Flying help

[sanibel21]

DH, LO, and I very recently decided to go on a trip. Its a six hour flight. And its Thursday. I was trying to be all laid back, "babies travel all the time," cool traveling mom. But now I'm freaking out. LO doesn't have her own seat, DH and I could not get seats together, and the seats we did get are middle seats...
A. WTF was I thinking??!
B. I have no idea how to fly with a baby.
Is it safe for her to go through the metal detectors or the xray machines?
Is it appropriate for her to get a pat down??
Am I supposed to seat belt us together the whole flight?
What if there is unexpected turbulence?
Is there really enough room to change her diaper in the bathroom?
Should I pack our own wcm and lunch or buy there?
If any of the seasoned flying moms want to chime in on any of that I would so appreciate it! I've tried googling stuff and looking in the airlines website but still don't know what the best tricks are.

[katka512]

It'll be okay! We took a flight with LO recently.
When you get to the airport, ask if you can get seats together. If the counter can't do it, ask a flight attendant for help or ask another passenger to switch. I'm sure someone would be happy to help you guys out.
We sat in aisle and middle seats which was perfect. A little extra room in the aisle and easy access out.
The metal detectors are safe! And the tsa agents were helpful and friendly to us.
I did not belt LO to me. I don't think she would have accepted that anyway. We just took turns holding her. I was nervous about turbulence too. All I could do was hold on extra tight to LO at take off and landing. But it was all fine.
LO didn't sleep at all on one flight and for about 45 minutes on the other. But she does well without a nap. How's your LO with sleeping when there's a lot going on? Mine is way too curious to sleep and miss out!
I really found that people on the plane were incredibly friendly and nice. A lot of people around us played with and smiled at LO, which she loves.
Have a new toy or two and favorite snacks to pull out in case you need something to distract her.
Above all, have fun!!!

[babycaps]

Girl, take a deep breath

A. You were thinking a vacation is much needed
B. Good! We don't want you to attempt taking flight only to end up with you and baby injured. Let the captain fly the plane!
C. You will NOT go through x-ray machine. Unless she's able to walk very well, you will just carry her through the metal detector. She can keep shoes on. You MIGHT need to take yours off depending on the airport, so wear easy on/off shoes.
D. No, a baby should NOT get a pat down. BUT, when you go through the metal detector, on the other side, they will do a hand test on YOUR hands. Before you go through, make sure you do NOT use baby wipes, baby lotion, any lotion, alcohol sanitizer on your hands. Those chemicals "set off" the hand test "paper" they use. Go to the bathroom, wash your hands very well with soap and water, dry well and then go to the line! The test takes approximately 10 seconds and is not at all invasive. If you recall, on way back form Portland, OR last year, my hand test was positive. I had just used baby wipes on LO's face! I had to get a full pat down and bag search. PITA. But that was ONCE out of the 8 times I have gone through security with LO.
E. LO will not wear a seat belt! You will just hold LO. Turbulence happens. Since you will be in a middle seat, chances of LO hitting anything are low.
F. You will have to ask the flight attendant on which bathroom has the changing table. It's usually in the rear of the aircraft. It's tight, but it's doable. I do recommend putting LO in an overnight diaper right before you board and then maybe not worry about a diaper change until you land unless she poops!
G. Bring puffs, milk, water, food pouches, and foods you know LO LOVES to eat. bring WCM with you to have in the plane. But it's highly likely you can buy WCM at your destination.
H. As for the separate seats, that's actually AWESOME. You and DH should take turns switching LO every hour she's awake so that you both get breaks from baby and so that your neighbors get a break too! DH and I sit separately on purpose on shorter flights so that we can give LO a change of scenery and each get a break.

Take advantage of when the seat belt sign is NOT on and just take a walk a couple of times to stretch.

DON'T apologize if your baby cries. Crying happens

I hope this helps!

[babycaps]

Oh, and if you really don't want to sit separately, it's possible someone will swtich with you!

