Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Traveling w/ baby
For those that have traveled w/ an infant, can you let me know if you've ever been asked for a birth certificate?
I just ordered Z's from TexasOnline, but processing is 2-3 weeks... I'm afraid it might not come in time-- Airline website said "may be asked to show proof of age"..... We're leaving in early July--
Also, please verify, from your experience that I will be able to/can:
1. Tote Z in an umbrella stroller to the gate, and check the stroller.... it will be transferred to our connecting flight (lord willing) and then delivered to us upon arrival. no charge to check stroller.
2. I can carry on the car seat-- and if there is a seat available, use it. if not, where is it stored? Do I then have to check it?
3. Carry on a diaper bag AND my carry on....
4. Survive
Also... what do you suggest as far as having to take the pump... should I pack it in my suitcase? If I don't, then I'll have a carry on, diaper bag, and pump... I'm sure that exceeds the limit.
Oh, Lord... I'm overwhelmed already 
Re: Traveling w/ baby
I have flow a lot with both the kids when they were little. You feel like you are packing up your whole house. Here are my suggestions for what it's worth.
Is he still in the infant carrier? Sorry I can't remember how many months he is. If so if you have the Travel system I would HIGHLY Recommend taking that. You can take the stroller/car seat (infant or otherwise) through security and then check them at the gate. When you get off the plane they will be right there and you can load him up as soon as you get off the plane. I suggest the Travel System because it's so much easier to get through the airport w/o caring the car seat. (I am assuming your husband is going as well). If they don't have a seat for you then you will ckeck it like you check your stroller. I would not count on a seat. They pack the planes so full anymore they are few and far between. I have no idea about the changing of the flights. You may want to call and as them. I will only fly direct with kids now!
I think you can only have 1 carry on because you don't have a ticket for Z. Z. I took my biggest diaper bag and it was PACKED FULL. You are still nursing so make sure you nurse him on take off and landing it makes a huge difference. You will probably not need Magazines and stuff for yourself since you are holding him. Just make sure you take a few toy's or things for him to play with. If he takes a bottle I would throw one in just in case. But nursing is defiantly a lot better. Sit in a window seat so you don't feel exposed and if you have a Hooter Hider take it. Nobody thinks anything about you nursing on the plane especially if it keeps your kid from screaming.
When I took my pump I took a huge suitcase and put it in the suitcase and just told them when I checked it. They put a tag on the suit case "Fragail" or something like that. It was fine but I did pack it really good around a bunch of clothes. It was something I didn't need since if I got too full I could just feed and one less thing to carry.
Yes you will survive. I flew with both of my kids and I wasn't sure I was going to but it was actually fine. I then flew the second time with Trever and he is a horrible flyer and decided I liked it by myself better! HAHA He was worse then the kids!
Security is probably the hardests but I have always had the security gaurds be really helpful.
Oh the other thing I found, (I don't know where you are going) but I packed enough diapers/wipes to get me through the day and then bought them when I go there. Less to pack and just easier. Since I go visit my family I now have a whole stash of baby stuff there so I can pack less and it helps.
let me know if you have any other questions.
I don't have kids, so I can't help with most of this, but I can answer a couple of questions.
You get one carry on and one personal item, so use the diaper bag as that. Just stuff your purse into your carry on or diaper bag when going through security.
You can check your stroller at the gate, and then get it back when you land. If you gate check it will not be transferred to your next flight, but you'll be able to put your baby in it for the change, which will be a very good thing. Ditto PP about taking the travel system if you can. I've seen many, many moms do that, and they seem much happier, because if there isn't a seat available they only have to gate check one thing instead of a stroller and a seat. I'd just assume there won't be a seat available. There rarely is.
Oh and you should be fine without a birth certificate. That's more for when they're a little older. They can only fly as lap children until they're two, so unless he looks like a 2-year-old, no one will question you.
Names for our Currently Non-Existent Baby
Dx: PCOS 3/11
**TTC buddies with Browneyedhunni85**
Susan... Thank yoU! Great info.
