Another traveling with infant question from an old IL

[gibbylod]

I saw that there have been several posts about traveling with infants recently, but I hope you don't mind I ask a few of my own (you ladies are always so wise  ):

Next month, I will be traveling alone with DD for the first time. She will be just 3 months and I'm a bit nervous, but I will be flying in business on a direct flight on Delta so I think I should be OK.

- Should I bring the stroller or just use a baby carrier? (I know I will need the stroller once I get to my destination but I don't know if it will be more of a burden than anything else for the flight)

- How do you go through security checks/metal detectors with a baby? (I know this may be a stupid question but I realized I've never paid attention to how moms do this and with the whole removing shoes, jackets, belts, computers, blah blah blah. It's already a pain when you travel alone, I can't imagine how it's done with a stroller or carrier!)

- I imagine most who have traveled with infants it has been to visit family. What did you do for the car seat? Should I bring mine as luggage or carry-on? See if someone can lend them one while we are there?

Any other recommendations you can share about traveling with such a young baby will be most appreciated. Like I said, I'm nervous about traveling with an infant for the first time and having to do it alone, so anything you can share that will help calm my nerves would be great.

Thanks!

[gibbylod]

Thanks! She is used to the baby carrier, which is why I thought it could be a good option. But then, I may need the stroller over there (although, there may be lots of arms eager to hold her making the stroller less necessary than here where I usually only have my own two arms).

What's a snap and go?

Also, your restroom comment made me think of another question: how do you use the restroom on the plane with the baby?

[frlcb]

Jan 9, 2014 20:47:01 GMT -5 gibbylod said:

Thanks! She is used to the baby carrier, which is why I thought it could be a good option. But then, I may need the stroller over there (although, there may be lots of arms eager to hold her making the stroller less necessary than here where I usually only have my own two arms).

What's a snap and go?

Also, your restroom comment made me think of another question: how do you use the restroom on the plane with the baby?

They come with you and sit on your lap

I would bring the stroller to push your stuff and wear your baby

[dublin]

I travelled long-haul with DS1 at 3 months and was very stressed in anticipation. I remember booking the flight when he was a few weeks old and wondering how I would get to the airport let alone survive a 10+ hour flight. It actually ended up being totally fine. The less mobile the better!

A lot of advice is airport and airline specific. (for example my SIL just travelled long-haul on her own with my 1 year old niece and they let her bring the carseat on board and kept the seat next to hers free; I've never brought a car seat onboard but I fly a lot with British Airways and they have bassinets) Also if you do gate-check the stroller don't expect it to always be there at the gate when you arrive; in a lot of airports you pick it up at baggage claim which is a major pain!

A snap-and-go is a base that you can put a car seat into so you can push the car seat through the airport (it's an American thing haven't seen one here in the UK; not sure where you are based). FYI- a carseat fitted to a stroller base (either snap-and-go or stroller with carseat adaptors) can be pushed right up to the gate and you just have to get two bag tags (one for the base and one for the carseat).

When I travelled on my own with DS I had a small carry-on suitcase (a 4-wheeled spinner) and the normal diaper bag. I had a practical amount of stuff in the diaper bag and put all the spare stuff/emergency stuff (like extra clothes for me in case of major baby puking incident or diaper poo blow-out!) in the suitcase.

A few practical tips:
Feed the baby on take-off and landing as that helps them with the ear pressure. I had one of those nylon re-useable shopping bags inside the diaper bag that I used when bringing the baby to be changed (e.g. I would put a diaper, the wipes and a changing pad in there so I didn't have to bring everything with me to the bathroom). Another tip is to have Ziploc bags with one diaper and some wipes in each so you just take the Ziploc bag with you to the bathroom. If your baby takes a pacifier have at least one in each pocket, as they will spit them out and it's hard to get up and retrieve on your own!

Good luck! You'll go great!

[Deleted]

Just wanted to add: I have been asked to take the baby out of the carrier a few times in the last four years of traveling with kids. They wanted to put my Ergo carrier through the x-ray machine at security.

I've had DS1 or DS2 asleep in the stroller going through security and they just patted him and the stroller down instead of making me take him out. Other times they've wanted baby out and stroller collapsed to go through.

