Needing Advice on Flying with 6 Month Old

It doesn't cost anything to ship stroller and carseat. Take them TO the gate...they will put under the plane and hand them back to you after the flight.

The cost for checking the carseat would depend on the airline, I imagine. We flew Southwest and didn't have any additional charge, but that was a few years ago. I'd recommend renting the carseat, that's what we usually do. Ask your travel agent.

Just make sure the Tylenol, etc. is all 3 oz or less and stored in a ziplock bag if you plan on carrying it on. You can bring reasonable amounts of baby food on board the plane for the flight. I'd put the rest in your checked luggage.

Make sure you pack a pacifier or nurse/bottle feed during take off and the landing. If will help her ears pop and keep them from hurting.

Here's the FAA's website with travel tips for kids: http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/

First of all, kids under 2 yrs old fly free with most airlines. My baby will be 6 mos old in Sept when we fly out to CA for a wedding. I have similar questions. You can rent a car seat with the rental company and schedule that ahead of time. I like Enterprise myself, them as well as Hurtz for renting cars. If you ever stay at a hotel, Marriotts have complementary cribs to have in the room. Just ask for it at check in. They are the pack-n-plays. Enfamil makes the premaid 8 oz glasses of formula, or even the premeasured 4 oz powder, using 2 per bottle. Might be easiest to do the bottle on the plane than spoon feeding something, in tight corders. The bottle maybe soothing too,for when the baby gets fussy. I hope both of our flights work out well. :) This is our first flight also, with Kara.

You don't have to pay extra for the car seat or a stroller. I would suggest checking the stroller at the gate (rather than when you check your bags) because you can keep your stroller with you until you get onto the plane. I find it easier to get everything plus the baby through the airports.

With regard to food, you can take a bottle. I believe you can bring enough food and milk to get through the flight. If you're flying direct to FL, they probably will not let you take more than one bottle and one jar of food. If your baby will eat solid food (I took the Gerber Puffs and dried fruit for my daughter when she was that age), then they don't care how much of that you take.

Good luck. My older daughter racked up more FFMiles about 16 flights by the time she was 1 (most flights were just her and me while daddy worked). It just requires lots of preparation and it'll go fine. If your parents can help, that's huge!

Sure renting a carseat is an option but is it one you REALLY want? I mean do they clean them? Have they been in accidents and not replaced? I don't think I'd want to use someone else's carseat that I don't know...

I'd only take the baby food you'll need for a day or so and plan to buy more when you get down there...less to carry makes for a happier mom!

Hey, have fun on your trip. First of all, there is no fee for any airline for checking a carseat, it's free! Second, I rented a carseat from the car company once, it was at least 10yrs old, and i asked for a rear facing one, but they only had one that faced-forward (didn't learn that until I got there). My parents ended up going and buying one. I would just fly yours. Now, the only tricky part is, you can't check it as a bag if you checkin online, because that will automatically charge you. When you get to the airport take it to the counter and they can help you (I just did this twice this summer). If you want to feel better about it, you can call the airline phone number or most of them have it on the website, but usually it's hard to find. Also, put the baby medicine all in clear plastic bag, they'll let you bring medicine on a plane. They'll also allow you to bring baby food, but make sure you take it out, so they don't "find" it during screening. They'll probably take it to a special table and make you open it and they'll test it (wave some special strip above it) and then you're good to go. Also, plan on nursing or giving the baby a pacifier/bottle something during take of and landing, the change it pressure is really hard on their little ears, but the sucking with naturally release that. My son did great as long as I nursed during take off and landing and usually slept the rest of the flight (even if he had already napped). Congrats to your brother...let me know if you have any other questions, I flew a ton with my infant son and still do (he's 4).

As everyone else has suggested, gate check your carseat and stroller. However, when you get into your gate, go to the ticket counter and let them know you are traveling with an infant. Ask if there are any extra seats and if there are, tell them you would like to take your carseat on the plane with you. Usually, if there is an extra seat, they will move you around so you can have the extra seat for your car seat and you won't have to worry about it under the plane. Plus, no one has to hold the baby the entire flight. We did this in Feb when we flew to Colorado, HUGE lifesaver! Good luck, it really isn't terrible and most people are very understanding and helpful when flying with an infant. As for food and medicine, everyone else was right on. Flight crews really are very accommodating when traveling with a small child. You will do great!

