Hellobee Boards

We just did this! Here's what I learned:

Baby wearing is KEY! I had never been a big babywearer before (I actually borrowed a carrier from someone) and it worked out really, really well. I wore him through security and the airport. We had a stroller at the place we were going so we actually didn't even take one. The more hands you can have free, the better!

You can check a carseat for free. We put it in a travel bag we got from Amazon.

Early morning flight was best for us (we did 6 am), as he fell asleep on the flight since they dim the lights for early flights. The plane also served as whitenoise. He slept for about 1.5 to 2 hours.

I bought tons of stuff from the Target dollar spot aisle for toys he had never seen before. I also bought cheap new books off Amazon. The books were the biggest hit and we could "discuss" each book for at least 10 minutes. It was also nice to have these when we arrived at our destination. (I was also willing to leave a $1 toy behind if it fell under the seat)

I also had lots of snacks (special treat ones like Ritz peanut butter crackers). I did run out of milk, which was a total mom fail as he kept asking for more milk and didn't understand we didn't have any more.

One thing that we did realize is that, while it's convenient they have parent pre-boarding, it does mean more time just sitting on the plane. For our return flight my husband boarded early without me and LO (but with all our bags, etc) to get us all situated. I then waited until the very end of the line and boarded with just LO.

Lastly, mail (Amazon Prime) as much as you can! We actually bought a new pack and play and had it shipped ($44) because it was cheaper than checking ours both ways ($50). We hit up the grocery store when we got into town and bought diapers, etc.

ETA: Sorry for the novel!!

@Pumpkin Pie: He was 14.5 months when we traveled!

They will not supply a car seat carrier -- you don't technically need one (I've heard of people using garbage bags), but I just couldn't wrap my head around it not being cushioned.

We took my LO to see the ILs when she was 15 months old. 2 flights each way, the first was 4.5 hrs and second was 45 min. We purchased her own seat and brought her car seat on board. Here are my suggestions:

We chose flights that got us to our destination in time for LO to go to bed on time. She only napped once each way, despite the fact that she usually took 2 and had gotten up extra early. I’m not sure she would have napped at all had she not been in her car seat.

If at all possible, get bulkhead seating. It’s worth the extra $ to have the room. We were able to let LO out of her seat and she could walk around, sit on the floor, jump up and down, whatever, because we had the legroom. We were not able to do this on later flights and I really regretted not paying for the upgrades on those. It also allowed me to install her car seat RF, which was nice. When FF (on later flights), LO could reach the seat in front of us with her feet and kicked the seat a lot.

Have Parent 1 drop Parent 2, LO, and all your luggage at the curb. Parent 1 goes to park the car while Parent 2 uses curbside check in to check everything.

We strapped her convertible seat to a Go Go Babyz and had her ride in it while we were going through the airport. This eliminated the need to have a stroller to get through the airport and since we didn’t need one at our destination, this worked best for us. If you are taking both and are not taking your car seat on the flight, check your car seat curbside and gate check your stroller.

Have Parent 1 board the plane with all of your gear during the pre-boarding if possible, while Parent 2 stays with LO and boards at the very last moment. Let your LO run around until the last moment to get all that energy out.

We packed lots of new toys and snacks to keep her entertained on the flights. I had downloaded a couple videos and apps on our ipad, but she was not interested and was looking for new things after a minute. What worked the best for us was a new toy bag that I had packed 6 or 7 new toys in. They were all small toys that I had put inside Easter eggs, so she spent a lot of time opening and closing the eggs. I also brought a lot of snacks – Nibbly bars, goldfish, cheerios, oranges, grapes, peanut butter sandwich. Plan to have food for any meal times, just in case you can’t find something they can/will eat. You are allowed to take pouches and food through security, you just need to show it to the agent.

Make sure that people at your destination do not expect to have a big welcome dinner or anything right when you get there. Your LO is going to be tired, overstimulated, and possibly cranky and in no mood to meet a bunch of people she doesn’t or barely knows. (This has been a real issue with my ILs. As often as I have told them not to do it, they do it every time and then are shocked when LO won’t let them hold her at the airport and clings to me crying when the 8 people that came to the airport try to play with her. Then they get offended when I immediately put LO to bed when we get to the house and have to stay in her room for 45 min while she falls asleep because she is so wound up and in an unfamiliar place.)

ETA - sorry this is so long!