Will Be Traveling with 2 Month Old... New Mom Needs Help!!

We traveled when our daughter was 4 months. Key to our success was feeding on the takeoff and landing. No problems at all, although like you I worried. Have a great time!

Hi,
Congrats on your new baby! I traveled across the country and back (and a side trip within CA) when my son was 10 weeks. I had a very good experience. In fact, he's now 22 months and been on more plane rides than I can count!
-Yes, the airline will let you gate check your stroller and car seat before you board. These also don't count in your luggage allowance. When you get to the gate (not downstairs at check-in) you should also ask whether there are any empty seats on the plane and whether you can be moved to sit next to one of them. Then you can bring your car seat on the plane, and have your hands free for part of the flight.
-Babies do well on planes if their parents are able to respond to their needs. The best things for them are sucking and sleeping. Plan to either nurse or bottle feed (whichever you're doing) during take-off and landing. Bring a pacifier if your son is into that. BTW, if you are bottle feeding, milk/formula is one of the few liquids you can bring through security. Just show it to them and tell them it's for the baby.
-Be prepared. Bring more than enough diapers, a change of clothes, and an extra sweater. Every time i've flown and not brought my son an extra outfit, his diaper has leaked all over! In terms of diaper changes, every airline i've used with the exception of Southwest has a changing table in the restroom. Just ask the flight attendant which restroom it's in.

Enjoy your trip!

Yes airlines do allow you to gate checkin strollers. Car seat you will have to check in as Check-in baggage.

You baby will do just fine on the plane. What you need to do is make sure he is nursing during take off and landing. Bottle is fine too. But what worked best for me is nursing her rather than bottle feeding. Take off and landing is tough for them so when they are sucking the ears do not get blocked.

For me my best travel with my daughter was when she was 2 months.

Keep your baby hydrated! Just like us he needs fluid while in the air and breathing in recycled air. Feed him before and after the flight. Bring a pacifier to suck on in case his ears hurt. The sucking will pop them. Enjoy your trip.

At this age flights are pretty easy, since your son will most likely sleep a lot. (You'll look back on this time wistfully once you experience flying with an active toddler!!) I was nursing so it was pretty easy to calm my baby if she cried... usually she fell asleep as soon as they turned on the engine!

You can gate-check your stroller & car seat - just take it to the gate & they will put a tag on it. I've found that if the flight isn't full, the airlines will sometimes let you have a free seat for baby. (Never hurts to ask.) If that happens you can take your car seat on the plane, which gives some relief from holding baby on your lap the whole time.

Also, I always take my boppy on flights. It's a bit of a pain to carry on but I love having it on the flight, so baby can sleep/nurse comfortably on my lap. Any decent sized pillow would work. Also take lots of extra diapers/formula/clothes/etc on flight in case you end up delayed or stuck somewhere. Good luck!

Hello!

We traveled from California to North Carolina with a 3 month old and it was actully easy. You can check the carseat and stroller but I'd recommend taking it with you on the plane and then pre-board if they will let you. Make sure you nurse at take off and then nurse as frequent as your baby needs it. I took my sling and wore it the whole flight. Your arms will get REALLY tired holding your son the whole flight!! Also, try not to sit on the isle. Other people don't realize you will have a baby and could bonk his little head as they are walking down the isles. Good luck and don't worry!!

J. -

Congratulations on becoming a Mom! I'm sure you'll get lots of advice on this question but I think in many ways, it's easier to travel with an infant than with a toddler. It's been a long time since my kids were little but I assume the airlines will still gate check your stroller. Also, if you're able to get a spare seat next to you, you should be able to keep the car seat and have the baby in the car seat.

Most important is to either nurse the baby or having them sucking on something during take-off and landings. The hardest part,I think, is to predict when the real descent starts. Sometimes flight attendants can help you time it but they don't always know either.

Enjoy your trip!

