I've come to terms with the fact that we will probably never be lucky enough to live close to either of our families, but it doesn't change the fact that their important to me and I miss them like crazy! I want my kids to know their extended family and make awesome memories with all their cousins! With my husbands family living on the East coast and all mine out West, being a frequent flyer was inevitable.
With each trip and move I've picked up on more and more travel tricks. Along with our growing family, the amount of crap we have to travel with also seems to grow. Cramming everything into a carry-on was much more doable before we became parents. But luckily we've discovered a few tricks to minimize our load. Hubby and I tried to count how many times our 22 month old daughter has flown so far... we counted at least 10 TIMES, not including connecting flights. About half of those flights were me & baby flying solo.
So I thought I'd share some things I wish I knew on my first flight with baby.
1 - Choosing seats: If you're nursing, try to get a window seat... it gives you a little more privacy and fewer distractions for baby. However, if you're traveling with a wiggly older baby, the isle seat may be the way to go. My first solo red-eye flight with baby was a nightmare! She was about 10 months old and on the verge of walking (a very busy phase). She was so beyond tired that she was crazy and wanted to bug everyone around us... which meant I was constantly up and down with her and trying to sneak past the poor woman next to me who was ATTEMPTING to sleep was so embarrassing.
Also, ask the flight attendants when you first get to your gate if they can move you somewhere with an extra open seat; it'll give you somewhere to lay baby down when you get tired (holding a baby for 6 hours strait is absolutely miserable). I've yet to meet a flight attendant not willing to help a poor mother with kids; they want a smooth/quiet flight too. Most of the time, if there's a better seat available they'll be happy to give it to you... just ask.
2 - Baby wearing: This is my #1 baby flying tip. You'd think it would be nice to have the big stroller to help you haul all that crap you have to carry, but in my opinion, it's just more of a hastle. It's easier to check the carseat (free to check btw) & suitcase, leave the stroller home, and wear baby through the airport (the Moby Wrap is my personal favorite). If you take a stroller, you have to take baby out at security and break down the stroller to go through the scanner - it's a pain. If you wear baby, you can go through security without having to disturb baby; you also get to skip the gigantic controversial x-ray scanner and use the old school ones without having to be patted down. I've heard of a few mamma's being asked to take baby out of their carrier to go through security, but I've never had that problem. They will do a quick hand swipe test with a paper strip (checks for some crazy chemical; not sure what) after going through the detecter; super easy though.
3 - Carry-on: Invest in a big diaper bag, it becomes the perfect carry-on. Another good option is to use a back-pack as your carry-on; this'll free up your hands so you can tend to baby if they start fussing while you're sprinting through airport terminals. Also, just stick to one carry-on. You are allowed one carry-on plus a personal item (example: purse, camera case, etc.)... but when you're traveling with a little one, the personal item is just one more thing to carry or forget somewhere.
4 - Dress Comfortable: This goes for you and baby. Slip on shoes are a good idea and don't wear a belt. And I know baby shoes are cute, but unless you want to take them off at security, don't bother (socks are ok though).
5 - Pressure Changes: As adults, we know the usual tricks to get your ears to pop to relieve pressure from the altitude changes, but babies don't. If you've ever been on a flight surrounded by ear piercing baby cries during take-off and landing... you know what I'm talking about. Best way to help baby's ears pop is to have them suck on something. I always start feeding baby just before take-off & landing - sometimes if you wait until after baby is feeling ear pressure they may get too upset to latch on. If baby will take a pacifier, that'll work also. Highly recommend bringing a pacifier clip though... trying to sanitize a 'binky' every time your baby throws it is nearly impossible on a cramped airplane (who knows what kind of germs it'll pick up on an airplane). Note: if you do need to sanitize a dirty pacifier, ask the flight attendant for a cup of hot water from coffee machine - works great!
6 - Snacks & fluids: Be sure to bring plenty of snacks and fluids for you and baby. Typically fluids are a big no-no through security, but babies are the exception :). They don't give an exact limit, but allow infant fluids such as formula, breast milk, or juice in "reasonable quantities".... which basically means however much you need to get to your destination. They will still want to check your liquids though, so be prepared for that. And you CAN bring an ice pack to keep liquids cold if needed, but it HAS TO BE FROZEN solid at the checkpoint. Here's the 3 main things to remember for infant liquids at security (from Transportation Security Administration):
- Separate these items from the liquids, gels, and aerosols in your quart-size and zip-top bag.
- Let Officers at the security checkpoint know you have these items.
- Present these items for additional inspection once reaching the X-ray
For more details from the TSA on infant liquids, here's a link to their website: http://www.tsa.gov/traveling-formula-breast-milk-and-juice
In my book, snacks are a NECESSITY when flying. Let's be honest, airlines have gotten ridiculously stingy with they're snacks over the years.... if you're lucky you'll get a mini bag of peanuts; but that just doesn't cut it for this mamma. And there is no way I'm gonna pay their insane prices for real food on a plane. So I pack lots of snacks, and a meal for longer flights. PB& J has become my go-to flight meal since it doesn't need to stay cold. Fruit, veggie sticks, granola bars, trail mix, etc are some easy snack options too (if you're going international they may not allow fresh produce through customs - find out beforehand).
