Traveling with a 5 Month Old on an Airplane

Mine traveled horribly at that age, so I took him to the pediatrician once before we flew. He had a low grade ear infection and doc said that was probably why he cried each time. After 5 days of antibiotics (didn't have time for 10), he flew perfectly. Don't forget toys to keep her busy if she has a good flight.

D. Kimbriel
Grandma to 2 beautiful boys

You can take your stroller to the gate with you and check it there if you want. It's kind of nice to have a place to put your purse, diaper bag, etc...while you're waiting to board. If there is an empty seat next to you see if the gate agent will block it for you so you can use your infant carrier on the plane (it will have to be the window seat though). If there isn't a seat available it's really no big deal to just hold them on your lap when they're that small. The bjorn is handy, but you have to put it through the X-ray machine so you can't really use it until you're through security. Pack a change of clothes for the baby and an extra shirt for you in case she spits up on you. If you are nursing and nervous about keeping covered in public invest in a "hooter hider" (specialty store or online) or similar thing (they carry some at Target by the feeding stuff or end cap of a baby aisle). They keep you well covered while still allowing you to visualize your baby and it won't fall off! They are WONDERFUL for nursing in public. Feeding at take off and landing (like you said) is essential. Take more diapers than you think you'll need in case of delays at the airport(especially on the way home...chicago in the winter is commonly delayed due to weather). Although American no longer promotes early boarding for those with small children, they will usually go ahead and let you board before your group anyway if you go up and ask. Keep in mind that most people are understanding about fussy babies on planes, but you may encounter some that are not. Don't let those people drive you insane or make you uncomfortable. You do the best you can, right!!! SHe'll probably fall asleep right after feeding her and sleep the entire flight! My son was like that...a real easy traveler. I wish you the same. Good luck to you!

Hi K.!

Chicago in February? You ARE brave! But the flight will be a breeze, I hope. Read the other answers, and I can tell you I have traveled with 2 little ones all over the country and found that pre-boarding is usually just a matter of asking. The last time I flew with my daughter, it was not a policy to let me pre-board, but I just asked the gate agent and she said ok. When you check in, ask someone if the flight is full. This will give you an idea of what to expect when you start to board.
As for food: You are allowed to take food and liquids. I traveled about 9 months ago and had 2 sippy cups of milk. I told the TSA agent when I took them out of my bag that I had them and he didn't look twice. Just scanned them through with everything else.
For the most part, people are very helpful when you travel with children. I've traveled with 2 kids and no hubby, and people were so friendly and understanding. And when I traveled with my daughter when she was 7 months old (again, no hubby), and was trying to quiet her down on the plane, the woman sitting next to me said something I haven't forgotten: "If people can't ignore a crying baby on a plane, they need to hire their own charter plane."
So have a great trip.

And while in the Windy City at such a cold time, enjoy Millennium Park and Shea Aquarium. I'm sure even a 5 month old would love the enormous fish tanks.

Peace,
M.
www.yogapotential.com

Hi K.,
Just so you know when my first daughter was 7 months old I took her to see my parents in new york. Talk about a long trip. She did really well during flights, she napped most of the way. During take off and landings I would give her a bottle to help with the pressure in her ears. Also I made the mistake of not paying for her to have her own seat. Big mistake if at all possible you need to get her a seat of her own and you can take your carseat with you. They still let you take a stroller to the airplane and leave it at the gate to be put on the plane. I used southwest and AA and neither one let me get on first due to having a child with me. I had to board with all the other passengers a big pain in the tush. In my diaper bag I brought diapers, wipes, premade formula, and baby food in jars. You can not bring nursery water and formula seperate part of the changes for 9-11. What I did was get large freezer ziplock bags and put jars of food in one, and the premade formula in another. That way when you have to empty your diaper bag thru security it is easier. Also if one happens to break it is contained. I would also think about a blanket, not a heavy one for the airconditioning on the airplane they tend to keep them cold. If you are not going to buy a seat for the baby then I would definatley bring a carrier/ baby Bjorn, with you this way you can give your arms a little bit of a rest. Oh did I mention I did this flight with out my husband. I wish you all the luck and I hope this helps a little. Best travels

I believe that SWA just changed policy and families do NOT get to pre-board (which sucks in my opinion). The last time I was traveling with our infant- which was AUG of 2008- that is what I was told. So, double check!!

You can "gate check" your stroller and car seat. You will have to hold baby on flight b/c I bet there will be no xtra seats- unless of coirse you want to buy your child a seat (kinda $$)

Good luck!

