Traveling with a 5 1/2 Month Old....

Updated on February 26, 2007
L.B. asks from Evansville, IN
12 answers

I'm leaving this Friday (Feb 23) for 5 days. I'll be flying with my 5 1/2 month old daughter to Virginia for some much needed vacation. ( Stress with the divorce and being a single mom). I've got a friend down there I'm meeting so I won't be alone. Has anyone flown with a baby before? I know with the new security issues, its bound to be crazy. I'm just worried bout formula and bottles. Can I take baby bottles with water already in them or just ask for bottles of water? Any advice?

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

The flights were awesome!! On the first flight, they let me use her car seat since it was empty. The second, third, and fourth flights were packed so I had to hold her, but she slept on them all!! I wound up coming home early due to drama. Flying out of Norfolk though, they dumped 2 of the 4 bottles of baby water and I was put on stand by due to delays, but all in all it was awesome. Thanks for all your advice it all came in handy!

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.W.

answers from Lafayette on

Call the airport and ask them what the regulations are for that. Make certain to pack plenty of extra's for the trip...a pacifier may be a good thing if she'll take it for the take off and landing.

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.W.

answers from Indianapolis on

My son was two weeks old when he took his first airplane ride. He slept the whole way through! The great thing about flying with a kid is you can take their pumpkin seat/stroller combo right up to the door of the plane (which means you don't have to lug your carry ons around the airport). They then take it for you, load it in the plane and when you get to your destination it's magically waiting for you by the plane door again. Then you have the pumpkin seat for when you drive around in Virginia. I'll warn you though, changing a poopy diaper in an airplane bathroom is not fun! As far as bottles go, you might want to call the airline, or just bring one bottle with water for while you're in the airport and ask for bottled water on the plane.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.S.

answers from Indianapolis on

Yes you can take baby bottles with water already in them and you can also take snacks if your child is eating them. You check everything right there at security and they scan them. I just traveled last month with my one year old. I had all of her snacks and I took her formula with me. You just have to put everything into a seperate tub when you scan your carry on. I hope that this advice helps you. C.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.D.

answers from Indianapolis on

I only nurse making our flights easy, but from what I understand, you can take water and formula on any flight, you just have to tell them you have it ahead of time. Same goes for prescriptions. The best way to take care of your baby in flight is to feed on the way up and on the way down. Babies don't know how to "pop" their ears like we do, so by getting her to swallow frequently through feeding, she will do much better. They may suggest ways to hold her against your shoulder, but it's better to feed her as usual.
Good Luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.W.

answers from Louisville on

Hi, I started flying with my son starting at 7 weeks (once my husband was deployed). Security lets you bring bottles in with you.You may want to mix one bottle and have a back up with just water ready for mixing. I strongly suggest a front pack as it is great when traveling. In addition, you can take strollers right to the plane and they will have it ready for you when you land. Pack some extra food for you as we need it as busy moms and the flights don't provide much food. In addition, if you can make sure that you are feeding your baby when the flight 1st takes off and lands it will help their ears. You'll do great.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.B.

answers from Louisville on

My daughter took her first plane ride at 9 months. I made sure to pack lots of things to keep her attention. Have things for you child to drink or eat when the plane takes off and lands to keep their ears from popping. I also planned it to where Elena would be ready for her nap during the flight. As far as the formula, you might want to call the airline to double check.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.P.

answers from Louisville on

I don't know about formula and the new security laws, but make sure during takeoff and landing that your daughter is sucking on something, either a bottle or a pacifier. Something. This will make sure that her ears clear and there will be no pressure.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.M.

answers from Elkhart on

ive traveled with all three of mine many times!! for baby thats 5 mo old i would find a sling to carry baby in (strollers are too much bother ) youll want to travel as lite as poss, which means nothing 4 you, andeverything 4 baby LOL wear a backpack with unopened water bottles,(security wont let opened containers thru) also, have ur baby suck on a pacifier or bottle during takeoff, should his/hers ears be sensitive to the cabin pressure, my babys always traveled well, i was always the freaked out stressed out ball o nerves!!!lolbe safe and HAVE FUN!!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.N.

answers from Indianapolis on

I have yet to take my son on a plane and he is 10 months but we are going to Disney World in June with my family and my doctor said he wanted to give me a prescription of amox. just in case he gets anything on the plane since they are so germy. That way your much needed vacation isn't ruined with a sick little girl. Hang in there though. I am a single mom and I was thrown out when I was 3 months pregnant! So I have def. been there and it does get easier. I just look at my little boy every day and think at lease ONE good thing came from the whole mess. So keep your head up and it will pass. Have a good vacation!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.B.

answers from Bloomington on

I have flown several times with my daughter. The best best is to put the formula in the bottles and ask for water from the flight attendants. They are more than happy to help. I flew with my daughter from Indianapolis to Vegas with little trouble. I was lucky that she slept most of the way. An umbrella stroller is the best to get through the airport and most times the security attendant will bring you to the front of a line. The stroller will have to be folded up and sent through the x-ray but it is better than carrying it all or the big bulky stroller. Once at the flight desk, ask for a gate check tag and they will take your stroller as you board the plane and have it ready as you depart. As for your personal info, i ahve been there too. My ex threw me out when my daughter was 4 months old. Fell free to contact me for any help, I've been there, including a messy custody battle.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.N.

answers from Lexington on

Flying with a little one can either be really good or really bad. Make sure that during every take off and landing she is sucking on something (pacifier, bottle, thumb) or make sure she's asleep. This is the only way I have found that their ears won't bother them. It also helps to give them a little tylenol just to ease their bodies, it's uncomfortable for them too. Babies also get dehydrated when they fly, just like you, so make sure that they get a little extra fluid. Maybe ask your doctor is she can have a little bottle of water once you get there just to level her out. Security is usually pretty understanding. Most of the time they pull you to the front of the line, I don't know about the bottles, I only have breastfed. My only other peice of advice is don't preboard. Though it sounds good it just means you are going to be trapped in a confined space for an extra 20+ min. which is NO fun.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.D.

answers from Indianapolis on

L.,

Hey me and my husband flew when my son was just 5 months old to. He slept most of the way. Make sure that you put a pacifier or something for her to suck on when you go up and when you come down. Babies ears can pop just like ours can. The Doc told me that and it really did help. I'm not sure bout the new law. All you can do is call the airport and ask the securtiy. They should be able to let you know all that stuff. Good luck with your travel and be safe.

J.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches