Safe flight for mama and baby! - Page 2

[MamitaM]

It looks like a 7 hour flight each way and it's a straight trip with no changes. I haven't bought my ticket yet, but probably with West Jet since my friends tells me they are cheapest so far.

My stroller is from Evenflo and came with his bucket seat. I got it 2nd hand and used it 4 times maybe and am thinking of selling it and putting the money toward an umbrella stroller. I like the MacLaren and saw a really cool UppaBaby one today, but it was $200 and so not in my budget. I'll have to see what deals I can get for a stroller.

[MamitaM]

My stroller budget is $50! Bye bye MacLaren!

[lifeabroad]

OK first I hear you on all the things you are saying :) I think traveling without a car seat is going to be WAY less stressful for you. I have traveled with my DS a good 10 times or so (he is 2) since he was born. I've never had a car seat and I am thankful for not having that extra thing to lug around. I have LOVED the times a kind attendant has helped me to change seats to have an extra seat beside me. However, if this doesn't happen, all will be fine too! I second keeping your carry on stuff to the basic minimum. As for the umbrella stroller...go get a $20 one and be done with it...no need to spend a crazy amount of money. I DO think it will be WELL worth the $20 (or cheaper if you can find one!!). If anything, to put your bags in and push them faster :) good luck on your trip and have fun!

[Super~Single~Mama]

Oh yeah, I would expect the trip there to be the worst (ie, lots of entertaining, baby doesn't sleep, etc).  IME - after a vacation, ds is EXHAUSTED at the end of it, and he usually sleeps the entire way home (or at least a really solid chunk of it).

[MamitaM]

I've seen cheap umbrella strollers for like $8! I may get one of those for the trip. We're probably going in August, leaving from Montreal (so super hot here and humid) going to Victoria where our friends live. I'd really like to just bring one carry on and my big purse and use that for diaper stuff or whatever I need during the flight plus his carrier and stroller that they can gate check. My babe is really a super calm and happy baby so I don't think he'll be much of a problem,though of course it will be his first flight and he may really hate it or have ear pain, but I'm not expecting anything to bad in the way of crying and stuff.

[Eclipsepearl]

I'm a former Flight Attendant and I fly between Europe and California about twice a year, usually alone, with my three kids. I've been doing this since my youngest was 4 months old. 

Please use a decent stroller. I hate seeing small babies uncomfortably slumped down in flimsy strollers. The airlines basically accept anything that folds so you don't need to get an $8 one. Use the one you need for your whole trip. 

I fly with a car seat and it's really not a fuss, even alone with three children. Add NO stress. I put mine on a metal luggage cart and use that instead of a stroller. I either wear the baby or have them ride in this contraption. Works great. I only did my first non-car seat flight in December and it was NOT more convenient. I had no where to put my backpack (I load the carry-on's in the car seat...) 

By the way, it's a myth that children have to suck on something for take-off and landing. Those aren't even the right times for the ears anyway. Pressurization happens as soon as the plane leaves the gate and the real tough time for ears is the TOP of decent, 40 minutes to an hour prior. Landing is too late. Don't wake your child unnecessarily (so many fall asleep on the tarmac) and just being awake, yawning, laughing, coughing, etc. helps the ears. Don't force liquids on him at anytime. 

The best way to avoid ear problems is to take the baby to the doctor a few days prior. Just schedule your regular check-up accordingly. Healthy ears can handle pressurization changes. The doctor will check his ears and make sure he's good to go. 

The bulkheads do NOT have more room, often less. I do recommend those seats just because there's no one in front to bother. They're easier to get in and out of too. For a baby this age, please AISLE, AISLE, AISLE. Do not crawl over strangers every time. You'll be getting up a lot. 

Learn to change your baby while he's standing up in the "frisk position" (hands on the wall for support). This will make life easier. Those airplane changers are super-tiny. Practice at home. You'll love this tip any time away from home. No more fighting them to lie down in a strange place! 

Honestly, one oversized backpack should be PLENTY for carry-on's. I don't bring that much stuff for three kids, even when more than one was in diapers for a transatlantic. Lose your purse and use a "fanny pack" or something small for your cell, wallet, etc. Just one backpack for one child will suffice. 

The "airbag" theory cited earlier is why you can't put your baby in a carrier for take-off and landing. It's a FAA regulation. Once you decide to save money by not buying the baby a ticket, then you're betting that nothing will go wrong. Air crashes are so rare so the stats are in your favor. But "lap babies" are not protected and it's not safe in itself. There is no method or gizmo that will make it safe so you need to be zen with that. Commercial aviation itself is very safe. 

