BTDT Moms... help me be a "pro" at flying with baby!

I'm not a seasoned traveler by ANY stretch. I'm nervous and unprepared/overwhelmed when it's just me and my DH. Next week will be our first time flying with our one year old son. It's just a 2 1/2 hour flight, but HELP! Here's what I'd love to know:

My doc told me to give him a drop of neosynephrine on take off and landing. Exactly WHEN would I give it?

He also told me to have him drinking/eating/swallowing on take off and landing. Agan, exactly WHEN do I start to make sure he's swallowing at the perfect time to prevent painful ear popping?

WHAT should I feed him? Food? Milk from a bottle (even though he doesn't drink bottles during the day)? Water from his sippy cup, which he doesn't always want? Should I put chocolate milk in a sippy cup, which he's never had before, so he'll maybe WANT to drink it?

Do I have to buy whatever I want to give him (liquid) once I get past security? So, do I bring an empty sippy cup?

What can I expect going through security with my little guy? He can't walk yet... how will that work?

What toy(s) do you recommend to keep him entertained/quiet? We're flying during his normal naptime, so I'm hoping he sleeps! I have a new truck, a new book, a new "smartphone" and a new Mickey Blackberry. Plus, we'll have our portable dvd player with a Mickey dvd.

He will have his own seat, which means we are bringing his car seat for him to sit in. Any suggestions on the best way to lug this to the terminal, along with our luggage and the stroller?

What luggage/carry on do you have for your kids? Does he have his own "kiddie" luggage? Or does he use part of your "grown up" set?

I'm assuming I just need to bring a copy of his birth certificate? Not his actual birth certificate? Do I need anything else?

Do we check his pack n play with our luggage? Or at the gate as a "carry-on"?

Any accessories that you can recommend to make any part of travelling easier?

Anything else to help prepare me?

Thanks SO much for your help!

Re: BTDT Moms... help me be a "pro" at flying with baby!

I am queen of traveling - been to many different countries with the little ones and they are 2 and 4.

You def. need birth certificate - (passport for out of country)
Try to pack all your luggage in as few suitcases as possible. Even if you have to bring one larger one.
As far as the flight bring a zippy/bottle whatever you use to drink and give it to him as you take off - the flights never bothered my kids. You can just get water...don't need anything fancy like choc. milk. Its not that big of a deal if he doesn't drink. You will have to buy after security - unless its formula.
Bring tons tons tons of snacks and toys, books, etc. Hopefully he will nap on the flight. and you seem to have enough to keep him occupied.
Check the pack n play, bring stroller/car seat to gate and check stroller there.
No accesories to make it easier. I use the baby bjorn b/c I don't bring car seat usually. Don't stress too much. He will be fine.
Board the plane last so he isn't strapped in the seat for so long before take off.

BTDT Moms... help me be a

You don't need a birth certificate if he has his own seat but I would bring it anyway.

You are allowed to bring a reasonable amount of liquids when you travel with an infant or toddler, including milk, water and juice but tyey have to screen it separately so its easier sometimes just to wait until after security.

For packing, dh or I usually share a bag with our DS especially since there are luggage restrictions.

As for take off and landing, neither of my DS have ever had a problem with their ears and usually don't want to drink at the point where it would be most uncomfortable. I usually have motrin or tylenol with me just in case.

Check as much as possible when checking in. Its beet to have as little as possible to get through security (which tends to be a lot).

If its normal naptime and your DS sleeps in the car, he probably will sleep on the plane.

Bring some new toys to keep him busy. Also bring a variety of snacks. I also bring antibacterial hand wipes since they like to touch everything.

Re: BTDT Moms... help me be a "pro" at flying with baby!

Thank you, both!

Has anyone used this?:



It has a lot of great reviews on Amazon. Then, I guess, I can check the stroller before security. Would I need to purchase a stroller bag or do they have something to put it in at the airport?