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Any tips on flying with an infant age 3 to 7 months under current restrictions? I've read and heard that you can just take them on in a front pack, gate check the carrier-car seat and your carry on is your carry on and diaper bag all in one. Can you take premeasured powder formula packets and just have them give you water in flight?”

Asked by Octavia3 on 25th June 2009 | 5 replies

5 replies so far...

Bring pre-measured powdered formula and buy a bottle of water once you pass through security.

Flag as inappropriate Posted by Pam on 8th July 2009
Thanks for the tips. I've now been to TSA , FAA sites as well as some traveling with kids sites and videos. The www.jetwithkids.com site is pro infant seat but it appears you need to have a certain type of restraint for use on airplanes versus regular rear facing carrier. My carrier states it is approved for automobile and airplane travel but does not have a 'symbol' as described on one of the airline sites. The jetwithkids site reads like 'lap' infants are not in an ErgoBaby , swaddle sling or Bjorn type carrier pack physically attached to your body but actually 'free' carried in your lap. Thus the horror stories of the baby/child on the floor and the adult leaning over them but then they 'shoot away' and do not survive the turbulence or the crash. I would think that if they are in a carrier attached to you in some way that would be fine for small infants especially if you don't have the extra money for a seat or don't have a second restraint seat that fits the requirements. The reason for not requiring a restraint seat the same as for a car given by the FAA is silly - that requiring this would drive away 'customers' because of the expense of the seat and make them 'drive' which is more dangerous way to travel. Granted airlines are a for profit business but making a scaled price for a seat for a child under 2 would help to promote their customer service end. Children old enough and large enough to sit up right should be in same restraint as an adult or the CARES harness should be standard issue on all airplanes. It appears that if I do decide to make the trip - A) he'll be 3 months so thinking front pack, can lay him out in my lap for diaper change as it isn't like there is a place in a plane's loo for changing anyway, and catch up change etc during the layover; check the car seat since will need that for where I'm going and one carry on with some formula (formula and breastmilk over the 3oz liquids limit OK if declared and packed separate baggies before go through security) and premeasured powdered formula packets to add to water should be OK. Possible trip number 2 will be in December when he's 7 months, the trip will be longer - visting dad's family in Caribbean- and dad will be traveling too so car seat and stroller may both be in the picture and if car seat is the right type then will splurge for extra seat and request 3 together.

Flag as inappropriate Posted by Octavia3 on 3rd July 2009
Some tips:

1. If you check your stroller or your car seat as baggage, you don't have to pay for it on most airlines because it is an exempted item. I just recently flew with my son who had his own seat. We took a car seat for the first flight and opted to check it, for free, on the return.

2. you can take liquid food or formula for the baby. Just follow these TSA guidelines: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/formula.shtm. If you take dry formula, though, it's much easier. I have kept it separated out in a ziplock.

3. Give yourself extra time to check in and make it through security.

4. If they have family lanes at security, even though it's slower, make use of them. Few people get impatient with a parent who is taking his or her time with a carrier, diaper bag etc.

5. I have found it's easiest to keep the baby as much on his or her schedule as possible. Keeping them up past their naptime is unbearable if they get overtired.

6. Rely on the kindness of strangers if you are traveling alone. When I took my son on his first flight (over 7 hours) (before he turned one), I carried him in my ergo, no stroller etc. When I had to go to the bathroom, he came with me, but there were people who offered to help me and I said yes when I needed to.

7. Help a little one clear their ears by giving them something to drink at take offs and landings.

8. Having an extra seat is a blessing. Even if you plan on lap-holding an infant, getting the baby his or her own seat affords you some extra space, if you can afford it.

Flag as inappropriate Posted by Kat on 2nd July 2009
If you go online to the airline you are flying, they will have guidelines.
Jet Blue allows formula- but you need to talk to them and present it to security.
They will give you water for powder too. I saw people do that on our way to Disney.

I suggest Jet Blue, great prices,
and you can get "more legroom' which is their first class for only $30.

I dont know anyone who can afford first class.

Flag as inappropriate Posted by DebR on 26th June 2009
I recently flew with my baby, then 3.5 months old. My wonderful husband booked me a first class seat which was totally worth it. (More on this in a second). I kept my stroller with me but carried my baby in a sling through the airport. (toting my carryon/over sized diaper bag in the baby seat). My stroller/carseat is a combo so this kept me from having to pay extra baggage to take my carseat too. Your stroller must be able to fit through the baggage scanner up on the conveyor belt. So having the baby in the sling gave me two hands to be able to juggle everything.
Even though they let first class board first, I waited til the very end. Who wants to be stuck in that seat extra long with a baby? I kept my baby awake and entertained passed her regular nap time and into her feeding. She was very happy and endeared herself to the other flyers and flight attendants with her smiles. As soon as we began to taxi I put her to my breast. She nursed on the way up (helping her ears pop). She fell asleep like that (back in the sling) and slept for the entire 1.5 hour flight. Because she was so nice and snuggly in the sling, she actually slept through the disembarking from the plane, getting my stroller, grabbing some quick lunch, and getting my luggage. AWESOME!
I highly recommend the first class seat. It gave me plenty of room to play and nurse. It's also nice to be able to get on last but get off first.

Flag as inappropriate Posted by pattip on 26th June 2009