Questions On Flying With 6 1/2 Month Old

[dtripli]

We are headed to disney and it has been about 9 years since we have flown with an infant! Since then the airlines have so many rules about what you can carry on with you that I am in a panic. Can I bring ready to feed formula on board? Are you allowed to carry on your baby bottles? How can we bring our formula with us for the trip - do we put it in a check on bag (8 oz cans of ready to feed) or in a carry on suitcase? We didn't plan on renting a car (using magic express), but now Im thinking we might need one to purchase this stuff when we arrive instead of bringing it? We'd also appreciate any tips on the whole trip with a 6 month old. Our other kids are 9, 11 and 14 so this is all new to us again!!

 

[ppan77]

Baby bottles and formula are allowed just show them at security. Pack extra pacifiers or whatever they like to feel comfortable for the trip. Luckily I have found that babies fall asleep on take off and landing on planes. I dont know what its like with a baby in Disney but we will be having our DD9 months go for her first trip with dd3 so we will see how it goes. Atleast they can ride most all the rides our dd3 will go on in MK.

 

[chipscinderelly]

We are headed to disney and it has been about 9 years since we have flown with an infant! Since then the airlines have so many rules about what you can carry on with you that I am in a panic. Can I bring ready to feed formula on board? Are you allowed to carry on your baby bottles? How can we bring our formula with us for the trip - do we put it in a check on bag (8 oz cans of ready to feed) or in a carry on suitcase? We didn't plan on renting a car (using magic express), but now Im thinking we might need one to purchase this stuff when we arrive instead of bringing it? We'd also appreciate any tips on the whole trip with a 6 month old. Our other kids are 9, 11 and 14 so this is all new to us again!!

I think the TSA will allow you to carry some of this on (enough for that day at least), however, I'm not sure they will allow you to bring enough ready to feed (assuming it's liquid) for your entire trip. You should check out the TSA website and call them with specific questions.

 

[Carriemel]

Hi. I work for the TSA and yes, you are allowed to bring a quantity of ready-made formula on the plane that is sufficient ONLY for the flights you're on. You would need to check the majority of the formula in a checked bag. So basically, if you're flying from Pittsburgh to Orlando, a 2 hour or so flight, you'd be allowed to take two of the 8-oz ready-to-serve cans. Any more than that would probably be considered too much. Questions, please PM me.

 

[katied]

I've never had trouble flying with stuff for DS (now 15 months). TSA has never questioned me about it, and with flight delays, I would always plan to have extra stuff anyway. There is no way you can buy formula at most airports, and if you're stuck on the plane for hours, you have no option either. Of course, they will not let you have enough for the entire trip.

One option too is the dry formula packets - we had some we received as samples when DS was born, and since he was generally BF, we never used them except when travelling. But, try before the trip and see if your baby is ok with the powered stuff. The benefit of these is they are very portable, very lightweight, and all you need to do is add water and shake.

For me, I was generally OK packing for trips with DS without planning trips to the store. You can estimate the amount of diapers and pack those (or if you'll be gone long enough - order on Amazon.com and have a large box shipped to your hotel - maybe you can have the cans of forumla shipped too?). Overall - I could carryon a diaper bag and small tote with DS and my stuff, and check 1 bag with DS and my stuff, including diapers, formula, etc. for a 1 week trip.

DS at 6 mo was very easy at Disney. It was Oct - so the weather was easy. He was very portable, happy to nap in the stroller or in my baby carrier, and happy people watching, etc. He loved the characters at that age - I have wonderful pictures of him laughing with Pooh and Eeyore (by 13 months he was scared of them). We used Baby Care on all trips - it's a nice place to change a diaper, let him crawl, or nurse/feed a baby (or take a break in AC if it's hot). I had a nice lightweight, semi-reclining travel stroller for him, and that was all we needed.

Overall, DS has been at 6 mo, 8 mo and 13 months - and 6 mo was the easiest.

 

[Taja]

We took a 14-week-old lad with us to WDW last December--5+ hours coast-to-coast. He was wonderful!

We were allowed to take pre-mixed formula for one day (had to allow for the possibility of missing flights, delays, etc.)--and we added a couple of extra bottles. We had plenty of checked luggage available, so we did split what we needed for the entire trip into two bags. We used the pre-filled bottles--not sure what brand it is, but it's what he was accustomed to.

You have a couple of options besides renting a car for a grocery stop:

Shipping the balance (or part of it) to your resort, which is likely to be pricey.

Ordering it from a grocery delivery services such as gardengrocer.com or wegoshop.com. Check out both websites--the operate a little differently.

You could price the options, then decide if it would be better to rent a car or use one of the alternatives.

 

[dtripli]

Thank you to everyone....What does TSA stand for? Im new to the lingo. Also does anyone have any pool side tips for me? Is there anything I can rent or bring to have a place to put the baby down in by the pool. We are staying at GF for the first time so I don't know what is available.

 

[katied]

TSA - dont know what it stands for, but it's the govt body responsible for airport security

pool - for DS, we bought a thing that he sits in inside the pool - by Swim Wings (?) I think. It was around $20. Designed for kids age 6 mo - 24 months. It has a sun shade too, and is designed to be very compact to travel with.

Otherwise, we've held him in the pool. He's done very well in the pool, but he started "swimming" at 2 months.

 

[dtripli]

TSA - dont know what it stands for, but it's the govt body responsible for airport security

pool - for DS, we bought a thing that he sits in inside the pool - by Swim Wings (?) I think. It was around $20. Designed for kids age 6 mo - 24 months. It has a sun shade too, and is designed to be very compact to travel with.

Otherwise, we've held him in the pool. He's done very well in the pool, but he started "swimming" at 2 months.

I think I have the same tube; but I was thinking about something for outside of the pool to put him in while mommy sits in the lounge chair and sips a margarita? Or are those days on hold again for now? hee hee

 

[Carriemel]

TSA=Transportation Security Administration

 

[all4fun]

Here's a link to the TSA traveling with children page. http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/index.shtm

Another thing you could do is order grocery deliver from wegoshop.com or from gardengrocer.com . We have used both and prefer wegoshop because we can choose which store they shop (helps you control the cost) and the service we received was excellent as well. It was well worth the small fee we paid (and a lot cheaper than renting a car too!).

Another option is shipping a box of items to your resort ahead of time. You can go to UPS.com to estimate how long it will take to get there so you know when to ship it. We live in the NW, and it took our box about 7 days the last time we shipped ahead. Just another option. If you do this, put your resort name, your name and your arrival date (NOT your ressie#) on the ship to address. If you think you'll need to ship stuff back, don't forget to pack some packing tape and a label for the return trip.

hth!

 

[elderfam]

We checked our car seat but took the stroller to the gate and checked it there. We have also never had a problem with formula.
We had a sling with us which was great for flying. Our son snuggles right in when we fly. It keeps him warm when the flight feels cool.
We feel like he is so easy at Disney. Just watch for a quiet place to sit when he naps and have a great trip!

 

[Mommy2Abby]

DD flew for the first time at 6 months. I took 2 full 8 oz bottles on the plane, as well as several containers of baby food...enough to get me through the first 24 hours or so. It had to be declared and inspected separately by security, but other than it being a pain for me to separate everything out, it was not a problem. I also took some powdered formula in my carry on bag and bought a bottle of water after passing through security in case I needed it later.

As for the question about relaxing with your baby at the pool...I just wheeled her stroller down with me and she napped in her stroller next to my chair.