[jtizzay]

Ya. Don't freak. It will be great.

Babycaps has a lot of what I would say covered. Don't worry your Lo will be super amused if it's their first flight.

I change b right before we get on and I have changed her in the plane. If there isn't a table and yes that has happened I sit on the closed toilet and put her head towards my feet and change her on my lap.

We've had separate seats. People will change but the flight attendant or Gate agent will make it happen.

Bring water bottles or give Lo cups from flight attendant. They stack. Can go on people's heads etc. Loads of fun

[maganonymous]

I'm just chiming in to agree with the others! It will be fine. All of our airplane neighbors were super nice and understanding, including the poor teenage boy who got stuck in the window seat with us Definitely pack your own food. It's too expensive at the airport. I think you can bring WCM in a bottle or sippy, but they would probably make you dump it if it was in the regular bottle from the store. Definitely bring your LOs birth certificate! Your lo will not be buckled into anything, and you can't have them in a carrier or wrap during take off and landing (but you can while in air if you want). We found that folding our tray tables down and letting her sit/play on those helped a lot.

[fish8412]

You will be fine! I have flown once with LO by myself and it was much better than I had anticipated. LO sat on my lap (not buckled with me). I put her in a night diaper and didn't have to change her on the plane. I changed her right before boarding (outside the gate). When you get to the gate, tell the check in peeps that you would like to switch seats so you and your husband can sit together. For yourself-try not to drink too much liquids so you can avoid using the airplane bathroom as much as possible.

Bring:
a copy of LOs birth certificate
lots of pouches and puffs (or any finger foods that LO really enjoys)
a portable DVD player (if you don't have one, borrow one from a friend)
new toys-I bought these for the trip. They are compact and LO loved them. She still plays with them at home.

www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Snap-Lock-Beads-Baby-Toy/dp/B000R34UME/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1427766732&sr=8-5&keywords=pop+beads

www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Bright-Beginnings-Stacking-Action/dp/B00006IJE6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1427766771&sr=8-1&keywords=fisher+price+stacking+block


Good luck! Try to focus on your trip as a family and not the plane ride.

[lincbeesmom]

What babycaps said!

[nattybumppo]

I just wanted to add that I always wear LO thru security and the metal detector. You can keep them in which is really helpful.

Family bathrooms at the airport are awesome - we always use those. (Though more handy now with 2 kids than it was with 1, but still nice to use.)

Avoid changing on the plane! I've done it. And if it has to be done, it has to be done, but if it's just pee, I'd totally wait til you land.

You can bring baby food and you can bring milk/formula/water for LO. I've only brought pouches - we BF so I just nurse and for DD1, I never worried about milk for the plane, just did water. But if you have a long flight, you might want to bring one of those small cartons of milk that is stable at room temp. It's hard to find whole milk that way, but a couple servings of 2% should be fine for your LO if you want a milk option.

As others have mentioned, DON'T FORGET YOUR LO's BIRTH CERTIFICATE (or shot record). Twice I have been at the ticket counter with people who have forgotten them and they won't let you go without it! (I think they were trying to get the doctor to fax the shot records?)

Allow PLENTY of time at the airport! You have to go to the ticket counter before security to get the lap child ticket. Then security. Then you have to gate check car seats/strollers (may be able to check at counter - depends on airline? we always gate check). Then bathroom for everyone (as a PP mentioned, YOU don't want to have to go to the bathroom while holding LO either! But you do have DH with you so that helps.)

Also, to be safe, bring PLENTY of diapers/wipes/snacks - more than you think you'll need! I don't know if you have a connection, but with flying you never know when a delay is going to happen. I always travel (carry on) with a full day's worth of diapers/wipes/snacks just in case. And I buy the rest of what I need (diapers/baby food for the rest of the trip) when I land (unless you are going somewhere without a Target/grocery store).

But don't stress too much. Yes, babies do travel all the time. It might be rough, it might be a breeze. But it's only six hours and you have vacation on the other side! And I do believe that babies feed off your stress so try to relax as much as possible about it. Have a great trip!

