Okay Momberries, tips and advice needed please.
My Grandmother was just diagnosed with untreatable liver cancer and will be going on hospice tomorrow. My DH’s, 4 month old and I will be flying (2 hrs 45 min) to see her on [name_f]Wednesday[/name_f]. Any tips or advice on baby flying?
Thanks in advance.
I’m so sorry to hear about your grandmother.
So your baby is about 4 months old? Flying will be fine, just be careful not to overpack the carry-on/diaper bag so you can find things easily. It’s the toddlers you have to dread flying with, in my humble opinion.
Also, if he/she is big enough to sit in an umbrella stroller, it’s kind of nice to just bring one of those rather than the whole big travel system (although you will need the carseat anyway).
For a baby under 6 months, I feel like it’s just as easy to plan on having them on your lap (but I am a super-cheapskate and don’t like buying extra plane tickets).
I am just sitting her on my lap for the plane ride and I am planning on baby wearing in the airport and just checking her car seat when I get to the airport when we check the luggage.
Thank you for the idea about not overpacking the diaper bag because I definitely am guilty of that and would regret it later.
Not a mom, but I’ll chime in and I’m assuming you’re from the US so if not, I’m not sure what regulations are different. First, I’m really sorry to hear about your grandmother.
Having an infant in a child seat is the safest option, especially for any unexpected turbulence or emergency landing. If you decide to go this route (and buy a plane seat for her) it would be wise to carry along paperwork for the airline to prove to any flight attendants who question you that you can use the carseat. Although, the carseat must also be approved for aircraft usage and having the sticker saying so for it to be used.
Extra shirt in case you get spilled on, vomited on, etc.
Nursing during take off and landing can supposedly help with the annoying ear pressure
Look into any other flight paperwork you may need
For Southwest: “If you choose to travel with your infant on your lap (at no additional charge) the infant will not need a boarding pass; however, you will need to obtain a Boarding Verification Document (BVD) for the infant. The BVD will allow the infant to board the aircraft. BVDs are available at the Southwest Airlines ticket counter on the day of travel. In order to complete your BVD, the Customer Service Agent will need to verify that your infant has not reached his/her second birthday, so be sure to bring along a copy of your infant’s birth certificate.”
It should be obvious she’s under 2, but I don’t know how strict they are about it. Other moms may know better.
When I traveled with my cousin, the flight wasn’t full at all so we were able to bring the carseat in and use it even though we didn’t buy a seat for her. I would check with your airline about that if your flight isn’t full and the carseat is approved for aircrafts.
[name_u]Page[/name_u] 2 has some good questions to ask the airline:
Flying with a 4 month is not much more difficult than flying alone, especially if you’re flying with a partner!
My advice is to make sure you pack everything neatly, liquids in ziplock, etc. TSA was super accommodating and nice to me when I flew with an infant and even pulled us off a long security line to go through handicap.
Try to plan the flight for a nap time (if you can, keep baby awake til you get on the plane), nurse or feed during takeoff and landing. I changed my daughter right on my lap but if your baby is too big ask the flight attendants to use their bench.
I also bought a lot of what we needed (formula, diapers, etc) when we arrived - we just brought the car seat, stroller, clothes and supplies for travel. My family there was able to get us a portacrib and little bath sling To keep there.
My diaper bag for the plane was:
Bottles and formula for the ride (if you’re breastfeeding no need, I checked my pump)
Snacks and water for me
Sweater and change of clothes for baby
Diapers and wipes
T shirt for me
[name_m]Light[/name_m] blanket
Small toy and book - didn’t use
[name_f]Paci[/name_f] and we actually got a paci clip just for the trip so she wouldn’t lose it on the plane
I think that’s it! Plus tickets and my ID and her birth certificate in a folder. We actually had two bags, the diaper bag and a little tote for stuff I needed to grab easily.
@ottertails - thank you for the info. My carseat is too wide I believe to go on the plane unfortunately, but I can check. And yeah I will be bringing her birth certificate with us.
@leadmythoughts - thank you for the tips and advice. My DH will be with us too so it shouldn’t be too hard. And thank you for what you packed in your diaper bag.
And ladies thank you for the nice thoughts on my Grandmother. I am just glad that we will get to see her and my daughter will get to see her.