Flying with 5 Month Old - Dallas,TX

We flew a lot with our daughter her first year (5-6 times). We'd always get a window seat and most times we'd just have the two seats on one side - so I could nurse discreetly. (I had a nursing cover or I'd use a blanket - and my husband would help make sure I was covered.) And we'd try to fly during nap time, so I'd nurse her and she'd fall asleep. I was also able to do wet diaper changes on my lap - anything dirtier I took to the bathroom - there was always a changing table in there.
I always made sure to bring her favorite toys -- the iphone can also be a good distraction - even if they're not old enough to watch the colors and sounds can entertain for a little while.
Good luck and have a good trip!

I would try and pack as light as possible and put him to sleep on the plane. For example, get to airport, keep him up as long as possible, then feed him on plane so he goes to sleep at takeoff. This will help with his ears and also minimize the awake time on the flight. As far as awake time, at this age he is going to be easily entertained: shake toys, stuffed animals, rattles etc. Then change him on the plane (in bathroom not next to stranger;)) and hopefully put him back to sleep with bottle or breast. I wouldn't shy away from BF on the plane as long as you have a cover. People next to you are either used to it or they will not care if you are discreet. Finally, bring his car seat all the way to gate. If there is are empty seats, you can bring it on and put him in it which is safer and more convenient for you! Good luck!

I traveled a TON on southwest before my son was a year old - cross country from CA to PA and some from CA/PA/TX. Make sure your car seat is FAA approved, and bring it to the gate to check in - it will travel safer that way. PLUS, if the plane is NOT full, you can bring it on and strap your little one into the carseat in the open seat. I was able to do that on a couple of flights. Make sure you do the checkin 24 hours in advance to get the best checkin number you can.

Also, if the plane is not full and you sit with your hubby and a baby, 99% of people will chose to sit away from a baby.

Be prepared to BF on the plane if you want to. I was almost exclusively BFing when I traveled. I sat in the window seat so I always had privacy on one side, and if your hubby is sitting with you, you'll have privacy on both sides, so no issues there. No one else will be able to see you.

Take a few favorite toys - don't go crazy. There are diaper tables in the bathroom, I believe - they fold down from the wall above the toilet. You can also give Southwest a call and talk to them about traveling with an infant. They're very nice.

I traveled ALONE with an infant several times. The lifesaver for me was my ERGO baby carrier cause I was able to strap my son on my back and then carry, pull, etc. whatever I needed onto the plane. I also used a go-kidz travelmate to put wheels on my carseat since I knew I'd be traveling with it and needing the carseat. It was great. Perhaps one of those portable luggage carriers and those bungee things to attach the seat so you can roll it around easier.

Feel free to contact me directly to pick my brain for more info :)

You have gotten great advice!
My little one and I mad many trips without my husband (her dad). I nursed on planes and did bottles- I had the fear of strangers seeing me :) Do you have one of the nursing covers? I never did, but I think that could make it easier to cover up.
My favorite baby carrier is the hotsling... so I always brought one. I checked a stroller too... the airlines will take it at the gate- just like the car seat.
Have a great trip!

We've flown a couple times when the kids were babies.

Our daughter was 9 months the first time and our son was 6 months the second time. I was still nursing our son so I just covered with a light blanket and did so whenever he needed. I made my husband sit next to the stranger.......I took the window seat.

It's really not bad at all. The kids didn't seem to have any problems. If your little one gets cranky, just walk to the back of the plane. There are usually a couple seats open back there. And there is usually some room to stand as well. On one flight, there were a couple parents with younger ones who spent a lot of time back there......lol.

Diaper changes were done on the seat. My husband would just get up and I'd kind of "stand" and just do a quick change. Works really well if you have all 3 seats open! (We had that the one flight. NICE!)

Entertainment...... We really didn't have to do anything. Just had a few baby toys with. Both kids slept on the plane rides.......

It's really not too bad.

It will probably be easier than you think! At that age both my kids slept for the majority of the flights, even if it wasn't "nap" time. The white noise sort of knocks them out. I would take a few toys, whatever he likes, maybe a new one to keep his attention longer. Try and change diapers before the flight to avoid too many on the flight. At 6 hours you'll probably have to do at least one. There is a chaning table in the restroom but it's really crowded in there and not ideal to use, but especially if it's a poop, I would try. I've always found SW to be the best to fly with kids. They are so nice and helpful! Have fun!

Oh, also take the carrier and gate check it. Ask the flight attendant if there are any extra seats before you board. If there are they will give it to you and you can strap the baby in...that's the BEST! If there aren't then just gate check the car seat and pick it up when you land, but I always think it's worth it to ask.