Also: people are helpful. I had a teenage boy hold DS2 last time I was collecting our stuff on the other side of Heathrow security (was traveling on my own with a six month old and a 4 year old. Just ask for help when you need it. Many people are very happy to hold a 3 month old for a few minutes

[crimsonandclover]

Jan 9, 2014 19:39:36 GMT -5 gibbylod said:

I saw that there have been several posts about traveling with infants recently, but I hope you don't mind I ask a few of my own (you ladies are always so wise  ):

Next month, I will be traveling alone with DD for the first time. She will be just 3 months and I'm a bit nervous, but I will be flying in business on a direct flight on Delta so I think I should be OK.

- Should I bring the stroller or just use a baby carrier? (I know I will need the stroller once I get to my destination but I don't know if it will be more of a burden than anything else for the flight) I have never brought a stroller, but if you need one at your destination you might as well bring it - you can gate check it and then just get it when you leave the plane. Easy peasy.

- How do you go through security checks/metal detectors with a baby? (I know this may be a stupid question but I realized I've never paid attention to how moms do this and with the whole removing shoes, jackets, belts, computers, blah blah blah. It's already a pain when you travel alone, I can't imagine how it's done with a stroller or carrier!) They have always made me take the baby out of the carrier, send the carrier through the machine, and I think for one flight (when I was alone with DD1) they actually had me hand her off to one of the security women while I went through by myself, then walk back, take DD1, and walk through again. I'll be honest, I work up a sweat dealing with a baby and all the other stuff (shoes, laptop, etc). I'm always happy when security is behind us. We also have to deal with telling them that we have liquid for formula. They have to run some sort of strip along the edge of the thermos to check for explosives.

- I imagine most who have traveled with infants it has been to visit family. What did you do for the car seat? Should I bring mine as luggage or carry-on? See if someone can lend them one while we are there? My parents have borrowed an infant seat from one of my mom's co-workers (whose own son had just grown out of it the first time we went).

Any other recommendations you can share about traveling with such a young baby will be most appreciated. Like I said, I'm nervous about traveling with an infant for the first time and having to do it alone, so anything you can share that will help calm my nerves would be great.

Thanks!
As for the bathroom question, like others said - I just went with her in the carrier. It's a bit awkward, but definitely doable.

And I'm surprised some airlines have let people keep the baby in the Ergo. I've always had to take the LOs out and strap them in with the supplemental seatbelt.

Good luck, you'll be fine! At that age it's way easier than when they're mobile!! (If that's any encouragement at all )

[anna7602]

The only airport where I ever had to take DD out of the Ergo at security was Miami and I traveled through several airports with her until she outgrew the carrier. I don't know if there's an official TSA rule about security and carriers.

I don't like traveling with car seats as a general rule and try to borrow one on the other end, unless I am going to a country where car seats aren't the norm. In which case, I've taken ours for my peace of mind.

[frlcb]

TSA isn't supposed to make you take them out of their carrier but we all know tsa isn't always consistent. And In the US you are not allowed to wear your baby on taxi takeoff or landing, per the FAA

[crimsonandclover]

Jan 10, 2014 14:16:09 GMT -5 frlcb said:

TSA isn't supposed to make you take them out of their carrier but we all know tsa isn't always consistent. And In the US you are not allowed to wear your baby on taxi takeoff or landing, per the FAA

That's good to know. Not that I would put up a fuss because I just want to get the heck through there, but still. I've flown with kids 3 times, so maybe I just got unlucky.

I had heard the same thing about wearing them, though. I probably read it on an airline website, so it didn't surprise me when they asked me to take her out and gave me the seat belt.

Just curious, though - is anyone else with me in thinking that wearing them is probably safer than that crappy lap belt? I mean, if something were to happen and we had enough time to try to get out of the plane, wouldn't it be better if I had her already in the carrier than if I had to try to unbuckle her belt, unbuckle my belt (ok, not really rocket science, but still, not as easy as just one belt) and then try to carry her safely and make it out of the plane?? Sorry, my mind leaps to worst case scenarios when it comes to planes, but that is one policy I really just don't get.

[frlcb]

Jan 10, 2014 16:10:04 GMT -5 crimsonandclover said:

Jan 10, 2014 14:16:09 GMT -5 frlcb said:

TSA isn't supposed to make you take them out of their carrier but we all know tsa isn't always consistent. And In the US you are not allowed to wear your baby on taxi takeoff or landing, per the FAA

That's good to know. Not that I would put up a fuss because I just want to get the heck through there, but still. I've flown with kids 3 times, so maybe I just got unlucky.

