Flying for the First Time with My 6 Week Old... and Not Sure What to Expect

You can check in a carseat with baggage and a stroller at the gate. Your baby is only 6 weeks old, so I would suggest using a baby front pack carrier instead of a stroller. You can, however, check a stroller at the plane as you board. They will put it off to the side and place it with luggage before take off My son was about 8 weeks old whekn I traveled last year with my tehen 1.5 year-old too. I used a Baby Bjorn carrier and it worked out a lot easier than I thought. He slept most oof the time and my hands were free to help my 1.5 year-old, take off my shoes at security, etc. On one flight, I was asked to take him out of the carrier on take off and landing, but that wasn't a big deal. Because of his young age,he slept most of the time. I was ready to nurse him if he was fussy or hungry, but didn't need to. Just make sure she is fed and changed before boarding and with only you two, it should work out ok. Remember to nurse (with a blanket to cover so no one is uncomfortable if sitting right next to you-you never know who you will sit by) or give her a bottle when she's fussy and you are good to go. Have a nice trip!

I have a 5.5 month old and am going on a flight in two weeks also. I was having the same concerns. So far, the things I've done to prepare: bought a $12 car seat cover bag from target online for covering the car seat real quick when you check it at the gate. This helps so it doesn't get dirty when checked. You can also buy bags for the stroller, but ours isn't very nice, so I wasn't as concerned about that. As a side note, I also bought a travel bed that folds up into a smaller size, its called a Peapod portable bed. I haven't done the flight yet, but I'm hoping I'm prepared as far as the 'gear'!
I've read a lot about whether you should give your child any tylonel or medicine of some sort to get them to sleep on the plane, but the overwhelming majority of answers and advice is to NOT give any medication to your little one unless they are sick. Plus, sometimes the meds actually wake them up instead of make them sleepy.

My baby's first flight was when she was 7 weeks old. She did remarkably well on the plane. Even though we had a carseat and stroller for her, what worked best for us was to carry her in a sling throughout the airport (we put our carry-on bags in the car seat and got some strange looks). The sling was also good for holding her during the flight. You can bring the carseat and stroller through security and then gate-check them -- you won't be charged for the "baggage." Be sure to get the tags from the gate agent before boarding your flight. You can bring extra breastmilk or formula through security -- they are exempt from the 3-1-1 rule of carry-on liquids. Of course, nurse, bottle-feed or give a pacifier during takeoff and landing. Other than that, just try to relax and enjoy it. This is the best age to fly with kids -- before they get all squirmy and have short attention spans!

-Bring car seat stroler system. Gate check it when you check in at the gate (so be early). They will give you an open seat if they can and you can bring on the carrier/seat and buckle it in...awesome! they will check the stroller and have it set up for you as you get off the plane. same with the seat if there is no open seat so put a luggage tag on both. This also insures you have both in the airports and on the right plane with you.
-some people rather do the snuggly but you can not have it "on' during take off and landing.
-You can not sit in a wing seat so check that at gate check in too to relieve confussion later. ask for a bulk in the very front were there is more leg room and no one to sit back on you too. I often didn't sit with my husband so I could get this seat. then you can put the baby on the floor n front of you on a blanket to change the diaper. there are changing tables but I changed mine on my lap as it was more stable.
-pack a blanket or two. for feeding and lying on. Keep clothing easy with union suits or gowns.
-bags for the diapers. like a zipplock so can zip and it won't leak or smell if I had to toss in my bag last minute after changing...stewarts not so gret at 'colecting stinky diapers"
-pacifiers in snack zip locks if you use them. bottle for water if you nurse. then if you nursed the baby when you thought you were taking off and then got delayed on the run way, she can suck on something...wait, yours is maybe too little for water. so have her suck your finger or something then during landing and take off. Remember, if your ears hurt, so does hers.
-hand sanitzer
Have you flying partner go first and grab a pillow or two for you, set up all the bags, etc. then walk in last call with just the baby. We liked the aisle seat as you can get up and walk the baby if necessary..but the window is more private if you are nursing...I had to sit in the middle between two teen boys...yuck...just showed them it all as there was no room!