Seeking Tips When Flying with Baby

Bubbles (wedding sized ones at Michaels if you can't find small ones), finger puppets, crinkle toy, cold pasta to nibble on, cheerios, umbrella stroller or baby carrier you can wear, backpack diaper bag for you.

- Bring her carseat to the gate and ask if they have an extra seat (assuming you're not traveling at a peak time and know this will be futile). If they do, they will often rearrange to sit you next to the empty seat and you can use the carseat. This gives baby a place to sleep/play that's not on your lap. If not, gate check the seat, which is safer than checking it at the curb anyway.

- Ice is fascinating. Get an extra cup and a spoon (or just hands) to move it back and forth, and it can keep a kid this age entertained until it melts. Slightly cold (for you), but otherwise harmless.

- Always keep an eye out for the family medical liquids line. Sometimes it's hidden/closed unless you ask. You cut to the front of the security line, which when traveling alone can be a lifesaver.

The last time I flew, the woman sitting next to me had an infant and she had bought a small screen with a built in DVD player, so it was compact and fit into her baby bag, on ebay or amazon and played "Baby Mozart" DVD's. Her baby was so entranced he did fine during the flight. He justed screamed during the decent.

Get a few new toys she has never seen that are small. My youngest was 2 when we started flying and I bought a set of those small plastic Disney princesses and put them in a make-up bag and handed her the bag after take-off and looking out the window lost their interest. There are very cute and tiny stuffed animals at the Paper Strore. There are magnetic Barbie dolls with clothes that come in a tin slender box. My daughter was entertained by one of those week or month pill boxes that drugstores have, with the little snap-open lids per day. You could put a few cheerios in Monday, some fishies in Tuesday, some other cereals and perhaps even a piece of candy she can have (chocolate chips maybe?) behind each snap-lid. And even when empty my child enjoyed opening and closing the lids. If she will watch movies, there are very small portable DVD players, so you could bring her favorite movie, or perhaps get a new one she has never seen (or just borrow them from the library). And as a final note: babies will cry, babies will fuss, you are doing the best you can so do not let nasty glances from business travelers get you down if she does end up fussing. Breast or bottle are often good ways to soothe. My pediatrician was not against Benadryl to make my kids sleepy, but said to try it at home first since most kids (and adults) get sleepy but some get hyper. Enjoy the trip.

Hi T.,

When I flew with my son alone, I just made sure that I had some of his favorite toys and books with me. He did GREAT and I had no problems with him. If you have an empty seat beside you, after take off, let her play in the empty seat. I was able to do this and my son had fun playing Peek-a-Boo with the people that were sitting behind us. I hope that this helps!

I. K.

We have flown a lot with our kids and I have found it most helpful to buy their own seat not only for their own safety but also because then they treat it just like they do a long car ride. They know what to expect once they are strapped in. When mine were that age, they would fall asleep just like they would in a car. Then when they are older they can appreciate snacks, books, activity books, dvd's. all that fun stuff. It can be challenging but it has always gone better than I thought it would! It's hard being stuck in a small space for a long time! Once my kids feet start hitting the seat in front of them, I stop using the carseat and let them sit in the seat with the seatbelt. Usually around age 2. I use the carseat as long as I can. Then inevitably the day comes when I try to install it and put them in and their feet hit the seat in front of them and I have to give it to the flight attendant to check it. :-) Oh and we have always used a sling or ergo instead of a stroller when traveling during the first year, it is much easier to simply wear them on your hip or back while checking in and getting through security, much easier around the airport! I would always see people struggling with getting babies in and out of strollers at security and and I was able to just walk through with my little one in the sling, no problem. Good luck!

new wrapped little toys, sticker books from the dollar store. I love the idea of the pill box. My son is 2.5 and loves to open those pill boxes. Filled with yummy snacks -- awesome idea. I'm taking that one.

Do you plan to take her car seat? When my son was 12 months we flew 3.5 hrs (just me and him) and he slept in my arms the whole trip (I planned the flight around his naptime. He nursed and crashed.) I hope 10am is around her first naptime!

Make sure you use the potty before getting on the flight! You won't be able to go to the restroom the whole time.

I ensure that mine is going to be sleeping on the flight ... melatonin if needed mine has a hard time sitting still on the plane and we fly at least twice a year, this year will be 3.

I would say as long as she is sucking (breastfeeding, taking a bottle or soother) on take off and landing she will be ok. Bring her favorite toys and foods books as well as something new. My son is fascinated with new things and would be interested in it longer. I also would walk up and down the aisle for him/her to look at different scenery. Remember the flight attendants are there to help. Use the call button if you need anything. Generally speaking people are willing to help if you are traveling alone with a child. Good luck!