How do you fly with a baby?

[TulipsAndSunscreen]

We're going to Maryland tomorrow for a second opinion about my legs and have to fly. It's a short flight but we'll have two roller bags, backpack, purse, diaper bag, snap and go stroller plus a car seat between dh and me. Oh yeah, plus the baby.

How do we do this?

I think we can gate check the stroller but what about the car seat? Should I plastic wrap the car seat if it's going below the plane so it doesn't get wet if it's raining?

She's obviously a lap child but can I wear her thru security?

And what's the deal with breast milk and security? I know you can carry it thru but do you need a note?

I need help with logistics! We're flying southwest if that matters but prefer not to check?

Seriously, I feel horrible that we're exposing her to so many germs and people on account of me. If there were any way I thought I could get there and back in a day I'd go by myself but I have no freezer stash of milk yet so I can't leave her yet for more than one feeding. I will never forgive myself if she gets sick because of this.

[SuzySunshine]

Are you going to walk through the airport or go through in a wheelchair? Get a wheelchair and let your DH handle the stuff. They will have someone push you and you can hold D.

You will have to take her out of the sling/carrier because it will have to go through the scanner. Can you put your purse stuff in your diaper bag and have one less bag? Carry on a change of clothes for her and a shirt for you, at least.

CHECK the bags, seriously, it will be easier on all of you and on SW its free.

I'm no help with the breast milk but you should be able to look it up on SW's site.

She won't get sick, she will be fine. BIG BIG hugs!

[Lala]

Try not to stress! I flew with my baby when she was 2 months old and it was absolutely fine! I stressed out about it so much ahead of time, but it really turned out ok. I was flying to see my family (a 3 hour flight away) and my husband couldn't go, so I flew alone with the baby and my dog.

The most important thing is to be as organized and prepared as you can. I am totally OCD, so I had a super long typed packing list and this helped immensely. I also called the airline ahead of time to ask questions similar to the ones you have asked above. Since each airline has its own rules, definitely call them and ask what their rules are.

Also, security is handled differently at every airport. At one airport, I was able to keep the baby in the car seat, in her stroller as we walked through security. At another airport, I had to take her out, and carry her through, and also take the car seat out of the stroller as we went through security. Super annoying and hard with only one person! ....I don't think you need a note for breastmilk at security but again check with the airline. You don't need a note in Canada, but it might be different in the U.S.

I don't know the rules for every airline, but I know we were able to gate check the car seat and the stroller. In terms of plastic wrapping the car seat, I don't think you need to, but you can bring a clear garbage bag with you for that purpose and just put it in at the gate. That's what I did.

Anyway, don't feel bad about flying with her. It sounds like you really have no choice. If anyone should feel bad, it's me for flying with the baby just for the enjoyment of visiting my family, and I didn't feel bad! (Maybe I should! Hahah).

Mommy guilt is inevitable, but please try not to feel bad. It will be so much easier than you think. If I can do it alone, you can totally do it with your husband there to help. Just make sure your diaper bag is well stocked. Make sure you bring extra changes of clothes for the baby, and something to put soiled clothes in so they are kept separate from the other items in the diaper bag. If you have room, bring extra clothes for yourself as carry on, just in case you get pooed on! You never know! Good luck! It will be an adventure every time (but hopefully not too much of one!!)

[moonlight]

Call the airline and let them know you will need wheelchair assistance- don't worry about it, bring a little tip cash if it makes you feel better but the airport helpers are very kind! I flew with SW this month and didn't have a car seat cover (it got ripped last year) and SW provides a car seat plastic cover.

You'll walk or be pushed through the scanner with the baby or have your hubby walk through with her.

IMO its easier to keep the stroller (gate check it) and push the baby in the stroller up to the gate. Only problem is if your hubby has too much to carry and push the stroller. We were always able to put all our carry on bags on the stroller.

