My First Time Flying with an Infant. Carry on Question.?

Question

I'm planning on my 6 month old being a lap traveler, and I plan on carrying a diaperbag as a carry on, and checking my stroller. But you know those baby carriers that you wear? Can I use one of those on the flight and does it count as anything like a carryon? And any tips for making my first flight and my first flight with an infant any easier?

Answer 1

Your baby carrier will not count as a carry-on. Be prepared to take him out of it when you go through security though.



You can also take your stroller with your through the airport and just check it at the end of the jetway right before you get on the airplane. Then if you have a lay over you can pick it up right there when you get off the plane at the airport and use it all through your lay over. That's what I would do. Maybe I'm just lazy or weak but I would be so sore carrying a 6 month old during my 1 hour wait at the airport and while I wait for my checked bags. Checking it at the gate won't count as a carry on or checked bag. You can also bring your infant carrier and if there is an empty seat on the plane they will let you take it on, if not you can also check that at the gate.



My kids, now 2 and 4 never had any problems with their ears at take off but defitely have a bottle or something for him to suck on just in case. Snacks, drinks (or your boobs if your nursing!), a favorite toy or book will be all you need during the flight (well diapers too, just in case!).



I attempted a red-eye with my daughter when she was 1. I gave her a bottle of juice at take off (I wanted to make sure it was something she would want to suck on during the entire take off so her ears wouldn't hurt). Well, she downed the entire 8 oz bottle of juice during take off. I was trying to get her back to sleep because it was 10pm (she had been sleeping for an hour at the airport already). She proceeded to cry at the top of her lungs for an entire hour while passengers where trying to get to sleep. I finally got her to go to sleep and layed down across the three seats with her sleeping on my chest. At that point she began to pee . . . and pee . . . and pee all 8oz of that juice. Her diaper over-flowed all over me. Now, I wasn't about to wake her up for a diaper change after all that crying already. So, we both slept on that plane for 6 hours covered in pee!



Now, my mistake there was taking a baby on a flight that left that late. She was screaming because she was so tired and should have been at home in bed. I have flown with both my kids many times since and no problems at all! You should have an easy time - just think about me laying there in pee for 6 hours if you need a laugh on your flight! :)



Julie

http://www.stroller-obsession.com/

Answer 2

No, that shouldn't count as a carry-on, it's kind of like carrying your baby wrapped in a blanket. At any rate, since most airlines allow one carry-on and one personal item, even if the airline does consider it a carry-on item you'll be okay if all you're carrying on is a diaper bag.



Since you have an infant you will likely be allowed free priority boarding, at least I always was when I traveled with my daughter at that age. It's a good idea to be one of the first people to board the plane as when general boarding starts there is a lot of jostling and it can get pretty chaotic; but if you board early you will be able to get settled in before all the hubbub begins.



If your baby is awake during takeoff/ascent and descent/landing, I recommend giving her a bottle or a pacifier to help with her ears. However, if she is sleeping, don't wake her up for any of that, she will be fine. During the flight let her sleep if she will, but bring along a few toys that she likes to play with. I didn't have any problems flying with my daughter when she was an infant; it's MUCH worse now that she is two and gets bored easily! You'll do fine. :)

Answer 3

I flew many times and overseas with my 3 yrs old since she was 5 months old (and now with my 15 months old too!). It is not that bad if you stay calm and organized. First, the baby carrier you wear does not count as an extra luggage. I use the Bushbaby Cocoon that I bought from BabyAnywhere.com. With this carrier it is easy to carry your sleeping baby on you and have some sleep yourself :) and it is easy to lay down your sleeping baby to the seat near you (if the seat near you is not taken!). Bring some toys with you, order a baby meal in advance for the flight, bring some snacks, and you will be surprised the flight is over :)

Answer 4

I'm a former Flight Attendant and I fly a lot with my children.



