Flying with Infant for First Time

Check FAA.gov for tips on getting through security at the airport with children (and whatever the current guidelines are for transporting food, etc.) I had a horrible time renting a car seat from a car rental place (I think it was Budget) in New Hampshire when I took my son up there to see his great grandmother when he was 10 months old. I recommend taking your own. The reservation person who took the request for the seat wasn't on the premises and I wound up with a rear facing bucket that wouldn't adjust and wouldn't sit on the seat properly. It was the cheapest, flimsiest possible Cosco car seat and wasn't installed when I got to the car. My son was terribly uncomfortable pitched forward towards the rear seat, and who knows what would have happened if I'd had an accident. It would have compacted his legs. Just take a deep breath and hope that fellow travelers extend kindness to you and your daughter while you're on your trip.

Bring a DVD player, movies and snacks.:-)

Hi L.,

I flew with my son for the first time when he was 11 months old. It was just he and I. I brought a stroller that I checked at the gate so it would be waiting for me at the next gate when we arrived at our destination. I held him on my lap to save the second seat fare. It went fine...he slept most of the way. I would recommend having plenty of snacks and a blanket for private breastfeeding or bottles. A full tummy helps. Also, try to have some new toys she's never seen before, new books or rattles, etc...The novelty of the items should keep her attention. Also, having some of her trusty favorite toys is always smart, too. Good luck!

Hi Lori,
Definitely bring at least an umbrella stroller with you to the airport to put her in. It takes a bit of time to get from check in to security to your gate. The nice thing about traveling with an infant is that you are waved to the head of security lines, so don't worry about having to wait for ages to have your bags screened. I've traveled with my daughter twice on flights - once to Vegas and once to Florida, so she's been on both short and long trips, both of which she sat on my lap. Your daughter may be too young to be entertained by a portable DVD player, but it is a nice distraction if she's into. I wouldn't bother with a car seat on the plane - of course you'll have to check one if no one at your destination has one. I would just make sure your diaper bag is filled with lots of snacks, bottles (you may want to double check the rule about carry on liquids. I can't remember if this applies to baby formula.) and new, small toys that she's never seen before.

Good luck!

Seven months old. I would send the car seat in with the luggage and hold the baby. Yes on the stroller!-- but a smallish/foldable/umbrella stroller type.

I would give Sudafed (the real stuff -- psuedoephedrine not the phenylephrine) on the car ride to the airport. This is a decongestant and will hopefully help with the cabin pressure changes. (It usually wires people so that's why I'd also do step #2 which is even more drugs...) Then give Benadryl (any brand of diphenhydramine will do the same thing.) This is an antihistamine and USUALLY makes people sleepy -- children are weird, though, and some get wired from it so, definitely, know how your baby reacts first.(Wired and confined on a plane is a bad combination.) As your plane is taking off and landing, nurse or bottle-feed her. The swallowing will "re-set" the pressure in her ears and will, hopefully, spare her the pain of the pressure change in the plane for the ascent and decent. While on the plane -- well, that's why I suggested the Benadryl. If she's asleep, everyone will be happier. If she's not, maybe a portable DVD player and some baby videos? Have a great flight!

BTW: this is EXACTLY what I did with mine and the flight was wonderful -- she slept the entire flight and did great! Oh, also, they let you pre-board with the baby!

I flew with my son for the first time when he was 7 months old. I carried him in a Baby Bjorn, but we also brought an umbrella stroller with us. He was actually sick so I thought it would be awful, but I gave him some baby Benadryll and nursed him during take off and he was fine. He ended up sleepig the whole way, both trips. We had a car seat waiting for us so we didn't check one that trip. Now, the next year when I flew with him and he was 19 months old it was a different story. he wanted to press every button and didn't want to sit still during the flight. Then, the car seat I did check got stolen from baggage claim and I had to borrow one from the airline.
I think this trip will be fine since your daughter isn't as mobile right now. Good luck with the flight.

Most airlines take extra special care of families flying w/ infants. I have a 17 month old. So far she's sat in our laps during the flight. The gate attendant will check your stroller at the gate and it will be waiting for you when you get off the plane. We checked the car seat as part of our baggage. Most airlines don't count the car seat as baggage, but the rules have changed so you might wanna check with the airline.

First of all, DO NOT give your child Sudafed AND Benedryl!!! I am shocked that someone even suggested this. Is she trying to drug her child into oblivion??? Some doctors recommend giving infant Tylenol for the ear-popping but I find that feeding when you take off is the best thing. Use your good judgement.

When I flew with my babies, my best friend was my sling. Not only did I not need a stroller - your baby would much rather be held by you anyway, but it was like having an extra arm to hold her on the plane, so my hands were free to do other things. My girls liked being in the sling so much that they mostly slept, and nursed (which slings also make much easier), never bothering anybody. I remember seeing so many families lugging all kinds of baby equipment all around and feeling very clever for having my baby snuggles up to me and my hands free. You will, of course, need a carseat. I recommend checking it.

My husband and I flew with our 4 month old twins and our 4yo daughter to Dallas, TX in April. We took the double stroller and 3 car seats. I packed a backpack full of new toys (dollar store stuff) and snacks for my daughter. Then I packed another backpack of formula, pampers, wipes, extra clothes, bibs and toys for the twins. BE PREPARED FOR SECURITY!! You must put the car seat through the x-ray machine so have it ready to go. Take everything out of your stroller if you're taking to the plane with you. If you're going to check it, then you won't have to fool around with it during security. I have twins so I HAD to take my stroller all the way to the gate. Make sure to have the baby's favorite things with you to comfort her. My kids cried a little at first but after I gave them the paci, everybody feel asleep--even me and hubby! We all woke up just as the plane touched down in Dallas. If you get a rental car, you can also rent car seats so you won't have to take your own. Oh, we would have flown back home too but American canceled like 600 flights and we had to DRIVE from Texas to Georgia with 3 little kids. It was a piece of cake too--the secret is to go at night. Good luck!

We took our son on a flight when he was 6 months old for the first time. We flew to Hawaii. Talk about an experience!!! However, we have become pros since then. I bring the stroller & check it at the gate as we board the plane. You do not have to purchase a seat for a kid under 2 so unless you plan to do that, you do not need to bring the car seat. If you do need the car seat for your destination though, you can bag & check the car seat. Make sure you bring something to entertain your child & be prepared for lots of attention. Enjoy your flight!