[bittersweet]

Anyone know how old a baby should be to travel via airplane? I only have 8 weeks maternity leave and I was thinking maybe I'll try to go home for a couple days so my brother, dad, etc can meet the baby. I worry if it will damage her ears to fly that early...not to mention the nasty recycled plane air and gross people in general you are exposed to.

If I don't go then, I won't be going again until July/Aug...she'll be 5-6 mon old at that time. But it would be nice for family to meet her as a newborn too.

[midnight_starr]

Angela flew with London when he was only 2 weeks!

[niknok]

We flew from NC to NY when Drake was about 10 weeks. He did great. Just nurse on the way up and down and his ears will be fine. And use a Moby or ergo or something. We still do that, and then use the stroller to pile all of our crap in. Works great!

[bittersweet]

I'm assuming you have to check the car seat and stroller. Does this count as your checked items, so then you have to pay extra to bring suitcases? Did you wear the baby in the moby wrap the whole flight or put them in the car seat in flight?

Seems like such a hassel

[Resi]

I know if you bring the carseat on board for the baby you will have to buy another ticket for the seat.

[Mars]

A car seat and a stroller (I usually see lightweight ones only) are allowed and they are not counted as checked luggage (well, they're not with AA). The car seat is checked in with your bags and the stroller can be taken with you and stored at the front of the plane or they take it at the bottom of the stairs and store it.

[~*sierra*~]

i've seen people that check their strollers at the gate and then they have them ready for them at the gate at their destination. i think its genius.

[soImarriedAnerd]

stroller, pack n play and car seat do not count as extra luggage. Baby only needs to be 3 days old to fly, per my Dr. The Airline would prefer at least 14 days old but they do not restrict if you have a Dr note saying its ok to travel (we did have one but were never asked for it). If its a full flight you have to hold baby the entire time. If there is space available most airlines will be nice put you near an empty seat so you can use your car seat (MUST be FAA approved-should have a sticker on it). No matter what take your stroller/car seat to the gate (a spot could open up last second) plus its better to gate check those items because they have less chance of being damaged (make sure to have a car seat bag to protect it). If flying in the USA you do not need a Birth Certificate till they have a paid seat, if flying international you do need a passport. Your child is considered a "lap child" till 2 yrs old meaning they do NOT HAVE to have a seat booked on domestic flights. On international you have to have a seat bought if over 6 months but its at a reduced rate. Most international flight planes have bassinets on the flights for under 6 months! Also most flights do offer baby food if requested in advance.

I think I got the basics Did I miss something? Just ask

oh and diaper bag is allowed PLUS your carry on.

Make sure your breastfeeding (bottle feeding/pacifier) during take off and landing to help their ears adjust. London did great and didn't fuse at all. If they have any type of sinus infection going I would NOT put them on a plane though.

[bittersweet]

Wow, great advice Angela! I knew you'd be helpful! Sounds like it isnt that bad. DH wont be coming though...looks like I need 8 arms for all the stuff I'd have to bring.

[Angelaosaurus-rex]

When I flew with Landen I was only allowed to take his car seat on the international flight, they made me check it on the shorter flights. I was so pissed because I bought him his own seat, and with out the car seat their was no point in having an extra seat. So he sat in my lap and they put a mini seat belt on my seat belt to belt him in on my lap. Just make sure to ask each airline what they allow. And like Nikki said nurse or give your baby a pacifier on the way up and down to hep with its cutie little ears!

[niknok]

I put him in the MOby from the start. We have a travel system where the carseat attaches to the stroller. We hang the diaper bag from that, and stack my purse/carryon in the carseat. This all goes through security. So, you are wearing the baby (hands free!! wooHoo!!) and DH or you can push the stroller. Once you get to your gate and are boarding, you will leave the stroller and carseat at the entrance of the plane. The airport staff will stow it for you under the plane, and you'll take baby and purse/diaper bag with you. Drake only comes out of the moby or mei tai if he gets squirmy and cranky. Once you land, the airport staff will have your stroller and carseat waiting for you as soon as you get off the plane. You throw your bags back in it, and you're off.

Does that make sense? It's worked really well for us, and we've taken a total of six flights with Drake. I've even done it once all by myself! You will not BELIEVE how accomodating people are when you have a wee one. And just watch out if they are snuggled up in a wrap! Every other person you pass will oohh and aawww. We fly with Drake next week! I'll let you know if I come up with any more tips after that trip.

[bittersweet]

Nikki, you make it sound so easy!! I was looking on the SW website and it seems as though any child under 2 yrs has to have a birth certifricate. How long does it take to get one? I was under the impression it takes a few weeks? They also had something about not being allowed to 'attatch' the baby to any person during take off and landing. Did you have to take the out of the wraps for that? Seems liek they would be safer in it.

[soImarriedAnerd]

I had london in a wrap from the second we got out of the car to go into the airport till we got in the car at our destination. Also my airline SAID we needed a BC but never checked. BC depend on the county...my county in IL its 3 months BEFORE you can ORDER ONE! you don't get one for free. So I JUST got londons this last week! A note from the DR at one of your appointments should be good until you get the BC.

It really was easy. I had my normal huge bag plus one small bag and my carry on, plus london in his wrap the car seat attached to his huge suitcase (they make clips for this) and I was able to get that ALL on my own. My two suitcases have straps to connect also. LOL And both huge bags weighed in at 68lbs!

I do want to warn you that some PITA FSA people will have you remove your baby from a carrier. If its a cloth wrap your less likely to have to take it off. But if any metal is on it and it sets off the alarm it will have to come off.

[niknok]

Some of the ease of travel depends on what TSA agents are working, and your flight attendants. The "official" rules are that baby must come out of any carrier to go through security. Also, the "official" rule is that baby must be out of the carrier, and held in your lap for takeoff and landing. Stupid, but those are the rules. However, I have found in our six flights that rarely are they enforced. Like I said, people are usually quite nice and helpful.

As far as the birth certificate, in our experience noone cared about it. Drake had a passport for our trip to Punta Cana, so we just use it as his ID. We took it on our flight in July (to NY), and when I showed it to the security guy checking boarding passes, he said "Oh, I don't need his". Apparently, anyone can just take any baby on. I was quite disturbed by that.

[soImarriedAnerd]

^^^yeah I was a little put off by the lack of checking infants. But then...those passport photos are good for 5 yrs...babies look different month by month let alone years!