This will be our first time flying with a 2 month old little boy and I was wondering what advice other moms have. What are they allowing to take on the plane and do they still allow you to check a car seat/stroller at the gate? I am also breastfeeding and wondering if I should pump and have a bottle just in case? Also - what are the must haves to bring on board in my diaper bag?Thanks.
I know that when I flew with my infants..I had a flight attendant tell me to bring a pacifier or a bottle or nurse the baby alot. Their little ears get plugged and they will cry because it hurts.
I think that things that are very familar to them give them security...like small toys that they play with often...a blanket or a stuffed animal.
Hope you have a very good time. Lenda
We flew with our son for the first time when he was two months old and it was probably the easiest flight we have had. I was nursing too and didn't worry about pumping - I just nursed. If you are uncomfortable you can bring something to cover up with, or pump if it makes it easier for you. Check out (and I suggest print out) the TSA website info on traveling with young children, its tsa.gov then select the appropriate links. Also, I don't know if you can afford too but we have always purchased a seat for your son and put his car seat on board. If nothing else we knew that the car seat wasn't treated poorly, and therefore as if it had been in an accident, and it was really nice to be able to put him down while he was sleeping (especially if it is a long flight). You can check car seats and strollers at the gate, usually, but check with your airline to be sure. Also, don't forget to bring lots of water and snacks for yourself, more diapers than you think you will need, and extra clothes for both of you. At 2 months I don't think my son really cared about toys or book although I am sure we brought both - in fact he slept almost the entire flight - the white noise at that age seemed to work like magic and he had terrible colic so I even brought ear plugs for the people sitting around us in case he cried the whole flight. Feel free to contact me personally if you have any further questions - I am more than happy to give you more info. Have fun where ever you are going - and don't forget to take care of yourself, you are much more likely to get sick at this point than your baby.
They don't mess with parents who have drinks for babies and toddlers, and they do let you take strollers to the gate for sure. We've never taken a carseat on board, but if you've paid for a seat for baby I think you can. It's really good if you can have baby suckling when you take off and gain altitude, and when you come in for a landing. It keeps their ears from becoming uncomfortable. If baby is used to nursing, then I wouldn't bother with a bottle, just take a blanket or whatever to cover yourself with. Take a couple of changes of clothes on board for baby (and diapers/wipes of course) in case clothes get soiled in a blow out (that's happened to me). And a bag to put soiled clothes in... You might take a change of clothes for yourself too ;) You just never know! It sucks having tons of stuff to lug around on board along with a baby and stroller and carseat, so stick with the essentials.
I did that last year and I was able to take my diaper bag, purse, and carseat on the plane. I gate checked my stroller and car seat base. Things may have changed since then though, so call the airline directly and simply ask them. If you normally give your boy bottles, then stick with it so things are as normal for him as possible. You're allowed to take breastmilk on the plane so don't let them hassle you at airport security. Here's my list of must haves on the plane: change of clothes for everyone (two for baby) since you never know when the mega blowout is going to happen and there's few things worse than flying covered in poo or puke, a burp cloth just in case, pacifiers if you use them, a blanket or hooter hider so everybody going up and down the aisle to/from the bathroom doesn't see your breasts (it's just an angle thing) one toy for every two hours that you're flying. Your son will likely sleep most of the trip, but it's good to have something handy in case he doesn't, an empty water bottle that you can fill up after security but before boarding. The flight attendants don't come by often enough when you're breastfeeding and only have time to chug your 4oz. before your baby sticks their arm in it. A book or something for you to do while baby is sleeping. :) Good luck, you'll do fine!
One other note: if you're taking your stroller through security, be prepared to collapse it to send it on the conveyor belt. I've had to all 6 times that I've flown with it, though a friend of mine didn't have to last week.
Double check directly w/ the airline you're traveling w/ about gate checking carseats and strollers,regulations sometimes change. About bring a bottle,as far as the airline is concerned double check again on regulations about baby bottles and fluids/breast milk your aloud to bring on the plane w/ you. When it comes to your baby, what is he most comfortable w/ does he prefer breast or bottle? Whichever is more comforting to him and you is what you should stick with. During take-off and landing try to feed him because the sucking will help his ears adjust to the air pressure. You probably just need the usual stuff in the diaper bag,maybe pack a couple extra outfits just in case and remember they do have regulations on putting baby ointments and food etc. in clear zip lock bags,you may want to double check this also w/ the airline. good luck
I flew with my 1 yr old son a few months ago and I got greif about having baby bottles filled with water (to dump formula in on the flight). The bag checker kept saying that if it was medicated i wouldn't have to dump it, so i FINALLY caught on to her hint and said ..."um, it's medicated?" and she said ok, go on thru! If it had been pre-mixed with formula,or breast milk, that would have been ok. Go Figure! Be prepared with easy slip off shoes for when you go thru the gates (and don't wear a belt unles you want to remove it!) and take your stroller for rushing thru the airport. They will let you check it at the gate. Contact your airline though because some of them will charge up to $25 for this. Sometimes, they will also charge to check a babyseat. I borrowed one from the person who picked me up from the airport!
