Hellobee Boards

as i mentioned on fb, i saw your post before and was meaning to reply. I've only done a short flight to Cuba when L was 5 months old, and I didn't find it that bad. I was able to feed him on my lap and on the change table in the bathroom on the flight. He was fine the whole time. I did take his meds on flight, but didn't need them. The only tip i got prior to flying was to give a paci during take off and landing as the sucking will help his ear as the air pressure changes - which I did and he never seemed affected by the departure or landing at all. I don't think A takes a paci, but you could also try feeding her during take off or maybe offer your finger to suck on?

Two things that annoyed me about the flight was that I was wearing L as i went through the security check and they made me unhook the Bjorn (for no good reason - just to exert their power IMO) and it woke him up. Same thing happened during take off, only they had a better reason. Once the seatbelt sign was off, I was able to hook him back in and he slept for part of the flight. So I am sure A will do just fine with you!!

I also read online that it was easier to travel after bedtime so she sleeps most of the flight, not sure if you can book your flights like that. I did find the ride home from Cuba was easier as we left at 11pm and L did sleep the whole time until another crying baby woke him, but then i just fed him and he was happy. I am sure you will be able to feed A in the ergo while on the plane no problem!

oh and when i went to visit family recently, i brought a travel crib, but found it easier to co-sleep - something to consider if you want to save money. The mattress in the Graco travel crib did not seem comfortable at all and we both slept better in the same bed!

Nurse/bottle/paci during takeoff and landing. The only time LO has cried during takeoff/landing was when she wouldn't take her bottle or her paci. Fun times...

I always babywear LO through the airport. TSA has been a little bit different in almost every airport, but basically the standard rule with wearing LO through the metal detectors is that they will bomb-check your hands. You just hold out your hands, they wipe a little piece of fabric over them and then test it and chit-chat with you; it's not bad and takes less than a minute.

My other suggestion is if your LO will be playing with any toys on the plane, attach a string to them if you can. They *will* drop to the floor and it's hard to hold a LO and reach down and fish around on a grimy plane floor for a favorite toy!!

Oh, and make sure to pack a spare outfit in your carryon, lest your infant end up naked after a diaper change/peepee on the only outfit midway through the flight like mine!!! haha

@lamariniere: i totally did not know you request a bassinet on the plane! maybe that is because i selected to option to have L sit on my lap? did you have pay extra for a bassinet? just curious!

@PurpleUnicorn: we flew with DS as a lap baby, so we did not pay for his ticket. I think the bassinet is based on availability, and probably the type of airplane, so it definitely doesn't hurt to request it.

Also, going along with what @yoursilverlining said, bring a change of clothes for yourself too! Last summer, DS threw up all over me not once, but twice (!!!) on another transatlantic flight and I basically sat in puke-covered clothing for more than half of the trip. It was absolutely awful.

@travelgirl1: I recommend wearing cargo pants on the flight. Then you can put diapers, diaper cream and wipes in the cargo pockets (obviously diaper cream has to be in your carryon bag during the security checks) and not have to carry a bunch of items and juggle the baby if you have to change your baby on the plane.

Also, I carried cleaning wipes with me to wipe down the arm rests and seat back tray as soon as I sat down, because the baby touches everything.