Flying With SW with a Lap Infant

[shaycamp21]

Myself, Dh, dd's 12, 13 and 3 1/2 months (at time of flight) are flying out of Buffalo (direct flight) to WDW in a couple of weeks and I have a few questions as I never flew with my older dd's when they were that age. I know I need to check in at the counter to get a BVD but was wondering if I needed both her passport (we are Canadian) and birth certificate or just her passport?

Also how much formula / water am I allowed to bring? I was going to bring some prepared and was going to bring water to prepare with the powder. We have an early morning flight so we may not get into our room until later pm and so I am afraid of not having enough sterile water to last until then (we have a Garden Grocer order with Nursery Water being delivered to our room, plus I am bringing a small kettle to boil the water). Unfortunately the formula we have to use does not come already prepared.

One last question about the stroller. We have one of those travel system strollers where the infant seat attaches and detaches. Do I have to check the stroller / car seat at the counter or can I take it to the gate? When you get off the plane where do you get your stroller (baggage claim?) and how does this work with Magical Express?

I don't want to start a debate about lap infants but would very much appreciate some help in answering my questions. Thanks so much.

 

[malibuconlee]

I would say since she has a passport that would be sufficient for her age verification to get the boarding document.

To be honest, we never used sterile water or boiled it for our daughter. We just used tap water at home ( the literature from our pediatrician's office said the city water was OK to do this) and bottled water when out and about. I never tried to bring water past security. The flight attendants were always happy to give us water on the plane or I bought some past security. Always did room temp or even cold water for her bottles, she never minded!

I will say we did bring the premade Similac bottles, and was given a bit of a hassle at the Kansas City airport about the quantity. And at the El Paso airport they did not have the equipment to test without opening the bottles. Which would mean we could only use them for the next hour, luckily I had powder.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

You can take the stoller to the gate. They will take it from you and bring it back to you at the gate in Orlando (don't race off to baggage claim without it)

Please don't try the stunt a woman did on one of my SW planes. She just "took" a seat for her infant and created a delay while SW tried to figure out why they were one seat short LOL!

 

[disneyfaninaz]

A reasonable amount of baby formula would be allowed through security. The other option would be to just bring the powder and buy bottled water on your way to your gate after security.

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/index.shtm#formula

 

[goofy4tink]

The combo system can go right to the plane with you, but have your baby out of it so you don't hold everyone else up. It's not a long walk down the jetway. When you get to the plane, they will take the stroller/carseat. They will give it back to you at pretty much the same spot you handed it over. Then, the baby goes back in it, and you head to DME...and there, the whole thing will be stowed, again, underneath the bus.

As far as water goes....I would bring whatever prepared formula you have, and then just buy some bottled water when you get past security...so much easier.
As already noted, don't board with the car seat..it will cause a massive amount of consternation once everyone else is boarded.

 

[shaycamp21]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I definitely won't bring the car seat on the plane, I understand the meaning of lap infant lol.

With prepared formula can you bring those frozen gel pacs to keep the bottles cool? It is unfortunate the kind of formula we use doesn't come in those ready made bottles. My Dr. has always recommended using boiled water until she is old enough to begin picking things up and putting them in her mouth but she is already putting her hands in her mouth, so I guess using bottled water is fine. I will start using some now to get her used to it, so she possibly doesn't have a problem with it on the trip.

 

[malibuconlee]

Sounds like a great idea to try her out now on bottled water before your trip. Much easier to get when traveling than special nursery water! Also most flights we've been on the attendants come thru and will ask if we have purchased a seat of if the baby is a lap child.


Have a great trip!

 

[maxiesmom]

With prepared formula can you bring those frozen gel pacs to keep the bottles cool? It is unfortunate the kind of formula we use doesn't come in those ready made bottles. My Dr. has always recommended using boiled water until she is old enough to begin picking things up and putting them in her mouth but she is already putting her hands in her mouth, so I guess using bottled water is fine. I will start using some now to get her used to it, so she possibly doesn't have a problem with it on the trip.

I have read that they sometimes let the gel packs slide by, but you can just freeze a bag of vegetables and use that to keep the bottles cool. That way you don't need to worry about that a TSA agent will take your gel packs.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

i did not mean to imply you would try the "Grab a seat" This woman was pretty hysterical to watch. She took the extra seat and then whined LOUDLY at the Flight Attendant when asked to give it up. She also was rather upset that SW did not have the snacks her other child liked, did not have entertainment (since she had brought nothing to keep her other child occupied) and seemed amazed that the FAs had duties other then responding to her every whim (Which they could not do anyway) Final blow came when she whipped out her credit card to buy the "hot meal" and accused the FA of eating it when told 'we don't offer one' By that point the rest of us around her were doubled over with laughter and the FA was giving us free booze as an apology for her

 

[Captain Blue Sky]

If the gel packs are in excess of 3 ounces in size you run the risk of having them surrendered at the TSA checkpoint as they might not be allowed in the sterile areas of the airport (gates).