Best thing to do for baby is have him suck on a pacifier or to eat while taking off and landing. The sucking helps the ears not get clogged up. At 2 months old, you shouldn't have much to worry about. He will probably sleep thru the whole thing!
Airplanes don't have changing tables in the bathrooms, so change his diaper just before boarding and take a changing pad just in case you have to change him in some crazy place, like your seat or the top of the toilet seat! Oh, and don't forget a couple of extra outfits for him and a shirt for you. Put a couple of gallon sized ziplock baggies in the diaper bag for his messy clothes. They always seem to poop/puke when your not prepared!
Good luck and enjoy your trip!
Stephanie:)
Mom of 4- Ages 9, 7, 4, and 17 months
(Brendan, our youngest has spina bifida- check out his web site at www.caringbridge.org/visit/babybrendan )
I just flew out of PDX with my son a few weeks ago. The airlines currently allow you to take 3oz items, such as diaper creams and baby sun lotion, with you on the plane but that 3oz maximum, from what I was told when I called the airline directly (we flew Delta), did not apply to filled baby bottles or baby food.
If you are already pumping and/or your baby is already used to using a bottle and you prefer to feed your baby via the bottle while flying, just tell the security gate folks that you have breastmilk in bottles in your bag. They may require you to take them out for inspection. On the other hand, if your baby isn't used to bottle feeding and you feel comfortable breastfeeding in public, I would recommend breastfeeding your baby while on the plane over using a pacifier.
I was terrified my baby was going to cry and fuss the entire time but I latched him on as we were taxiing down the runway and he was asleep before we left the ground. (He slept through the whole flight and the subsequent descent when we were landing at our destination.) I brought along and used a Hooter Hiders nursing cover from Bebe au Lait - Spoiled Rotten in West Linn sells these, although a light blanket draped over the shoulder works just as well.
If you do decide to breastfeed and are a bit nervous about doing so on a plane because of the close proximity to others, know that you have legions of breastfeeding moms supporting your efforts. I checked out the Oregon statutes on breastfeeding before leaving as I'd read that Delta recently kicked a woman off the plane for refusing to cover up. Here they are, the first is applicable to flying:
Or. Rev. Stat. § 109.001 (1999) allows a woman to breastfeed in a public place. (SB 744)
Or. Rev. Stat. § 10.050 (1999) excuses a woman from acting as a juror if the woman is breastfeeding a child. (SB 1304)
Or. Rev. Stat. § 653.075, §653.077 and §653.256 (2007) allow women to have unpaid 30 minute breaks during each four hour shift to breastfeed or pump. (H.B. 2372)
Oh, and I did see a number of car seats placed near the entrance to the plane but it probably wouldn't hurt to place a call to your specific airline to see what their policy is regarding car seats and strollers.
Good luck with your travels!
I'm not sure about the car seat thing I know you can bring it on but I think you have to buy a seat if you want to use it on fligh. I used to fly with my daughter when she was younger...I breast feed until my daughter was 3 years old. I never brought a bottle on the flights just brought an extra blanket to cover up and she was fine. Breast feeding made Take off and landing much easier....The bottle was just one more headache to deal with. Good luck and enjoy!!!
Yes you can still check the stroller at the gate. If you have a layover I definitely recommend that for getting the baby around the airport.
Does your baby have enough neck support you could put him in a baby bjorn? That helps when you haul luggage and need your hands free or just walking round the airport.
I never had any problems breastfeeding on the plane. If you travel with your husband and sit in 3across rows then sit next to the window and put your husband next to the stranger for extra privacy while feeding.
Carry on- enough diapers for a day (in case you get stuck or luggage doesn't make it), change of clothes for you and baby, blanket, small toy or rattle, if the baby has a comfort object don't forget that
I read everyone's posts and noticed they all mentioned the baby's ears getting clogged at take off & landing. Because babies don't know to swallow (like we do) or chew gum, you'll need to have the baby drink or suckle at that time. It is very important because their eardrums could burst if they don't. I know someone that this happened to.
Because you'll be prepared for anything (after reading all these posts), you'll have a wonderful trip.
2 months of age has been a great time for us to fly. I too was nursing--we had the whole row, so I just nursed with a receiving blanket over me during the flight. You can check the stroller and car seat at the gate. From everything I have heard, the take off and landing are the toughest on them and it helps to have them nurse, or suck from a bottle or pacifier to help equalize their ears. Good luck and have a good trip!!
You're still at the relatively easy age for flying (18 months is the worst!). Nursing him during takeoff and landing will help a lot!
they are allowing any size bottles for babies and make sure you have at least 4 diapers just in case of delays. I dont know if you are comfortable nursing in public or on planes but i did with my daughter and that was easier than taking bottles at that age. Last time i flew was in July and they were still allowing you to take stroller/carseat to the gate and you could check there. I was able to bring my own juice boxes for my 2 1/2 yr old. Good luck.
I flew Continental recently and they still let me check the car seat and stroller at the gate. I didn't pump a bottle because I was afraid of the strict guidleines these days about limiting fluids that you can bring aboard. I just nursed her when we took off and landed which keeps the air pressure in their ears equalized as well. She slept for the whole cross country flight. Be sure to bring extra clothes for both of you in your carry on just in case she spits up. I learned that one the hard way with my first daughter and had to wear solied clothes for the entire trip! Good luck!
