What should we pack for the baby?

Question

We have gotten the go ahead from our Pediatrician to fly to Nevada this weekend with our baby. Our daughter will be meeting her grandpa for the first time and we are wondering what we can bring. Obviously we need a car seat. Can this be brought on board? or does it have to be checked? Any other advice would be great.

Answer 1

I am flying to New York and I recently had the same delima. You can bring the car seat on board as long as it meets the Airlines guidelines...However, I wouldn't recommend it. I honestly recommend carrying you little one on. This way you don't have to buy another airline ticket.

Also you little one will probably be a little scared so holding her will make her feel more secure. Also I would recommend only bringing the diapers that you will need for the trip on the plane. When you get to Nevada buy some diapers. Diaper are bulky and take up a lot of room. Same thing goes for wipes.

Also, bring lots of binkys for the flight. With the pressure change your little ones ears will pop. If the are sucking on something it will help. Either that or get her eating as you are ascending into the air.

I would also recommend bringing some new toys. Something small that you can fit into a diaper bag. This will keep you little one entertained. If they aren't new your daughter might not be as interested in them.

Answer 2

If your baby is under six months you can check the car seat in and hold the baby on your lap for the duration of the plane ride. However only do this is you have a short trip (under 2.5 hours) and be aware that the car seat can be damaged if you check it so put it in a sturdy travel bag. For the baby bring at least two outfits for each day of your trip just in case there is an accident and the clothing gets soiled. Diapers can be bought in Nevada so bring enough for the plane ride and first two days along with wipes. A pack and play is also a good idea so the baby will have somewhere to sleep. Other wise bring what you use on a daily basis for the baby and have a good trip.

Answer 3

How old is your baby? That will make a difference.

Are you staying in a hotel? Do they have a safe crib for the baby to sleep in, or will you be co-sleeping? This is one issue you will need to decide. If you are staying with family, make sure they have a safe place for your baby to sleep.

Are you cloth diapering, or using disposables? If you are using cloth, bring your diapers, a waterproof bag, and some of your usual detergent in case you need to wash a few while you are there. If you are using disposables you can probably just bring enough diapers for the trip and buy more when you arrive.

If you are bringing a car seat, and want to have it on the plane, make sure it is approved for airline use, otherwise it will need to be checked.

Are you breastfeeding or bottlefeeding? If you are breastfeeding, the milk will be very easy to transport, and the security officers will not make you open the containers and taste the contents since breasts cannot be used to smuggle any contraband. If you are bottlefeeding, you will obviously have more stuff you need to pack with you on the plane.

Consider getting a sling to carry your baby in. That way she will be close and secure, without putting a lot of strain on your arms or making you struggle with a bulky stroller through the airport.
http://www.thebabywearer.com

Pack an extra outfit for the baby in your carry on bag, because you never know when the baby will have a diaper blowout or a spitup. You may want an extra shirt for you as well, just in case.
Spitup rags are always useful. A pacifier may help the with comfort during takeoff and landing, due to the pressure in the baby's ears. If you are breastfeeding the baby, that will work even better.

Bring a quiet toy or two to keep the baby occupied during the flight. Avoid noisy rattles or loud electronic toys unless you want a plane full of mad passengers. ;-)

Have a safe and fun trip!

Answer 4

Your baby's age and type of carseat will dictate how you work this. The baby's car seat can be used on the plane if you have purchased an airline seat for it. Otherwise, if your baby will be a lap passenger, you can put it through baggage check or you can "gate-check" the car seat. This involves taking the seat with you through security and then once you arrive at your gate, speak to the airline personnel there about getting a gate check tag. When it is time to board the plane you leave it at the end of the walk way just before you board the plane. It will be hand carried to the baggage compartment and be hand returned for pick-up when you de-board. A stroller is good to take along and can be gate checked as well. Will you need a port-a-crib or will you be staying at a hotel or home with an available crib? If you are staying at a hotel, call more than once to request a crib as most are available on a limited first come basis. Port-a-cribs can be checked through baggage like your luggage and counts towards your limit of 2 checked baggage per person - your baby will be allowed 2 checked items as well if you purchase a seat for him/her. You will be able to board early since it may take you a bit more time to get settled. Air pressure is regulated pretty well, but take offs and landings may cause ear pain. Sucking on a pacifier, a bottle of water or formula, or nursing will help some. Take a couple of favorite toys, enough food and drink for twice as long as your flight since there are sometimes delays. If mom is breastfeeding, be sure she has some good snacks as well. Diapers, wipes, an extra change of clothes plus a sweater and a lightweight blanket and anything that he/she likes to use for comfort. Be prepared but don't overpack. It takes a bit of practice to get the right amount of stuff coordinated with the possible need for it. It's amazing how so many babies are most easily entertained by "flirting" with the passenger in the seat behind them or beside them - it is usually some grumpy business man who turns into a silly grandpa by the time the flight is over. Airline galleries have microwaves if you need to warm formula or food and most attendants are happy to do that for you. Allow plenty of time if you have to change planes. Also, if your baby is on a schedule and you can get a flight during his/her nap-time, this is excellent planning.

