[ShannonMVT]

We're going on vacation next month! I haven't flown in 6 years so obviously things have changed since then. I have tons of questions and not sure where to start.

We are flying to Charlotte NC, which is a 2.5 hour flight. For a trip that length, should we get Matthew his own seat? What about the car seat? Should we check it with the luggage or install it on the plane for him to sit in? Dh thinks we should get him his own seat but not bring the car seat on the plane.

Another other tips on traveling? I am thinking of getting him a baby leash to let him run in the airport. We may skip the stroller and just use the Beco. Thoughts on that? I will try to BF during ascent and descent of the plane.

Will they let me bring him a sippy cup with water on the plane?

If we stay somewhere like a cabin, what about a place for Matthew to sleep? I don't want to have to buy a pack n play just for 5 nights or so. Co-sleeping doesn't work for us.

Any other travel tips? We've never gone anywhere with Matthew besides to see family. I'm nervous about how he is going to do, but excited about getting to go somewhere.

[**jessie**]

We've flown quite a lot, the longest being the big trans-alantic flights.

I would not bother getting him his own seat. That is such a short flight and I imagine he will end up on your lap anyway. Last time I flew (14 hr flightime total), I was right next to a lady with an 18 month old boy and he did wonderful as a lap child. Plus, if there are any empty seats the airlines tend to put those around families/kids, so you might end up with an extra seat anyway. As soon as the flight is up to cruising altitude, you can get up with him and walk up and down the aisles.

I would check the carseat. That's jmo.

I always take a stroller. I find them very useful. Even if the kid isn't in it, you can push around your carry ons and diaper bag! Also, it is nice to have when you get to where you are going. Just know, if you wear him you will still need to take him fully out at security and take the carrier off and put it through the xray belt. Also, when the plane takes off and lands you cannot wear your child, they have to be fully out. You might want to bring along your carrier just in case you need it, but like I said I like the stroller.

You can bring a sippy cup, but it cannot have liquid in it when you go through security. You can always get some on the other side at a drinking fountain or bottle water at one of the shops. Or wait and have the air stewardess give you some.

Not sure about the sleeping arrangements. Do you know anyone near by? When I went to OR I had my dad go out and get a used pack and play for like $20. He sold it again after we left for $25!

[szczepanski]

I have a car seat in NC for Nolan (one less thing to travel with) because we plan on traveling back and forth pretty frequently, but if we didn't we would definitely check it.

For that short of a flight I would just have him in your lap. I flew from NY to NC just a couple weeks ago and Nolan did just fine in my lap. He nursed on the ascent and then I gave him his pacifier at different times of the flight.

I did bring his stroller just because it was nice to have stuff to put in it and I wore him in the Beco....and I didn't have to take him off to go through security!! That in itself was a HUGE HUGE HUGE help!

We have a PnP back home but when we set it up it was a piece of junk (I let someone help with that part and I really shouldn't have), so Nolan ended up sleeping with us. I'm sure Angela has creative places for kiddos to sleep!

[soImarriedAnerd]

For a trip that length, should we get Matthew his own seat? I wouldn't, that so short and he will be excited to be flying so he wouldn't probably sit still on the flights.

What about the car seat? Should we check it with the luggage or install it on the plane for him to sit in? I would check it with a GOOD bag to cover it (I "pad" it with cloth diapers hehehe this way my luggage is lighter and my carseat is safer)

Dh thinks we should get him his own seat but not bring the car seat on the plane.---if you buy a seat, bring the car seat.

Another other tips on traveling? I am thinking of getting him a baby leash to let him run in the airport. ----I'm buying a leash next time I'm home (because he now runs).

We may skip the stroller and just use the Beco. Thoughts on that?-I don't own a stroller, so..... lol


I will try to BF during ascent and descent of the plane... descent is harder for them so start 30 min before landing. If he is asleep LEAVE HIM!

Will they let me bring him a sippy cup with water on the plane? you actually CAN have liquids in a bottle or sippy cup ... but you HAVE to claim it BEFORE going throw the metal detector. they will want to do a little check on it (and it has to be a reasonable amount for plane/airport time--- as deemed by the TSA person *rolls eyes* )

If we stay somewhere like a cabin, what about a place for Matthew to sleep? a bed made of blankets on the floor works fine (its like camping)

If he is short enough....
Turning a large suitcase or a drawer into a crib is easy!
Since we still co-sleep I'm not that creative yet hahaha

[soImarriedAnerd]

there are sites you can rent equipment from ! (strollers, cribs, etc). google it!

[ShannonMVT]

Thanks for all the suggestions!

Any suggestions on a car seat bag? Dh just wants to put it in a big plastic bag. Whatever we do, we'll have to do it once we get to the airport since we only have one carseat, so that will be interesting...

I like the idea of padding it with some extra clothes or something. We probably won't do cloth on the trip...not sure yet.


OH another huge question! If he is a "lap baby" does he get to have his own carry on and personal item?

Can we check the car seat and still have a stroller as a carry on item for free? It says you can do one or the other for free but that may just be checked luggage? (plus all the regular carry ons and personal items)?

If you use a diaper bag as a "personal item" is there a limit on how big it is? I have a couple in varying sizes....