As far as bottled water, those are also subject to the 3 ounce limitation unless you purchase them in the terminal after you clear TSA security.

Formula is fine to bring in but water separate from formula will likely not be permitted if above 3 fluid ounces in quantity.

The car seat/stroller combo can be gate checked when you board and then returned to you in the jet bridge upon arrival. That is considered an "assistive device."

Have fun!!

 

[tanker]

I definitely won't bring the car seat on the plane, I understand the meaning of lap infant lol.

Check with the Gate Agents to see if the flight is full. If it isn't the Flight Attendants will let you use your car seat (if it is FAA approved) for your lap child.

 

[Diegosmom]

Check with the Gate Agents to see if the flight is full. If it isn't the Flight Attendants will let you use your car seat (if it is FAA approved) for your lap child.

Yes I have had luck getting a seat for my lap child...ask at the gate if they flight is full...if not they will let you have a seat...

Also you really dont need any id for the baby...if they think the child is over 2 they might ask you to prove it but for a child that small they will know is not 2...

I think everyone else covered the rest of your questions...just make sure to do online check in at 24 hour mark cause you wont be able to do family boarding with the older kids just the little ...

 

[Meals1007]

When you get to the gate you can ask if the flight is full. If it is not they allow you to bring the carseat on and use an extra seat. If it is you can gate check the carseat. We went last year with my 3 1/2 month old and this is what southwest told us to do, all you have to do is ask. Lucky for us there were extra seats both ways. This year we didn't get so lucky, our flight was full both ways, but we just gate checked the carseat and went on our way. They are really great about gate checking the strollers and carseats. Any proof of age is fine, a passport should be perfect.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Also you really dont need any id for the baby...if they think the child is over 2 they might ask you to prove it but for a child that small they will know is not 2...

That's probably not good advice in relation to Southwest, since they've been known to ask for proof of age for newborns. Plus, the OP is traveling internationally and will have passports for all her children anyway. That will prove the baby's age.

 

[shaycamp21]

Would the 3oz regulation also include diaper rash cream (not a liquid more of a paste)? I just don't want it to be confiscated and not have it for our trip. Not sure if I can get it in a travel size though?


Originally Posted by tanker
Check with the Gate Agents to see if the flight is full. If it isn't the Flight Attendants will let you use your car seat (if it is FAA approved) for your lap child.

I guess I would need to bring the base it sits in to use it on the flight? Though I am not sure if my car seat would be FAA approved because it was purchased in Canada. Our regulations here are different and we are not permitted to use car seats in Canada that were purchased in the United States.

 

[deegack]

Would the 3oz regulation also include diaper rash cream (not a liquid more of a paste)? I just don't want it to be confiscated and not have it for our trip. Not sure if I can get it in a travel size though?


Originally Posted by tanker
Check with the Gate Agents to see if the flight is full. If it isn't the Flight Attendants will let you use your car seat (if it is FAA approved) for your lap child.

I guess I would need to bring the base it sits in to use it on the flight? Though I am not sure if my car seat would be FAA approved because it was purchased in Canada. Our regulations here are different and we are not permitted to use car seats in Canada that were purchased in the United States.

You should not need a base to install the carseat. Check the instruction manual. Also that will tell you if it's approved for flight. Bring proof of age for the baby. Sw will ask for it even if the baby is obviously younger than two.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

put the diaper creme in a checked bag unless under 3oz. it will mostly likely be taken at security. a friend had hers taken and had to buy more when they arrived.

 

[maxiesmom]

put the diaper creme in a checked bag unless under 3oz. it will mostly likely be taken at security. a friend had hers taken and had to buy more when they arrived.

Really? I would have thought you could declare it as a medical item. That stinks.

 

[Carriemel]

Diaper rash cream IS a medical item and as such, should be declared as medical. It will be allowed.

 

[malibuconlee]

You can find Desitin in the smaller size. It's been too long since I've bought it, but I want to say Target had it. On longer trips I would check the larger tube and bring the smaller one in the diaper bag.

And yes, Southwest WILL ask for proof of age for lap children. They did every time I flew them.