Last tip- Be ready for every single grandma to come up to you and go nutos for your little baby before the flight. People just love tiny new little babies in airports. Its like a little slice of joy in the normal crapfest of the airport.

FYI If any of you ever fly out of the Raleigh airport, for some reason the airline staff are very strict about not allowing parents to take a normal stroller through security. They make you "gate" check it right there at the counter before you go through security. They ONLY allow crappy umbrella strollers through security there in Raleigh. so stupid.

[scarlett09]

I agree w/ SS in that you should use the wheelchair and let your DH tend to all of the bags and stuff. And I think a whole bunch of people have said that if you're wearing her, then no one can give her their yucky germs. Otherwise I'm not much help in the flying-with-kiddos department.

But I did want to say that whether you're flying into BWI/IAD/PHL tomorrow, none of those locales are expecting rain. Next good chance of rain isn't until Friday (not sure how long you are staying for). And good luck and safe travels tomorrow! We will be thinking of you!!

[Vishenka69]

Going through 4 different airports, we were not questioned about the amount of babyfood we brought. As long as there's a baby present, you can bring as much as you need. We haven't traved with DD while that young, so the carseat came with us on the plane, stroller was gate checked.

[Deebs]

No advice beyond what you've gotten, but I hope your trip goes well and that you come home with ANSWERS!!!!

[Michele]

I've never had to take a baby out of a carrier for security. Only a few times on takeoff. Every airport and flight attendant is different.

No experience with bottles.

Absolutely agree with using the wheelchair service.

Check stroller and carseat. Carry her in the wheelchair or have your DH wear her.

NO GUILT!!!!! By being alive she is exposed to germs. By being with her, you are comforting her and she is comforting you! Take advantage of that oxytocin release during this stressful time!!

[Thirteen]

I pushed the car seat, attached to snap n go stroller, to the gate and gate checked them. I wore DS in the Ergo the whole time.
I pulled my carry on with one hand/pushed stroller with another.

He was 10 weeks, and we flew alone.
Sorry for brevity!


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[TulipsAndSunscreen]

So you don't risk the car seat getting gross or ruined when you gate check it?

[SuzySunshine]

I also put my carseat in a bag like Rapunzel posted but a clear plastic bag would be fine too, I bet they'd give you one at the check-in desk.


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[moonlight]

Like I was saying SW will give you a big plastic bag to put the car seat in or you can go out to BRU and buy and heavy duty one so you can reuse it. FYI when I used the SW provided plastic bag it did get holes and a tear in it by the time I got it back. Then again, I checked it at the counter and didn't gate check it like you might do.

[peggyfromwastate]

I flew with DS when he was about 4 weeks old. He DID get sick at age 5.5 weeks. I don't know if it was from the flight, but we had to do the whole septic workup at the ER bit. It was fine ultimately. I just wanted to throw it out there to NOT freak you out (but I realize it might)-- just a BTDT experience. FWIW, I think he caught something from the cousins when we landed, not from the flight.

I carry all of them in a bjorn at this age. I don't use a stroller at all. They can't even sit up in the stroller, so what's the point? I just keep the bjorn, and I did have to take it off to scan it, but that wasn't too big of a deal. No one likes to disturb a sleeping baby, but when flying you deal.

Ditto to the wheel chair suggestion. But then your dh has to push the wheelchair and carry any carry on luggage. He should have a backpack type diaper bag (any backpack at all) and that's it if you can get away with it. You can carry the baby on your lap, then your dh can use the bjorn when you are going to dr apps and everything.

Are you going to Hopkins? I really hope the second opinion gives clarity. Let me know if you need anything- I'm about 80 minutes away but I drive up to Baltimore often. My dh comes home on Thursday morning so I could help you Thursday afternoon without having to worry about my own kiddos!! My cell is 240-460-6105. Seriously. If you need anything.

[peggyfromwastate]

How did it go?

[Thirteen]

How did it go?

This. I've been thinking about your little family!