Yes, he's just over 3 months, and still in an infant seat, and yes, we have the travel system, but the airlines website "discourages" the bulky travel system due to space limitation... Either way, we'll need the car seat, as we're renting a car, and I've decided against using one from the rental car agency.
I've also been told to not check the car seat due to possible damage-- so the only other option is to carry it on... You're right about packing flights to the max, so I wonder where the seat goes if there isn't an available seat?
I probably wont need the pump... but feel "safer" with it, just in case I need to "drain"
I suppose I'll put it in our suitcase. We'll already have the diaper bag, another carry on and Z (probably a laptop, we'll see) and I have visions of disturbing/bumping ppl all over the place.
Oh.... yikes. I'll be ready for this to be OVER. Luckily, Z is a very easy baby.... so let's hope it continues!
Any suggestions on a sleeping arrangement in the hotel? We're not traveling w/ a pnp-- I've "seen" ppl just dump out their suitcase, and use that... Thoughts?
We can get a room w/ 2 beds, and prop pillows up... will that work easier?
Or, co sleep in a king?
Oy!
:::butting in:::
Just wanted to say Zachary is so cute and GL on your trip! Flying can be stressful enough without a kiddo in tow. I'd be overwhelmed too!
When you say "travel system" are you referring to the stroller/car seat combo?
if so, it's still 2 things to check, right? We'll need teh car seat at our destination, for car travel....
I thought it would be "easier" to carry the seat, and "drive" the stroller w/ Z in it... but, maybe not. I don't know...
Thanks! We adore this little boy.... and thanks for the GL wish. I hope to come back with the comments of "Wow, I totally overreacted... it was EASY!"
I know when I was a baby and my parents traveled, I slept in a drawer. So there's always that option too!
Where are you going?
a la Seinfeld Japanese tourist?
Love it.
Oh... this is the best part... Fargo, ND. Gag.
You should take the travel system, and check both the stroller and the seat at the gate. They take it when you're boarding and stow it underneath, but it's not like checked baggage with lots of opportunity to be damaged. It's the last thing on and the first thing off the plane.
At least with American Airlines, the diaper bag, stroller, and child carrier do NOT count towards your "carry-on plus one personal item." So I wouldn't worry too much about all that.
How Much Can I Carry On?
You can carry on one bag plus one personal item per passenger as long as:
Personal item - includes: backpack purse, briefcase, laptop OR a similar item such as book bag or tote that does not exceed 36 inches( length+width+height) and fits under the seat.
Additional items that will be allowed above and beyond the restrictions listed above include:
Honestly I would still take that stroller if you have the one that the car seat snaps into. It's so much easier and then if you need the car seat you have it. Otherwise it will get checked at the gate and you will get both the stroller/car seat as soon as you get off the plain. You just wait right outside the plane door for them to bring them up. With the travel system then you don't have to carry the car seat. IMO It was a ton easier but then again I LOVED my travel system for both kids. There has never been a problem with them checking that stroller at the gate. Last time I traveled I took my Sit and Stand stroller and they didn't say a thing.
You don't need a birth certificate I forgot to mention that.
In the hotel, I would ask if they have a crib. A lot of them do that they will bring into your room. Otherwise I would co-sleep in a king bed. My kids would never do that that little but I would be more comfortable doing that then him in the other bed with pillows. Can he roll over?
Thanks so much all! Great information
I'm feeling a bit more confident now.... and I hope to have a success story when I return!
Thanks again
I'm so happy you posted this as I'm about to make my first trip with both kids in 4 weeks and I'm already freaking out. Luckily, I THINK I'll be able to send a lot of it with DH when he's driving to the destination. But I had forgotten so much. AND, if never had a lap child. I always bought Kai a ticket, but with three of us and possibly paying to fly someone roundtrip with me...yikes.
Susan - how old was Ryan when you took the two of them alone? I'm trying to decide if I should try alone or not.
My biggest isse is we have to fly American Eagle and its a SMALLLLLLLLLL plane for the three of us....UGH!
