First Flight with 9 Month old...help!

I just flew with my 4 month old last weekend, and honestly the hardest part was handling all of the gear (ie. stroller, car seat, diaper bag, purse). But everyone was incredibly helpful. The TSA security people helped me collapse my stroller and put it up on the conveyer, as well as the car seat, and they even came around and helped me set it all back up. I did the gate check with my stroller and carseat, and the baggage guys helped me there too. My son fussed a little on the plane, but noone seemed to mind. Unfortunately, I specifically chose certain seats that I thought would give me some privacy in case my son wouldn't take his bottle and wanted to nurse. But if your child is riding in your lap, you have to sit in the seat with dual oxygen masks. It didn't end up being a big deal though. And before I got settled in my seat and put the diaper bag away, I pulled out a diaper and some wipes and stuck them in the seat pocket to make it easier to go for a diaper change. When we deplaned and we were all standing around outside the plane for our gate-checked luggage, a bunch of other passengers offered to help me set up the stroller, etc. Even businessmen, whom you could tell had never touched a stroller in their life! So I think that you should be fine. People are alot nicer and helpful than I had imagined.

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Hello T.-
I've flown mith my son several times (he is now 4 yrs old). I would definitely recommend a bottle or sippy-cup for him/her during take-off and landing. This will help prevent too much discomfort in the ears w/the change in pressure. The act of swallowing really helps them. Also, pack a little kit with small toys, board books, or anything visual to keep the baby stimulated during flight. Some planes (especially cross-country flights) have individual tv's, so you may be able to put cartoons on to help entertain your little one. Also, bring snacks and/or meals. The key is to keep them fed, occupied, and to try and minimize the inner ear issues. I always pack a mild pain reliever just in case. As far as packing is concerned, make sure you have in your carry-on enough diapers, changes of clothing, and wipes for the duration of the trip. You never know:)If you're lucky, your baby will fall asleep for atleast half the flight. Hope this helps.

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the best thing I did when I traveled was bring along our stroller. It was so nice to roll up to the gates and board our plane. I highly recommend taking it along!

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T.,

I have flown 3 times with my little one. He is 22 months now and he has always done really well. First, I will tell you that you can check a small umbrella stroller at the gate and that makes it easier getting around the airport if you happen to have a lay over. No one told me I could do that and it makes it a lot easier on you. You just leave it at the gate and they put it in storage underneath the plane. Once you land, they have the stroller waiting for you. I agree completely with the feeding when the plane takes off but if your baby won't eat and takes a pacifier then that works the same. Make sure you have plenty of snacks, drinks, favorite toys. My son loves to read, so I got his favorite book and read it over and over again. Whatever you have to do to keep your little one content! Good luck and have a safe trip! And remember, babies are only human and we can't expect them to be perfect.

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Get to the airport early!! Some airports if you have a baby in a stroller will let you "cut in line" for the security. That is helpful but they have to notice you first.If you are holding the baby for the trip, try to keep them in the stroller for as long as possible. Your arms do get tired on the plane. If you are not holding the baby and bought a seat, do the opposite!! Let them wander outside of the stroller/ carrier. Load when they say 1st class - I have found it much easier to get settled.Also, I change my son's diaper right before we get on. Don't be surprised if halfway through the flight you smell something. Gravity takes hold. Bring food - a bottle, a paci for take -off and landing. It bothers some babies while others could care less. My son could care less!! If you could bring a few new toys with you that the baby has not played with those are lifesavers. Don't be afraid to ask for help especially if flying by yourself!! Either the flight staff or someone near you, most are willing to play with a sweet baby for 5 minutes while nature calls. They may even ask =) Whatever you can do - stay levelheaded no matter how frustrated you get!!
Buy whatever you can when you get to your destination ( or since they are family have them buy ahead) such as diapers, wipes and if necessary formula. This saves on packing and lugging around.If the baby has a favorite toy or something that they sleep with, bring with you. We have found this to be very helpful at night - the comfort factor and smells like home.Then everyone gets a good night's sleep. I am sure there are tons of other things but these are the things I have learned from traveling with my 9 month old. He has been on airplanes since he was 3 months old at least once a month. Enjoy your trip!!

