Flying with an Infant!!

Getting on the plane with baby is not too big of a deal. I would check your carseat, either have them put it in a plastic bag or buy a carseat carrier bag ($20 target). Formula can be carried on, although if you use powder you might have to buy your water past security (check their rules online). Make sure you take a copy of baby's birth certificate or you might get harrassed about baby being under 2 (I was it was frustrating). Other than that you need normal changes of clothes, bib, a blanket and a few toys! Have fun!

What a great time to be flying with an infant! They are usually a piece of cake to travel with at this age. The car seat is allowed on the plane if you purchase a ticket for the baby (because it will require a seat). When I traveled alone with my 4 month old, I just carried her in the Baby Bjorn. You are not allowed to have her in it at take off and landing (which I think is kind of stupid but it's the FAA's policy). As for powdered formula, just bring some bottles along and store your premeasured powder in those little divided plastic formula storage dishes you can buy at Target or Babies R Us. The flight crew should be able to provide water and you can buy bottled water while waiting for your plane. You should also go online and research this to make sure nothing has changed. Your airline carrier will have information on their website. You can call them as well. If you daughter takes a pacifier, be sure to have plenty with you. Try to plan on feeding her just as you take off and as you start your decend (this will help with her ears). Have FUN!

Hi,
I travel alot on planes with my two sons, thanks to my husbands job. You can bring your carseat on the plane or she can ride on your lap. Having a carseat is much easier if your little one is content sleeping there. My youngest son hates his and I end up holding him anyways. If you use Infamil formula, they sell travel packets. Otherwise, most stores sell a container that is divided into three compartments for powder formula, Target and Walmart all sell these. I would suggest that you fill your bottles with water while you wait for your plane to board that way you do not have to fumble around in those cramped airplane seats. Also remember to feed or give your baby a pacifier during take off and landing to help her ears pop.

We flew this past Christmas with our then 5 month old. We checked the carseat and stroller at the gate. It was wonderful because that meant that we had both up until the moment we got on the plane and right when we got off.

As for formula, we used Enfamil an I bought the powder that comes in individual packets. Each packet made a 4 oz bottle. I over packed to make sure I had enough for the return flights also. I had to buy my water past security, but that was no problem.

Good luck and enjoy your trip!

I fly with my kids a lot because my family is in Florida, so we've been down this road before many times. I flew with my daughter (the oldest) for the first time when she was about 4 months old. If you have the nursery water in the bottles, security usually won't give you any trouble about it. I used the Similac formula with my daughter and they had travel packs of powder that made a 4 oz bottle. Those were very convenient, but if you aren't using that kind, then just get one of those formula containers from Babies R Us or Target and measure some out into that (there are usually 3 spots for powder, so you would have 3 bottles worth measured out). They don't bother you at security about that either (if they can see you with a baby, they don't think you're "up to something").

As for the car seat....you can bring it on the plane as long as you have purchased a seat for her and it is FAA approved (most are, but it should say on the sticker on the side of the seat). If you haven't bought a seat for her, then she will need to sit in your or your boyfriend's lap for the flight. On Southwest, they will give you a seat if the flight is not sold out (if you didn't buy her a ticket), but it isn't guaranteed and you won't know until you go to the gate. I don't know about other airlines.

You can bring the stroller through security to the gate and then check it at the gate (you will have to take her out of it and fold it up to go through the xray machine). They will have it waiting for you in the jetway of your destination so that you don't have to carry her through the airport. I've done this a lot, so if you have anymore specific questions, feel free to send me a private note and I would be happy to answer them for you. I hope this helped....have fun!

For the formula, you can go to Target or Walmart and in the baby section, they sell formula containers. They are circular, compact, and have 3-4 small compartments that allow you to put exact measurments which makes it very easy to put in the bottle. They come in different colors, I loved these! It made life much easier while traveling. Make sure you bring a few pacifiers for the baby to suck on to help with takeoff and landing, and bring a small light weight blanket for the baby, because it can get cool in the cabin. Oh, and check in at the gate as soon as you get there so your stroller can be tagged and ready before boarding. good luck!

