Traveling with baby- Airplane

• If you are going to have the baby on your lap (ie not get them their own seat), make sure to let the airline know that you are going to have a “lap infant.” You will most likely have to call them for that.
• Pack a diaper bag (or it might need to be larger) for the plane that has all the things you will need to feed, change, sooth, play with, dress, etc the baby. I would pack a bit extra in case of flight delay and/or bags being lost. Put diaper changing items in their own large zip lock or cosmetic bag so that you can take just that bag with you to the bathroom if necessary. Also, put feeding items in their own bag (with in the larger bag) so that they are easily accessible as well. Side note- it is my understanding that things for a baby don’t count as carry-ons.
• I highly suggest a baby bijorn, sling, or wearable carrier for in the airport. Strollers become difficult to maneuver in and out of things and can be a pain in security. You will need to take the baby out and run the carrier through security but generally speaking it keeps you A LOT more hands-free. I just make taking the baby out the very last thing I do after I put everything else on the conveyor.
• Stroller- if it is more than 23lbs, some airlines make you check it at the counter rather than waiting until you get to the gate. If you plan to gate check the stroller, make sure you fold it up and get organized before you go to the gate because they evidently won’t help you and all the management can get overwhelming.
• Speaking of security. You will probably need to travel with bottles of liquid, etc. Anything needed to feed the baby is fine to go through security but just make sure you have a clear ziplock to put them in and be very up front about it. They might need to take the bottles and put them in a machine to be tested. This is NOT contaminating- they don’t open the bottles or anything.
• Breast milk- evidently you can travel with as much of this as you want (with or without a baby). A suggestion from a friend is to bring it to the airport in a ziplock with ice.  Throw the ice away before you go through security and then get a vendor to fill the with ice again once you are beyond security. I don’t have experience with this but she said it worked fine.
• Seating- talk to the personnel at the gate to see if there is anyone else sitting next to you and/or if there is anywhere you can be moved to not have someone directly next to you. You also might want to consider being closer to the back of the plane so that it is easy access to the bathroom and flight attendants if you need anything.
• Board as early as possible (pre-boarding or child boarding- however your airline handles it) so that you can get situated before the plane fills up.
• Try to feed the baby during take-off and landing. The sucking will help with the pressurization. A lot of times this isn’t really feasible- so I always just bring a bottle with just water in it for the baby to suck on during those times or feed him during one and use the water for the other.
• Be prepared to entertain the baby- whatever that means for you. One friend of mine suggests bringing a new toy that the baby hasn’t seen yet and bring it out whenever they start to get fidgety because just looking at your face and your makeshift talking hands aren’t doing it for them anymore.

Accept that you are now THAT person with a baby on the plane.