My husband and I have flown with our baby girl twice now since she's been born and have discovered that there are some things you can do to make your trip a bit easier and more enjoyable for everyone. Below is the best I've got!
● When buying a ticket make sure you check the option that you’re bringing an infant under two, then you don't have to deal with having to get that info printed on your boarding pass at the airport. If there is no option for that online, then tell the person when checking your luggage at the airport, they can do it for you right there.
● Plan your trip around the time of day that is best for your baby. I knew my baby would sleep in my arms great so I planned our flights during her nap times.
● Pay the extra money to choose your own seats.
● Check in online, this saves TONS of time.
● Check your car seat with your luggage; it's not worth lugging through the airport.
● Before going through security ask the check in clerk if any of the security line ups has a "family lane" most airports do, apparently, and you get to go straight to the front of the line.
● You can bring baby food on the plane; just make sure everything is in a plastic bag per the regulations and that you take it out of your diaper bag when going through the scanner. It may get checked out, (they swab it for drugs)but you won't notice any delay because they do it while your putting your clothes and shoes back on and dealing with putting your baby back in their stroller or carrier.
● Opt to be patted down rather than going through the x-ray machine. Apparently after going through more than 24 times your DNA starts to break down. I wouldn't risk it if you want more kids :)
● Strollers, car seats and diaper bags do not count as personal items or checked luggage. They are free-bies.
● Take as little personal stuff on the plane as you can manage, you'll be surprised how much stuff it feels like you have.
● Get to the airport earlier than you think you'll need, maybe even eat a meal there so everyone is nourished and ready to go.
● Bring toys that baby hasn't seen in awhile or are new to keep their interest.
● Find a quiet corner and let your baby crawl around/move around before boarding so they don't feel cooped up for too long.
● Ask to be allowed to pre-board. Not all airlines automatically offer this anymore, we had to ask.
● Nurse, bottle feed, or give a pacifier during take off and landing.
● Know how your car seat works and practice installing it if you're concerned. The better you know the car seat the easier it is to quickly install into another car.
● If the airline loses your car seat they will give you a new one to use until they find yours. If they can't find yours they will reimburse you for a new one you buy. (this happened to us, it was stressful because I didn't know they had extras on hand, and they did get ours back to us the next day)
● Traveling with a partner is SO much easier than alone. Just have a game plan and be willing to help each other out. It's really not that stressful if you have plenty of time and can keep calm. Be organized and ready for challenges. Also remember that the people who work at the airport are just people, if they ask you to do something understand that they are just doing their job and trying to make it through the day. If someone is rude, cut them some slack, you'd be rude too if you had to deal with herds of dumb people all day.
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