HI, T.....I flew with my then 6 month old on Southwest and had no problems. You can hold her on your lap or buy an extra seat and strap her into a car seat. Southwest let me do this on one flight because they just happened to have extra seats, I did not have to pay for it. I found it easier to just hold her (I don't know how long your flight is). I made bottles of formula before we went and kept them in a cold pack. At the metal detectors, they pulled them out and tested with some sort of test strip and then let me go on my way. You will have to put the stroller, car seat, etc. all on the x-ray belt and hold her as you go through the metal detector. If you have a stroller, they'll stow it under the plane and then have it ready for you when you get off. They will let you board first and give you some time to get settled. Hope this helps. It's just according to my experience...

You have to check the carseat, but you can carry on a diaper bag. I put achange of clothes, two bottles, diapers, and powder formula in the can and bottled water in mine. I just mixed the bottled water with the powder to accomodate my son. I also brought his pacifier because they say their ears are sensitive to pressure change and it helps. The best thing you can do is remain calm, even if the baby fusses. Try the pacifier and have something small and not too noisy to entertain the child with. (Maybe a small, newer toy that can entertain them. Good luck!

I have two pre-schoolers and have been traveling with them at least three times a year since they were born. All the info about the powder formula you've gotten is correct. You can take it, but will need to purchase or ask the flight attendant for water on the plane. The paci during take-off and landing is good too, or you can give a bottle at that time. DO take your stroller and carseat. You will need your hands free in the airport and getting on and off the plane. I advise purchasing a seat for your daughter. It will be much more comfortable for you and a safer option. In the plane the carseat does not have to be rear-facing, because it is mostly for the turbulence. Seats are tested in cars, so there is no certainty of how the seat will hold up in a crash on a plane. I got this advice from a friend who is an injury prevention director (car seat expert). However, even if you do not purchase a seat, you can go to the gate with the seat and the stroller. If the plane isn't totally full you may be able to get a seat for the baby. If not you can gate check the carseat. There won't be any more damage to the seat than if the seat had been checked. If you've already purchased your tickets, I don't want to make you more anxious... However, in a crash you will not be able to hold your baby secure enough in your arms, no matter how tightly you hold on. And it will be difficult if the turbulence is bad. The forces of all that energy is too much for even the strongest man to hold on to a child. Again, don't want to worry you just want you to be prepared.

You can take a carseat on the flight but at that age there isn't any reason. My first flight with my daughter was when she was 10 weeks old and she slept the entire time. We transported the formula in a container along with bottled water. If the airport doesn't allow the bottled water through security, they always did with us, then you can get it once you're in the airport. This was the best time to fly with an infant...when they aren't mobile! Enjoy

T.,

I flew with my oldest son when he was 6 weeks old. The main thing is to make sure her ears are OK. They used to allow a carseat and block a seat for free as long as the flight wasn't full. If it is full, you will have to hold your baby and store the carseat in the overhead storage compartment. If you are nursing, it is a good idea to nurse her during takeoff & landing so in case her ears are affected by the change in pressure. Her ears will adjust without any pain. The best thing is to look up the particular airline's policy on line about traveling with babies. If you aren't nursing, make sure you have a bottle to feed during takeoff & landing. Since you won't have refrigeration, it is best to take the powdered formula and a small bottle of water to mix as needed. Airlines don't allow certain amounts of liquid, so check to be sure you don't pack too much. You can also ask for bottled water from the flight attendent and it is free. They are so worried about people bringing liquid on board because there are explosives made from liquid. Enjoy your flight. My kids learned to love flying and at 4 months, she won't even remember it.

TEA changes their policy as often as you change diapers. Check their website first.

Good advice so far. I would suggest you give a bottle a few minutes after you take off. It takes a few minutes for the pressure to be a problem. If you feed too soon, your daughter might be done before the pressure hurts.

