Flying with an infant - new dad needs advice!

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CSR_Admin

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Mar 10, 2004
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I am going to Kansas in 2 weeks with wifey poo and mini me. Need advice on what to expect with the little one. I am looking forward to the whole pre-boarding thing, and hopefully can get an exit row seat. I am all about the Baby Bjorn, keep it simple, although my wife likes to drag along everything. Is it feasible that I strap the little guy into my baby bjorn, check the stroller and carseat in at the front of the airport, then go through security and ultimately keep him in the baby bjorn while boarding and then exiting the plane? Or should I just plan on keeping him in the stroller and taking that on the plane? I personally can keep him in the baby bjorn for hours, so I am not worried about getting tired carrying him around. Whats a new dad to do? :huh:
 
My wife always got upset when I put our kids in the gray bins and shoved them through the x-ray machine... By about age 3, they won't fit in their anymore.

You won't be able to get an exit row seat with a baby. They will place you next to a business executive trying to do work and your baby will be screaming the whole time because his ears will be plugged up and the pressure changes causes them to pop. The pain your baby will have in his ears will be extreme and you'll feel like an awful parent putting him through this ordeal as everyone on the plain gives you dirty looks. If you want to freak everyone out while your kid is screaming, open the overhead bin and pretend that you are going to stuff the kid up there and see their reaction.

Hope that helps.
 
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Jim you may want to check with the airlines that you are flying on they may have there own rules on babys flying. It's been a long time since I had to do that so I am sure things have changed. Goodl luck and have fun
 
Exactly what I was going to post. One more item - if just the bottle doesn't work ask for 2 cups and place those over his ears while he's eating. If he will let you... it seems to help if just the bottle isn't enough to keep the pressure off.

Tonka Boater said:
Gary is correct -- you cannot get an exit seat with a child. Bringing the stroller through security is no big deal and it gives you options if you want to grab a bite to eat and you can use it to push your carryons. They make you check the stroller at the end of the jetway and it will be waiting for you when you arrive.

One more tip: Stuff a bottle in mini-me's mouth just as the plane is starting to lift off. The sucking will keep his ears from getting plugged. Just like chewing gum. Then let him suck on a bottle every once in a while throughout the trip to help with pressure.

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Tonka Boater said:
One more tip: Stuff a bottle in mini-me's mouth just as the plane is starting to lift off. The sucking will keep his ears from getting plugged. Just like chewing gum. Then let him suck on a bottle every once in a while throughout the trip to help with pressure.

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+1. We traveled a lot when our kids were infants. The bottle thing always worked. But, make sure you have one for the descent as well! Learned that one the hard way...:smt021
 
also, try to fly at nap time. If all else fails, forget about it. the more you worry, the more likely you'll have a problem.
 
1. Sounds like you have plenty of good advice here. I also found a little of the pink stuff just before take off and landing has a theraputic effect.
 
Fishnut said:
1. Sounds like you have plenty of good advice here. I also found a little of the pink stuff just before take off and landing has a theraputic effect.
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Peach Schnapps for me? :huh: :smt038

I'm not worried about it, I'm about as laid back as they come. Just wanting to know what to expect. Thankfully my baby's pretty laid back too. He doesn't fuss very much....yet! I had no idea bout sticking a bottle in his mouth prior to departure. He's still on the au natural bottle so the people next to us might get a little surprise! Just kidding. We'll pack a few extra bottles for the ride. And plenty of binkies cause I'm sure there will be a few casualties on the floor. Any more opinions on the "too and from" in the airport. I had 1 vote for bringing a stroller. Any votes for no stroller and keeping him in the baby bjorn? I doubt we'll be stopping to it, we're usually the ones that get to the terminal a few mins before boarding so unless the plane is late there isn't too much standing around.
 
I traveled weekly for the past 10 years. I'd go with a gate check on the stroller. It will be there when you exit the plane or shortly there after. Then you don't have to carry the little one around all the time. Bottles, binkies or whatever during take off and landing are a must to help equalize the pressure. Napping is great at altitude, but I'd try to wake them up before the descent to stay on top of pressurizing the ears. You might check with your doctor to see if they recommend any decongestant. I think they banned all of them for kids under 2 didn't they or just specific brands? I have no idea since my kids are WAY past that (and we haven't lost or broken them yet!). Also check with the airline or TSA to see how much fluid or milk you can bring. You can bring fluids, unlike the rest of the passengers but you'll need to find out how much you can bring so you aren't dumping it at the security checkpoint!

Most of us that travel for a living had kids on a trip somewhere along the line. We were generally more patient of others and helped the single mother than the once a month business person that thinks he owns the airlines. Of course, that guys in the back and WE'RE up in first class!!
 
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Moose said:
Go to a travel site instead of this one!!
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Uh, dude, HE OWNS THIS FRIGGIN' SITE. I believe that entitles him to ask whatever question he wants.:smt021

Jim, +1 for checking the stroller at the gate. The other thing we did was buy a small, light weight, stroller that collapsed and was small enough to go in the overhead bins - which is easy when you get to pre-board. I miss the pre-boarding days...
 
No stroller, and keep mini me plenty hungry and tired before take off and landing (landing is worse). All great advice here. The au natural for dad is the best tip yet.:smt043
 
We got a travel bag for the stroller and infant carrier. Then checked them at the gate. It rained at our destination, and on return too. Even with getting them returned there at the gate they were pretty wet. That and a bit roughed up. Better the bags than the carrier/stroller. Each were around $25 from buybuybaby.com

The stroller is good for carrying more than just the baby. That and it'll get tiring keeping him in the Bjorn for more than a hour or so.

Definitely feed him on takeoff and descent. A strategically placed blanket helps keep it from being a peep show. It's natural and legal to feed the baby anywhere he needs it. Having met your wife I can't see her being the shy type about exercising her rights to do it whenever and where ever it's necessary. Mine certainly wasn't.

Another tip, wear the little guy out at the airport before takeoff. Better to have him making a racket in the terminal where you can move around, rather than in the plane. If he's hollering, take him to another gate. Let those people be worried he's on their flight instead of getting the stink eye from fellow passengers on yours. Then once you're on the plane give him the boob and he'll be out like a light.
 
All I can imagine is that you will not be able to pass SECURITY at the airport if your Baby has more than 1.2 ounces of liquid amonium or concentrated methane particles in the diaper. It may be wise to check the baggae on bareback.
 
Got it. So we'll take him in on the stroller, toss him back and forth for a while to tire him out, have him make a scene at another gate, keep his diaper delight to less than 1.2 oz, have him suck down lunch while the plane is taking off, make a comic move to stuff him in the overhead bin halfway through the flight, drink pink schnapps for mom and dad, and expect to not have our stroller when we get off the plane because it will either be beaten up beyond repair or lost. So I should bring the baby bjorn on the plane with me and make sure I have enough cash to buy a baby seat from somebody else at the airport. Oh, sit on the left side of the plane to give a final farewell to our stroller. Did I miss anything? I can't wait!
 
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