baby backpack frame carrier image
Monica
We leave in two and a half days and I don't know how to pack for this. It's a long flight. She is going to be traveling in my lap so does she get her own carry on?
Answer
I'm a former Flight Attendant and I fly a lot with my children, since each was 4 months old between Europe and California. I also fly United a lot.
Their website is vague on this. The short answer is "no". Unofficially, I will say that they usually give parents a break.
http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6867,1032,00.html
What I do is bring a large backpack as a carry-on instead of a diaper bag. This keeps my hands free. Then I put on a tiny purse around my neck to carry the valuables like money, passports and my cell phone. This is usually exempt as a carry-on. Other purse items I put in the backpack.
You could bring a backpack and a diaper bag in a pinch and see if they say anything. Don't point it out (the supervisor might be standing next to them and they were going to give you a break) but honestly, rarely do they really bug parents flying alone with babies if your carry-ons are still reasonable.
You need at least one change of clothes and make sure you have enough diapers. If I had a dime for every parent who ran out on my flights, I would be a very rich woman! Estimate about a third more than she uses in that time frame. You go through more when traveling. Wrap the diapers in packs of about 8-10 in plastic bags and bind them with rubber bands to create space in your backpack. Do the same with the extra clothes.This is not a problem in security.
If you have not started solids, definitely put this off until you get to your destination or return. I started two of mine at 7 1/2 months because of trips to the U.S. and both are great eaters and never had weight issues. Babies don't really need food this young.
If you can't, just bring one or two foods that she has been give for AT LEAST a week each. You may want to bring a bowl or small cup to dish the food into. Never put away an unfinished jar which the dirty spoon has been dipped, especially when you wont have access to a fridge.
I actually found that an apron-style bib was better because it protected and kept the baby cleaner. Disposable bibs are kind of bulky. Also bring disposable spoons.
I recommend the bottles with disposable liners. Since you're leaving soon, if you have these, premeasure the powder ahead of time and roll them up. Place a bunch in a zip lock and then you only have to add water while you're flying. This is much more convenient than those fiddly compartmentalized containers or the individual packs you have to dump in the bottle.
Be sure your baby is used to a room-temperature bottle before leaving. It can be warmed on the airplane but how will you do that if your baby is hungry at check-in, security or during boarding? Since warming the bottle has no health-advantage to the baby, skip this unnecessary and burdensome task.
Be sure to have a good quality baby carrier. This is the absolute secret to easy flying with a baby. She's outgrown fiddly uncomfortable front packs like the Bjorn but a good wrap or sling works nicely. Some parents like Beccos, Ergos and other front/back carriers starting at this age.
Will you need your car seat at your destination? Be sure NOT to check it in as luggage. They are too easily lost and/or broken en route. The best plan is to be nice at check in and ask if it's possible to have an empty place beside you if the flight isn't full. Take your car seat to the gate, even if unlikely to get one. That way, perhaps a place will open up last minute and if unsuccessful, your seat will be "gate-checked" which is safer than luggage checking it.
Having the seat on board is not only safest for your baby but will make your flight much more comfortable, especially since you're alone. No, the baby doesn't have to suck on something for take-off and landing. This is an urban myth. Just make sure her ears are healthy and infection free and she'll be fine!
For more in-depth information, nine years ago I wrote an article on this subject. It's based on both my personal and professional experience of flying with children. It's totally non-commercial and other parents from around the world have contributed;
http://flyingwithchildren1.blogspot.com
Have a good flight!
I'm a former Flight Attendant and I fly a lot with my children, since each was 4 months old between Europe and California. I also fly United a lot.
Their website is vague on this. The short answer is "no". Unofficially, I will say that they usually give parents a break.
http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6867,1032,00.html
What I do is bring a large backpack as a carry-on instead of a diaper bag. This keeps my hands free. Then I put on a tiny purse around my neck to carry the valuables like money, passports and my cell phone. This is usually exempt as a carry-on. Other purse items I put in the backpack.
You could bring a backpack and a diaper bag in a pinch and see if they say anything. Don't point it out (the supervisor might be standing next to them and they were going to give you a break) but honestly, rarely do they really bug parents flying alone with babies if your carry-ons are still reasonable.
