https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 11 May 2026 05:29:39 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/air-travel-with-baby-questions#post-1089830 Mon, 16 Sep 2013 11:02:05 +0000 looch 1089830@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kml636: Probably not, because the forward force would crush your baby. They're safer being a projectile. </p> <p>This is why our son gets a seat on the plane. I just can't bear the what if scenarios. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/air-travel-with-baby-questions#post-1089825 Mon, 16 Sep 2013 11:01:03 +0000 kml636 1089825@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: yeah, if the plane was to crash, I would want my baby strapped to me! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/air-travel-with-baby-questions#post-1089601 Mon, 16 Sep 2013 09:54:07 +0000 swurlygurl 1089601@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Everyone will have a different experience, I'm sure. A lot of it can depend on your flight attendants too.</p> <p>We recently flew when DD was 5 and 6 months old. The first flight as we were walking on, the flight attendant that was checking tickets saw us with a baby and told us that there was an empty row that we could go snag if we wanted an empty seat between us. It was the only empty row on the plane - so nice of her! The second flight was on Southwest where you get to chose your seat as you're boarding - I sat in the aisle seat, holding DD while DH was sitting in the window seat (so there was an empty middle seat). There were only a couple empty seats on the plane, so anytime someone walked by us and saw the baby, they frowned and kept walking :)</p> <p>We were able to combine our car seat and base - snapped together. We didn't bring any sort of bag, so the ticket counter gave us one to use (basically a clear trash bag). We checked it (for free) because we didn't want to deal with it at our layover.</p> <p>We flew two different times - afternoon and night. She didn't sleep either time. She took a quick 30 minute nap at the night flight, but that was it. The problem though, was that she doesn't like sleeping on us. She NEEDS to sleep on her own. :/ If your baby likes to sleep on you, a night flight would probably be best. Otherwise, it doesn't matter :(</p> <p>Even though we had the aisle seat each time, we never needed to walk her. I would suggest bringing 'new' toys to play with. At that age our DD was already getting tired of old, boring toys, so we kept toys hidden from her for a month so they were new to her for the flight.</p> <p>All the security line people were so great to us! One of the airports had and x-ray only line, but as soon as they saw the baby in our arms, they pulled us aside to use the normal walk-through metal detector one. They would even give us our own security line to use so we could take our time. We brought 4 bottles with 6 oz of water in them, and they just took them to test to make sure it was water. NO problems - so easy! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/air-travel-with-baby-questions#post-1089572 Mon, 16 Sep 2013 09:45:43 +0000 Foodnerd81 1089572@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kml636: Apparently the law about taking them out of carriers is in case of a crash and something happening to you, the flight attendants can grab the baby quickly. Since they don't know how to work the clips or fasteners on every carrier it would be faster to grab her from your arms. (My immediate reaction is-- but if you get knocked out aren't you more likely to drop her anyway? But then my mind starts going somewhere I'd rather not go so...) </p> <p>@yoursilverlining: Totally used to the pat down anyway, since I opted for that throughout my pregnancy anyway. Last year the TSA agent who patted me down predicted she was a girl, at 8 weeks. Turns out she was right :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/air-travel-with-baby-questions#post-1089359 Mon, 16 Sep 2013 08:52:51 +0000 kml636 1089359@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We took our LO across country at 4 months, and it went much better than I thought. As far as seats, I picked over the wing since supposedly that makes the most "white noise".</p> <p>Otherwise, my advice would be to gate check car seat and stroller, I used a snap and go, and pushed it through the airport with the carryons piled into it. When you get to the gate, ask if there is room for the car seat on the plane. I've flown with her 6x now and it seems a 50/50 chance you can take the car seat. It has to go in the window seat. </p> <p> Wear the baby in an ergo, that way you don't have to take them out through security. If it's in the stroller/car seat, you do have to.