[RandomName]

Everyone's already said what I would have. So I'll just say: enjoy your vacation!

[jtizzay]

Yes being plenty of diapers! Also I bring water bm etc through security. Just smile and say it's for baby. Everyone loves babies we've done four trips w Lo and have our 5th coming. It doesn't even worry me much anymore. So for what that's worth

[sanibel21]

Wow!! Thank you everyone for all your thoughts and encouragement. So had to hear people don't think I'm doomed! I'm gonna reread and reread this info as much as possible! I don't think I have her birth certicate! I have to get in that right now. I wish you all were flying with me!

[babycaps]

sanibel21, yes!!! I forgot to mention you need a copy of her birth certificate!!

[jtizzay]

Just for context I've never been asked for her birth certificate. Flown on delta and aa thhough. Not saying you shouldn't bring it but just surprised you guys have been asked. Have been at jfk lga Mia Palm Springs lax and sfo

[nattybumppo]

Mar 31, 2015 8:59:21 GMT -5 jtizzay said:

Just for context I've never been asked for her birth certificate. Flown on delta and aa thhough. Not saying you shouldn't bring it but just surprised you guys have been asked. Have been at jfk lga Mia Palm Springs lax and sfo

Wow!  Really?  I've always flown Southwest and TWICE (two different cities) I have ran into a family at the ticket counter not getting their lap child ticket without a birth certificate/shot record.  Maybe different airlines enforce it differently. 

But sanibel21, if you can't get the birth certificate, a copy of LOs shot record from the doctor should work, too.  Whatever is easier for you to get!  

[zandeela]

just curious, why would you need birth certificate or shot record? what do the to have in common that makes then interchangeable?

[katka512]

We needed a copy of her birth certificate on Southwest because she was a lap child. We had to prove she was under 2 years old. I'm not sure a shot record would have been enough. You can always call the airline to double check though.

[fish8412]

Mar 31, 2015 8:59:21 GMT -5 jtizzay said:

Just for context I've never been asked for her birth certificate. Flown on delta and aa thhough. Not saying you shouldn't bring it but just surprised you guys have been asked. Have been at jfk lga Mia Palm Springs lax and sfo

I'm shocked you didn't need to show a copy of her birth certificate at security.

[babycaps]

jtizzay, also shocked!
Obviously we had to have LO's passports to go to Brazil, so no birth certificate needed for that one, but for the 4 domestic trips we have had we were asked to present birth certificate each time.
We've never been asked for a shot record though. Ever. Being immunized is NOT a requirement for air travel. It may be for entry into a country, but airlines do not regulate that.

[nattybumppo]

Mar 31, 2015 9:28:50 GMT -5 fish8412 said:

Mar 31, 2015 8:59:21 GMT -5 jtizzay said:

Just for context I've never been asked for her birth certificate. Flown on delta and aa thhough. Not saying you shouldn't bring it but just surprised you guys have been asked. Have been at jfk lga Mia Palm Springs lax and sfo

I'm shocked you didn't need to show a copy of her birth certificate at security.

I've never showed the BC at security....just at the ticket counter for the lap child ticket.

Yes, BC or shot record only to prove under 2 for lap child.  If your child is ticketed, it doesn't matter.  (DD1 is 3 and when we travel with her they don't ask for any ID.)

Shot record has nothing to do with vaccinations, it's just an accepted form of age validation for LO being two or younger.  That may be by airline though.  I think Southwest accepts shot record to validate under two but I've always used birth certificate.

[lincbeesmom]

I wasn't asked for LOs birth certificate either. I did bring it though.

[Deleted]

Mar 31, 2015 9:11:52 GMT -5 nattybumppo said:

Mar 31, 2015 8:59:21 GMT -5 jtizzay said:

Just for context I've never been asked for her birth certificate. Flown on delta and aa thhough. Not saying you shouldn't bring it but just surprised you guys have been asked. Have been at jfk lga Mia Palm Springs lax and sfo

Wow!  Really?  I've always flown Southwest and TWICE (two different cities) I have ran into a family at the ticket counter not getting their lap child ticket without a birth certificate/shot record.  Maybe different airlines enforce it differently. 

