@ WWSNM(oms)D? Flying/airport with baby

[picksthemusic]

So, we're flying via Alaska and will be taking M with us. I want to make check-in/TSA as easy as possible, and I want to make sure I have her with me or DH at all times (FIL is going to have to suck it because I'm not letting her out of my or DH's sight, end of story). I'm thinking if I have her strapped to me in the Moby Wrap, this will be the easiest/least traumatic way for M to be with me and make carrying luggage/stuff easier. We're taking her car seat with us on the plane and hoping for an empty seat so we can strap her in there, and if not, we're holding her on our laps for the 1hr flight to Idaho (they don't requre you to buy a seat for babies under 2). Anyway, do you think the Moby is a good idea, or a waste of time? I'm thinking it'll be easier because I'll be hands free and will know she's safe (especially walking through terminals and stuff).

Also, any other tips for flying with a baby are welcome!

[Deleted]

Not having baby, but it seems to me Moby would be the best way! She's safe, secure, your eyes are on her at all times but your hands are free....and you can easily argue your way out of FIL because she's already all strapped tight and it's too much hassle to unstrap her just so he can hold her for awhile

[InBetweenDays]

I'd wear her in the Moby. I have heard that security sometimes makes you take them out when going through security, but I never experienced that. Wearing her will make it so much easier to deal with luggage, and then you may be able to wear her on the plane if she falls asleep. (again, I've heard they sometimes make you take them out for takeoff and landing but I never had that happen).

FWIW they won't let you bring the car seat on the plane unless there is an open seat. If there isn't an open seat you'll have to gate check the seat.

A one hour flight will go by really quickly and she'll do fine. I'd try to feed her on take off and landing to help her ears. If she isn't hungry you could give her a pacifier, but either way don't stress about it. It seems like when they're pretty young their ears don't bother them as much (seems to get worse around 5). Bring a few new toys, and some snacks. For us snacks - especially things they have to try and pick up - were more helpful than any toy.

Where in ID are you going? We're heading to Coeur d'Alene on Wednesday but we're driving.

[InBetweenDays]

Also, there is a family line through security at SeaTac. Take advantage of it! It is usually a lot shorter.

[bettylou79]

I have a friend who flew to NY with her 8 month old. It was just she and her DH. I'm not sure what they did about carrying the baby. I do know that her DH got on the plane first when they called for people flying with babies and children. DH got the seat and all the stuff set up. Then the wife got on almost last so that when she got to the seat everything was ready and set up. Is it possible to ask if there will be someone next to you?
Good luck!

[sarack]

if she'll be content in the moby, i'd totally do that. good luck! don't forget her shoes, or socks to keep those feetsies warm.

[InBetweenDays]

Two more suggestions. If you do get an extra seat for her, she needs to be on the window. Is she in an infant seat or a convertible seat? If it's a convertible seat you'll want to ask for a seat belt extension. We didn't the first time flying with our convertible seat, and we couldn't get the seat belt unbuckled without taking the back seat cushion off.

[karebear219]

The only other thing I have is check ahead to see if your seat is compatible with the plane, some airlines only allow certain seats.

[picksthemusic]

Jul 23, 2012 13:53:17 GMT -5 InBetweenDays said:

I'd wear her in the Moby. I have heard that security sometimes makes you take them out when going through security, but I never experienced that. Wearing her will make it so much easier to deal with luggage, and then you may be able to wear her on the plane if she falls asleep. (again, I've heard they sometimes make you take them out for takeoff and landing but I never had that happen).

FWIW they won't let you bring the car seat on the plane unless there is an open seat. If there isn't an open seat you'll have to gate check the seat.

A one hour flight will go by really quickly and she'll do fine. I'd try to feed her on take off and landing to help her ears. If she isn't hungry you could give her a pacifier, but either way don't stress about it. It seems like when they're pretty young their ears don't bother them as much (seems to get worse around 5). Bring a few new toys, and some snacks. For us snacks - especially things they have to try and pick up - were more helpful than any toy.

Where in ID are you going? We're heading to Coeur d'Alene on Wednesday but we're driving.

This was super helpful, thank you!

We're going to Boise area to see DH's distant family (aunts, uncles, cousins, etc). I'm dreading the heat!

[picksthemusic]

Jul 23, 2012 14:00:19 GMT -5 InBetweenDays said:

Two more suggestions. If you do get an extra seat for her, she needs to be on the window. Is she in an infant seat or a convertible seat? If it's a convertible seat you'll want to ask for a seat belt extension. We didn't the first time flying with our convertible seat, and we couldn't get the seat belt unbuckled without taking the back seat cushion off.

Also good to know. We still have her in her infant seat, so hopefully that won't be a problem.

[picksthemusic]

Jul 23, 2012 14:01:32 GMT -5 karebear219 said:

The only other thing I have is check ahead to see if your seat is compatible with the plane, some airlines only allow certain seats.

Ours is.

[jennlin]

security did not let me wear BJL through the line in SEA, OAK, HNL, and bellingham..whatever the airport code is for that.. also, bjl gets hot really easily..so she didn't like being worn the entire time..but it's a short flight..M might be able to tolerate it. leaving from bellingham, they made us take our car seat to the gate, and gate-check the car seat...leaving HNL, they had us check in our car seat at the luggage check-in area.

make sure she's sucking through takeoff and landing..but remember the most "intense" parts of takeoff and landing are a few minutes AFTER take off, and then near the very end of landing... so after take-off, wait a few minutes, THEN give her the paci, unless she's perfectly content with holding it for a long time. or, if she's sleeping anyways, then just ignore it. bjl didn't fuss once, and was sleeping through another..so the ear pressure thing is hit or miss if it bothers them, really.

good luck!