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Pack a million ziplocs, a spare outfit and snacks, toys and several pacifiers if your baby takes them. They tend to fall on the floor and you can't easily clean them off.....Also, don't be afraid to aske for help. A person on a plane can't take your child anywhere! I always do a diaper change ont he floor right before we board. There are sometimes changing tables in the airplane bathrooms, just ask. Breathe a lot and do not care if the people around you are irate, what are you going to do? You will never see them again! Good luck! If the baby is taking bottles or breastfeeding I always try to feed as we go up and down.

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try to schedule flight around normal nap time. usually the roar of the engine will put them right out. dont feed by bottle until you get on flight. use the sucking action of the bottle for the ear pop on take off. since they cant chew gum like we do this will help there ears. on rare occassion that she doesnt sleep bring a few toys, chewing biscuits, food, and remember to bottle feed on the way down if at all possible.

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What airline are you flying with and is it just gonna be the 2 of you? Some airlines are better than others about helping to make arragments for mothers with small children to sit closer to the rest room, or not in the middle of the plane. The umbrella stroller is always a good idea, but if your going to have a lay over and noone with you, if you have big stroller it will help you not only hold your child but the huge compartments under can hold your carry-on stuff, diaperbag, ect. I flew with my then 18month old and my 6 year old by myself. It was not easy, but keeping your child calm and busy is the key, if they are not asleep that is. Good luck and hope all goes well.

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If you are nursing,then try to do it during take off and landing. This will help with the pressure in his ears and also may put him (or her) to sleep. Carry an umbrella stroller and have books and favorite toys for when your baby is awake. We just flew with our 11 month old and brought bagged treats (little chocolates in those treat bags you can get at Target in the party supplies)for anyone sitting around us just in case he was fussy. This made everyone laugh and so even if he did fuss, they didn't mind.

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I did this exact thing with my daughter when she was 8 months old not too much younger than yours. make sure you have some snacks like cherios if she eats them and feed on take off and landings. change her diaper before you get on the plane the last thing you want to worry about is a diaper change on a plane thats a nightmare. take toys for her to play with. even find some new cheap ones that shes never seen before. Dont take a favrotie toy unless you can make sure you get EVERYTHING packed back up before you get off the plane. Dont forget the carseat , if you dont have someone on the other end that has one all ready and waiting for you. the DVD player is a great idea its a moving picture that's alway changing and is also educational.

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Bring a dvd player with you and a ton of Einstein videos. Also, I typically feed mine when we are taking off and landing so his ears are not affected. Good luck!

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Hey T.,
we are flying for Thanksgiving with our four month old and my six year old. I went to the website of the airline we are flying to get some flying tips for the baby. During take off and landings give your baby their bottle, it will help with their ears to pop. My dct told me to give the baby some tylenol a half hour before take off.
The rest I guess Im just going to wing it, haha. But I would go to the website, they have good tips. Good luck and Merry Christmas to you and yours!!!

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Im not sure about a dvd player and vidoes since your child will be overwhlmed with new sounds and sights on the plane itself.So it will prob be something extra you pack but never use,but you know your child so it's your call.I agree with the PP about feeding the child during take off AND landing to help the ears.If there is a favorite toy or stuffed animal would be a good idea to bring,or some books to read.All I can really say is I hope you have no behavioral issues with him/her b/c they will definately show in this type of enviroment.Gl

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I've done a lot of traveling, so I'll start with Good Luck and don't worry too much about the other passengers!
If you're bringing a carseat with you, you'll have to decide if you want to carry it on (check it at the gate) or check it at the front with all your luggage. They have great bags at Target for $15-20 to keep it clean and with good handles.
If you carry it to the gate, ask the attendant if there are any extra seats. They might be able to move you to a spare seat and then let you bring the carseat on the plane. It's so much easier than having to hold the baby the whole time.
Hopefully he will sleep the whole time, but that never happened for me. If your baby is taking any steps, you should walk the aisles a few times on such a long flight. You and the baby need the stretch.
Other than that, I brought snacks, small toys and let her rip all the pages out of the airline magazine. After 1 year, though, she wanted to move around the whole time. It's much harder to travel now.
If you're using formula, you can bring it through security mixed, but then you have no refrigeration. I would pack pre-measured powder and add bottled water bought in the airport. On the flight, they'll usually keep the bottle in some ice for you. If you have a layover, most coffee places have a microwave to heat the bottle for you.
Also, bring a thin receiving blanket to lay on the floor in the airport so he can get down and you don't have to worry as much about the germs.
Carry the smallest, lightest stuff you have, because you will be carrying a ton of stuff! Hope your travels are a good start to your holidays.

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