What should I know about flying with an infant?

[Disney Princess]

We are taking our son on his first flight at the end of the month. He will be three months old. We are visiting family for the holidays. We have booked our flights, Southwest knows he is joining us, and we know we need to bring his birth certificate to verify his age. What else should we know?

Can we gate check a little stroller for him to use in the connecting airport?

He is breastfeeding, but the pediatrician has us on Vitamin D supplements. Do those need to go in a ziploc? I know "prescriptions" don't need to fit, and this is prescribed by the doctor. However, it is an OTC bottle - no prescription label.

I will nurse him on take off and landing to minimize ear pressure changes. What else should I plan for?

We hope he will sleep the entire flight on both legs. He isn't a fussy baby or a cryer unless he's hungry, and that's easy to fix. I appreciate any tips. Especially if there is something we're not thinking of.

 

[At World's End]

Yes, you can gate check a stroller. You may have to gate check the car seat also, if there is not space for it on the plane. Don't assume that you will be allowed to install it if you did not buy a seat for him. But if there is space for it, I would bring it on board and use it as much as possible, for safety.

Bring extra clothes for him, and an extra shirt for you and everyone else in your group. Bring more diapers than you think you would need, and have wipes readily available. Bring a familiar blanket and a quiet toy. Don't go crazy with the stuff you carry on. I can't believe the size of some of the "diaper bags" some people bring. I could fit my 6 year old in there! The more you bring the more you have to juggle. A backpack with all the necessities was always easiest for us for travel.

Not sure about the vitamin supplements, I would bring a doctor note just in case, and put it in a ziplock bag.

 

[rwdavis2]

Don't bother with a doctor's note. The TSA won't even look at it. How do they know if a doctor actually wrote it.

 

[DebbieB]

You would only have to worry about the vitamins if they are liquid. Otherwise, they can just be packed.

 

[puffkin]

Don't go crazy with the stuff you carry on. I can't believe the size of some of the "diaper bags" some people bring. I could fit my 6 year old in there! The more you bring the more you have to juggle. A backpack with all the necessities was always easiest for us for travel.

Could not agree with this more! Pack as light as possible when travelling with an infant! You will be so glad you did.

We fly with our kids 2-3 times a year at least. Last trip was about 1 month ago and my DS was 3 months old. Some tips:

1. Be prepared to go to the counter to get the baby's boarding pass. I never add the baby in advance. That way I can check in online like normal. At the counter (or curbside which is what we always do) I just get the baby's boarding pass with the birth certificate.
2. If you are gate checking the stroller, make sure you go up to the gate agent in advance of boarding to get the stroller tagged!
3. With a baby that small, no way would I want to deal with a car seat on the plane!
4. On Southwest, the baby changing area is in the front restroom. It is tiny (folds down over the toilet area). Try not to change a diaper unless you absolutely need to.
5. I tend to sit in the back of the plane behind the wings. The extra noise back there helps keep me more calm as I know it is much harder for the other passengers to hear the baby. Plus there is much less jostling and hassle getting off the plane (plus you shouldn't have to wait as long for them to bring up the stroller).
6. Pack light and keep it accessible! I take a backpack when flying. The back pouch has all our important docs, magazines, coloring/sticker book for DS6, my Kindle, iPad, etc. Middle pouch has baby essentials in individual gallon ziplocs. One ziploc with bottles/bib, one with wipes and diapers, one with spare outfit. I also have a light blanket, nook, and teether. Front pocket has a few little snacks for DS6 and the chargers/plugs. My husband carries his work laptop and all his medications. I have a very small purse as well with cell and wallet. That is ALL we carry on the plane for us. Everything fits under the seat in front of us so easy access the entire time.
7. Stay calm. The calmer and more relaxed you are, the better the baby will be. If the baby does cry, do not get flustered. It happens. Just calmly soothe your baby. The more flustered you get the worse it will be for everyone!
8. You do not need to do anything special with medications. If they are liquid and over 3oz you may have a problem unless they are prescribed but we have never had any problems taking medications through security and we do not declare them (my DH is a Type 1 diabetic so has lots of it).

Good luck! Flying with a baby is really no big deal

 

[Betty Rohrer]

i would pack a complete change of clothes for you, baby and anyone else who will be holding baby in flight. nothing worse than a leaking diaper and no change for you. do not plan on a seat being avaible to put the infant seat if you do not pay for one. most flights near holiday times are full. you will most likely not be able to use tray in front of you while holding baby. also make sure diaper bag will fit under seat infront of you, as it can be hard to get in overhead bins during flight. i would practice changing baby on you lap, just in case seatbelt sign is on and the blowout happens.

 

[Disney Princess]

Thanks for the replies everyone! You have been so helpful. My in-laws have a lot of baby gear, so we're thankful we don't have to figure out to get that stuff to Washington. I appreciate all the info. The vitamins are liquid, but I think I can get them in a ziploc without trouble. We can also pack them in our checked bags. I'm so thankful we are on SW so we can pack our junk and not mess with it on the plane. Good ideas to have as little as possible. I wouldn't mess with the strolled (the in-laws have one in WA), but I think it'll be a godsend for our connection.

4. On Southwest, the baby changing area is in the front restroom. It is tiny (folds down over the toilet area). Try not to change a diaper unless you absolutely need to.

All of your tips were great puffin, but I especially loved this. I can barely maneuver myself around the bathroom, so I don't imagine changing a baby is a picnic.

i would pack a complete change of clothes for you, baby and anyone else who will be holding baby in flight. nothing worse than a leaking diaper and no change for you. do not plan on a seat being avaible to put the infant seat if you do not pay for one. most flights near holiday times are full. you will most likely not be able to use tray in front of you while holding baby. also make sure diaper bag will fit under seat infront of you, as it can be hard to get in overhead bins during flight. i would practice changing baby on you lap, just in case seatbelt sign is on and the blowout happens.

Didn't think about having to change him on my lap. That would be entertainment! I guess we'll work on it. At least I have my husband so we have four hands!

 

[ottawamom]

Here's another thought for your connection. A baby front pack (Snugli) or a sling. Not quite sure what name they go by in the States. That way you wouldn't need to bother with the stroller for the connection at all.

I had my third child in a sling all the time. He started flying when he was 12 weeks old. I wasn't able to slow down running around after two other little ones so I just strapped him to me and off we went.

If you do go that route get one soon so that you and the baby can get used to it. Baby's are so easy to fly with. It's the toddlers and older that need entertaining that can be challenging.

Good luck,

 

[Jimbeaux28]

For my 3, a pacifier always helped during the take off and landings to help equal out the pressure changes in the ears. Not sure if your infant is a noopie baby though.