Also, make sure you bring a change of clothes for her and you. My first flight with my youngest, he had a diaper blowout. I luckily had him wrapped in a blanket so it was contained! Changing everything in an airplane bathroom was a challenge! :) I would always pack one of my husband's tshirts in my diaper bag. Either one of us could put it on if necessary. Pack all changes of clothes in plastic ziplock gallon bags so you have some place to put dirty clothes.

Call the airline company they should be able to answer your question about both.

We fly with our now 16 month old kiddo all the time.

Formula -- you can bring as much powder as you need. But if you want to mix it later, you'll have to get water once your past security. You can bring as much mixed formula as you need. They will make you throw out plain water even if it's in a bottle. I usually just ask a flight attendant to fill a couple bottles when I first get on the plane. They are usually really helpful.

Seats -- I can't find an airline that will give a discount for seats for infants on domestic flights. Frontier was the last one doing it that I could find. We got a couple discounted seats when our son was first born in March 2008 but by the summer every airline that I contacted had discontinued that practice. We always buy a seat for our son because we like having the extra space and I like knowing that I can buckle him into his carseat where he'll be safe if there are any issues.

Stroller -- When you check your stroller at the gate they will make you sign a little tag. What they don't mention is that tag releases them from liability if there is any damage to your stroller. Luckily, we use a highend stroller that has replacement parts so, when they smashed a wheel in the door, we only had to replace the wheel and not the entire stroller. They refused to reimburse us for the wheel replacement even when I explained to them that there was no time to read the tag as there was a crowd of people behind us pushing us to get on the plane already and the gate attendant was requesting we "hurry up."

Enjoy your trip!

If the baby is riding in your lap, you need to check the carseat. They won't charge for checked carseats. If you got a seat for the baby, you can bring approved carseats on with you and use them. Also, thay make exceptions to the 3 oz. rule for baby food/ formula. Just make sure everything is in ziplocks. You can buy bottled water at the gate to mix with powdered formula. An easy way, if you have room in your carry-on, is to measure out a few bottles so that all you have to do on the plane is add the water. Good luck!

how wonderful to begin taking your little on one plane trips now!

if you purchase a seat for her, you may use your car seat just as you would in the car (some airlines offer discounted seats for children under age two). if she is going to be in one of your laps for the trip, then i would suggest doing a gate check on your car seat. this allows you to carry it all the way to the door of the plane. you hand it to a flight attendant and they stow it under the plane for you. when the plane arrives at your destination, you will find your car seat (or stroller if you do this with your stroller) waiting for you at the door of the plane when you exit. do be sure to label both the car seat and the base (if you're not checking the base).

with regards to formula/snacks, etc. for your little one, you are allowed to bring "a reasonable amount". in most cases, you are not allowed to bring your own bottles of water past security (they are too large) but you can purchase bottles of water once you pass the screening area.

the best thing to do is to check the TSA website for up to date info/rules: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/index.shtm

it is TSA, not the airlines, that makes and enforces the rules regarding certain substances. some airlines may have their own guidelines, but ultimately, you will want to adhere to what TSA (federal) requires or you may not make it to you gate with everything you wish to carry on.

as far as tips, the best one i got (and it works!) is to be sure your child is drinking/sucking or otherwise swallowing on actual take off and landing. this helps with the pressure in their ears (they can't exactly chew gum yet).

i hope this helps you. have a wonderful trip!

T.
You need a Moby Wrap. I flew all the time 75% of my job was flying and I used it alot and now with my daughter I used it again. You can go thru security wearing her and and on the plane it is just great.

CHeck it out www.mobywrap.com

Do you nurse, and are just doing formula for "convenience?" I've only nursed so I'm sorry can't answer formula problem...I'd always put my husband between me and others when possible, covered up, and nursed on the way up. Baby would fall asleep and usually sleep until landing. No ear problems, since baby sucked going up and sometimes down. Folks on flight were amazed baby was not heard from during flight.