Hi K.,
Traveling with a 5 month old will be a breeze. Bring some Tylenol, just in case her ears do bother her, in your quart size bag. You can gate check both the car seat and the stroller with both AA and United. You can bring formula in liquid form or breastmilk and baby food, they just have to be inspected separately from your other luggage - put it in a gray bin on it's own or with your quart size bag. If she eats food bring one extra meal since you never know especially going to Chicago in Feb. Bring a couple toys and an extra blanket and more diapers than you think you'll need and easy on/off outfits, most larger planes have changing tables that drop down above the commode but they're still compact! Also make sure you're not in a bulk head row - they provide more room but then you can't store your bag near you. My son always liked the tray table on the seat in front of him too.
As far as family friendly things to do in the city of Chicago, Shedd Aquarium is always great. If you have nice weather - it can be as changeable as Texas - Lincoln Park Zoo is always fun and FREE! Navy Pier and Millenium Park are good for people watching even in the winter. Or just hop on the El for a trip around town it's good for people watching and warmer than walking through town and a great way to view the architecture.

K., I did not ever travel on an airline with babies, but we did have a Cessna 150 when my children were small. Drinking a bottle will help their ears pop, when the air pressure changes, if they still seem fussy, pull each ear up and out just a bit, that will help equalize the pressure.

Best wishes,
A.

Hi K.!

I just travelled with my daughter when she was 3 months old. We had a connecting flight so there were 2 take-offs and landings each way. I was really intimidated before I went (because it was just she and I travelling - i.e. no extra help), but it turned out to be fairly easy! I gate checked her stroller (can do carseat as well) and it was a piece of cake. I tried to feed her going up and down, but she wasn't hungry as often as she "needed" to be to accomplish that. BUT my doctor gave me some numbing drops for her ears that seemed to do the trick VERY well and we had no problems at all - the entire time. <-- I highly reccommend them!! Also, I found it easier to bring the stroller because it helped free up my hands to carry other things such as a carry on and her diaper bag. Oh yeah... store the dipaer bag under the seat in front of you for easy access.

One other thing, I saw that one person said her baby had to have a ticket to check the carseat and stroller? That was not the case in my experience, but call your airline... they'll tell you all about that.

Good luck! :)

Traveling at this age is comparatively easy peasy. I would try and time our flights around when my son normally napped. I would nurse him on the way up, he would conk out and then before landing he'd wake and I'd nurse him again. It wasn't bad that way. If she takes a bottle, then I'd just be sure to take enough formula with you. Check the web sites. I think they've made exceptions for mothers traveling with babies, but I don't know what they are.

Pack a few extra diapers in case of delays. You can change the baby in the airplane lavatory, or if it's jsut a pee diaper, on your lap (sometimes that's a lot easier). If she takes a pacifier, bring that along too. If you're not getting her a seat, wear her in a sling or the baby bjorn during the flight.

As far as what to take, etc. You can check your stroller and car seat at the gate. I found taking the stroller made it easy since you can load these up. Give yourself a little extra time to get through security. It sounds like you're traveling with your dh, so that will help. I always traveled alone for some reason but did just fine.

Love Field is pretty good. They have a family lane if I recall correctly. They've eliminated the family pre-boarding, so print your boarding pass the day before online. If you don't make it into group A, it's no big deal. You get to board after the A group, and before the B group. Everyone is really helpful too. American offers no pre-boarding whatsoever anymore. Personally, I prefer SWA since they're more flexible as well if you need to reschedule.

Good luck! Traveling with a baby isn't bad at all. It's when they get older it's more of a challenge. Enjoy the trip!

I traveled when my daughter was 5 months to Wisconsin. They were very helpful at security. I was suprised. They checked my stoller and carseat at the gate for me so I had it when I got off. I traveled during the week and the flight was not full so I was able to keep her in her carseat and strap her in. I would definatley find that out when you get to the gate. You may not sit with her hubby but a happy baby is a happy plane ride. As far as letting you on the plane first AA did not but a friend of mine works for them and told me afterwards that they were supposed to let me on. Here is some info on SW http://southwest.com/travel_center/infants.html
It is easy to travel w/ an infant. Good luck and have fun.

I think the Bjorn is a great idea. Have heard different things about wearing it through security. You might have to take it off, but I know I have always been able to carry my daughter through in a simple pocket sling (like Hotslings). We always travel with our big BOB revolution jogging stroller because we want to be able to walk/jog where we're going. They hand check it at security because it's too big to fit through x-ray, which is nice because we don't have to fold it. When my daughter was younger, I just kept her in the sling and we used the stroller to carry bags/carseat around the airport. We gate check carseats and strollers. I bought a cheap ($15) red bag for gate checking the carseat (Target and Babywise, they have them for small strollers, too). For the big stroller, I bungee it closed at the last minute. I found out, after it was too late to take advantage, that you can take water through security if it's for the baby. Some airports test it, but many don't. And of course you can take formula. My experience has been that airlines are getting away from the early check in for families - boo. I'm almost positive that Southwest does not do it. Just make sure you check in and get gate check tags and get all that stuff taken care of so you can get in line early. Good luck and enjoy your trip!