But sanibel21, if you can't get the birth certificate, a copy of LOs shot record from the doctor should work, too.  Whatever is easier for you to get!  

Southwest and JetBlue have always asked me for it.

[jtizzay]

Good to know. Ya. I've never been asked. I've also purchased her a seat and still nothing

[nattybumppo]

Mar 31, 2015 12:04:14 GMT -5 jtizzay said:

Good to know. Ya. I've never been asked. I've also purchased her a seat and still nothing

If you purchase a seat, you won't have to show proof of age.  (Same thing for now having to buy DD1 a seat at age 3.)  They just need to know for lap children due to potential FAA inspections for compliance.  The conversation I overheard with the family that didn't have the birth certificate was something along the lines of Southwest (or any airline) would get a major fine if an FAA inspection showed that a baby over 2 was riding as a lap child.  I don't know how or when these inspections happen - I have never seen one.  Interesting to know that other airlines are more lax about it...

[sanibel21]

We're flying JetBlue. And I officially have a birth certificate and shot record for her now thanks to you ladies! I feel better preparing as much as I can before. Be in control of what I can be right? I also bought 6 different baby snacks to bring along.

[jtizzay]

Mar 31, 2015 13:48:02 GMT -5 nattybumppo said:

Mar 31, 2015 12:04:14 GMT -5 jtizzay said:

Good to know. Ya. I've never been asked. I've also purchased her a seat and still nothing

If you purchase a seat, you won't have to show proof of age.  (Same thing for now having to buy DD1 a seat at age 3.)  They just need to know for lap children due to potential FAA inspections for compliance.  The conversation I overheard with the family that didn't have the birth certificate was something along the lines of Southwest (or any airline) would get a major fine if an FAA inspection showed that a baby over 2 was riding as a lap child.  I don't know how or when these inspections happen - I have never seen one.  Interesting to know that other airlines are more lax about it...

I've also had her as a lap child and was never asked but what you're saying makes sense. She was also clearly a baby (3 and 6 months okd) so maybe that helped

[bennieangel]

Was the flight today? How did it go??

We just got back from our second flying trip with lo & out absolute last one with him as a lap child - he gets a seat from now on. We lucked into a free seat for 1 of the 4 flights this trip & it was so much better / easier.

You got all the good advice above - I like the idea of sitting separate .... I wish we had done that this time. Dh spent a lot of time walking up & down the isle or standing in the back. The flight attendant actually took him for a bit on our 5.5 hr flight from PR to CHI because he wouldn't stop fussing. It was stressful. But the other passengers were totally kind about it.

[bennieangel]

Oh! And we flew sun country in jan & American this trip and didn't need to provide birth cert but I did have one with just in case.

[sanibel21]

bennieangel yes the flight was now yesterday! It was not a complete nightmare. When we checked in, the lady was like "did you pick not to sit together?" We were like "No!!!" She was able to seat us together and when we boarded, no one sat next to us either so we had the whole row which was fantastic. LO did not like my mom's tablet with all sorts of baby apps! I was shocked and panicked haha. She had a few moments of screeches and a few more of just plain whining because she wanted to move around more, but overall for a one year old on a six hour flight, I think she did well. DH and I were still just as exhausted though because we were one edge for her to go off at a moments notice the whole time you know? She fell asleep easily for her first 30 minute nap but the second one took a few tries.
Now we are dealing with time difference! We kept her up later than normal but she still woke up at 4 am this time, which is 7 am home time. So its 530 and were just playing. I don't know what else to do. Tried taking her into bed, but we never do that so I think she was a little freaked out, haha. Just make do right?

[fish8412]

I wouldn't even try to get her adjusted to the new time zone since your trip isn't that long. Have fun!!