Answer 5

How old is your daughter? You can use the carseat on the plane, as long as it has a tag on it that it's FAA approved. Without this, the flight attendants will make you check the seat it. Also, the best bet is to call the airline for their policy.

As far as what to bring with you, here are some ideas. I found this article on Minti - a parenting website. Click here to read the whole article http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/130/How-to-Fly-with-Children-Without-Losing-Your-Breath/

Snacks! Most airlines have cut back to a limited amount of food service on flights under three hours. Bring along your child’s favorite snacks. Grapes, for example, help rehydrate during flight and are a non-messy alternative to juice boxes that can spill.

Games! Even the littlest member of your family will have fun playing Go-Fish or an abbreviated form of Memory. Remember not to bring games with a lot of complicated parts. Otherwise, you may spend your entire flight chasing the dice down the aisle.

Gifts! When my daughter was seventeen months old, I took four airplanes and managed sixteen hours of travel by using this trick. Go to a drugstore and purchase inexpensive items (a small figurine, crayons, etc.) For every hour in the air, pull out a wrapped “gift” that the child can open. It will keep him busy for a while and will give him something to which he could look forward.

Books! Bring along your child’s favorite books and have a story hour. Neighboring children might join in the fun!

DVDs! Some airlines have only one feature film that may not........

Answer 6

Carry the carseat with you. Then, if there is an extra seat on the plane, they might allow you to have your own seat for the baby. If not, you'll be able to gate check the carseat. Then it will be waiting for you as you get off the plane. If you are taking a stroller, gate check the stroller as well.

Check with your airline about what you are allowed to carry on for the baby toiletry-wise and food-wise. Remember that they are restricting a lot of liquids and gels and such right now.

If you are breastfeeding, be sure to nurse during takeoff and landing to help baby with the air pressure changes. If not, offer a paci or a bottle during those times.

Answer 7

We just took a flight with our six month old daughter. We did not buy her a separate seat on the plane but here is what we did.

We checked our big suitcase and kept her car seat, diaper bag and stroller with us. We kept her strapped into her car seat atop her stroller (travel system type) and hung her diaper bag from the stroller handle. We were able to bring her stroller and car seat all the way to the gate. There were no extra seats on the plane, so they had us check the stoller and car seat at the door of the plane (they give you a special tag when you get to the gate) and I held her for both flights. When we got off the plane, it was outside the plane door and we put her back in and wheeled her to the next flight (we had to take two planes).

They are making changes to the items allowed on the plane so be sure to call the airline first to see what changes they are making. Our daughter is on a special prescription formula, it is a powder formula that we did NOT mix prior to boarding and used the bottled water on the plane to mix.

Carry On:
diapers, wipes, formula & bottles (if needed), medications, prescriptions (copies of written prescriptions), copy of baby's birth certificate, 2 extra outfits (including undershirts), sweater, hat, sunscreen (if you can carry it on now), contact information for doctor (and any specialist she is seeing) and a couple of toys/books (especially if she has any you read to her each night before bed).

We actually gave a list to the friend we were visiting (she had kids so she didn't mind) and she had diapers, wipes, shampoo, soap, towels, washcloths, pack-and-play w/ sheets and laundry soap all waiting for us. That way we only had to bring enough diapers for two days.

My father was also good at picking up the things she needed prior to our visit with him. I just emailed him pictures of the items I wanted him to get (make sure you give him diaper sizes, they can forget that), he did a great job and loved having a job to do for her arrival. Our DD is small enough to still sleep in her stroller, but our next trip, we'll rent a crib to be delivered (it comes with sheets too, but I bring my own).

You can always buy anything you forget once you get there, so don't panic.

Answer 8

When we flew with our baby it was nice to have the carseat on hand for the flight. When there was extra space on the flight we were able to put it in the seat next to us and not have to hold her the whole time. But when the flight was full they would just check it for us. That way we knew it wasn't just being thrown around by the baggage people. And it would be at the gate for us when we got off. If you do have a stroller that goes with your carseat that might be nice to have to get around easier at the airport and then they can just check it for you at the gate and give it right back upon arrival. Then you'll have it for getting around when you get to Nevada if you want to get out while visiting.

Answer 9

the airlines do sometimes require that you check the carseat , however I dont think that they charge any additional fee for doing that, the passenger cabin area is so cramped on the plane usually it would be a hassle to manage a big heavy carseat in the crowd of people, a soft carrier like a Bjorn infant sling carrier would probably be more convienient
I used to travel alot with my daughter when she was an infant and I found it really handy to have a fold-up portable playpen/playyard ,most of the new ones have an adjustable bassinet and a removable changing table, and they provide a nice safe place for baby to sleep while away from home.

Answer 10

depends on how big the baby is. if the child is young enough, you can have him/her on your lap, especially if you're nursing. at that point it would be best to check the car seat. bring a stroller if you're going outside - if you'll be going to a mall (air conditioning, YAY) you can rent one there to save some hassle.

nursing a baby is a good way to help their ears pop so they don't hurt from the altitude change. (it might also work for bottles; i'm not sure.)

as far as the car seat goes, probably your best bet is to call the airline or check online for a FAQ section. they very well might have requirements for safety when travelling with babies.

good luck, bon voyage, and godspeed.