Connor is now 5 months and is eating solid foods. We are flying from Maryland to Vancouver, Washington on some very Looooong flights. Any advice or traveling tips...food, diapers, etc. Just looking for anything to make these flights less stressful! :-)

By Jelygu on Monday, November 22, 2004 - 10:07 am:

Don't have any advice... just wanted to wish you good luck!

By Melanie on Monday, November 22, 2004 - 11:37 am:

First advice is to use your carseat. It's safer and definitely more comfortable. Bring one diaper for every hour of flight, and ziploc bags to deposit them into. As the plane takes off, open a jar of food and start to feed him at that time. That way he will be swallowing during that critical time so his ears won't hurt. If he's awake during the landing, do it again at that time. If he uses a pacifier or takes a bottle, you can certainly use those at those times as well. Be sure to have baby Tylenol , rash ointment...all those just in case items in your carry-on. And most of all, relax. Babies tend to travel much better than we think they will. Oh, and bring your umbrella stroller. Wheel it right up to the plane and gate check it. It will be waiting for you when you get off to change planes and/or when you reach your destination. It makes getting around the airport a breeze. Good luck!

By Trina~moderator on Monday, November 22, 2004 - 11:49 am:

To echo Melanie, buy your DS a plane ticket and have him travel in his car seat. He'll be safest that way and all members of your traveling party (baby, Mom, Dad,...) will be more comfortable.

More info on air travel with kids:

CPSafety.com

FAA - Flying With Children

By Janet on Monday, November 22, 2004 - 01:23 pm:

I would add, don't expect the flight attendants to warm up anything... I asked them to heat some Spaghetti O's for my toddler dd once (years ago) and I was informed they had no microwave and were really put out by it. They did it, but we didn't get the food back until after everyone else was done eating. Like I said, that was years ago, so that might not even be an issue anymore.

Another challenge is changing the diaper in the airplane restroom! I ended up sitting on the toilet and putting dd on my lap to do it...quite memorable.

And do relax! Even if Connor becomes "the baby no one wants to sit next to in an airplane," it will pass (BTDT, too). You'll never see these people again!

By Mrsheidi on Monday, November 22, 2004 - 02:39 pm:

Thanks, ladies! He is going to travel in his car seat (it's a lot easier anyway) and I got a collapsible cooler so we can just take the bottles out without mixing, etc. Can't wait until the invent the bottle that you can just keep the water and formula separate and then you just shake it up to mix the two. Those travel containers never work for me. The dividers never keep the powder in their specific areas for some reason. I've also used ziploc bags and one of them was punctured so I had formula all throughout my diaper bag. I got these cute little containers at Target that hold just enough formula for one bottle just in case...and for when we go on short trips. They are difficult to open so I'm doubting they'll spill.
I'll have to make my list of what to bring now! (Tylenol, jars of food, etc.)
Thanks again...and if you have any other advice, I'm all ears...

By Trina~moderator on Monday, November 22, 2004 - 02:55 pm:

Actually, they used to make a bottle that kept the powdered formula and water separate. I had a couple when DS was a baby (8 yrs. ago). However, I haven't seen them recently, but then again, I haven't been looking. LOL! There was the main bottle compartment and a smaller section on the top that tilted and held the powder. You tilted to top straight over the main compartment, which released the powder into the water. Shake and feed. I don't remember what they were called.

By Vicki on Monday, November 22, 2004 - 03:01 pm:

Not sure of how many bottles you need, but I used to put the powder directly into the bottles and take along the water seperate. Just pour the water into the bottle and shake.