Oh what fun it is to ride….with a infant on a plane, across country, by yourself! NOT!!!! Tj wasn't along for the journey because he was on one of his own. Driving from Orlando to San Diego with the help of our friend Patrick. I do have to say Noelle is such a doll and did so good on the way to Arkansas for our family reunion, there was a very short lay over and she was a peach. But on the way from Arkansas to San Diego was rough, my poor sugar was over it and so was I. When we walked onto the first plane I asked the flight attendant for any advice, his reply….Benadryl!!!
I had read a few blogs and articles with tips for flying with an infant and they all pretty much said the same thing including feeding the baby on take off and landing. But what they don't tell you is what if it's a short flight and your baby doesn't want to eat again on the way down and your baby HATES a pacifier. Or how to keep your baby from exposing you in front of strange men while your feeding them under your breastfeeding cover.
So this is how I did it!
What I wore:
- A nursing tank top to keep from having to lift my entire shirt to feed her
-A button up shirt or caridgan over the tank for more coverage
-Leggings
-I would suggest something very simple and comfortable for footwear that you can take off at the security check point without having to fumble around like Toms
What she wore:
-Something very simple and non fussy. She wore a onesie without pants in order for me to change her diaper easily if needed, and boy did I need to (we'll talk about that later)
Entertainment:
-Just a few of their small favorites will do. It is honestly annoying to be digging in your diaper bag for toys with a baby in your lap
-Noelle had her Sophie (duh) which by the way, having something to clean it if it falls would be a really good idea!!
-A rattle, though toys that don't make much noise would be nice for the other passengers or a wipes bag will do
Don't be a bag lady!! Seriously! Fight every urge you have to pack your life with you on the plane. I tried my hardest not to over pack and still ended up with a diaper bag, my purse, a carry-on and a back pack. It was way too much. But I was also moving across the country so I'm sure a normal vacation WITH my husband wouldn't be so bad. It is easier said than done especially for an over packer like myself. If they offer to check any carry on's well that's a no brainer.
Wear your baby! There was no way in the world I was going to be one of those Mom's I'd seen in the airport struggling to open and close their strollers through the security check point. I always feel so bad for them. Why make it any harder on yourself? If you need to have a stroller I would look into checking it if possible. It was so easy with her in my Baby K'tan wrap.
Seating:
If you are on a plane where you pick your own seating (like Southwest) don't cut the boarding time too close because you want to do family boarding so you can get a window seat. If the airline has assigned seating, they will usually place you in a window seat. But you do have to call ahead and tell the airline that you are traveling with an infant. This is important because it may take awhile when you go to check in if you didn't do it in advance or if they don't do their job and make a note on your reservation (I digress). Now I wish they would make a note they said, "don't sit this nice lady and her baby next to any creepers". Ok so the front of the plane vs. the back. Obviously this is only if it's self seating. I did both (and the middle) and I think I would prefer the back. It is closer to the majority of the restrooms (easier for changing the baby), closer to the flight attendants if you need them to help you with anything and less people will be affected if your baby starts to go HAM on you.
Bring snacks:
-If you are a savage like me then those little peanuts and pretzels aren't going to do. And oh yeah snacks for your baby if they are eating too. If you aren't traveling by yourself then it won't be such a hassle to stop and get food in the airport but by yourself would be a challenge. I had very short layovers so changing Noelle and getting to the next boarding gate on time was challenge enough.
The first two flights to Little Rock were great, she ate on the way up for plane #1 and was sleeping during the landing. Plane #2 she ate on the way up and was awake during landing but didn't seem to mind the pressure changes. I think it's because the pressure change isn't as severe going down as it is going up and we thankfully had the middle seat open for both flights. Plane #3 was very different. We had this crop duster...
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