[KatiInCT]

Well I decided to be spontaneous and just booked a flight for Osric and myself down to San Antonio to visit my best friend from college. We fly out on Friday (as in 2 days from now) and will fly home on Monday. I can't wait for a fun weekend!

I am only freaking out a little bit about traveling with Osric alone. I booked a rental car for while I am down there and requested an infant seat so hopefully I won't have to travel with our infant carier. I plan on just bringing my Combi stroller and my Moby Wrap. I have a Baby Bjorn but I haven't used it yet and don't want to bring more than I will use so I will stick with what I know.

Oh I can't wait! Am I absolutely nuts to fly alone? My biggest worry is the carseat not being available at the car rental (I am renting from Alamo). It will all work out though, right? Please someone comfort me.

[niknok]

All you need is the Moby and your boobs! I personally find it easy to travel with the carseat in the stroller, and then just leave them at the gate. I pile all my crap in the seat/stroller. Have a great trip!!!

[bittersweet]

Nikki and Angela are sure to give you some great tips. Good luck! Let us know how it goes.

[soImarriedAnerd]

Originally Posted by KatiInCT

I am only freaking out a little bit about traveling with Osric alone. I booked a rental car for while I am down there and requested an infant seat so hopefully I won't have to travel with our infant carier. I plan on just bringing my Combi stroller and my Moby Wrap. I have a Baby Bjorn but I haven't used it yet and don't want to bring more than I will use so I will stick with what I know.

Oh I can't wait! Am I absolutely nuts to fly alone? My biggest worry is the carseat not being available at the car rental (I am renting from Alamo). It will all work out though, right? Please someone comfort me.

Your not nuts. I have done it! It doesn't count as a checked item for the car seat. I would personally take it with and gate check it! The car seat ones are expensive and from the ones I have seen-CRAP!. Your better off with a $40 walmart one than these things.
Skip the stroller! You have a wrap and thats all you need. FYI they need to be out of the wrap during take off and landing (some Flight Attendants will let you slide if they see them sleeping). Most airports will allow you to wear them through security!
Less is more. Buy diapers AT the place your going, don't pack them (unless you do cloth).
The worst part of the flight on the little ones is the Decent! NOT the takeoff! So make sure to get them sucking/swallowing then. If they will not nurse then just blow in their face (baby reflex will force them to swallow---this works great for getting them to take meds also!)
What airline are you using (I have tips depending on which one). Also make sure to call the Airline and tell them you will have a lap child. You have to have a print off ticket (free) for them or it marked on your ticket...but if you have neither you will not be able to board! they can usually block the seat next to you if its not full (if they didn't-ASK at the gate to get a seat next to you open!--if you have your carseat you can then use it!). This only works on flights that have armrest that move (the none move ones are thinner and most FAA approved car seats will not fit). If your on a plane that has only two rows (2 seats on the left and 3 seat on the right, or less) then you HAVE HAVE HAVE to sit on the right of the plane (so seats- C, D, E) because the extra airmask is on that side and there is NOT one on the left. Also be aware that the infant safety float devices are usually near the bulkhead (so again ask to sit there-or near them). Have your FA show you were they are or even better place one near you. Bring chap stick for their lips and I use a little ointment on the very tip inside of their nose to help prevent dryness and illness).

Have a mini diaper bag(meaning a little bag with 1 diaper, wipes, pad) thats small enough to put in the magazine holder...because if you get the bulkhead (which you want) you can't have a bag there and its a pain to get the bag out of the above if needed.

[~*Bethy*~]

I say hire angela to travel with you

[Bre*n*Will=Reid]

^ That's a great idea, lol!

I think it's awesome that you're having a mommy/son adventure! You'll be totally fine. We (DH and myself....) flew with Reid for the first time in December and I was SO NERVOUS! However, it was totally easy and not stressful at all.

[**jessie**]

If you are crazing, I am even MORE crazy.

