Tip for flying with children (best, reservations, airlines, airport)

[louiseg]

HELP !!! I'm going to be traveling in July with my 7 year and 7 month old grands. It's has been a long time since I traveled with an infant. so any tips would be great ,like can I take his small stroller thru the airport and put it on the plane. What about his baby food?

[mullman]

East coast or West coast destination?
If East, just drive it.

After the first few trips post 9.11 with small ones, we quit flying for East coast trips, and only fly for West coast or international trips.
Just way too much of a pain with the kids. For same coast travel, Amtrak is also a nice, stress free, leisurely alternative.

We drive from Charlotte to Maine, Charlotte to Massachusetts, and Charlotte to Orlando once a year. Flying the same with kids is silly in a post 9.11 world IMHO.

[OCtoCLT]

It is going to be a bit of a pain for you if you are traveling alone. You will need to enlist the help you the 7 yr old. You can take a small stroller and gate check it but you will have to remove the baby and fold it up to go through x-ray. All shoes will have to come off...even the little one's. If the baby is on formula it is best to take the powder and buy water once you get through security. You should be fine with baby food. Are you buying the baby a seat or lapping it? It stinks to have to pay the extra money but it is worth it to have your hands free. The baby will also be more likely to behave if he/she is in a car seat (as long as they do well in the car). I would let the 7yr old take a small carry on of their stuff but let them know they need to keep up with it and it is their responsibility. I would then take a small one for the baby with a change of clothes, several diapers and lots of wipe, a couple of favorite toys and books. Be sure to also pack several snacks for both kids.

I am sure there is more but that is all I can think of for now. Let me know if you have anymore questions.

[louiseg]

Would love to drive but it's to far for the length of time. We are going to Oklahoma. The 7 year old is like a second mom, so she will be a lot of help. I will be holding the baby, just couldn't bear the thought of buying him a seat only for him to want to sit on me so he could look around. He does great in his seat though, he is very curious so just give him something to look at. He also likes his Sis to read to him (he will actually sit thru a whole book and listen)

[QC Misfit]

The wife and I just drink plenty of liquor before we fly and it helps drain out the fussin' from the little ones

Best thing is to make sure they have enough to keep the occupied.

[hipmama]

Hi louiseg! I travel from Charlotte to Oklahoma a couple of times a year by myself with my 2 kiddos. 9 and 2. I remember when my little one was a baby I had bottles of water and then had the formula separate in a container. Well, they made me pour out her bottles of water because the formula was not actually made. So, I was told I could just ask for some water once I got on the airplane but I did not want to take the chance of them being out, so I stopped and bought some after we went through security. Yes, it is tiring and a lot of work but you will be fine! I take our small stroller and put the baby in that until we actually start boarding the plane. They will take it from you and tag it. Then you can pick it up when you get off so you can use it to your next destination. I am also assuming you will have a connection. I always make sure I get to my next gate first and then if we have time, I will take the kids to look around the shops or grab a bite to eat to kill time. Also, on the plane I bring snacks and a couple of toys. I was always blessed and the baby would sleep for at least one leg of the trip! Yes, security is a huge pain. You have to fold up the stroller to put it through the machine and all shoes come off. But, I have never had a time where someone was not willing to help me out! Either an airport employee or a just a nice person in line with me! Maybe I always just look so stressed that they feel sorry for me! All on all, you will be fine! Good Luck!!

[Jake Ryan]

Stupid question....but what do they do when their ears start popping? How do you teach them to relieve the pressure?

[mullman]

Originally Posted by Jake Ryan

Stupid question....but what do they do when their ears start popping? How do you teach them to relieve the pressure?

If really young they cry, if older, then give them a small piece of gum...

[snazy]

We traveled a lot with our son from 6 weeks old on -our biggest mistake (once!) was not bring enough diapers. Do NOT think that the airlines will have baby food, formula, diapers or that the flight attendants will be there to help you care for the children during the flight - that is not their job. IF the flight is not full and there are empty seats you probably will be able to use an airline approved car seat (look for label on the seat). As a retired airline ticket agent, trust me on this - make the reservation and ticket counter agents your new best friends - they will be invaluable. Try to make seat reservations - with a middle seat open (even if you have to pay extra for them) Let the reservation agent know you are traveling alone and would appreciate assistance preboaring and deplaning. Ask that a note be put into your reservation. If you get an unfriendly agent - call back until you get a friendly - helpful person. At the airport - CHECK IN EARLY - I worked with a girl who always said “THE IS NO TOO EARLY AT THE AIRPORT ONLY TOO LATE” Ask them if the flight is full, if not, can you use the car seat on board the flight? If someone is taking you to the airport ask the counter agent is you can get a gate pass for them to help you through security - not sure if this is still done but we use to be able to allow one person on a gate pass to help - they will need approved government ID.
When our son got older we used positive reinforcement (bribes!) He would take his favorite stuff but I always had a new toy for him to play with on board the flight - it worked great! Also tell them from the beginning that they must sit down and keep their seat belt on at all times - no exceptions. I am amazed how many people on planes do not do this and let the kids act like they are at a play ground. Can’t think of anything else -keep your good sense of humor, don’t get to serious about the whole thing, relax and enjoy the kids.

[louiseg]

Thanks everybody lots of great tips. QC Misfit I think I was on a flight with you once.LOL As for the ears someone told me to have the baby suck on something (so I will give him his bottle on take off or his blinky to suck on.)
hipmama are you a Okie? I'm from around Tulsa.