</p> <p>I wore her most of the flight, it is the law you have to take them out at takeoff/landing (stupidest rule ever) but the flight attendants didn't' always enforce this. </p> <p>Even if you are nursing, bring bottles. This just seemed to be easier than trying to nurse a screaming child in the middle of airplane at certain points. You can still nurse, maybe when baby is calm but at least for me a bottle was an instant mute button. </p> <p>Dress baby in clothes that you don't mind getting rid of if they have an accident, that way you don't' have to lug soiled clothes around in your carry on. </p> <p>I brought the ergo and also the baby k'tan. May seem like overkill, but she slept better in baby k'tan so once we were settled in our seats if she wouldn't sleep I would switch her to the baby k'tan. </p> <p>Good luck, most people were super friendly and nice! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/air-travel-with-baby-questions#post-1089165 Mon, 16 Sep 2013 07:03:18 +0000 looch 1089165@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I like to have a seat that has space in front of it to put a bag...I've flown in both situations and the stress of not having your stuff near or having to get up to get it is a PITA for me.</p> <p>We just flew with our car seat, I prefer to get a bag, because they do get dirty and I don't want the LATCH clips hanging all over the place and getting snagged.</p> <p>Times are a crapshoot for us, the biggest issue is that the older he gets the more interested he is in looking around. This last flight, which was at his naptime, resulted in no nap that day.</p> <p>One last tip I have is to use the air sick bag as a holder for your water bottles! Those seat back pockets are YUCK and this offers you a little extra protection. I use the other ones as garbage bags too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/air-travel-with-baby-questions#post-1088987 Sun, 15 Sep 2013 23:49:33 +0000 yoursilverlining 1088987@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We've flown a lot with LO (13+ flights in her first year!), and so far the best time to fly has been early morning. I won't do a red eye with her yet, in case she doesn't sleep or cries a lot. </p> <p>When we flew on Christmas, we had an extra seat between us - that is the ONLY time that has happened. Every other time it's been completely booked flights....sardine land.</p> <p>We never bring her stroller on vacation because it wouldn't get used much (most major attraction places rent strollers, and I prefer wearing her anyway). We always check her carseat at the desk (vs. at the gate), and have never had an issue. Note: carseats are usually unloaded in "oversized baggage" area at the airport, not where your suitcases come out, just FYI.</p> <p>Definitely nurse her at take-off and landing, or give her a pacifier if she won't nurse. </p> <p>Since you plan to babywear, FYI: If you wear your LO through security, they will pull you aside and swipe your hands for bomb residue. It's not a big deal, but sort of surprising if you don't expect it. They just take a little piece of cotton and swipe your hands and then put it in a machine and test it - takes about 30 seconds. Some airports may also request to pat-down a member of your party, in addition to the hands-bomb testing (Boston did this one of the 4 flights we've taken out of there with LO, but BOS is always on the higher end of security. The airport in West Virginia, on the other end of the spectrum, did no testing at all and didn't even put our bottled formula through the x-ray!). </p> <p>Babies are a lot easier than toddler on planes....just bring your LO's favorite things and you'll be fine!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/air-travel-with-baby-questions#post-1088901 Sun, 15 Sep 2013 21:48:58 +0000 Foodnerd81 1088901@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@turkeylurkey: they move your seats? Will they make sure the two f you are seated together or could they just move me and the baby and Dh stay in our old seats? That's one of my big fears. </p> <p>@shellio: this is my fear- if she won't sleep a red eye could be the most miserable thing ever. Add to that the fact that I am always miserable on a red eye under the best of circumstances and its not pretty. Plus I hadn't even thought f the fact that ill still have to take care if her the next day-- I don't get to just sleep in and recover! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/air-travel-with-baby-questions#post-1088889 Sun, 15 Sep 2013 21:36:57 +0000 turkeylurkey 1088889@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have taken two trips. One at 4 mo and one at 9 mo. Both went great. We like morning trips bc he sleeps better and we are both fresh and not tired. We checked the carseat but use the stroller to get through the airport and hold some of our things like diaper bag. We gate check the stroller. Also you can't pick your own seats. They will move you once you get to the plane. There are only certain rows that have an extra air mask for kids. It is different on every plane and planes can change between booking your seat and the day of. So don't stress out about which row/seats to buy. We have had some luck if having an empty seat in our row. But we've also had no luck and been crammed in between two men. The last flight my DH was the pilot and thus I didn't have his help. Thankfully the two men on either side of me were really nice and helped get things out of my diaper bag or make silly faces to entertain the baby. Have plenty of snacks/bottles in your diaper bag. Good luck </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/air-travel-with-baby-questions#post-1088825 Sun, 15 Sep 2013 21:07:20 +0000 maybebaby 1088825@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: We just flew with J at 3.5 months for the first time (4.5 hr flight to and fro) and it went amazingly well! Answers to your questions based off our one time experience :)</p> <p>-Probably no seats for that time of year. We lucked out and got one on both flights.