6 - Time: Give yourself plenty of time. I'm sorry to break it to you, but your days of showing up just in time to rush to your gate and walk on the plane need to be over. I hate waiting in airport terminals, but "cutting it close" when flying with a baby is NOT fun! I'd suggest getting to the airport at about 2 hours early. This'll give you plenty of time to get through security, deal with last minute diaper changes or feedings, check for any upgrades in seating, etc. Also, it's really hard to use the restroom on an airplane WITH a baby (unless you have someone traveling with you), so give yourself time to go before you board the plane.
7 - Boarding: Another random perk to traveling with baby... EARLY BOARDING!!! That's right, parents with infants and children get to board early - pretty sure this is because we tend to have so much crap. This was awesome with a younger infant, but once my daughter started walking we actually would forgo early boarding and try to be last on the plane. Sounds odd, but my daughter was so busy and wanted to run everywhere... it was easier to let her get all her wiggles out running around the gate area than trying to restrain her ON the plane for an extra 15 minutes while waiting for everyone else to board. Just something to think about.
8 - Diaper changes: A good majority of the airplanes have at least 1 lavatory on the plane that has a fold down changing table. Ask the flight attendant before take-off which one it is so you aren't wandering the isles trying to figure it out mid-flight. I've had a few flights where I waited to ask which bathroom had the changing table til I needed it, and no one had a clue where it was or if they even had one; felt really silly carrying my stinky baby up and down every isle checking every lavatory for the magical drop-down changing table - which did NOT exist on that flight anyways. If the plane doesn't have one, start practicing your "lap changing" skills cause the only other options are the toilet seat lid (bring a changing mat BTW), an empty seat next to you (if you're lucky to get one), or the floor by the flight attendant station. I have actually had to do the last one once. Baby girl had an explosion and there was no fold-down changing tables on the plane, no empty seats, and I really didn't want to put the people next to me through the nasty-ness of a poopy diaper change. So the flight attendant held up a blanket as a "privacy curtain" while I changed baby on the floor outside the lavatory (again, BRING A CHANGING MAT). Not pretty, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do.
9 - Nursing: There are certain public places I am totally comfortable nursing uncovered, but an airplane is not one of them. It gets awkward when you're squished next to a stranger on a plane and you have to pull your boob out for feeding time. I'm just feeding my baby, but some people are weird about it, so I try to at least cover up so I don't make anyone too uncomfortable. I usually bring my nursing cover-up for flights. It also helps minimize baby getting distracted during feeding (my girl is EXTREMELY social - so covering her was the only way to get her to focus with so many new faces around). If you don't like using a cover up, bring a light poncho or try wearing a loose shirt that is easy to nurse in that will also cover baby. You could also use a cardigan or receiving blanket.
10 - Identification: We all know we have to have some form of ID when we fly, but don't forget that your baby does too. The first time I flew with baby I had no clue I needed some form of "proof of age" for her; the lady helping me check-in gave me a little grief about it, but luckily let it slide since my baby was very obviously under the age of 2. Some airports are more strict about this than others though, so to be on the safe side, click a picture of your baby's birth certificate on your phone before you leave home (they don't require a hard copy). Oh and make sure your printed ticket actually says "infant in arms" on it; they can add it on at the airport check-in desk or on one of the self-serve kiosks. I was sent back to the check-in desk from security once because my ticket didn't say that; such a pain!
11 - Extras you ACTUALLY need: I've already mentioned ditching the stroller unless you really need it. Personally, I like to check the carseat early on so I have less to deal with... but if you wanna pay the extra money for a second seat so you can lay an infant carseat next to you as a crib, that'd be a nice option (I'm cheap though). Or you can haul it with you to the gate in hopes of them finding you a spot with an extra seat - if it doesn't work out you can check it at the gate, no big deal.
Other baby flight necessities you'll want in your carry-on:
- change of baby clothes
- enough diapers/wipes for flight
- hand sanitizer
- infant liquids as needed (never had to bring liquids when breastfeeding since I already had the "goods")
- at least 2 snacks for you & 2 for baby (if on solids)... more if it's a long flight.
- empty water bottle (fill up after you go through security)
- changing mat
- couple baby toys, small books, or teething rings (no need to over-do it, enjoy this time when they're easily entertained by other things. One day this kid will want to pack the whole dang toy-box, so saver the somewhat 'minimalist' infant days.)
- receiving blanket
- pacifier and clip
- bottle or sippy-cup (if needed)
- teething tablets or infant Tylenol (if needed). No, this is not so you can drug your child for the flight (although it is tempting at times). Personally, I try to avoid giving my baby medication unless absolutely necessary, but when you're stuck on a long flight during those teething phases it's just not the best time to experiment with other remedies. My opinion when traveling; better to use something I know works fast so baby can be comfortable. I've only had to use infant pain relievers on a flight maybe once, but I always bring a small bottle just in case.
Hope this helps someone else out there gearing up for their first flight with baby. This is what works for me, but not all my ideas may apply for every situation, especially if you're traveling with more children. Maybe a year from now I'll be able to do a new post on the subject after I've done a few flights with a toddler AND an infant (that should be fun). Would love to hear other's ideas and comments on this!
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