Flying with baby?

Question

I'm moving across the country and am having to fly with my 9 week old (who will be 11 weeks when we leave) by myself. Does anyone have any tips? Since I'm moving, I want to bring a car seat base with me but I'm clueless on where to put it! Should I pack it or stick it in his stroller after its checked? I'm slightly freaking out over all the little details!

Answer

I would check the regulations for your airline - most will let you check a car seat for free and check a stroller at the gate for free. Usually you also can bring a diaper bag in addition to your carry-on. I think a car seat base might be considered extra equipment, but maybe if you attach it to the car seat when you check it you could get away with it?

I'm flew last weekend alone with my 8 week old - we used the Ergo to get on and off the plane (most airlines won't count it as carry on baggage, and it was awesome to have my hands free). I nursed him on take-off and landing to help with his ears popping.

Good luck!

Answer

I just flew with my 9 week old (10 weeks when we flew back) and it was much easier than I expected. Maybe I was planning for the worst, but with a connection each way (4 flights total) and a delay at first, she only cried once and for maybe 10 minutes of the two hour flight. Her ears didn't seem to bother her, but man was I prepared to feed her! I used a baby carrier and honestly, it was nice to have my hands, but the airport was so dang hot that she got uncomfortable pretty quick. I ended up carrying her for the trip back and it worked out fine. I'd recommend bringing the stroller to the airport. You can check it at the gate and it will be waiting when you land. We didn't bring her car seat and just checked "infant in arms" on my ticket. Her car seat and base was in a car seat bag we got on Amazon and didn't count as one of the items of checked luggage. The people around us were absolutely amazing. People generally want to help out a new mom and kept offering to grab my bags or get me something to drink... All of the flights the person next to me let me put my drink on their tray table! It really was a good experience and I'm glad we flew at this age versus driving! Just trust your gut and try and stay calm (easier said than done) and if all else fails and the baby cries the entire time.. Just remember that you will never see these people again. Let them stare. Let them judge. You'll forget all about them. And good luck!! I'm sure you'll both do great!

Flying with baby?

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