If you pay for an extra seat you can take the car seat, they have you check it otherwise. Do take advantage of using a stroller through the airport they will tag it at the gate and you'll get it delivered to you at the arriving gate.

Happy traveling!

My daughter is 15 months old now and we are about to take our fourth plane ride. Every time I had water all ready to go in the bottles and just added the formula from a holder. I was able to go through security with the water in the bottles. I just had to take all the bottles out of her diaper bag and place in the little box. That luckily was the hardest part of the whole thing, it's just time consuming unpacking the bag. Like many others have said, just either give her the bottle or nurse her as you take off and land. Also, we took her in the carseat once, but found it easier to just hold her. The time we took her in the carseat, we didn't buy an extra seat, the flight wasn't full, so they let us use it for free.

Hey- I traveled with my son a few times when he was little. For the formula, I would put the powder in a baggie (the right amount) and once I got through security, I'd get water. You can get hot water at a Starbucks or something and get them to cool it. Then when it is time, just add the powder.
On take-off and landing, get her to suck on a paci or give her the bottle. I took my boppy and was glad I had it. It was easier to hold him on it and it was easier for him to sleep. You can check the carseat (no charge). Don't take it on the plane b/c you would need a seat for it and you don't need to buy an extra seat for her.
Also, bring an extra shirt for you and outfit for her. You never know if you will need it mid-flight.
Good luck and just remember not to stress. It isn't as hard as I thought it would have been.

I highly suggest buying her her own seat. They are half price and you get to take the car seat on the plane which is way safer than your lap. You also get a break from holding her. You will have to put the car seat at the window seat. That is the only seat in the row they are allowed. You will also not be allowed to sit at an exit row.

The issue is tricky with formula. Look at the website for travelers put out by the government. That is the only place to get reliable information. There are specific rules for formula and breast milk and I do not know them off hand. You should be able to google it. Make sure it is a .gov suffix.

Bring along some tylenol or benadryl and have a bottle read for take off and landing so she can equalize her ears. This is more important on landing than take off. Also, try to get her to nap if at all possible.

Good Luck and have fun.

You are allowed to take a resonable amount of formula on with you to carry on. The car seat can possibly be an issue. My suggestion is to check it and make sure to put your name all over it. The car seat is going to take up a lot of room on the plane and depending on how full the flight is, you may not have a place to stow it. Just check it, it's one less thing to carry on. FYI..be sure to give her a bottle when you take off and land or give her a paci to suck so she can swallow as the altitude change will make her little ears pop and could be an uncomfortable ride for her and all in attendance.. Good Luck!!! She'll do great!! :)

You can bring liquid or powder formula. Pull it out of the diaper bag and put it next to the bag when going through security. They will look at it but will allow it for the baby. Include the diaper cream with the liquids.

When I travel I buy the premixed formula bottles. For ease of travel. I packed the bottles and dry formula to use at the place of visit. If you want to take dry formula and mix it at the airport is fine. DO WHAT EVER IS EASIEST FOR YOU. You are allowed to stress a little bit :)

Car seat - You can check it at the gate when you board. I did this for my son. I carried him through the airport and let him rest in it. Then when I got to the gate I went to the counter and got a special tag. When I boarded the plan they told me where to leave it. If you bring it to the gate it will not get as beat up as if you checked in.

Make sure to be feeding the baby or have the baby suck a pacifier when taking off and landing. It will help their ears. Also, encourage her to drink more. It will help with the ears and keep her hydrated.

If you child cries life will go on. Usually once the plane gets going most crying children relax. At 2 months my son was easy to travel with. I popped a boob in and we were good. At 1 year life is a little harder because they are very active. Your daughter is a great age to travel.

Ticket information -- sounds like your daughter is a lap baby. You will have to go to the check in counter and get a ticket for her. You will not be allowed through security without this. I also packed my sons birth certificate, just in case. I had it for check in and security. I think one person looked at it.