J. F.
Gymboree

I flew to WI last month with my then-7 week old son. You can gate-check your stroller & car seat--that shouldn't be a problem. I was flying with my new son & my 18-month-old daughter. Here's what I did: I was able to borrow carseats on the other end, so those were left home. I brought my good stroller (a jogger with a swivel wheel), used it to carry carry-on stuff & my little girl through airports, & put my little baby in a ring sling. On the plane, the little baby nursed and slept in the sling, and my little girl had stories read, played with the few toys we brought, ate snacks, looked out the window, and slept. However, I made the same flight at the end of April with just my little girl, who was then a week shy of a year, and she just nursed and slept during that trip.
If you can fly Frontier Airlines, I highly recommend them. Great prices, great service, very helpful!

P.S. I do my best to nurse discreetly (& not leave things hanging out for all the world to see), but I don't put myself or my baby to the trouble of pumping and messing with bottles simply to accommodate people with juvenile attitudes about seeing a baby breastfeed. A breastfeeding shirt helps a lot! If you choose to use bottles, of course you need to bring whatever you need for that.

2 months old should be a piece of cake. My guess is your baby will sleep most of the time. The sound/motion lulls most babies to sleep, plus all the stimulation of the airport will help knock him/her out. I'm sure you got tons of great advice that I don't have time to read, so here's a list of things that were important to me (I fly to france several times a year to visit in-laws with a now 1 and 2 year old, and soon to have a newborn):

1.) If it's a long flight ask for a bassinet. Many planes have them -- they attach either up above your seat in the aisle or more commonly in front of the bulkhead row to the wall. Very convenient -- you will be free to get up, eat, etc. while your baby naps.

2.) Nurse/bottle feed during take-off to reduce pressure to baby's ears.

3.) Bring more diapers and wipes than you think you'll need.

4.) Bring extra clothes for baby and you. Get puked on/pooped on once during a flight and you'll thank me!

5.) Pack any meds you might need depending on what you normally use, like fever reducer/pain reliever, mylecon, that kind of stuff, just in case. (If you're going out of the country bring any medications you buy OTC here, cause it can be hard to find stuff like that in another country.

6.)If it's a short flight, your baby on your lap is probably easiest (and cheapest). If it's a long flight and you want to be able to eat, pee, sleep, get up without your butt being numb, you may want to consider bringing your car seat for your baby. You secure it to a seat (an extra if you're lucky, or buy one if you've got the money) with the seat belt and your baby will sleep there. Most babies are used to car seats and will sleep well in them on a plane. I find it challenging to hold a baby during a long flight on my lap. I am always afraid I will fall asleep and the baby will fall and I arrive exhausted. Plus it's impossible to eat like that.

7. Babies need passports now! Don't forget that.

8. You can check your stroller at the gate, and your car seat if there are no empty seats on the flight for you to commandeer.

9. If your baby uses a binky, bring several -- One of my kids was a binky junky and the first time we only had one extra and we lost it. Nightmare.

10. Finally, don't stress out if your baby cries or is fussy. Yeah, some people get irritated, but most are sympathetic. Sometimes you even find a nice fellow mom/grandma who is willing and even wants to help! The fact is, you do your best and if the baby doesn't cooperate, don't beat yourself up. Sometimes babies cry and there's nothing you can do. At two months I never had any crying issues. The babies always slept like, well, babies.

good luck!

Yes the airlines will gate check your stroller and carseat for you. Also, to help with discomfort with take off and landing, breastfeed! Or bottle feed- the sucking will help the ears "pop." Remember to take pacifiers (if you use them) to help keep your little one calm and quiet. And, don't forget your little one's favorite toy or blanket! I liked my hotsling to keep my son close and comfy. =) Good Luck!

Hi J.! I traveled every month back and forth from oakland to L.A. when my son was an infant. The airlines allow you to check your carseat and stroller at the gate. They also allow you to preboard so you can get situated with your baby early. Your son will probably sleep most of the time because he is so young. I used to nurse my son during take off so that his ears would not pop. A bottle will do the same trick. Good luck, and don't worry. Flying with an infant isn't so bad.

