[jessanddane]

We are leaving in two weeks, flying to Las Vegas. I have never flown with Emily before. Im not even sure how you go about taking formula/food on the plane. I need some advice from BTDT moms. Thanks!!!! Any tips would help a lot!

[starrsgirl]

Do you have a carrier? I think that is key for getting around the airport and on/off the plane.

When we flew, Emmett was a bit younger so I brought my Boppy and he slept on my lap/nursed most of the time. I doubt he would do that now though.

Will Emily be on your lap? I say tons of finger foods that take a while to eat. Cheerios, graham crackers, Mum mums....you might want to bring a drop cloth for yourself, haha. Also, just buy a bottle of water once you get past airport security. Also, you can get those formulas that are in pre-measured packets (they look like the crystal lite packets you pour in drinks). So then you could pour some of your water in a bottle and empty a packet of formula in there.

[Daffodil]

Is your hubby going with you? That would make things a lot easier!

[Ally-Mac]

I don't really think a carrier is necessary personally. I've flown with Sydney a few times - never once used a carrier (and I've always flown alone too..no DF with me). I just kept her in her stroller or car seat until I gate checked them. Formula was no problem at all ..I even had WAY more than I probably should have and they didn't say or do anything about it.
One piece of advice --if you have to change her diaper, the change rooms are quite tiny. Pack a large ziploc with everything you need for a diaper change..then you can just grab that and take that to the airplane bathroom. They were ADAMANT everytime I flew that I could not change her in the seat (even though I know some people on here have mentioned they've done that). So just in case, it's much easier to change them if everything is all together.

[jessanddane]

Yes DH is going with me. We do have a baby Bjorn that he uses all the time. Is that what you mean by carrier?? Yes, she will be in our lap, we did not purchase a ticket for her.

[AndiNW]

I would suggest putting all of your food/powered formula into one or two ziploc bags inside your diaper bag. That way if they need to check something it's altogether. When we flew in January, they wanted to check the jars of baby food on the way out, but not our returning flight.
I actually find flying with babies not bad. My kids just sleep. They are a little restless for the first 20 min or so, but they soon calm down and sleep. Maybe try not to let her sleep in the airport while you are waiting, that way she'll sleep on the plane.

[EquestrianMama]

Keep in mind that they will not let you have her in the carrier when the seatbelt light is on, so during taxi, take off, turbulence, or landing. As far as formula or food goes, the 3/1/1 rules don't apply, so don't worry about that. Bring an empty water bottle and fill it up when you get through security. Much cheaper than having to buy a bottle. Make sure you have quiet toys and lots of snacks, and a binky if you use one. It'll help with her ears for the pressure changes. If you gate check the car seat, you can always ask if the flight is full.. if it's not, they may let you have her own seat and plop her on in the car seat.

[Daffodil]

I actually forgot and filled up her bottles with water last time I flew and they didn't have a problem with it...they just ran it through the scanner like they do breastmilk.

[Hollybear]

I have flown with Sophie pretty frequent since she was 6 weeks old, and have always had to switch planes so I feel like I am a pro at this now. I've lost count but I think she's been on 20 different planes at this point!

I have only been on a handful of flights that they have made me take Sophie out of her ERGObaby during taxi, and it's usually older flight attendants. I have never had to take her out during turbulence, seat belt lights, etc. (I fly with United/Continental) Sometimes the FA's don't even notice.

Also, some planes don't have changing tables in the bathroom. (Like the little cabinet thing that comes down)
Every 757 I have been on and the little commuter CRJ-200's don't. I don't understand why the 757 doesn't since it's a bigger plane :/

I flew with a Bjorn until Sophie was 6 months I guess, it got too painful. The ERGO has a strap you can unbuckle around your waist when you sit down (but the baby is still "secure" for the most part, I mean don't stand up like that) but the Bjorn you have to pretty much completely leave it on. My back used to KILL me I also like the ERGO because it has a zipper in the front that I stick my boarding passes in.

I don't know how formula works (or how long you can leave it out) but if it were me, I would do it BEFORE you got on the plane, only because I have spilled breastmilk all over me (and almost on the person sitting next to me) trying to transfer milk into a different bottle when I was afraid to nurse haha.

Also the "packet" baby foods are good because you can use the boon spoon attachment or just squirt it directly in their mouth. (Plum Organics, Ella's, Happy Baby, etc --- the boon spoon attachment works on those too)

Give the bottle (or binkie) during take off and landing to help ears from getting stopped up....

[jessanddane]

Originally Posted by Hollybear

I have flown with Sophie pretty frequent since she was 6 weeks old, and have always had to switch planes so I feel like I am a pro at this now. I've lost count but I think she's been on 20 different planes at this point!

I have only been on a handful of flights that they have made me take Sophie out of her ERGObaby during taxi, and it's usually older flight attendants. I have never had to take her out during turbulence, seat belt lights, etc. (I fly with United/Continental) Sometimes the FA's don't even notice.

Also, some planes don't have changing tables in the bathroom. (Like the little cabinet thing that comes down)
Every 757 I have been on and the little commuter CRJ-200's don't. I don't understand why the 757 doesn't since it's a bigger plane :/

I flew with a Bjorn until Sophie was 6 months I guess, it got too painful. The ERGO has a strap you can unbuckle around your waist when you sit down (but the baby is still "secure" for the most part, I mean don't stand up like that) but the Bjorn you have to pretty much completely leave it on. My back used to KILL me I also like the ERGO because it has a zipper in the front that I stick my boarding passes in.

I don't know how formula works (or how long you can leave it out) but if it were me, I would do it BEFORE you got on the plane, only because I have spilled breastmilk all over me (and almost on the person sitting next to me) trying to transfer milk into a different bottle when I was afraid to nurse haha.

Also the "packet" baby foods are good because you can use the boon spoon attachment or just squirt it directly in their mouth. (Plum Organics, Ella's, Happy Baby, etc --- the boon spoon attachment works on those too)

Give the bottle (or binkie) during take off and landing to help ears from getting stopped up....

Thanks! We're going to have to look into an Ergo...DH has said that the bjorn has been killing his back lately.

[Jule'sMomInOR]

I've also flown with Juliana lots of times and will be doing so again on Sunday. Each time has gotten progressively harder because she's more and more mobile. I'm not looking forward to Sunday. Then again, I'll be by myself. All she wants to do is walk through the aisles and see people, and when the seatbelt sign is on or the beverage cart is in the way, she's hard to entertain.

[dinamommy]

I don't really have a lot to add except that the Ergo is FANTASTIC! I usually hate over the shoulder carriers, but this one is so comfortable! We used it on the plane and in all the theme parks we went to. Eli seemed very comfy in it too!