First Airplane Trip Suggestions/Advice

[Anonymous]

We will be going from DC to Mississippi for a 4 day weekend visit my mother in law. This will be DD's first time in an airplane. She will be 9 months when we take the trip. Any suggestions/advice on how to make this as painful and smooth for everyone? What to pack? How to keep DD occupied? When to do when she starts getting fussy? Do you change diapers on the seat or go to the bathroom?

[Anonymous]

my DD is now 4, but this is what I remember from that approximate age:

* sucking on something will help keep her ears clear. Pacifier, bottle, nursing... do whatever you can to get her swallowing during take off, landing and any other changes in air pressure. That will alleviate most of the need to cry.

* lots of small, light weight toys to keep her busy. Paperback books worked well for us, too. Variety is the key on an airplane when you can't change the scenery by walking around.

* spare set of clothes for DD and at the least a spare shirt for you.

* lots of wipes, plastic bags and cloth diapers for cleaning up messes

* bring 2 or 3 times as much food, formula, diapers as you think you'll need on the plane in case of delays and other unforeseen circumstances

* buy as much as you can on arrival or ship ahead. You just won't have many hands free for luggage. With the right MIL, you can give her a shopping list (diapers, food, formula, etc)

* if DD is still in the infant car seat, use that plus the snap & go frame to get to the gate. Even if you didn't buy a seat, there is a chance that there will be one available. If not, gate check it. Better chance of it being there on the other end.

I have very vague recollections of changing DD's diaper in the bathroom. A regional jet might not have a drop down baby station, but most jets do. Made a very concerted effort to change her diaper right before boarding started.

Mississippi shouldn't be a very long flight, so there is a good chance you won't need to change a diaper. If your DD uses a different diaper at night, use that for the flight. Sometimes you just cannot safely leave your seat, and you really want to contain the wet.

Which brings me to the "pee pad" that we had for DD's carseat. Protected it from any overflow.

Enjoy!

[Anonymous]

We recently flew for the first time with our 2.5-month-old. Your baby is older, I know, but here are some things that helped us:
-if you plan to nurse during the flight, try to get a window seat
-if your baby likes being carried in a sling, ergo, etc., bring it along-- you may be asked to take the baby out during take-off and landing (though we weren't), but it can be really helpful during the flight and for getting through the airport.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

My elder child is now 13, but we first flew with her when she was 9 mos. old (to Europe... also in-laws). Pack some underpads, sold in the adult diaper section of drugstores - can be used as a changing pad, a seat liner if DD chews things and you want a more sanitary environment, etc. Drinking is good, but note: apple juice isn't so easy to digest (see underpad note above for just a hint of why we were glad we had brought several changes of clothes but she still ended up arriving in nothing but a sweater and diaper).

If all else fails, you'll get moved to the front of the line if your child is screaming. And she'll love hearing the stories later. Pack your sense of humor.