J.:
I was traveling with my parents at two weeks old (on an aircraft carrier - via military) with no problems. At the age of your son, he will sit on your lap. They will let you check the car seat and stroller at the gate without any problems. My husband and I didn't travel with our daughter until this past Xmas (she is 3.5) because we really didn't have anywhere to go via plane. She did awesome and we checked her carseat at the gate without any problems.
I've heard from friends who traveled with small children your son's age and they said during take off and landing (for the ears) they breast fed or bottle fed the baby to help the ears pop. Also, check with your pediatrician about recommending a dose of benadryl or something to help him sleep on the plane if this is a concern.
When we went on the plane at Xmas there were a lot of babies on that plane and they all seemed to be doing great. Only a few criers and even those weren't so bad.
He'll be great.
Good Luck.
S.
Stay-at-home Mom of 3.5 yr old girl.

J., It appears that moms who have traveled have given you great advice. I only want to mention, as an older traveler, that my husband and I recently flew across country and there were a number of children on the flights both directions. We almost didn't know the children were on board because they all behaved so well. I'm sure you will have a wonderful flight.

Hi J.!

The only thing I remember waaay back then, was to feed my son at the Take Off and the descent. This way their little mouths "move" and prevent their ears from plugging up!

I've seen baby stroller & car seats coming our of the luggage carasel, but I would be afraid that the stroller would get damaged......

If you're feeding him formula, you might want to check with the airlines, but I don't think you are allowed to bring any liquid on board. You might want to be prepared to purchase bottle water.

Have a nice trip!

~N.

Hi J.,

I flew from California to Nova Scotia (12 hour trip) when my first son was 7 weeks old. He slept the entire trip. I was worried because he barely woke up enough to eat, but overall it was a very easy trip. Those plane engines work wonders.

Wendy has good advice. Make sure he is sucking on something going up and down it really helps with the ears. If he's asleep then don't worry about it. You can gate check your stroller and carseat. Ask at the gate if there is room on the plane to install your carseat. Most of the time I was able to do that and keep my baby in the seat, but now they really fill the planes up so it probably won't be possible If you do install the seat, it has to be in the window seat.

Have a great trip.

We took our son on a plane at that age. It was a breeze! We kept him in the Baby Bjorn and he slept through most of it. You can check your carseat and stroller at the gate. Security will check you diaper bag and make you toss any big tubes of vaseline or lotion/ointments etc. so take travel size. They will also check any bottles of milk.
You will have to take Baby out of the carrier to go through the metal detector and I've heard some airports will still make you take the baby's shoes off and check the diaper for bombs. No kidding!
If Baby has a stuffy nose ask your pediatrician if you can give him a little decongestant or baby motrin so his ears won't hurt during take-off and landing.
Newborns are much easier to travel with than 1 year olds, so go NOW!

I took my son all the way to Buffalo, NY when he was 10 weeks old and all in all it was pretty easy. The airline will definitely gate check the stroller for you. The last time we flew, we were able to check our carseat for free with our luggage. Call your airline to find out what their policy is.

By far the best tip I have is to use a sling carrier at the airport. I had a Hotsling and it was fantastic because I could carry him hands free, so I could pull a suitcase, hold my purse, and get out my ID & tickets very easily. Plus he slept great in it. We didn't even bring a stroller. If you have a Baby Bjorn type carrier that will work too, but you might have to take it off to go through security. A pouch sling has no metal so you can breeze through security.

Are you breastfeeding? If you are, make sure to nurse on take-off & landing because it really helps their ears. If you're not nursing bring a pacifier. You will be allowed to take liquids through security if they're for the baby (pumped milk or water for formula).

Have a great time! I think now is the easiest time to fly because he'll most likely sleep the whole time anyway.

