traveling with a 6 month old - breastfeeding

In November I will be lying to Alaska for Thanksgiving. I need suggestions and how to plan for the trip. I am a breastfeeding mom and he will not be starting solids until we return. IS there a place on the plane to change him? How do I go to the bathroom? What do I need to bring? If I bring my snap n go type stroller with the car seat can I check it at the gate? Do they allow more carryons since I have a baby with me? And feel free to give any other advice I did not ask for!!!!

traveling with a 6 month old - breastfeeding

I flew with dd when she was 6 months. She was a lap baby bc it was a short flight. Do you have anyone traveling with you? If not you may want to consider getting dc a seat.
You need to change the baby in the plane bathroom - there is a changing table. You can't change them at your seat even if its an empty row. If you are flying alone going to the bathroom will be tough-maybe bring a bjorn type carrier?

I found that breast feeding on the plane was so helpful bc it comforted dd
Bring toys - old and new
Bring a pacifier and blankie

You can gate check or baggage check you car seat and stroller (unless you have a seat for dc in which case you can use the carseat)

Eta - I took my nursing cover with me for the flight. Not only for my privacy but bc I find dd gets distracted easily in new settings and won't eat

Message edited 10/11/2013 6:45:34 PM.

Re: traveling with a 6 month old - breastfeeding

thanks for the help... it's just me, but buying another seat isn't an option, otherwise my DH would be coming... I have Bjorn but he's too heavy at this point so I bought an ergo today, hopefully that will help. good to know about the changing table in the bathrooms. anyone else have any words of wisdom??

Re: traveling with a 6 month old - breastfeeding

We flew 4.5 hours with DD when she was 5 months. We checked the carseat because it was free and then pushed the snap-n-go to the gate and checked it there for free. I think you can check both the carseat and snap-n-go at the gate because I have seen others do it! I definitely like having a stroller and an ergo carrier with me at all times! The stroller helps you hold things!

For security I kept DD in the ergo so I could have hands free to put stuff on the conveyer belt and fold stroller up. I had DH with me but have flown alone since that and have it down to science now! Also I keep her in the ergo when I board the plane so I can fold stroller before getting on. Lastly I never pre-board...I'd rather be walking around in the terminal than couped up with a baby on my lap!

On the plane - I nursed DD a few times. She got cranky a few times and I just put her on the boob to settle her. I did find it somewhat hard and claustrophobic to nurse her but we made it work. She nursed herself to sleep at one point and I just held her there as steady as I could and kept the nursing cover over her. If I had to do it over I would bring some pumped milk just to give myself a break and to make it easier. If you decide to do this, leave the milk in a bag and ask for hot water to heat it up. It can be tricky to pour the milk into the bottle one handed while holding the baby but you will figure it out!

Bring some new toys for the baby and maybe even let him watch something on an iPad or iPhone. Even if he's never watched before its worth a shot.

As far as peeing, go right before you board - put the baby in the stroller and wheel him into a handicap stall. On the plane you can ask the person sitting next to you or a flight attendant. Also yes you can change him in the bathroom on the plane, there is usually a pull down changing table.

Ok I think that is it! If I think of anything else I will write more! Good luck and let us know how it goes!

Re: traveling with a 6 month old - breastfeeding

Oh and I limited my carry ons because I can't be bogged down. When I flew alone I did a big backpack with all my necessities and my pump. I had to have the pump bc I was attending a wedding and would be away from DD and it would not fit in my suitcase!

I have friends who have flown with kids and they said they bring extra carry ons and no one says a thing.

Re: traveling with a 6 month old - breastfeeding

thank you so much!!! With the ergo... can I go through security with it on? and you said you checked the carseat but brought the snap n go to the gate... so you didn't have a striker to put baby in? I would need the carseat if I go the snap n go route.

Re: traveling with a 6 month old - breastfeeding

bump

Re: traveling with a 6 month old - breastfeeding

Re: traveling with a 6 month old - breastfeeding

- Is there a place to change him

Yes - in the bathroom there is a fold down tray. I suggest bringing some cleaning wipes with you and wiping down whatever baby may touch. This is also a good idea for your seat - tray table, window shade, window, etc. Those things never get cleaned!


- How do you go to the bathroom

You can wear him in the carrier :)


- What you should bring

As little as possible! I would bring a few small toys that he likes to play with. Unless you are a super champ nurser I would also bring 3 bottles of pumped milk (if he takes a bottle) so you can feed him easily at take off and landing. Diapers, wipes, a small blanket that you can use to cover him or for him to sleep on if he's not in the carrier.


- Checking the stroller/car seat

You can check the car seat and snap and go at the gate.


- Carry on luggage

I believe you are allowed an extra diaper bag for a lap infant. So you can bring 3 bags - a personal item (purse), a carry on, and a diaper bag for the lap infant. But I would bring as little as possible b/c lugging it all is not fun at all!

Re: traveling with a 6 month old - breastfeeding

I do need the carseat, bu tnow that I know it's free to check with my luggage I will just bring my stroller and check the carseat with the base attached. Do I need a bag for the carseat?

Re: traveling with a 6 month old - breastfeeding

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traveling with a 6 month old - breastfeeding

I would try to arrange it so you don't have to check the car seat. They are not safe after being checked because of the way they are handled. Way too much throwing them around can develop hairline cracks that you won't know about until it is too late. It is too bad you can't buy a seat because it really really unsafe to hold a baby on your lap when flying.

I do love the changing tables. They are huge!!! we bring disposable changing pads so we can throw them out after each use. Bring an extra outfit (the first time we flew our baby who never pooped had a blowout both there AND back!) and more diapers/wipes than you think you'll need.

good luck.

Re: traveling with a 6 month old - breastfeeding

Re: traveling with a 6 month old - breastfeeding

BFing on the plane is great, keep covered if you feel more comfortable. My 17 month old (at the time) slept the whole time due to bring.
And yes, you can gate check your stroller, also if you bring a stroller bag, you can shove a lot more in it than just a stroller, we packed towels in it.
Diaper bags also do not count toward your checked bags.

Re: traveling with a 6 month old - breastfeeding

thanks