Kate Bryan

Traveling with an Infant, by Airplane


This is one of those posts that may not necessarily be interesting to a wide group of people. But when I was pregnant, I found myself laying in bed wanting to read about "upcoming scenarios" to make sure I've thought everything through. If you are traveling by airplane with an infant soon, I thought it may be helpful to read about my experience!

David has mastered 3 flights already, with another one coming at the end of this week! I was pretty nervous to fly with him prior to the first flight, so I thought I would share a few tips I've learned from my experience to any other mom's out there who are flying with a baby soon.
First, I will say it was more stressful to fly with a cat than with David. I flew one of my brothers' cats up to him a few years ago and I was just praying that Bedford, the cat, wouldn't soil the carrier and meow the whole time. He was a champion and barely made a peep.
David pretty much followed suit.
Follow these tips to get your baby to look like David in the bottom right photo.

Allow yourself plenty of time to pack the diaper bag. Think through every possible senario and be as prepared as you can be in case it happens.
What's in my diaper bag:
5 diapers travel container of wipes disposable changing pads bag to put dirty diaper in and tie off extra outfit 2 bibs 4 burp cloths 2 blankets 2 toys 3 pacifiers 1 bottle bag of formula (enough to make 3 bottles)
I pretend like I'm going to be traveling for much longer than I actually am. Then, if for any crazy reason, we get re-routed or have some situation that keeps us at the airport longer, I'm prepared. I always make sure to have plenty of formula in case of an emergency. That's one thing I miss about nursing. . . it's always on tap.
There is a pack and play, car seat, and stroller at my parent's home so I don't need to worry about hauling these things up north. This makes traveling a million times easier and I am very grateful for that. Since I don't need to travel with my car seat, I simply put David in the Ergo as soon as we arrive to the airport. The Ergo* is also known as the "Nap Inducer" around these parts so he's pretty much a zombie in it. *I have the Ergo Performance
I've flown Southwest Airlines all three times and all I need for David is a copy of his birth certificate. I need to show that, along with my driver's license to a check-in agent and they print our boarding passes.
Going through security is simple. I opt out of the body scanner so a TSA agent swipes my hands to check me. Once we are cleared, we head up toward the gate.
About 15 minutes prior to boarding, I change David's diaper. Afterwards, I try to track down a place where I can get a cup of hot water in order to warm his bottle on the plane. Starbucks usually gives me hot water for free.
We board during "family boarding" time and I try to find a seat by the window. When I'm traveling with someone, I'll have them hold David while I mix his bottle. Once it's mixed, I sit it in the cup of hot water to warm it.
If I'm by myself, I will mix the bottle before getting on the plane since there isn't much room to shake it up in the seat.
Once we are seated, I try to get everything I'm going to need out of the diaper bag. Burp cloths, a blanket, spare bib, and toys.
Just prior to take off, I get David all set up to eat. I feed him on the accent in order to help his ears pop. After he's finished eating, I burp him and then see what he's feeling like. If he looks tired, I'll strap him back into the Ergo. Otherwise, we'll play with a toy for a bit. He usually falls asleep within about 20 minutes of finishing his bottle either way. The white noise of the airplane and being full makes for a happy, sleepy baby.
On the descent, I'll try to get him to take the paci to help his ears pop again. If he's out cold, I leave him.
After we land, the hard part is over and we head to our destination!
Traveling doesn't seem to throw David off too much. I keep him on North Carolina time in order to make the transition back home easier (as far as his napping and nighttime sleep schedule is concerned).
Overall, it's fairly easy. I've found that most people are willing to help if you need it.
If you are traveling with an infant soon, I hope this gives you a little peace of mind.
Q&A 1. Why don't you bring a stroller? David simply prefers to be held. I have a feeling if I brought a cheap little umbrella stroller that he'd cry the whole time he's in it and I would end up dragging it behind me while I carry him anyway. The Ergo is perfect. I have both hands free and he's happy.
2. What did you do if he had a dirty diaper mid-flight? The only time that has happened, we had a whole row to ourselves. I laid out a disposable changing pad and changed him right on the seat. After I was done, a flight attendant came by and mentioned there is a changing table in the back. I don't know if that's in the bathroom, or in the galley near the bathroom, but I have yet to use it.
I add any new Q&A's here! Feel free to ask in the comments
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