Dear J.,
I haven't flown in a while and don't know what to do these days about checking strollers or car seats.
But, do have a pacifier or bottle or nurse or have something for your baby to swallow if the pressure changes get to his ears. My daughter freaked when her ears started popping, but she was old enough to have a piece of chewy candy to get her jaws working.
Have fun on your trip!

You will have to check your car seat as luggage and then gate-check your stroller (if it's an all-in-one, then gate-check the whole system). If you have a wrap or Ergo or other awesome carrier, just tuck him in that to make life moving through an airport easier. Nurse him on the way up and down to help alleviate the pressure on his little ears. When they're that young, they usually sleep a lot, thanks to the white noise of an airplane. He'll be just fine and so will you! Enjoy your trip!

J., do check with your airline's website regarding gate-check procedures. I think that most if not all will allow you to check the stroller and car seat just before you board. Your baby is so young that the only thing you need to really remember is that your baby MUST nurse, suck on a pacifier or drink from a bottle during the plane's ascent AND ESPECIALLY during the descent!! I can't count the number of times I have been on a flight with a baby, and the poor thing is screaming its head off because the parents don't have the common sense to know that pressure is building up in the baby's ears! If you're going on a long flight, you should request a bulkhead seat IF there is still such a thing as a bassinet that attaches to the bulkhead. Otherwise you will have to hold your baby during the entire flight. Good luck and I hope this information from an old mom helps!

I flew alone w/our 1st son when he was 6 months old on a 1.5 hr flight Oakland to SD & then from Texas to Oakland. He slept thru most of the flights & all went fine. You can your bring your front carrier if you have one. I put our son in the Bjorn for the walk thru the ariport & used the stroller to haul my carry-on stuff. If you're bottle feeding, bring along empty bottles & pre-measured formula & then ask the flight attendants for warmed up water for the bottle. Ohterwise, like all have said, nurse at take off & landing. Our second son flew form Oakland-Vancouver @ 2 months & slept the whole way, even while I was nursing at take off & landing. Just be sure to allow yourself plenty of time for security as they'll wanna check every nook & cranny of your stroller & carseat. And remember.....most of the folks on the flight have been parents or still are & have been thru a flight w/a baby/child before. Best of luck!

Hi J.,

I travelled with my son at 3 months, (who is now 17-months) and all he did was sleep! I think this is the best age to travel with, just be aware of others...especially this time of year...it's easy to catch a cold or something.

The first trip we did was to Hawaii, which is a five hour flight. For this flight, I made sure I had 2-3 times more milk available for feeding. (FYI, I was formula feeding). I took this much because I wanted to anticipate delays and mis-handled bags. In addition, I brought 2-3 times more of diapers, extra onesies and footsies. I bundles him up because I tend to freeze on planes and as they say, if you're cold, the baby is cold.
I brought some soothers, pacifier and a musical stuffed toy.

With regards to your car seat and stroller, I would check with your airline about their policy. I've had experience where some airlines allow you to gate check and others do not. First hand, I know United Airlines gate check strollers and take car seats when you check your other bags. But to be safe, please check their websites.

Oh also, security, you need to put everything through the x-ray...just to avoid TSA from further inspecting anything unnecessarily.

I hope this helps.

L.

You can check the carseat and the stroller at the gate or when you check in. We like to check in the carseat when we check our luggage, and then use the stroller to get around the airport and check it at the gate.
Regarding flying- I flew with my daughter at 8 weeks to Palm Springs- the only real thing you can do anything about is the pressure in their ears- make sure you feed him on takeoff and landing as the sucking action can help pop the ears, as ours do naturally without pain. I guess babies can have pain when the pressure builds. Good luck!
S.

