can go see the cockpit, he may be little but it may give him a break of having to sit still.
how to handle the stroller/car seat on the plane --I'd think you'd check those with the luggage, but I'm not sure.

how to help our little one cope with 15 people at our reunion all wanting to cuddle him what to do when everyone wants to plan his day ---just let him have fun with people loving on him but also keep an eye that if he starts to get grumpy then ya let him have his lone time.

Bring there fav toys,books.make sure you have enough forumal ,diapers,wipes ,cherios ,there binky,there fav thing in the diaper bag to last you till you get where your going.

As a mother of 3 children...do not over pack! Bring his favorite thing, some snacks, maybe a new intersting toy or book that he hasn't seen yet. Get a pair of those big headphones and let him listen to music...make sure they cover his whole ear though so you do not do damage. Do you need to bring both the stoller and the carseat on the plane? I have never taken a baby on a plane before so I have no idea. If you do not need both of them, check them in.
Goodluck...and don't forget your camera
N.

I don't really have a lot of advice, kids are all different. I did want to mention that they make ear plugs that somehow make your ears not pop. When my son was 1 we had to fly and I couldn't really give him gum to chew or explain he needed to swallow. I know it makes me uncomfortable when my ears pop so I figured that was one less trauma he had to deal with. He was an angel on the plane. This was 7 years ago but I am sure they still have them at walgreens.