When mine were small, I used a baby carrier and it was never considered an "extra" carry on. It's just like the clothes the baby is wearing and takes up less room than an adults' coat, which also doesn't count. It was never questioned and I've never heard of one being considered a carry-on.



I do recommend a really good carrier that you can sit down with and if necessary, can be used as a breastfeeding cover-up. Fiddly front packs like the Bjorn are not good for your back and the baby's and are not very convenient for flying. Make sure it's a good quality carrier like a wrap, sling, mei tai, front/back carrier, etc. For more information, there are a couple of site with multiple company products you might want to check out:

http://peppermint.com

http://kangarookorner.com



Do you need your car seat at your destination? Be sure to not check it in as luggage, It could too easily be lost and/or broken in transit. Ask nicely at check-in if it's possible to have a free seat to use your car seat on board. They often do this for families.



Even if you are unsuccessful in getting a free seat, take your car seat to the gate of the airplane and have it gate-checked with the stroller. You can use your stroller to transport it (perhaps with a bungee cord or if it's a travel system, they go together anyway). This is much safer than checking the car seat as luggage.



Not only will your baby be much safer in a car seat but it will be a more comfortable flight for you both.



If your baby does end up on your lap, be sure s/he is LOOSE in your lap for take-off and landing. It's very dangerous to have the baby attached to you in any form, including in a carrier. You can simply loosen the carrier and flip it over your head (especially if the baby is sleeping).



Be aware that usually security does not require removing the baby from the carrier. I've had them "hand check" a sleeping baby going through. If they're awake, they're more likely to ask you to take it off and put it through the X-ray.



Please not that it is a myth that babies need to suck on take-off and landing. If your baby is in his/her seat, don't remove them during these times. Keep him or her in the seat. No need to introduce a pacifier or bottle if your baby doesn't normally use them. Also, babies often fall asleep on the taxi to the runway so don't wake your baby up unnecessarily to make him or her suck. If you're concerned about ears, visit the doctor before leaving and be sure there is no infection or other problem. Healthy ears can handle pressurization. I never had any problems with any of my children and their many flights and I rarely saw it at work. It is an over rated problem (please don't let your baby cry, claiming it is "his ears" when it is probably something else-seen that!)



Feed your baby when he or she is hungry and don't force it at other times.



The AAP only recommends that the baby be awake at the TOP of descent (landing is too late). This is about an hour before landing.



http://www.aap.org/patiented/flyingbaby.htm



For more information, nine years ago I wrote an article on this subject. It's based on both my personal and professional experience of flying with children. It's totally non-commercial and other parents from around the world have contributed;

http://flyingwithchildren1.blogspot.com



Have a good flight!

Answer 5

I used a baby carrier when traveling with my kids as babies, and it certainly made life easier for me. It won't count as a carry-on.



To make things easier, plan to have your baby sucking on something during takeoff/ascent and descent/landing - a bottle, a sippy cup, a pacifier, nursing, etc. I usually brought a few new toys - quiet ones - to entertain them. Soft books, teethers, quiet rattles, etc. Bring more diapers/wipes than you think you'll need and pack some extra clothes. My son, who never had diaper blowouts, had his very first when on an airplane at 6 mos.

Answer 6

A baby carrier that you wear wouldn't count as a carry on. Make sure you have something for your baby to suck on to help the ears pop. Bring some little snacks, and toys.

Answer 7

i do no longer be attentive to all the policies -- and that i do no longer think of the airport screeners do the two. right here is what i'd do... restoration the bottles with the powder ahead of time. Then purchase bottled water once you conflict by way of safety. often times the water interior the airplane bathing room isn't for ingesting, and that i do no longer be attentive to the way the attendants would take to having to offer you many bottles of water for the formula. i'd prefer to be "self contained" on the flight. i think of your popular bottles will stay clean sufficient for the baby to drink. you should place the bottles into zip lock luggage, so no person would be touching them till now the baby beverages. Airline holiday is SO annoying presently, fairly with somewhat one!