When I traveled with my little one around the same size they were great. I checked my carseat regularly and my stroller at the gate. These did not cound as part of my luggage either. Get a travel bag for you carseat though. Otherwise you may get it back with some wear marks on it. I also advise bringing a baby Bjorn or sling if you use one. They are easier for for transition and bording. People are also less likely to come up and handle your baby during colld and flu season. it allows your hands to be free too. For the flight itself try to nurse or give a bottle during take off and landing. This is when the pressure changes so much in the plane. It helps their ears. There is also a product out there called baby air that you can use for the inflight portion of the ride that keeps your darling in your lap it is alittle vest that slides over the head and snaps into the belt. Both of us slept well on our long flight and I never worried about him sliding off my lap. People commented to us that they never reralized that there was a baby on the plane. The guy next to me said that he was worried when we got on but was so happy that my little one was not screaming the whole time. Bring things they like too. anythign that yours has that is special should be in your bag.

We travelled from CA to Ohio when our son was 2 mos old. You can gate check your stroller and carseat, and I would highly recommend it. When we checked them with our baggage, they were damaged, but were fine when checked at the gate. Plus, it's more convenient to have those things all the way to the plane.

Also, for plane rides make sure the child is sucking a pacifier or bottle during take off and landing, otherwise the pressure bothers their ears and lead to a lot of crying.

J.,
Our daughter was 12 weeks old on her first flight. She did well, and we were told she was quiet for a baby on a plane. We blew the air on her face, and had her suck on her bottle going up, and coming down so her ears could pop like they were supposed to. The air blowing helps with the nausea that some people feel when they are in the air.
W.

What a coincidence (I traveled with my two month old son when I was 28 years old). Anyway, for me it went really well. I did not use a stroller because I mostly use a snugli carrier so I had him in there and then checked the car seat (but I am sure they do gate checking). You will need to bring his birth certificate even though it is obvious he is under the 2 year age limit to not need to purchase a ticket. My son did well because I fed him at takeoff and landing with is supposedly helpful to reduce pain to their ears from all the changes in air pressure. If you have him in a carrier like a baby bjorn or snugli you have to take him out of it and hold him until you reach 10,000 feet (I am not sure why but that is the rule). I hope your flight goes well. It helps that you are traveling with your finace. I traveled with my son solo and on the way back my husband was with me and it was helpful to have an extra set of hands...
I flew Southwest airlines and they were great! They have me a signed certificate with all the employees names on it (saying Baby's first flight) and after we landed they all got together for a picture with us for his scrapbook. The best part is that they offered, I did not have to ask! They really were happy to have an infant on the flight.

I just wanted to say that I discovered recently (unfortunately now that my son is big enough he doesn't use diapers anymore) that Southwest flights (at least some of them) do actually have changing tables but they are in the front Lavatory instead of the back one. In all my flights with my son I had never figured this out before. Also it will help your little one if you give him some tylenol before take off. Their ears don't work as well as ours and so even with the sucking the take off and landing can hurt their ears alot.

Here's some advice from across the bay in Alameda!
I traveled quite a few times when my son was in the early months and now, being the reasonably seasoned "airport mommy veteran" (haha), plan to continue traveling with my newly born daughter. I can't speak for ALL airlines, but I hit at least 3-4 of them, some multiple times.

Yes, gate check the stroller. Be sure that you pick up a tag for attaching to the stroller from the gate booth PRIOR to getting in line to board...or you will be stuck holding up the line then or have to return to the gate booth to get the tag. Security is always fun, as they try to cram the stroller into the machine. Ours never fit, so we amused ourselves by telling the TSA people "it won't fit" and then watching them as they ALWAYS just had to try for themselves...and fail. (I'm sure they appreciated the smug "I told you so" look on my face...)

Did you get a separate seat for your child? Doesn't sound like it, but if you did, check that your car seat has the FAA sticker on it...we did once have an attendant check...if you are gate checking it, get a tag for it too, like the stroller

In case of ear equalization problems, bring the pacifer and bottles for going up and down. We would get a cup of hot water from the attendant to heat up our small bottle, which you want for especially going down. Our first couple times flying, to be extra-sure we wouldn't be "those" parents with the screaming child, we even gave some children's tylenol "just in case" of our child having delicate ears that we didn't know about. He didn't, so we stopped after a couple times... I'm a shy breastfeeder, but if you plan on doing so, bring a blanket so you don't encounter any unfortunate problems from silly attendants, like that gal on the plane did last year.

