We are still working out our summer plans, but there is a chance we’ll attempt at least one flight with an infant and a toddler in August or September while Zianne can still fly for free. Here are my tips for flying with a little one…
Getting through the airport…
Remember you can keep the baby in his or her stroller right up until you get onto the plane. You’ll leave it by the door of the plane and it will be waiting for you when you get off. But don’t forget to get a gate check tag for the stroller at the service counter at your gate. I always forget and have to go back for it when trying to board. I’ve also heard baby wearing is actually easier at the airport than dealing with the stroller at all, and I’m excited to try it with Baby #2.
Car seats…
If your baby is still using an infant carrier attached to the stroller, sometimes they’ll let you take it on and put it on the seat next to you if there is room. If the plane is full, you’ll have to gate check it with your stroller. When you move to a convertible car seat, you will check it with your luggage. My mom has a cheap(er) car seat for Zianne, so I always take that one instead of our nicer Britax one in case it gets damaged. I’ve never used a bag for it and it’s made it safely through at least eight flights now.
Packing for the flight…
There aren’t a whole lot of essentials for the flight, especially if your baby is pretty young. When Zianne was eight months old I packed a couple of toys, a light blanket, puffs for a snack, and a bottle (you can take milk AND water through security with a baby! :). I used a bottle on the plane with Zianne at that age, because she was horrible about nursing in public. When I flew with her a three months old, she nursed or slept the whole time.
Expecting the unexpected…
I would suggest packing an extra outfit for the baby on the plane, just in case. And some of my friends have suggested an extra shirt for you, just in case a large amount of poop/pee/puke happens and transfers to mama. I think it’s also easier if you pull out a diaper and wipes and put them in the seat back pocket before taking off, so if you need to jump up and change a diaper suddenly, you don’t have to dig through your bag first. Usually, one of the plane bathrooms has a changing table. On Southwest, it’s usually the front one by the cockpit, but you can ask the flight attendants before you take off, just so you know.