When you check in (go to the counter, even though it's a hassle), make sure they put your baby on your ticket (that way her name will be on the passenger manifest). If you get a good gate agent, they may move you so that you're in a row with an empty seat, and can also put you in an earlier boarding group. We usually take our stroller through security to the gate, and if your baby is still in an infant seat, I'd take that too, that way you'll have it on the plane just in case there is an extra seat. You may or may not find helpful people trying to get through security; we've found more annoyed travelers waiting in line behind us....but then someone says "I remember those days" and gives you a hand with something, which helps a little. The gate agents can check your stuff at the gate. Check with them too about getting on board. The AA policy to not let families on first is actually only at DFW (I asked because it seemed silly to me), but always ask the gate agents when you should board, because they can put you on the plane early if they want to. On the plane, good luck. My daughter travelled very well (slept the entire time) at 2 months and 3 months, but was absolutely the worst at 7 months - she shrieked the entire time. We tried decongestant drops in her nose (next time we'll go with Benadryl), but obviously it wasn't enough. Did the nursing (she just bit me) and the pacifier (spit it out). Some days are just going to be bad travel days, so take along your sense of humor. Have a favorite toy or two handy, and a bottle for water (or juice) even if it's not something you'd normally do (this is not a normal day!), extra clothes for baby and an extra shirt for you, and enough diapers and wipes to last twice as long as you plan to be traveling. Good luck!

i traveled with my 4 month old last june. (way easier than traveling with an older baby or kid) I would really check out all the information you are being given. When I looked at the rules in june you were allowed to bring water only in a bottle with the formula still in dry form. No other liquids were allowed (juice, milk ect.) I carried her in a baby bjorn and did great. Though security was a little bit of a pain since i had to take her out and put the bjorn on the belt. (i was traveling by myself). You technically are supposed to have her birth certificate with you. I didn't travel with one and noone ever asked. I have heard the only reason for one is to verify that she is under 2 for her free travel. I was also told that she was not allowed to stay in the baby bjorn during flight. Also don't buckle her into your buckle, that can be very dangerous for the baby and is not allowed. She uses a paci but i have never bothered with feeding during takeoff and landing and have never had a problem with her crying. Good luck!

My advice to you is to keep it simple. Its a lot easier to simply check your stroller and carry the baby through the airport. Otherwise you have to wait at the gate for someone to take your stroller down to baggage. There is also the very real possibility that it won't get there. Its always easy to simply get it checked and pick it up with the baggage. They don't charge you for baby stuff anyways.

I just recently flew to Oregon with my 6 month old. Its a good idea to take some juice or water (sealed, never opened, 4-pack from Gerber is always good) on the plane with you so that the baby can suck on something to help her ears pop on take off and landing.

Just make sure that you only have what you ABSOLUTLY need in the diaper bag because if you have something that can't be in there, they'll make you take EVERYTHING out.

HOPE YOU HAVE FUN IN CHICAGO!

Hi K.!!

I travel a lot with my baby. Here is the way it works.

1. yes, you can take the stroller all the way to the gate, and they will check it there for you.

2. they will only allow you to take the carseat/carrier to the gate if you have purchased an actual ticketed seat for your child. If you have NOT purchased a seat, there is no room for it on the plane and it will not fit in the overhead bin. So, it is best to check it since it does not fold up.

3. Southwest does not let you board first any longer, but they do allow you to board between the A/B groups.

You've already gotten a lot of helpful info, but I'll throw in my two cents' worth. We traveled to NYC with our 6-month-old daughter on AA. (So, things may be a little different with Southwest.) Here are my tips.

1. Make sure the baby is on YOUR ticket. This shouldn't be too much of a problem with SW, but on AA, they listed my daughter on my dad and that messed up our seat assignments because he had been in the exit row.
2. Talk to the gate agents before boarding even begins to find out about the stroller/car seat. They should be able to gate-check them and you won't have to wait too long (if at all) after the plane lands to pick them up on the jet-way.
3. If you're nursing, plan to nurse during take-off (if you feel comfortable). My daughter ate on the way up and slept for quite a while after she finished eating. The vibrations and loud noise just lulled her to sleep.
4. Diaper bag...use a backpack! It's much easier to haul around. I have a "changing station" that I stuck in mine...a changing pad with a place for the diapers and wipes, all in one package! It worked great, but it does make it difficult to get to the wipes.
5. We took our stroller to NYC, but only used it one day. We used a Baby Bjorn to carry her around the rest of the time (and she even napped in it throughout the day!). The stroller would have been too much hassle in the crowds.
6. Pack (way) more diapers than you think you'll need. I've heard that the cabin pressure can affect some babies' tummies and you don't want to be diaper-less!
7. Pack an extra set of clothes for your daughter (and maybe a shirt for you). See #6 for why!
8. We also took our car seat to NYC and used it in the airport shuttle...you'll need something in there.
9. Underpack toys! I took way too many toys and my daughter ended up only playing with a few.
10. I took breastmilk and formula through security. Because I had more than 3.4 ounces of breastmilk, they had to do an additional screening on it, but there were no problems getting them through.

I think that's about all I can think of now. If you have any questions, feel free to send me a message and I'll try to help!