<br /> -we checked stroller and carseat base for free at gate. They were separate and both in good condition afterwards. Not sure about combining.<br /> -We BFed up and down and that was a lifesaver. Definitely recommend it. It was a difficult thing for us to time since he freaks out if I try to feed him when he isn't hungry, so I was glad that worked out!!</p> <p>Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/air-travel-with-baby-questions#post-1088791 Sun, 15 Sep 2013 20:54:09 +0000 shellio 1088791@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have flown a few times with LO, first flight was around 8 mos for him. The only thing I might add is that regarding sleeping during the flight, think about your overall sleeping plan for LO. We have always put DS in his own crib for naps and overnight sleep and by 5 mos I cannot imagine him sleeping in our laps for any length of time. He did doze off sometimes while breastfeeding, but except for the flights I always woke up him so when he fell asleep nursing on the flight, it only lasted about 30 minutes. It is hard to predict what your LO's schedule will be like at 5 mos at this point but keep that in mind when considering a red-eye. Not all babies fall asleep anywhere - even if they are tired, unfortunately. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/air-travel-with-baby-questions#post-1088747 Sun, 15 Sep 2013 20:33:59 +0000 brady80 1088747@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have no advice on traveling with a LO, our DD is 10 weeks. But if you are willing to pay for the extra leg room seats, you could buy a window and aisle and hope that no one pays for a middle seat. My DH and I have done this in a few flights and we always end up with the row to ourselves. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/air-travel-with-baby-questions#post-1088596 Sun, 15 Sep 2013 19:13:09 +0000 wheres_c 1088596@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Agree with PP! Overnight flights are the best!<br /> My LO has taken 8 flights and he's 9mo. I prefer red-eyes and luckily on all but 1 flight we've had an empty seat next to us.<br /> He just sat on my lap until he gave sleepy cues, then slept in his carseat.</p> <p>I avoid checking as much as possible. Definitely buy a bag! Our bag got damaged but luckily the carseat was mostly ok inside.</p> <p>We were delayed 7 hours at a connection, so make sure you take extra formula, water, food, diapers, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/air-travel-with-baby-questions#post-1088499 Sun, 15 Sep 2013 18:13:48 +0000 Ree723 1088499@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Agree with all the PPs! By five months, your LO will probably be STTN so she'll hopefully sleep the majority of the flight if you book an overnight, which I would totally do. BF'ing is another godsend as any time LO fussed, I just popped her on for a feed and it nearly always settled her. We also packed several changes of clothes and way more nappies than we thought we would realistically need but the last thing you want is to be at 35000 feet and out of nappies or holding a baby with a blowout and no clean clothes to change her into! Same applies for you - bring a spare outfit as you never know when a blowout or massive spit up will get you as well!</p> <p>We did an around the world flight when LO was 5 - 7 months and it was easy peasy! Our longest journey was a ten hour flight, two hour layover, then 14 hour flight. Honestly, it was so low stress it wasn't even funny. We were on long haul flights (obviously) so we did have a bassinet but LO slept the majority of the time regardless of if she was in the bassinet or in our arms. When she slept, we slept, or read books, watched movies etc. it honestly wasn't that different than travelling long distance pre-baby. </p> <p>Now once they hit toddler age, it's a whole different story! Can you tell we just returned from an overseas holiday with our 14 month old last night?!? EXHAUSTED! But you will be fine on your flight! :-)</p> <p>ETA: feel free to wall me any questions - we have flown loads and loads with our LO and I'm happy to answer any questions! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/air-travel-with-baby-questions#post-1088497 Sun, 15 Sep 2013 18:12:22 +0000 mole 1088497@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We've done 3 trips now with our kiddo, ranging from 2.5 hour to 5 hour flights. We've always tried to schedule the flights to go over his nap time, and he's ended up sleeping through most of them. I personally would never do a red-eye flight if I have the option, but that's mainly because I don't sleep well on planes. I couldn't imagine taking care of a baby the next day after an overnight flight where I didn't sleep! </p> <p>We've only had one leg with an open seat in our row, so I definitely wouldn't count on it --especially over the holidays. I recommend taking and using a Boppy so your arms don't get too tired. </p> <p>We bought a cheap stroller bag on Amazon, and we check our stroller and carseat at check-in. The bag is large enough to fit our Graco 22 and our Bumbleride Flyer. I just wear him in the K'tan in the airport to cut down on how much we have to carry. We bring on a diaper bag with plenty of extra diapers, a small backpack with our personal items and wallets, and a messenger bag with the Boppy, toys, and extra outfits (for him and us).</p> <p>Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/air-travel-with-baby-questions#post-1088488 Sun, 15 Sep 2013 18:03:23 +0000 Penny Lane 1088488@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: a little! he slept on me or DH most of the time, which kept us both nice and warm at least! haha. I would say I slept about as we'll as I usually do, which, granted, is not very well!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/air-travel-with-baby-questions#post-1088485 Sun, 15 Sep 2013 17:58:35 +0000 betsyboop 1088485@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with what the other bees have said, especially the advice regarding aisle seats. We've always had the best luck with morning flights but I think it really depends on the baby. And bring an extra outfit, 5 hours is a long time to sit with a baby who may have had a blowout! My LO never has blowouts EXCEPT when she's on airplanes! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/air-travel-with-baby-questions#post-1088481 Sun, 15 Sep 2013 17:55:59 +0000 Foodnerd81 1088481@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@luckypenny: She will sleep on us now, but she is only 7 weeks. Hopefully she still will at 5 months, but either way I doubt she will be mobile at least. And yeah, we always do the aisle and window trick-- it works like, 1 out of 5 times, but I doubt it will at Christmas! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/air-travel-with-baby-questions#post-1088478 Sun, 15 Sep 2013 17:53:26 +0000 luckypenny 1088478@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Overnight flights are the only way we travel cross country (we do frequently because my family lives on different coast)</p> <p>If she isn't crawling, she's probably fine without seat. Does she still sleep on you? I found once baby wa mobile she had to have her own seat</p> <p>I always get an aisle. Book a window too, just incase middle could be left open. Whoever does book middle will happily switch with the window person. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/air-travel-with-baby-questions#post-1088470 Sun, 15 Sep 2013 17:49:45 +0000 Foodnerd81 1088470@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Penny Lane: @loveisstrange: On the red eye flights, when LO was sleeping, what did you do? Were you able to sleep too? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/air-travel-with-baby-questions#post-1088439 Sun, 15 Sep 2013 17:17:21 +0000 Foodnerd81 1088439@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pink Champagne: Yeah we've flown for christmas the last few years, it pretty much always sucks. Which makes the idea of doing it with a baby so much fun! (Though it will probably be better than last year when I was at the absolute peak of my morning sickness and came this close to throwing up on landing! Silver linings...)</p> <p>@loveisstrange: I looked on seatguru, just spot checking some of our flight options. I don't think they have them on any of the planes. Bummer but no surprise. I did buy a travel boppy yesterday though (which then prompted all the rest of this worry). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/air-travel-with-baby-questions#post-1088437 Sun, 15 Sep 2013 17:16:32 +0000 Penny Lane 1088437@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: I always prefer night time. we did red eye long haul (20 hours total travel starting at 7pm) when LO was 10 months, and he slept the majority of the way. between 3 and 9 months we did a few 1-3 hour flights, again, mostly at night.</p> <p>I always make sure to take an aisle if I'm alone so we can escape easily! </p> <p>when I travel with DH we always make sure not to get bulkhead seats as the armrests don't move, and we find its easier to lift up the arm rest and have LO play/stretch/wriggle on both our laps! other than that we don't worry about seat selection </p> <p>I'm not sure about checking carseats or strollers, because air NZ let's you check both free </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/air-travel-with-baby-questions#post-1088432 Sun, 15 Sep 2013 17:12:43 +0000 loveisstrange 1088432@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: I never checked her carseat as I got lucky enough to get a seat on each of my 4 flights. I checked our City Mini without a bag, but I will probably get one for the next time we fly. And the armrests were not really a problem for me, but no they didn't move. </p> <p>If you check seatguru.com, it will let you input the flight numbers and it will tell you what type of aircraft the flight is and what amenities it has. US does has a first come, first serve policy with the bulkheads and bassinets, so I'd get to the airport early. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/air-travel-with-baby-questions#post-1088429 Sun, 15 Sep 2013 17:08:50 +0000 Pink Champagne 1088429@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I found an 8 or 9 am flight to be good-my 8 month old passed put immediately and slept almost the whole way.</p> <p>I wouldn't count on an empty seat around Christmas. I fly cross county almost every year on the 26th and the airports are madness. Plus, I haven't been on anything less than a completely sold out flight for the last three years. I would just hope for a nice woman in the third seat who has kids so that they'll be understanding. I packed a travel pillow so that my son could nap across my lap. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/air-travel-with-baby-questions#post-1088427 Sun, 15 Sep 2013 17:07:30 +0000 Foodnerd81 1088427@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@loveisstrange: Oh, and were the bulkhead row armrests not moveable? Was that a problem? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/air-travel-with-baby-questions#post-1088425 Sun, 15 Sep 2013 17:05:21 +0000 Foodnerd81 1088425@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@loveisstrange: Did you put the car seat and snap and go in a bag or just check as is at the gate? And yes, we planned to do it plane side so we can use it to carry our stuff if I'm carrying the baby :)</p> <p>Also how can you tell if a flight has the bassinet in the bulk head? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/air-travel-with-baby-questions#post-1088418 Sun, 15 Sep 2013 17:01:24 +0000 loveisstrange 1088418@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I flew internationally with C when she was 8 and 9 month old, by myself. We flew US.</p> <p>-Time. Personally, I thought overnight flights were easier. Our flight back to London left Philadelphia at like 9pm. She passed out bout 45 minutes into the flight and slept the whole time. Our flight to the states was afternoon and she was awake the entire time. It was stressful, even though she was well-behaved.</p> <p>-the day after Christmas.... I would be hopeful of an extra seat but don't count on it. US was very accommodating in switching people so I could have an empty seat with me for her. </p> <p>-You can check both. Just take them to the gate and check them planeside. You're really not supposed to ever check a carseat at the desk, only planeside.</p> <p>-Seats. I'd reserve the bulkhead seats and the bassinet, if your flight has one. Other than that, I'd go for two seats in your own row, so one of you has a window and one an aisle. The window affords a little more space. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/air-travel-with-baby-questions#post-1088405 Sun, 15 Sep 2013 16:43:53 +0000 Foodnerd81 1088405@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are flying cross country for Christmas this year (roughly 5 hour direct flights each way), with our then 5 month old. I have no idea what her temperament will be like then, but fingers crossed she stays somewhat easy going!</p> <p>We are starting to look at flights and whatnot, so a few questions:</p> <p>- What time of day do you prefer to fly with an infant? I know everyone has their own preferences-- when they usually nap, not during naptime, in the morning when they are happiest... What's your preference? Would you ever consider a red eye? (Right now the cheapest return flights are all red eyes, but I'd be afraid that she wouldn't sleep and we would seriously piss of the people around us, vs day time when it's not like people are sleeping anyway). </p> <p>-Am I delusional to have any hope of an empty seat in between us on flights days before an after Christmas? Yes, right? We are not planning on buying a seat for her since tickets are already $500+ and she usually isn't happy in her car seat anyway. </p> <p>-If the airline allows you to check a car seat OR stroller for free, is there a way to combine the car seat and snap and go base in one bag or something? </p> <p>-Any tips on seat selection? Obviously no exit rows (what, the 5 month old can't help in case of emergency??) but the other extra legroom seats should be fine, right? (For a price). I'm thinking we want the aisle so we can get up and walk her.</p> <p>-Any US Airways specific advice, since that's who has the most direct flights for our destination? </p> <p>-Can you tell I'm overthinking things? :) </p> <p>Thanks for helping an overthinking first time traveler with baby!</p> <p>We do plan to wear her in the airport-- thank goodness she loves being worn anyway! I also plan to breastfeed her during take off, landing, and any time in between that it quiets her down! I've been reading all the travel guides on here any board advice is much appreciated! </p>