Flying with 10-Month-Old Beckett: Tips to Keep in Mind

Her first flight from Atlanta to Denver; December 2013 at 10 months old

I compiled these after asking multiple mamas who frequently fly with their babies as well as online sources, blogs, etc.

1. Flight Time: Try to ‘take off’ just before a prime nap time (like 1 p.m. if baby naps 1 - 3 p.m. each day).
2. Documentation: Bring birth certificate just in case for proof of age. Also, notify the airline in advance so they can mark your boarding pass as ‘infant in arms.’ Some don’t allow you to do this online, and you have to call.
3. Dealing with Cabin Pressure: Bring a small bottle to feed baby milk during take off – this can relieve ear pressure. Also, have bottle or pacifier ready during descent – 30 minute before you actually land.
4. Entertainment: Bring 3 - 4 favorite or new toys or books on flight. (consider B. fun keys). Have a blanket accessible at airport so baby can play in safe, clean area. Have iPad/iPhone with baby apps.
5. Checking Baby Stuff. It’s free to check pack and plays, car seats, strollers, etc. Check the pack & play (with blanket or sleep sack tucked in there!) & car seat base at ticketing, but gate check the stroller and car seat – and bring a baby carrier through as well.  Make sure to request tags for gate checked items (likely they will be pink). Bring infant seat if you can (much easier than convertible seats as convertibles are bigger and don’t snap nicely into a stroller). Bring your infant seat to the airplane on the off chance that you get a free seat. If the flight is full, check it at the gate. IF you choose to check your car seat at ticketing, you will likely claim it in the “oversized luggage” area.
6. Seating: Try to get a row to ourselves (a two-person row). Also, try to get a bulkhead seat – you can call the airline or ask the gate agent day of. The back of the plane is the loudest and the back row is the most private (and you’re near flight attendants and the restroom should it be needed), but sitting at the front is nice, too, as you exit the plane quicker.
7. Time Change: Don’t do anything, but if you’re concerned start adjusting a few days before you leave.
8. Boarding: Most airports have a special lane for families traveling with children. Even if you’re bringing car seat/stroller to gate, go through security with baby in carrier so your arms are free to deal with your gear. Collapse stroller and place it and the car seat on the belt. Wear shoes that slip off easily. On the other side slip your shoes on and put stroller/car seat back together while wearing baby. Wear baby in carrier down jetway and leave car seat and stroller collapsed at the bottom of the jetway TAGGED with gate-check tags for each item that you’re not carrying on.
9. Feeding Baby: You can carry on fluids breastmilk, formula, juice, etc. – NO WATER. You can also bring “a reasonable amount” of pureed baby food. You’ll need to pull them out and place them in their own bin, preferably in their own baggie. Buy bottled water when you get through security to make bottles (or bring a camel bak and fill it up at the airport – you CANNOT make a bottle with airplane faucet water as it isn’t safe for drinking.) You CAN ask the flight attendant to fill your bottle with hot water to mix with the powder – they usually have access to it for making tea). For solid food, use a pouch. Bring a bib and consider finger foods like carrots, celery, cheese, apples, biscuits from a baggie.
10. Changing Baby’s Diapers: Have diaper changing kit (pad, wipes, diapers, creams and disposable bags) on the ready. Change diaper right before you board and right after you exit to (hopefully) avoid an in-flight change. Easiest place is in a row of empty seats, but this isn’t always an option. Ask flight attendant for a changing table on board. If there isn’t one, use the toilet lid or sink area, your lap, or the jump seat if offered.
11. Diaper Bag: diaper changing station (diapers, wipes, pad, paste, bags); extra change of clothes; spit up cloth; extra hand wipes; any medicine (ibuprofen/syringe); baby jacket; blanket; toys; 4 pacis/one on clip; birth certificate; formula/bottles/nipples; pureed food pouch; ice packs for thermal bag; baby food/bib (also extra formula and diapers in case bags are delayed). Also, iPhone, iPad or Kindle.
12. Pack & Play: see if condo/place where you’re staying can reserve one for you. If not, fly with it, check it early on and it flies for free.
13. On the other Side: Bring a portable high chair, preferably a fabric one that folds up easily. Same with jumperoo, activity table, etc. – bring a fold-up one if you’d like to. Bring a canvas bag of small toys for her to play with. Consider white noise app on iPad to avoid bringing sound machine. Warm bottles in water (no bottle warmer) and no humidifier. Bring frozen pre-made pouches in checked bag (NOT carry-on). Can get bananas, avocados, string cheese, etc. when we arrive for finger foods.