I had heard the same thing about wearing them, though. I probably read it on an airline website, so it didn't surprise me when they asked me to take her out and gave me the seat belt.

Just curious, though - is anyone else with me in thinking that wearing them is probably safer than that crappy lap belt? I mean, if something were to happen and we had enough time to try to get out of the plane, wouldn't it be better if I had her already in the carrier than if I had to try to unbuckle her belt, unbuckle my belt (ok, not really rocket science, but still, not as easy as just one belt) and then try to carry her safely and make it out of the plane?? Sorry, my mind leaps to worst case scenarios when it comes to planes, but that is one policy I really just don't get.

US Domestic airlines also don't allow the lap belt. So if you were flying with a lap child you will only be holding them with your arms. 

[lolo]

Use the carrier. I've had the hand swab the last two times I've flown with DD, but have never been asked to take her out of the carrier.

[potatopie]

I didn't have to take DS out of the carrier at security. But they did make me take a sip of my breastmilk!

[frlcb]

Jan 11, 2014 4:12:49 GMT -5 potatopie said:

I didn't have to take DS out of the carrier at security. But they did make me take a sip of my breastmilk!

In the US? I had to do thus in the UK so many times but never in the US, luckily

[gibbylod]

Jan 11, 2014 4:12:49 GMT -5 potatopie said:

I didn't have to take DS out of the carrier at security. But they did make me take a sip of my breastmilk!

Really? That's so strange. Can I ask why you brought milk? I was thinking of just breastfeeding normally. Is this too complicated? 

[gibbylod]

Thanks all for answering my questions! Some great advice as always.

[pittpurple]

Hiya. I flew from Edinburgh to California on my own with M when she was 6 months. Then a few internal USA flights and a couple flights in the uk so have a bit of experience. I have to say, each airport and each flight was an entirely different experience!

I brought a stroller and a carrier. Getting through security and waiting in the airport was difficult enough, it was a huge help to have somewhere else to put the stuff. Since I was travelling for over 24 hours and am always over prepared, I had a ton of stuff with me so I couldn't have carried all of it plus her. If you're breastfeeding, with such a little baby you'll have so much less stuff it will be much easier. I would bring a stroller, or at least borrow one, since if you want to go out to eat or anything while you're home it's so much nicer to have somewhere to put the baby.

For the car seat....we bought one in the states since you can't use uk car seats in the states anyway. We got a convertible one and just left it at my inlaws. Our next trip to the states we will start at my inlaws and pick up the seat before moving on.

To be honest, the earlier the better for travelling with a baby. Our last couple flights were much harder now that she's mobile.

And yes, you have to pee with a baby on your lap unless someone offers to he and you want to take them up on it.

I made up little ziplocs with a nappy, a disposable mat and a little pack of wipes so I would just bring that with me and throw it all away after, airplane bathrooms are gross. I did the same with packs of food. I brought one nappy per hour out of paranoia but I obviously didn't need 25 nappies! Bring two changes for the baby and a change for yourself just in case. Consider if you'll want to being snacks for yourself...airplane food isn't the easiest to coordinate with one hand though you'll have a lot more space than I did in economy. And if you're nursing, drink TONS of water.

[potatopie]

Jan 11, 2014 12:26:48 GMT -5 gibbylod said:

Jan 11, 2014 4:12:49 GMT -5 potatopie said:

I didn't have to take DS out of the carrier at security. But they did make me take a sip of my breastmilk!

Really? That's so strange. Can I ask why you brought milk? I was thinking of just breastfeeding normally. Is this too complicated? 

We give an occasional bottle of pumped milk to get DS used to the bottle and for certain situations when i don't want to NIP. The worst part was that the bottle was kinda old, we were going to dump it anyway. that was one reason i didn't want to taste it!

[potatopie]

Jan 11, 2014 6:41:45 GMT -5 frlcb said:

Jan 11, 2014 4:12:49 GMT -5 potatopie said:

I didn't have to take DS out of the carrier at security. But they did make me take a sip of my breastmilk!

In the US? I had to do thus in the UK so many times but never in the US, luckily

 Yup, it was Heathrow.