Tips for flying/traveling with baby?

[GOmamab15]

I'm planning a short trip (1-2 hour on the plane) in a couple months. Any tips for how to navigate the airport, plane, rental car, hotel situation? My babe will be 8 1/2 months & I want to bring his stroller. 

FTM, not much of a traveler or flyer, so I'm feeling extra clueless. 

[Stringy]

So it sounds like you'll need a car when you get there? Which means you need a car seat. So you should bring his- renting them is not recommended.

Normally I'd say get his own seat but for 1-2 hours it's kind of a waste of money.

[greysonsmom]

I always check the stroller and wear the baby, for me that's easiest. In my experience babies are your best traveling companions! You get to be one of the first ones on the plane, generally people are extra helpful and the white noise of the plane just knocks them right out.

[frecklesnbrains]

You'll be fine!

I agree with greysonsmom - check as much as you can and wear the baby in the airport, though if your DS is not used to being worn then this isn't the time to try it out and just trudge the stroller through the airport.

If you'll be driving to the airport then take your own car seat and use it in the rental car. If you have a bucket seat with a base then leave the base at home. If you haven't ever used the car seat without the base then practice once or twice in your own car before you go on your trip so you feel confident. Use the stroller with the bucket seat clicked into it when you're navigating. If you have a convertible seat then that's a whole different beast - consider maybe renting a seat with your rental car. Lugging a convertible seat PLUS the stroller will be a pain, though I've seen that you can get trolleys to strap the car seat onto.

If you plan to pump while you're traveling then make sure the hotel has a mini fridge in the room. Most will provide one for you if requested. Also bring a cooler with ice packs. Breastmilk and airport security are not a problem, though they may quickly check the bottles for explosive material.

I've been told you're supposed to bring a copy of baby's birth certificate on the plane. I did not and had no troubles, but I know some people who were asked to provide it.

[sandandsea]

If I'm traveling alone I just wear the baby. If dh is going too I bring the stroller. Then we gate check the stroller. I always check the car seat with baggage but have a protective wheeled car seat bag for it. They get beat up but the bag helps a lot.

For the plane, nurse on take off and descent to help the pressure adjust. Pacifiers help with that too.

Pack in one suitcase if you can so it's easier to push the stroller with one hand and the suitcase with car seat flipped on top of it with the other hand.

Pack a change of clothes for everyone in the carry on.

New and interesting toys and foods help too (like puffs).

The stroller will go through the X-ray machine so be ready for that.

Formula and breast milk go through the machine too but tell them you have it in advance. They test it but I've never had an issue bringing breast milk. Many airports have nursing rooms now too which are super helpful.

If possible buy diapers at your destination so you don't have to lug the extra space around. And buy a reusable swim diaper for the hotel pools.

[sandandsea]

We always bring the passport or birth certificate to prove age for the airline. We've been told you have to so we always have. For a flight under 4 hours I wouldn't spend the money to buy a seat for them but others may. Depends on your comfort level with holding the baby and safety.

You can't use a carrier on take off or landing.

[GOmamab15]

Thanks!!!
I want to bring his stroller just because I plan to check out Stoller Strides at the beach where we're going, so excited about that! (Possibly the highlight of my trip, as dorky as that sounds.)But I don't really have a solid opinion about bringing his bucket carseat or not...I wouldn't want it to get too beat up checking it, but it seems like it's such a short trip to bother with getting him his own seat. Is it possible to bring it on the plane with us without getting another seat? I'll have to read the fine print on the airline's website.
He's used to being worn in a carrier so that won't be a problem. DH is coming so we'll be able to double team it.

[GOmamab15]

Do the cribs at hotels suck?

[mladerri]

I think it probably depends on the hotel. I always bring our travel bed but a travel bed is not considered a baby item for flying so 50% of the time they charge for it.

[GOmamab15]

Jan 24, 2017 0:55:10 GMT -5 mladerri said:

I think it probably depends on the hotel. I always bring our travel bed but a travel bed is not considered a baby item for flying so 50% of the time they charge for it.

I have a portable bassinet but it's tiny for him now (just realized we've talked about this before, we have the same one, right?) is that what you'd bring or a different travel bed?

[Kevinmac]

This post helped so much. We are going to Disney in three weeks and need to bring his car seat and stroller.

[greysonsmom]

You can gate check the car seat, that way less handling. That's what I do if I don't buy a seat. I would definitely get a bag for it though.

Not sure what your bassinet looks like but if he is pulling up on everything that would make me nervous. Do you have a pack and play?

[pbandj714]

I'm mentally following in case I can convince DH we need a vacation sometime soon (WE DO).

[greysonsmom]

I have the older version of this and it's great for traveling.

www.guavafamily.com/products/lotus-everywhere-travel-crib?gclid=Cj0KEQiAk5zEBRD9lfno2dek0tsBEiQAWVKyuJ7XDlfwssUyMhoP1OhPjkmE-l3-kjYRkFK95F6i208aAhLo8P8HAQ

[manybellsdown]

Jan 24, 2017 0:17:28 GMT -5 GOmamab15 said:

Do the cribs at hotels suck?