Here are my non-commercial flying tips;

http://flyingwithchildren.blogspot.com

Have a good flight! 

[MamitaM]

Thanks for the blog link! I'll have a look and see what tips I can use. I was going to start practicing to pee while holding on my lap in case we need to do that and now as well different changing positions. My baby isn't standing or crawling or anything yet, but he should be by the time we travel. Right now I don't think he's ready for an umbrella stroller, but maybe in a few months he will be.

[Caneel]

I have been flying with our DS since he was 3.5 months old, several times a year, multiple legs each trip, internationally and domestic.

I agree with the PP statement about ears and pressure.  I heard the same from FAs.  We never experienced any problems with our DS.

I am a nervous flier and I completely understand your fear of panic attacks.  If you are open to it, talk to your doctor about a mild anti-anxiety drug to take prior to flying.  It made a world of difference for me.  I went to feeling like I was going to lose my mind to actually being able to enjoy the trip.  The stuff I take doesn't make feel weird or foggy, it makes me feel calm and capable which is how I need to be to care for DS.

Because of my anxiety, I have a need to leave nothing to chance.  Here is what has worked (or not) for me when flying with DS -

I have never used a stroller for plane travel and never missed it.  When DS got too big, I switched to a framed backpack carrier.  I used an old duffle bag to gate check it.  We (meaning the general public) can agrue the safety of gate checking baby gear until the cows come home but it worked for us.  Worst case scenario, it would have needed to be replaced.

I learned to travel with the bare essentials.  I take one change of clothing for each of us.  I also swear by the ziplocs too.  Each outfit gets packed in its own ziploc.  Snacks go in another.  Activities in another and so one. 

One area where I don't skimp though is food and liquids.  Don't count on either being available.  I have seen parents begging for water or milk prior to beverage service as well as there not being enough free or purchase food to go around.  I take enough food for DS to last him 12 hours.

Something I have seen recently is the gate agents/FAs not allowing carry-ons.  Planes are flying at or close to capacity and passengers are bringing more and more on the plane to avoid baggage fees.  Just something to keep in mind should you be forced to give up your carry-on.   Also, they are closely checking the size of carry-ons.  If it exceeds the airline standards, it gets gate checked.

Get to the airport early, early, early.  Clearing security is so much easier if you aren't rushed.

We always take advantage of early boarding, when it is offered.

You asked about what to do if you need to use the restroom/holding the baby, don't count on any assistance from FA in terms any assistance. 

Avoid the bulkhead.  The seats are generally narrower as the tables are intergrated into the armrests.   Also, you will lose the storage space that is available under the seat in front of you offered in regular seats.

It can't hurt to be asked to be seated next to an empty seat but as mentioned before, planes are so crowded now that empty seats don't seem to exist.

The Crew Lounge is a great resource for information.  One of the hosts is a flight attendent and a mother.  She gives awesome advice about flying with kids.   The podcasts can be found at upgrd.com.

[MamitaM]

I don't have anxiety attacks often or bad enough to need meds, but if I'm overheated and have to carry a huge baby and backpack and rush to a gate, then realize I'm at the wrong gate and have to rush to another one and then go through security etc.... I will get frustrated and not be such a happy mama. So that's why I plan to get their as early as possible and be super organized and have the bare minimum of stuff with us. My plan is to use ONE bag and one purse, that's it! So that ONE bag will either be a carry on or it will get checked. The bag I'm thinking to use is a nice big backpack that changes into a bag with one strap or into a suitcase style bag and it's carry on size. I've actually used it as a carry on before when I traveled on my own. It fits quite nicely above us. My purse will be under my seat and will hold anything I'll need during the flight.

Right now my baby just started solids and is mainly getting my milk, so I don't know how many snacks to bring for him/us, but I'll be sure to bring a little more then I think he'll need. I don't think they offer snacks for kids and I'm not sure what I'd be able to share with him from my meal, if I do get one.

[OkiMom]

Ive flown with 1 and 2 kids (alone) and with 3 (with DH).. One thing I haven't seen mentioned is make sure to bring something for yourself to eat. Last time I flew with 2 I didn't and almost didn't make it to the end. I flew international (26+ hour flight between all the flights) and didn't have a chance to eat much. I was physically exhausted by the end. This time I brought a few protein bars to eat.. It made life so much easier since I kept my body fueled. Also make sure to drink water before, during and after your flight. Keeping hydrated is really important..

Someone suggested letting your child crawl in the aisles, I wouldn't do that. 1) Flight attendants most likely won't let you, 2) it would annoy your fellow passengers and 3) its not safe. At 10 months old he should be able to be distracted by toys or books at your seat or get up and walk around with him.