Advice on Travel with 5 mo old

[AnakM]

I have to travel in a couple of weeks to DC and decided that I'd rather have DS with me than not. DH, Mom and Dad are also coming. So now I have some questions and need some advice:

1) Do I need my carseat? I didn't get a seat for him on the plane but what if I need to get a cab? Do I need a carseat?
2) Any advice on what to bring beyond the obvious diapers, clothes and medication? I am bringing my Moby and stroller with me.
3) Any tips on how to handle sitting in a plane for hours with a child who is just learning the joys of mobility? Waaaaa ....
4) Finally, any suggestions on tours/itinerary for DC?

Gosh - I have to run, every time I think of posting this its almost his bedtime and he is CRANKY if I'm not there!!!

[Wifeasaurus]

Is your stroller the travel system type that the carseat can attach to? If so, then I would bring the carseat. Actually, me being my paranoid self, I'd bring the carseat either way unless there is no chance you'll be in a car the entire time (I have no clue how tots ride in public transit scenarios.) Don't forget formula or bm for the trip, you'll want to either nurse or give a bottle on take off and landing to help with ear pressure. I'd also bring a toy or book that he LOVES as well as something brand new to help keep him entertained. Good luck!!

[stefakee]

can you fly super early? or if tickets are bought, I would just nurse/bottle feed them - especially during take off & landing. most likely he will sleep. I'm sure it will be smooth.

Yes, I would suggest the carseat. Just check it in once you get through the gate. Cabs do have carseats (i believe you just request one), but with a baby that young.. I'm not putting my childs safety in the hands of a taxi carseat .

if you have anything from a routine that you do at home.. i would bring it. favorite blanket, book, whatever.

[Chrystyna]

Yes, you definitely want your carseat. You never know what might happen. Try to get to the airport early for check in. If there's an extra seat they'll give it to you for the baby. If not, just check your carseat and stroller Flying at 5 mo's is easy. It's once they're walking that it gets tough.

[Cagirlintexas]

Plan on nursing/bottle feeding on landing and take off. THis really helps with the ears unless they are sleeping and then they don't seem to notice.

[SamanthaLei]

5 months old will be easy - take advantage of traveling at this age!
Bring your carseat with you all the way to the gate. As soon as you get there ask about extra seats. If there are any they will rearrange you so you can be next to one. About 75% of the time we've been given the extra seat.
Definitely nursing/bottle/pacifier on take off or landing.

Pack and extra pair of clothes with you for the flight. We had an explosion once right before boarding. I walked on the airplane with DS in a diaper wrapped in a blanket with one sock. We barely made the flight.

[hollyfred2002]

I would personally not take the stroller and wear him in DC and get a Go go Baby cart for the carseat which can then be used like a stroller in the airport. The seat can then be checked at the gate as would a normal stroller...but then you aren't lugging around both. Airlines are not always very gentle with carseats when you check them like regular luggage so I always checked mine at the gate.
http://www.gogobabyz.com/product-i14...avelmate_.aspx

[slyder]

[quote=hollyfred2002;1844205]I would personally not take the stroller and wear him in DC and get a Go go Baby cart for the carseat which can then be used like a stroller in the airport. The seat can then be checked at the gate as would a normal stroller...but then you aren't lugging around both.

It's easy traveling right now. I fly with my children often. T Go Go Baby cart is definately a good idea. DC is a fun place. I lived there for a year 2 years ago. Traffic is a pain though. Have fun!

[Cagirlintexas]

We have the Go GO babyz and Love it!!! We have been using it constantly when we travel. I love that I can take his carseat all the way to the gate and he sits in it while I roll him through the airport!!!

[AnakM]

Thanks a lot ladies! Yeah our flight is at 8am so hopefully he'll still be sleepy and want to sleep through some of the flight. I'm breastfeeding so I was thinking that I'll just put him in the Moby once we get through security and I can breastfeed him in the seat. The Go Go Babyz looks interesting! I might look into that. Otherwise then I guess I will bring the carseat and the stroller - but it sure is annoying to have so much stuff.

Keep it coming ladies, I'll take all the help I can get - I am so nervous about this. Before getting PG I travelled A LOT but NEVER ever with a such a little baby. Eventually I'm sure I will get used to it but I don't think I've never been so nervous about getting on a plane. I am so afraid that I will forget something ... and then remember it while we're taking off.

[teresa97]

I would highly recommend using a Beco or other baby carrier on the plane. You have to take him out (well, technically just unclip the straps) on take off and landing, but my DS slept all snuggled up to me on every flight we took from 3 months to about 11 months -- after that it was hard to get him to sit still.

Have a great flight! The early morning flight should help!

[Chrystyna]

Yeah that to Teresa... You can't keep him wrapped in the Moby during take off, but you can wrap him back in once you're up (totally dumb rule IMO). Although when we flew to Cali in October I had Mac in the Beco during landing and they didn't say anything because they could see she was asleep and I don't think they wanted to hassle me It had been a bad flight and I put her in the Beco to calm her down and get her to go to sleep.

Just BF him going up and coming down. It will help the pressure in his ears. Our pedi says either BF, bottle, or paci going up and coming down - no matter what. I took a Sigg bottle with us with water in it just in case for the first time we flew. It worked out because for some reason she refused to nurse going up. I just dropped water in her mouth from the bottle to force her to swallow.

[AnakM]

What? Thats dumb that I can't keep him in the Moby ... He'd be so much more secure in it than me just holding him ...

I'm not familar with Beco ... I guess I need to google while DS is asleep.

[AnakM]

Oh just saw the Beco. Cute! Its too late to get it now I'm flying next week but I may get one soon when I'm tired of using the Moby

[Cagirlintexas]

The beco is great!! I would recommend making it to a baby wearing meeting if you have the time. Great way to try on some other styles of carriers and see which ones work best for you!