Be aware that the bathroom are NOT kid friendly. I ended up changing my son on the toilet while my husband stood outside the door and handed me supplies as needed.

A extra piece of advice. We never paid for a seat for our son. HOWEVER, by my taking a window seat and my husband taking a aisle seat, the MIDDLE seat was rarely taken by anyone. When we would check in we would ask if someone had taken the middle seat. If not, we would then recheck at the actual gate while getting a tag for the stroller. If still not, we would bring the car seat onto the plane for the lounging comfort of our son in his own seat! (Be aware, though, that if you do get lucky with this, that an infant in a car seat actually has to be located at the "window" seat-a rule the airlines have to ensure that the others aren't blocked by the car seat. Alaska would also give us the bonus of "blocking" the middle seat when we identified that we had a "lap infant", which meant that this seat would be the last one to be given out to someone else...and once once in our many Alaska flights did we lose that seat.

Oh, and bring some cash or a credit card. If all goes to hell (which it won't), you can "pay off" those sitting close by with drinks!! We never had to do it, but prior to having kids, I was once the recipient of a free drink due to a screaming child behind me!

I have traveled a lot with my baby, now 19 mos, including 4 cross-country trips before he was 4 mos old. I have now lost count of the trips. Traveling with a 2 mo old is much easier than older children (great until maybe 8 mos or crawling).

Some tips:
1) Make sure your ticket says lap child when you check bags. Keep a copy on the birth certificate on you--they don't usually ask for it, but Southwest is required to check it for age (like they couldn't tell the difference between 5 mos and 2 yrs).

2) Going through security:
a) Put all your diaper bag ointments, creams, bottles, formula (if using), and make-up in a large ziploc, so that you can pull it all out to go through security. You can bring breastmilk without problems.
b) be prepared to fold your stroller at security to pass it through the xray. Don't be afraid to ask for help from the guards. They are usually very sweet and helpful.
c) many airports have a shorter line for people traveling with babies to get you through security faster.

3) Breastfeeding is easier. Bring a lightweight blanket or scarf (of a generous size) to cover with and no one will look twice at you. I was very self-conscious, but have never had any problems including international flights. If not comfortable or using formula, they will give you hot water to mix formula on the plane, just ask.

3) Gear: you can check your car seat with your bags. They'll give you a big plastic bag. They usually don't charge for carseats (many airlines charge per bag now). Infant car seats can work without the base, they have hooks for seatbelt attachment. Your stroller can be checked at the gate, be sure to ask at the gate counter for a gate check before boarding is announced. If making a connecting flight, check it to the layover so that you can use it in the airport (then repeat for next flight). I found it helpful to have somewhere to set the baby after changing and while peeing (use the handicap stall), and so that I could get a little break while eating.

4) On the plane:
a) Some airplanes have changing tables, but many do not. If possible change on the ground. otherwise use the toilet seat as a changing table (bring a changing pad).
b) breastfeed or give bottle going up and down to clear the ears.
c) pack extra clothing for all of you in case of accidents (pooping while changing), you don't want to have to wear gross clothing for a whole day.
d) buy extra water once you're past security, they never give out enough on the plane.
e) If you are breasfeeding, bring some food for yourself.

Traveling with your son at this age should be fairly easy. You can actually push your stroller right up to the gate and they will check it in right there. I am assuming you won't be taking the car seat on the plane and just holding the baby in your lap. You can just check your car seat in like regular luggage. I would recommend bringing on board in your diaper bag an extra set of clothes for *both of you* in the event he has a major spit up/vomit/poopy accident. If your baby is generally not fussy he will most likely be quiet and sleepy, but some babies cry in pain because of the pressure in their ears. You can try breast/bottle feeding at take off to help alleviate this. That is just what I've read but my son never seemed to have an issue with it. Good luck and have a wonderful trip!

