Travel for the First Time with My 8 Month Old

Congrats on the wedding!!
We flew with our son when he was 6 months. The flight going there was GREAT!!! He did awesome. The flight back...TOTALLY different story. We made sure he had something to suck on during take off and landing so we could save his little ears from popping...we gave him his paci & apple juice. LOVED them both!! We brought lots of toys, a water bottle, and some keys because those were his favorite! He wasn't so happy coming back home and we were "those people" on the flight. If you do give him lots of fluid or food, be prepared to change him in the smallest bathroom ever. Airplane bathrooms aren't friendly for diaper changes!!!
Good luck on the flight! I'm sure he'll do great!

You've gotten some great info..just adding something, since he's 8 months old I would assume he's on some table food. Bring snacks with you on the plane (you can bring unlimited food) and of course enough for him to drink plus buy yourself a bottle of water after you go thru security. My son loved playing with the plastic bottle and the seat back tray. Gate check a stroller (a cheap umbrella type works just fine) you're obviously not going to be able to tend to him during your ceremony so someone else can easily take him for a walk if needed. We didn't buy our son a seat until he was 2 and we flew several times - me by myself and also all three of us. It's far easier than you'd think even if he's not a plane sleeper - mine wasn't- too much new stuff going on. Also, not sure if anyone has mentioned if you rent a car you can rent a car seat - just bring some disinfecting wipes to get rid of the "ick" factor. One less bag to worry about then.

Sorry to disagree with the other mom but I would never buy a seat for my baby! maybe I'm too cheap! lol!! Take a car seat (check in with your baggage) and take your stroller (check it in on the ramp into the plane). I breastfed both my babies on the plane...sit next to the window, use a big blanket and my husband sat on the other side of me to block the view. Take snacks and amusing (quiet) toys and try to keep them awake for awhile before you get them on the plane they are really tired and hopefully will sleep. The hum of the plane really puts them to sleep well. congrats! it will all work out great! oh, one last thing....call ahead to the hotel and tell them to have a crib in the room when you get there. sometimes if you ask them to get a crib when you check in, it takes a long time to get it and many times the baby is tired and wants to sleep so you wait needlessly for the crib.

Take the stroller all the way to the gate with you, you can check it there. I also don't carry too much on with me. Check all your luggage. I get a backpack and take only that on the plane. I save one pocket or area for my stuff..wallet, cash, ID, etc. and use the rest of the back pack for your son. Diapers, a change of clothes for him and a clean shirt for you just in case. I also use different sized ziplocks for toys and such. You can take your own carseat and check it in like luggage, most airlines even have a thick plastic bag you can use.

Make sure the hotel knows that you will need a crib, the ones I've used usually have the crib in the room set up and ready to go.

Get to the airport early so you aren't stressed. Make sure to use the bathroom before you board so you don't have to go mid-flight. If you bottlefeed, use that bottle or a pacifier on the landing. That is when little ears have the most pressure.

Good luck!

Remember to check your liquids. Any liquids that you bring through security have to be in 3oz containers or smaller and be in a one quart size ziplock. They usually make exceptions for a bottle of milk or formula. Bring a blanket for your son. It sometimes gets cold and the blankets on the airplane are few and reused from flight to flight. Bring a couple of new small toys and lots of snacks. If he has a cold, give him a decongestant or benedryl 30 min before takeoff. (check with your pedi) It is usually a good idea whether they have a cold or not to give them something to drink for takeoff and landing. Childrens ears block so much easier than adults. (very painfull) Let him do lots of crawling before the flight so that he isn't so restless. Have fun.

I flew when my baby was 8 months old and almost walking, and I didn't buy her a seat. My husband didn't go with us to Michigan, so it was just me and an 8 month old and a 7 year old. I took her umbrella stroller which was a huge plus! But, remember to take it down before you get on the plane so that the stuartess can put it up for you. We took plenty of juice, new toys, snacks, etc. She was fine on the way there, but the flight back was aweful and we got lots of dirty looks. If you're breastfeeding, I recommend that you get him used to a bottle before you go, because it is terribly hard to b/f on a plane! Buying her a seat would've saved me a huge headache! I highly reccomend it!
Congrats on the wedding!

Be aware of when you're flying. If it's during his nap time, he might be fussy. Be mentally prepared for the looks and pack in an extra set of patience. :-) If you're calm he will calm down much faster. I wouldn't rent/buy a car seat either. Just check yours at the gate. Change his diaper before you get on the airplane, so that if he drinks too much you won't have to worry about it until you land. Take some snacks, a favorite book and 2 or 3 favorite toys. Don't overpack. At this stage, your interaction will be more entertainment than anything else. You can take the baby to the back of the plane near the bathroom and bounce him up and down in your arms for a few minutes if he is fussy. The change of scenery can sometime distract him. Good luck and congradulations.