We're trying to do as much carry on to keep from paying checked baggage charges.

[soImarriedAnerd]

Any suggestions on a car seat bag? Dh just wants to put it in a big plastic bag. Whatever we do, we'll have to do it once we get to the airport since we only have one carseat, so that will be interesting...
DON'T do just a plastic bag--your seat will get shredded! I have this one but its the top of the line and VERY durable (may be much for a non-frequent traveler).- Amazon.com: Go-Go Babyz Car Seat Protector Bag, Black: Baby

OH another huge question! If he is a "lap baby" does he get to have his own carry on and personal item? YES. He gets ONE diaper bag (which we use a large backpack). ALSO he gets 1-2 free baby specific items to check (depends on airline).... pnp/carseat/etc.

Can we check the car seat and still have a stroller as a carry on item for free? Yes.

It says you can do one or the other for free but that may just be checked luggage? (plus all the regular carry ons and personal items)?
London (lap child on united/lufthansa/delta) checks his car seat, checks a portable crib and has a backpack carry on for domestics.... I would call and check with the airline prior to going.

If you use a diaper bag as a "personal item" is there a limit on how big it is? I have a couple in varying sizes.... I use a very large computer back pack and have no issues.


DON'T over pack... BIGGEST mistake most people make IMHO.

Pack blue painters tape.... its great to use at motels for wrapping up cords/covering electric outlets and other babyproofing things (this tape is strong enough to hold but doesn't pull the paint off the walls). Also its great to ripping apart the skymall mag on the flight and taping those items to the window/etc ... really entertains london! For older kids you can make tick tack toe boards/etc on the tray tables, and I also tape paper down and then london can draw on it without it falling. there are a million uses for this stuff!

[Angelaosaurus-rex]

Most smaller planes wont let you bring the car seat on so make sure with the air line if you can even take it on. It is a pain in the butt to take through security and its hard to install on the plane. Also take off and Landen really freaked Landen out so I always just hold him and let him nurse to help with ear popping!!! Just a 2 hour flight I'd just hold him!

[**jessie**]

The best thing you can do is call the 1800 customer service hotline and ask specifically what baby can bring because each airline is completely different.

Last time I flew was with Lufthansa. Jaxon (as lap child) could bring 1 diaper bag on board, take a stroller up to the gait and have 1 full suitcase. I'm sure I could have swapped the checked suitcase for a checked car seat, but wouldn't have been able to do both without paying.

And I could not bring liquid in a sippy cup last time. I had to toss it out, which was no big deal because it was just water. I could bring breast milk/formula though.

[ShannonMVT]

Thanks again ladies! I think I found a place to rent a crib so we may just do that, I am not sure if he would sleep "uncontained".

On the car seat, if I buy a decent bag for it, could I baggage check it or is it much better go gate check it? It would be easier to not carry it all the way to the gate, but would it get banged around too much? (assuming I get a bag with some padding, thinking of this one Amazon.com: JL Childress Ultimate Car Seat Travel Bag, Black: Baby . I might try to sell Dh on the idea of buying the bag by telling him we could probably stash coats or something in there.

[szczepanski]

If you are worried about your seat getting banged up, we have this (actually 2 of them, one is our Grandma seat and the other is in NC)

Amazon.com: Cosco Juvenile Scenera Convertible Car Seat, Stone: Baby

They have them on sale at Target for $45 frequently. It's VERY light which makes it great for travel.

[soImarriedAnerd]

that is THE travel carseat! All my travel mom board people swear by it!!!!
It is safer to gate check than to regular check it. However you will have to take it out of the bag for security (which SUCKS). Also if you go with a stroller you have to take it down and go through security.... plus your bags plus child (you can see where i'm going right LOL) LESS IS MORE. I check my expensive car seat (again with a nice bag though).
That a good bag you have linked, I would put the car seat in it and stuff it with "padding" (coats/diapers/etc) and check it. Heck I put my portable crib in my car seat bag! LOL (pnp wouldn't fit, I have a phil & ted travel cot).

[ShannonMVT]

It's temping to get that cheap car seat...only $39 at Walmart! We could use it in our other car too... But then I'd have to buy some kind of bag for it just for gate check and then we have to carry it to the gate rather than baggage check and can't stuff on the coats and stuff in there with it if I'm having to drag it out...think I will just get a nice bag for our MyRide.

Matthew will also be in the car quite a bit on this trip going here and there...is that Cosco one actually comfortable? I might get it as a daddy's car carseat even if we don't get it for the trip.

[soImarriedAnerd]

that seat has no padding, its fabric over plastic. (that is why its light). Not great for long drives.
We are getting this one next (i'm justifying the cost because we will TTC soon so our current one can go there!) Sunshine Kids Radian 65 Convertible Car Seat - Granite : Target

[LisanAndy]

I'd definitely use a pack and play. I always add a little padding to make it more comfy and then use a crib sheet over top. If we even try to co-sleep past the age of 6 months no one gets any sleep Have fun!!!

[ShannonMVT]

The cabin we just reserved has a playroom full of toys, a highchair AND a portable crib! (assuming maybe a pack and play, haven't asked yet). Which is SO AWESOME.

[soImarriedAnerd]

I love places that cater to families <3