Hi J., There are many great idea's. We traveled with our daughter when she was 6 weeks old (4 hour flight). I suggest you bring a boppy or something similar. That way once he falls asleep you hands are semi-free. The only other thing I would suggest if you can financially manage it is bags for the stroller and car seats. We had our stroller damaged and car seat got very dirty during one flight. It does not even have to be a stroller bag (large duffles work well). Just go up and ask for a gate check tag in advance and place it on the bag and/or on the stroller and car seat. Good luck. Babies travel great at this age.

My son was about 8 weeks when he took his first plane ride. We used southwest so they check the stroller at the gate and if there were open seats they let us take his car seat. Our flight was two hours long. We just bottled fed him at take off and landing. Mostly he slept so he was good during the flight. The people around us didn't even know we had a baby. Hope this helps!

I've done a ton of traveling with my little guy and here are my tips:
++Check the car seat. They don't charge extra for it and you don't want to lug it around.
++Leave the stroller at home or check it. It is way easier to navigate the airport with baby in a front pack like a baby bjorn-- that way you have two hands free and you can weave in and out of human traffic.
++Carry only one bag-- diaper and purse in one. I had a diaperbag that was also a backpack. Baby on front and small backpack on back. Hands free for whatever.
++Nurse as the plane is taking off and landing. My son never had ear problems and I always tried to do this (sometimes he wanted to eat just before and not during but he still seemed to have clear ears). Don't worry about people on the airplane seeing your boob- better that then dealing with crying baby.
++If you baby cries don't worry about the other passengers. Once a baby near me cried the whole time and the dad was obviously embarrassed but all of us other passengers just felt sorry for the poor family-- not annoyed at all.
Good luck!

My husband and I took our daughter on her first flight at 11 weeks old. She did great -- it was the older babies on the plane that had problems. I nursed her on take-off and landing, and she was fine the rest of the flight. If you are not nursing, I heard that it is good to have the baby sucking -- so either drinking a bottle or sucking a pacifier to avoid plugged ears. Airlines will gate check the car seat and stroller, but you should look online at your airline's specific recommendations for traveling with children -- some give more info than others. Good luck!

We traveled all the time with my first daughter. Yes, the airline will let you check in your stroller and carseat at the gate. Make sure while taking off and landing that he is sucking on something. Either breastfeed, bottle feed, or the pacifier. This will help with the ears. Also just to warn you, it is sometimes very difficult while going through the security check point. You will have to break down your stroller and have it go through the security belt. At this point you will have to carry your baby with you. Just wanted to warn you. The first time I was so overwhelmed and then that. But you should do just fine. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Unless you are purchasing a seat for the baby, you will have to check the car seat as luggage, but you can gate-check the stroller.

How long is the flight? If it's longer than an hour, I would practice changing his diaper on your lap a few times the week before your trip. Blowouts happened on several flights for me during the first 6 mths of his life. I was just thankful they didn't smell yet!! :)

Be sure to bring a Hooter Hiders or some other covering for nursing (if you breastfeed). If you bottle-feed, you should double-check with the airports you will be traveling through as to what their policy is for bringing liquids through security.

ALWAYS keep a copy of the birth certificate in your child's travel bag. More times than not, even in his infancy, I was asked to produce a birth certificate for our son. Better to be safe than denied travel because you can't prove the kids is yours to travel with.

Last, if you're traveling with someone else, be sure to let that person board, get everything situated, then you be amongst the last group of people to board. This will help you keep your sanity, especially if the baby is fussy for any reason & sometimes the plane movement helps baby settle down. But if you get on first thing, the baby has a diaper issue, fussiness, whatever, that's a good 15 to 20 minutes of sitting in a very confined space. If you're traveling alone & you don't have an assigned seat, then just gauge the situation at the moment of boarding.

Good luck! Just try to stay calm & collected even if baby isn't!!