I leave Friday too to fly transatlantic Frankfurt to Seattle, then a layover Seattle to Portland. All by myself with Mr Super Crank. haha. Oh, and I have a 3 hr drive to Frankfurt to start it all off.

Be sure to check with the airline, because a carseat on my flight is NOT free luggage allowance (only a stroller, 1 suitcase, and a diaper bag).

Of course we are going much further, so we will be bring much more onboard. We are bringing a stroller. I think it will be really nice to have when we get to where we are going. Also, he hates every carrier and wrap I have tried. He prefers to be in the stroller all alone... he is very independent though.

You might want to bring 1 bottle milk with you. Some of my irl friends have had babies that would not nurse or would not nurse well on board the airplane. I don't think its very common, but its always good to be prepared.

My pedi prescribed nose drops for the take off and decent, which are supposed to work well.

Call the airline customer service sometime today and remind them you have a lap infant. They will get you the best seat, and also if the plane is not full will try to arrange for you to have an empty seat beside you.

[LisanAndy]

Hope it's a good flight for you and have fun

[Mars]

I think you'll be fine. Have fun! Perhaps you can call to confirm that there will be a seat for your rental.

[*krista*]

San Antonio is such a fun city! Downtown is gorgeous. I hope you get some good weather! (I'm no help with the traveling with an infant thing, obviously.)

[~*sierra*~]

you're not crazy! that sounds like fun!
we flew with my nephew in december and he was a dream! we fed him just before takeoff and he slept the entire time, only squeaking once for food which we had ready to go.

what i am wondering of the experienced travelling mommies, is how do you deal with the rude people?? a woman was sitting across the aisle from SIL and she was asked to shuffle seats to accomodate another couple so they could sit together and she actually said loudly (and like a day bfore christmas!) "Are you kiddng?! i dont want to be ANY closer to THAT NEWBORN than this, in FACT i'd like to move farther away. It's probably going to scream the whole time." keeping in mind we are like 1 foot away while she's saying this!!! clearly hearing it! i was livid, but SIL was like there's no helping her so dont stress out, but seriously i was about to lay into her. i'm getting all riled up just thinking about it, so what do you DO in that situation?!?

payne slept the entire time so she looked like a fool, but still i wanted to say/do something.

[KatiInCT]

I just wanted to thank you all for your advice!

I just checked my seat assignments and located the type of plane on seatguru.com to see how many rows and it looks like we are good to go as far as that recomendation from Angela goes.

I am going to call the airline (US Airways) and rental car (Alamo) once Osric falls asleep to confirm everything. I booked on expedia.com and they have Osric listed as a lap child there so hopefully it won't be a problem with check-in. And I requested an infant seat for the car rental but will call and confirm and might bring my seat afterall. I am only going to be there for a few days and didn't want to worry about the seat getting ruined when I have to check it at the gate.

I have a feeling we will be doing a lot of walking around on Saturday so that is why I am going to bring the stroller. We have used the Moby Wrap quite a few times but never for more than an hour at a time so I want at least the option to use the stroller (not to mention using the stroller in the airport to help carry things around.

I can't wait to share my experience when I get back. This is definitely a nice 'test flight' as I will be taking Osric to Puerto Rico in May and to Yellowstone in July. He is going to be a well traveled little boy (okay, not as well traveled as London but more so than most little boys his age! )

[~*sierra*~]

oh i forgot to mention, if you check your baby seat at the gate make sure you put it in a big plastic bag. ours got all wet and dirty from being on the baggage belt.

[soImarriedAnerd]

Originally Posted by ~*Bethy*~

I say hire angela to travel with you

LOL

Originally Posted by **jessie**

If you are crazing, I am even MORE crazy.

I leave Friday too to fly transatlantic Frankfurt to Seattle, then a layover Seattle to Portland. All by myself with Mr Super Crank. haha. Oh, and I have a 3 hr drive to Frankfurt to start it all off.