I've used many. They're fine. Nothing fancy.

[manybellsdown]

Jan 24, 2017 0:17:07 GMT -5 GOmamab15 said:

Thanks!!!
I want to bring his stroller just because I plan to check out Stoller Strides at the beach where we're going, so excited about that! (Possibly the highlight of my trip, as dorky as that sounds.)But I don't really have a solid opinion about bringing his bucket carseat or not...I wouldn't want it to get too beat up checking it, but it seems like it's such a short trip to bother with getting him his own seat. Is it possible to bring it on the plane with us without getting another seat? I'll have to read the fine print on the airline's website.
He's used to being worn in a carrier so that won't be a problem. DH is coming so we'll be able to double team it.

You can bring it on the plane if it isn't full and there's an extra seat next you. It must be installed though if you bring it on, so that's a big if.

Safety advocates will argue that all babies need a seat and a car seat regardless of trip length. (I say this as someone who has had a lap baby so many times but every time I read their reasons, I feel guilty.)

[GOmamab15]

manybellsdown I know I'll feel guilty but he really doesn't like his car seat and he loves being worn so I think for a little over an hour flight it should be ok. I bought our tickets last night! So excited! First vacation in over 2 years.

[GOmamab15]

@graysonsmom we have a bag for the seat but it's not a hard shell bag like sandandsea was talking about. I'm hoping they'll somehow have an extra seat and let us bring it anyways but I'll be ok if we have to check it at the gate.

[sandandsea]

Jan 24, 2017 0:17:28 GMT -5 GOmamab15 said:

Do the cribs at hotels suck?

We've had all kinds. Some suck some are amazing. Often it's a pack and play. Ds2 refuses to sleep in a pack and play so that part sucks.

[sandandsea]

Jan 24, 2017 12:05:31 GMT -5 manybellsdown said:

Jan 24, 2017 0:17:07 GMT -5 GOmamab15 said:

Safety advocates will argue that all babies need a seat and a car seat regardless of trip length. (I say this as someone who has had a lap baby so many times but every time I read their reasons, I feel guilty.)

I'm right there with you. But the odds are in your favor and I keep reminding myself of that. And if something goes wrong chances are it won't really matter. So in a very very very small percentage of times, it would matter. But there is something to be said for the comfort of not having to hold them and having the extra space.

[sandandsea]

Oh another tip. Bring twice the number of diapers you need and don't book the last flight of the day. If it's cancelled or delayed you don't want to get stuck somewhere. It's happened to us more than we would have expected and airlines do nothing for you in that case, even with a baby.

[mladerri]

GOmamab15 I have the Bjorn travel bed BABYBJORN Travel Crib Light, Great Blue www.amazon.com/dp/B01BLG1L4K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_Ha8HybTQ5CY28

I like it because it's super light and takes 2 seconds to pop up and break down.

[greysonsmom]

GOmamab15 how old will be be when you fly?

[GOmamab15]

Jan 24, 2017 19:48:37 GMT -5 greysonsmom said:

GOmamab15 how old will be be when you fly?

He'll be 8 1/2 months but he's already crawling and pulling up on everything, it legit wouldn't surprise me if he's taking steps by then.

[greysonsmom]

Jan 24, 2017 22:57:37 GMT -5 GOmamab15 said:

Jan 24, 2017 19:48:37 GMT -5 greysonsmom said:

GOmamab15 how old will be be when you fly?

He'll be 8 1/2 months but he's already crawling and pulling up on everything, it legit wouldn't surprise me if he's taking steps by then.

He may be a little small but when DS was 11 months old I bought gel window clings for him to play with on the plane window, kept him entertained for a while.

[2dogs2kids]

I've researched this a lot as we like to travel. In addition to what everyone else has said, I know you said you are using an infant bucket seat but if you're not buying a seat you could consider buying a carseat specifically for traveling. That way if anything happens to it (lost, damaged, etc) you are not ruining your main car seat.

The Cosco Scenera is less than $50 at Walmart and meets all safety standards it is just bare bones nothing fancy. It is also lighter than many of the fancier convertible carseats, which you want lightweight if you are going to be lugging it through the airport. Just a suggestion.

[GOmamab15]

That's a good suggestion 2dogs2kids my plan is to switch to the convertible seat we have when we return so if something happens to the bucket seat we won't mind too much.

[packerfan4life]

Feb 7, 2017 13:46:38 GMT -5 2dogs2kids said:

I've researched this a lot as we like to travel. In addition to what everyone else has said, I know you said you are using an infant bucket seat but if you're not buying a seat you could consider buying a carseat specifically for traveling. That way if anything happens to it (lost, damaged, etc) you are not ruining your main car seat.

The Cosco Scenera is less than $50 at Walmart and meets all safety standards it is just bare bones nothing fancy. It is also lighter than many of the fancier convertible carseats, which you want lightweight if you are going to be lugging it through the airport. Just a suggestion.

This is our travel seat (and we use it in our 2nd car)

[ArgyleEnigma]

The hotel crib didn't work well for us because there was almost nowhere in the room to put it where he couldn't reach something bad through the bars. The mesh of the pack n plays solve this problem.