Hi Nina,
When we flew with our 5 month old last December, they really barely checked out the baby bag. They are pretty lenient in regards to bottles, formula, etc. Just bring a pacifier if baby uses one, or be ready with breast/bottle during takeoff and landing. Our girl slept most of the and it was a great flight.
Also, unless you are planning on putting your baby IN the carseat on the flight, CHECK the carseat at the ticket desk! We weren't sure what to do with it on the 1st flight,and LUGGED the darn seat all the way through the airport and checked it at the gate, and it was a pain! Of course, back then they weren't charging for bags, but really, you don't need the seat until you leave the airport and get into a car, so make it easy on yourself. Use a stroller if you need to (check that the gate) or just put baby in a bjorn or whatever carrier on you and away you go!
good luck!
hiya-
i was travelling a lot with my son when he was around that age- i would check the carseat with the skyporters. it comes out at baggage claim, you don't have to carry it around the airport with you, and i had a really good experience with their help and handling of the seat. i don't think i would have the same attitude about the ticket people, but it's probably all the same. We took the carseat onboard once and it was a hassle- they had extra seats and offered it as an option- it was more annoying than useful. but if your son loves his seat you may want to plan to check it at the gate on the chance that they will have extra seats and let you bring it on.
breastfeed. it is necessary for their little ears and makes things a lot better. feed when you go up and when you come down. that said- don't start feeding until the plane actually pulls away from the gate and starts moving if you can get him to wait for it. sometimes you get stuck waiting to take off and the baby is done feeding before he needs the help for his ears. Same thing on decent. don't start when they say "beginning decent" start when they ask for seatbacks to go up. unless your son is fussing- then feed away. I wouldn't worry about a bottle. getting it through security can be a pain, and the bottle won't help the ears as well as feeding from a breast since the jaw doesn't open as wide.
i think i flew 8 times with him between 2 months and 6 months. he only had one bad flight. so don't worry too much about it. also- if you are flying southwest by any chance- sit with other parents- it will help your son be entertained, and the other noises will buffer any of his own. Plus other parents can help you out with ideas if things aren't working.
luckily your son is so little it should be a breeze. just be attentive to the airpressure and feed going up, coming down, and if you hit turbulence or your son starts fussing notably.
in your diaperbag i'd bring a change of clothes(ideally for you and him), a diaper or two, wipes, a blanket, and a couple toys. if your son takes a pacifier, definitely bring that.
I didn't bother with a stroller at the airport and just used a bjorn. it made travel a lot easier for me. you may want to think about using a carrier for your venture. you can use it in the seat too, just not on take off or landing. it's nice to be able to use it because it gives some sense of security about the baby being attached to you if something goes goofy- like you hit turbulence
I've flown with our 2 kids the first time when they were about 3 1/2 months. for the most part i just nursed them as we were taking off and stuck in the plug and they usually slept for most the flight. the descent is when their ears tend to hurt and nursing ought to stop that. also could try rubbing just behind their ears. all you'd need in a diaper bag is extra change of clothes and plenty of diapers and wipes. maybe an extra set of clothes for you if your little one has a tendency to spit up or blow out diapers!
We are planning a flight in about 5 weeks with kids that will be 2 1/2 years old and 3 months. I have done tons of checking with most airlines and you can check you stroller and carseat with NO CHARGE. They are seen as necessary items so they do not qualify for the baggage rule and charge, which is so nice because we will be checking two carseats and a duo glider! I traveled with our first at 8 months and they did not allow me to take any expressed milk or premade formula on the plane. They made me dump it out....I was FURIOUS!! I recommend a carrier as have the previous posts, it is so easy and convienent and it can be crammed into small spaces when not in use! Checking your stoller at the gate is also very easy and it is sitting there waiting for you when you get off, very handy! As in prior posts, nurse going up and down and with turbulance and other than that your little one will more than likely sleep. pack lots of diapers and clothes for both of you, they will be needed! Good luck and sorry for babbling! :)
We travelled all the way to Panama with our daughter at that age and this is what we did.
We ditched the stroller and car seat and kept a Moby Wrap with us instead. This gave us both two free hands to get through ticket lines, security, carry luggage, etc. It also provided a nursing cover and worked as a blanket. And last, I was able to nurse my daughter to sleep and rest on the plane at the same time by wraping her around me in the Moby in a laying down position so she could nurse and sleep at will and no one could tell what was going on.
In regards of what to bring, I found it was best to make sure I had plenty of diapers, wipes, a change of clothes. At this age they will sleep through most of the trip, so just the basic necessities. Since you are nursing, try to nurse during take off and landing to get through the pressure changes. Swallowing helps open the tubes and allows their ears to pop. If your baby is sleeping, just let him sleep. They are so relaxed, their ears may adjust without even disturbing them at this age, so jjust be ready to nurse if necessary, but don't feel you have to wake him to get through this part of the trip.
And last, expect the worst and you will be pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to travel at this age. :)