You need at least one change of clothes and make sure you have enough diapers. If I had a dime for every parent who ran out on my flights, I would be a very rich woman! Estimate about a third more than she uses in that time frame. You go through more when traveling. Wrap the diapers in packs of about 8-10 in plastic bags and bind them with rubber bands to create space in your backpack. Do the same with the extra clothes.This is not a problem in security.
If you have not started solids, definitely put this off until you get to your destination or return. I started two of mine at 7 1/2 months because of trips to the U.S. and both are great eaters and never had weight issues. Babies don't really need food this young.
If you can't, just bring one or two foods that she has been give for AT LEAST a week each. You may want to bring a bowl or small cup to dish the food into. Never put away an unfinished jar which the dirty spoon has been dipped, especially when you wont have access to a fridge.
I actually found that an apron-style bib was better because it protected and kept the baby cleaner. Disposable bibs are kind of bulky. Also bring disposable spoons.
I recommend the bottles with disposable liners. Since you're leaving soon, if you have these, premeasure the powder ahead of time and roll them up. Place a bunch in a zip lock and then you only have to add water while you're flying. This is much more convenient than those fiddly compartmentalized containers or the individual packs you have to dump in the bottle.
Be sure your baby is used to a room-temperature bottle before leaving. It can be warmed on the airplane but how will you do that if your baby is hungry at check-in, security or during boarding? Since warming the bottle has no health-advantage to the baby, skip this unnecessary and burdensome task.
Be sure to have a good quality baby carrier. This is the absolute secret to easy flying with a baby. She's outgrown fiddly uncomfortable front packs like the Bjorn but a good wrap or sling works nicely. Some parents like Beccos, Ergos and other front/back carriers starting at this age.
Will you need your car seat at your destination? Be sure NOT to check it in as luggage. They are too easily lost and/or broken en route. The best plan is to be nice at check in and ask if it's possible to have an empty place beside you if the flight isn't full. Take your car seat to the gate, even if unlikely to get one. That way, perhaps a place will open up last minute and if unsuccessful, your seat will be "gate-checked" which is safer than luggage checking it.
Having the seat on board is not only safest for your baby but will make your flight much more comfortable, especially since you're alone. No, the baby doesn't have to suck on something for take-off and landing. This is an urban myth. Just make sure her ears are healthy and infection free and she'll be fine!
For more in-depth information, nine years ago I wrote an article on this subject. It's based on both my personal and professional experience of flying with children. It's totally non-commercial and other parents from around the world have contributed;
http://flyingwithchildren1.blogspot.com
Have a good flight!
what's the best baby "backpack" or carrier to use??
aidensmomm
I have an 8 month old, and I'm 5 months pregnant with my second child; I'm having a hard time carrying my baby now, especially up and down 3 flights of stairs, and it's breaking my heart...which carrier would be the best for me in my condition? I don't want to have to rely on other people to keep carrying MY child.
Answer
If any of your friends have carriers I would definitely ask them if you can try them out for the day. I bought a 3 way carrier for my son (ie front facing you, front facing out or on ur back) but found it was difficult to put on (clips AND velcro) got quite hot and hurt my back. I had the opportunity to try my sis-in-laws Ergo carrier recently and it was great! So comfortable & barely felt like I was carrying him (9kgs worth of 10 month old!) Am definitely buying an Ergo for the next bub (or maybe even this one yet!) They also have a hiking-type backpack - the kind with a frame - for their 15 month old & he loves it & my brother says it's awesome.
If any of your friends have carriers I would definitely ask them if you can try them out for the day. I bought a 3 way carrier for my son (ie front facing you, front facing out or on ur back) but found it was difficult to put on (clips AND velcro) got quite hot and hurt my back. I had the opportunity to try my sis-in-laws Ergo carrier recently and it was great! So comfortable & barely felt like I was carrying him (9kgs worth of 10 month old!) Am definitely buying an Ergo for the next bub (or maybe even this one yet!) They also have a hiking-type backpack - the kind with a frame - for their 15 month old & he loves it & my brother says it's awesome.
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Title Post: Flying with United Airlines with 7 month old. What do I pack?
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Rating: 96% based on 987 ratings. 4,7 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thanks For Coming To My Blog
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