Flying with a baby!

Flying with a baby

Bryson took 10 roundtrip flights by the age of 2- one international. I spent lots of time researching how to have a successful flight and not be stressed with a cranky baby. He HATES sleep while traveling since he is super FOMO like his mommy, so I couldn't depend on sleep to keep his crankiness at bay. The following are what I've learned:

Don't forget to bring:

-- Baby carryon bag (including the BUSY BAG- )- this is free and counts as a diaper bag

-- Adult carryon bag

-- Smaller travel stroller- this is a free gate checked item

Don't bring your regular stroller- the airline will ruin it in some way. We got a lightweight one from Babies R Us ( sadface) but you can still get them other places.

-- Baby carrier

Things to leave at home:

-- Carseat

*Sidenote: If you're renting a car, go through Hertz, they give you a free carseat with rental.

Taking the carseat on the plane is a HUGE hassle, it doesn't fit down the aisle so you have to carry it above your head, hitting flight attendants in the process. IF you buy a seat for a child under 2 (like I did for the international flight which is the only time you should do that) you do not HAVE to take the carseat. I ended up checking it for free on the way back because it was such a hassle.

--Pack N Play : most hotels have these you just have to request them (We ended up at one hotel on a last minute flight cancellation that didn't have one and we just coslept)

From Dropoff to Landing to Baggage Claim:

The best dropoff logistics depends on how many people are going.. If it's 2 adults and a baby, the person doing the longterm parking car dropoff should keep the baby, leaving the other adult to haul that baggage into the Departures hall. If you have 3 or more adults, baby + 2 adults stay at the departure hall with the luggage while the childless adult deals with the longterm parking. It's pretty difficult to get the luggage in when you're the only adult with the babe.

When checking in you will need either a passport for the baby or birth certificate to prove you're the parent. Sadly, they don't always ask - but I always provide it for safety reasons.

Going through security, you DON'T want TSA Precheck.. that is more stressful with a baby!

Security is different all over the place : Some places make you fold your stroller up, others don't care; some make you put the stroller through the conveyor belt, others put it through a gate. Some are picky about looking at the drinks and food for the kid- others don't care to even look. I strive to prepare for the pickiest so I don't have issues:

1. Before you get in line, put baby in the carrier on you so you're prepared for if they want the stroller.

2. You're allowed food, water, formula, and milk (no restrictions on size) for the baby! The liquid must be in transparent containers so they can check it - so solid containers like Horizon milks or premade formula won't work. They will take out your bag to be checked so be prepared to wait at the end of the conveyor belt while they assess all your baby stuff.

3. Sometimes they want the stroller to go on the belt- another reason it's helpful and important to have a smaller travel stroller.

4. You and baby should be expected to go through the metal detector - not the fancy high tech one, just the regular one.

5. After the belt, put the baby in the stroller while you wait to be checked with all the liquids. Then baby can stay in the stroller during the airport experience, giving your back a break.

While waiting for the plane:

Bryson LOVES the moving walkway and it occupies a LOT of his airport entertainment- walking back and forth over and over again. Along with watching airplanes of course!

Tire the kid out! Some airports have nice play places, so if there is a layover- check out the airport and spend your whole time at the play place!

Getting on the plane:

1. Before you get on : change diaper, and

2. put the baby in the carrier

3. Some airplanes do family boarding- Personally, I wait until the last possible minute before entrapping the baby on the airplane, especially for a crawler/walker. I take advantage of family boarding if younger than 6 months.. but afterwards, I focus on tiring the babe out while in the airport.

4. Walking down the gangplank, you'll gate check your stroller and leave it as you walk onto the plane with your baby already in the carrier. Keep the baby in the carrier until taxiing out of the gate- that is when you have to take baby out per TSA guidelines for takeoff. The longer you keep baby contained, the better.

5. Once at your seat put the baby bag under your seat, your adult bag up top. Flying with a baby is your entertainment now- so you will have no time or ability to do anything but focus on flying with a baby. (i.e. there is no point in bringing music, headphones, or a magazine/book)

6. Personally- I advise a window seat- extra entertainment for the baby and more containment from the aisle.

On airlines where you choose your own seat- walk to the very back and grab a window seat: most people will avoid you, esp if you have another adult, which ultimately will give you a center seat for the baby to sit in if old enough for FREE. :)

During Takeoff and Landing:

The baby should be sucking on something- breastfeeding, drinking a bottle, sucking on a pacifier, or when older: sucking on a "jollypop". This helps the ears!