Be sure to check with the airline, because a carseat on my flight is NOT free luggage allowance (only a stroller, 1 suitcase, and a diaper bag).

Of course we are going much further, so we will be bring much more onboard. We are bringing a stroller. I think it will be really nice to have when we get to where we are going. Also, he hates every carrier and wrap I have tried. He prefers to be in the stroller all alone... he is very independent though.

You might want to bring 1 bottle milk with you. Some of my irl friends have had babies that would not nurse or would not nurse well on board the airplane. I don't think its very common, but its always good to be prepared.

My pedi prescribed nose drops for the take off and decent, which are supposed to work well.

Call the airline customer service sometime today and remind them you have a lap infant. They will get you the best seat, and also if the plane is not full will try to arrange for you to have an empty seat beside you.

International flights are slighty different I'm told. You HAVE to book a seat for the child (to my knowledge) so the car seat would have to be on the plane and therefore it would count as baggage. I would LOVE to hear what the nose drops are!

If baby is at all stuffy (nasal stuffy or has ear issue) make sure its being treated because little ones have it harder clearning their ears and those issues makes it worse. Baby meds ARE allowed on flights...but you will have to do a little extra security if they are caught (I don't bother pulling out liquids and I haven't been asked to). I would still call the airline dirrectly even if thats how you booked it....it can save you alot of hassle later.

Originally Posted by ~*sierra*~

what i am wondering of the experienced travelling mommies, is how do you deal with the rude people?? a woman was sitting across the aisle from SIL and she was asked to shuffle seats to accomodate another couple so they could sit together and she actually said loudly (and like a day bfore christmas!) "Are you kiddng?! i dont want to be ANY closer to THAT NEWBORN than this, in FACT i'd like to move farther away. It's probably going to scream the whole time." keeping in mind we are like 1 foot away while she's saying this!!! clearly hearing it! i was livid, but SIL was like there's no helping her so dont stress out, but seriously i was about to lay into her. i'm getting all riled up just thinking about it, so what do you DO in that situation?!?

Oh I LOVE those! LOL Then I try to be the "over nice" mom. And every 30 seconds ask them (assuming he is quite) "is he bugging you now" "how about Now", "would you mind if I xxx" etc etc...And they are usually the ones who have a NIP issue---so then I like to make them uncomfortable and whip out FULL boob to feed................by the time we land my angel baby (*crosses fingers*) was perfect and *I* was the one that drove them crazy Or if at the end of the flight he was great, I would loudly say "hope my infant didn't inconvenience you much"
Or I just ignore them...depends on my mood.

Rescue Remedy for Kids I give this to london if he seems like he is getting stressed out. I have the adult version for me! LOL Its great for just calming (with out sedation) and its all natural and in a small vial which is FAA safe *rolls eyes*
Also if he is teething I make sure to give him his tablets 20 min before leaving. And have Ice chips in the mesher feeder ready.

The BIGGEST thing you can do....STAY relaxed and calm...baby's smell fear/anxiety If they see your good and happy they will be more likely to be that way also. I got asked a million time how many kids I had because people couldn't believe I was so relaxed while traveling with him. We slept on one flight! LOL (he was in his wrap).

If you have a baby that gets startled easily and you think plane noise will be an issue--- Amazon.com: Peltor 97070 Junior Earmuff, Black: Home Improvement
These are THE BOMB! London wears these at concerts/sporting events/ etc...they are GREAT noise canceling ear muffs! BEST on the market as of now. These are on my MUST have list for people who are active with their kids!

if you don't have the seat open next to you and your in economy---its kind of a b!tch to nurse on the plane. Practice a sit and nurse position so you get the hang of it. (where you are sitting and he is "sitting/upright" Its hard at first.

[~*sierra*~]

lolll about whipping out full boob!
i also like the 'overly nice mom' tactic! thx for sharing

I hope you have a wonderful trip!!