I travel all the time with my child. We just returned from Europe, in fact. My daughter's first airplane ride was at 5 months.

First, go to the tsa.gov web site to view the information about traveling with children. It is VERY informative. You may take food for baby, however, it is important that when you get to the security area, you announce that you are traveling with a baby and have food/medicine/etc. They may have you take out the food/medicine and do whatever they need to screen it. I always had bottles of formula with me. Similac makes a "to go" bottle that is 8 oz. This past trip, I took some children's Imodium that was over 3oz. They have a "gun" that they check the liquids & medicine with. It is no big deal. At larger airports, they actually have "Family Lanes" at security for disabled and those traveling with kids. Again, visit the TSA web site...it will have all the answers you need.

Car seats and/or strollers can be checked with luggage with no penalty or fees attached. I always recommend getting a bag for your stroller if you're gate checking...they get really dirty in the cargo hold. You can get cheap ones designed for this at BRU.

Frankly, at that age, your baby will probably sleep a lot, so don't worry. And be sure to ask the gate agent about the fullness of the flight. If there are extra seats, they will let you keep your baby in the infant carrier next to you. We were lucky enough to have that happen a couple times.

Most importantly, stay calm yourself and take the help of the flight attendants. They have been great with me when we've traveled and know the ropes. Bon Voyage!

Hi R. -

Checking in the carseat is the same as a suitcase. If you're under your allotment, no charge, over, charge.
I would recommend talking to your doctor about the correct dose of benedryl to give her before the flight. It not only helps you, but her also. And yes, you can bring your own food on the plane. I've been flying with my kiddos since they were born (my parents are in Washington), and have found that the flight attendents are generally very helpful. Oh, and also you can keep her in a stroller until you walk on to the plane - they will have it waiting for you once you step off - very nice :)
Have a good trip!

HI,

for the carseat it depends on the airline if they count it a an extra bag or not, some do, but will allow you to gate ck it for free with the stroller- we usually take our own since it is cheaper than renting one

meds- you can take them in your carry-on, put them in a qt bag and disclose them at security and take them out of your dipaer bag

baby food is allowed, if it hasn't been open they usually don't test it, if it had been open they may test it along with formula, juice, water ect *which we can take enough to get through your flight(s)

you usually get 2 carry-ons (one for you and one for baby, agaon ck with your airline)

also nurse, offer bottle, or binkie during take-offs and landings (it helps their eardrums with the air pressure change)

I hope this helps and enjoy your trip :)

Good Morning R., First off Congratulation with your Degree @ WSU.. Go Shockers...lol
I have family in Haysville also.
My brother in law travels with their two son's and they rent car seats at the car rentals. They usually get a van or that type of vehicle when the come here. You might consider looking into that since your parents will be going with you. Will give you more room for all the luggage and baby things. I don't think they charge extra for baby items but I could be wrong now since they have changed some things about flying this year. You can normally take a stroller up to the boarding area and they will store it for you.

Call the airlines and check on their procedures. Plus ask your travel agent about renting a suv / van type vehicle and car seat at your destination.

God Bless and have a wonderful trip
K. Nana of 5
in Benton

Nurse, nurse, nurse. It's the best for balancing ear pressure.
We once rented car seats, and it was a reasonable option. The seats were brand new, not fancy, and not installed correctly, so we ended up re-doing that part ourselves. Be sure to clear it with the rental company, some don't offer that at all.

Hi - I have flown Southwest w/ my daughter and they do not charge to put the carseat w/ the luggage (and they usually wrap it in plastic). I also traveled to NC w/ my older son when he was small and found a company that I could rent a car seat, crib, etc... so you might check online for whatever city you are traveling to (the one I used actually delivered everything). You don't really need to give her anything prior to the flight - I would make sure that on take off and landing that she has a pacifier or drinking milk to help w/ the ear popping issue. I was able to take baby food in the carry on - they will just take you to the side and check it. You can also take the stroller to the gate and they will check at the door of the plane and bring back up for you when they land. Good luck!