Ryan was 12 weeks. I put him in the sling. It was actually fine. He did better that trip then when he was 5 months. I had also bribed Ashlyn prior to and talked it up a lot about her being a big girl and being good. So that probably helped also because she was great!
I don't have anything further to add... because it looks like all the bases are covered but he is sure cute!!!
and it's scary but remember that most of the other passengers have been in your shoes.
Thanks, ya'll. Is it "normal" to not get a birth certificate, and have to order it? I guess I didn't even realize I didn't have one until I saw that on the airlines website! Oy...
He was born in Las Colinas-- so, Dallas County. I've already ordered it via online, and I'm sure it will be here in time, but I'll find a local place to go if it's not here a week out.
Thanks for all the comments.... I'm sure this will be easier than I'm thinking it will-- especially w/ DH's help... but it's the unknown that can be daunting!
Yep - it is normal not to get one. I was surprised too when I had Chloe. I guess they just think if people want one, they should have to order it. It is always good to have a copy for your records anyways. We even had to have Kayla's to add her to DHs health insurance.
DD was born at the same hospital! I'm pretty sure they told me at the hospital that you can go to the courthouse and pick up a birth certificate. I just ordered one online and received it in about a week and a half to two weeks. Also, we just took a trip to Kansas City (we drove), and we let DD co sleep in the king bed and it worked out fine. Good luck and have fun on your trip!
Oh, and i ordered the birth certificate because my insurance requires it. I know my parents always had a copy of ours in safe keeping just in case they needed it.
I know we'll need it for school stuff anyway... so yeah, I need it even if we dont get asked for it at the airport. I actually ordered two, (just in case) as I'm sure the price will only go up as time goes on....! Ha!
Just an FYI, BRU sells a great bag for car seats. We got one for our trip a few months ago. The bag got a little banged around, but the car seat stayed clean and dry. It's free to check the car seat, so we did that. We gate-checked the stroller. I took our big one because it would contain M as she tried to escape, and so she would fall asleep on walks in San Diego.
Call ahead to the hotel and rent a crib. I'm a nerd, so I would bring my own sheet.
I've heard that at Z's young age, it is easier to just put him in a Bjorn-like thing for the airport transfering and the flight. But, that is entirely up to you.
Susan is so right, window seat and hooter hider. Nurse for take-off and landing and you shouldn't have an issue. Oh, and pack a few changes of clothes in the diaper bag. A friend of mine didn't, and of course her baby had a massive explosion on her clothes and the baby ended up traveling in just her diaper.
The first flight is always the worst. After that, it gets easier. And if you forget anything, where you are going they will have a Target/Wal-Mart. You can get whatever you forgot there.
Good luck! It is tough to travel with a baby! I did it twice and managed...you'll do great! You just get stressed having to think of EVERYTHING you'll have to have along with you!
As far as the pump....I just took my hand pump along with me, much smaller! That way I had it in the event I needed to use it or to leave a bottle for him, etc. It worked fine for the time we were gone!
I was also going to say, I noticed your bedding and I just ordered the same bedding for baby #2. Do you like it? Also...what paint color did you use for his room? I'm in the process of choosing that right now! Thanks for the info...I liked the bedding online, but then received it and the "tan" color appeared yellow to me! I was planning to paint the room tan so now I'm kinda at a loss! Just thought I'd see what you guys did!
Just read the previous post....agree with the extra clothes...my little guy had a diaper explosion in the jetway to get on upon our return flight...ALL over his clothes and he rarely EVER did that! You might know it happened then! The pilot was laughing and said, "A real man would have waited 'til he got on the plane to do that!" Guess it made me feel a little more relaxed! Thankfully, my mom was there to help me get him cleaned up! We just threw open the stroller and cleaned him up in there before we got on!
Now we're traveling with a very busy almost 2 year old soon! NOT looking forward to that either! Don't know WHAT we'll do do entertain him! Any suggestions from anyone??? Oh...and he WILL NOT watch TV/DVDS/Videos, etc.!
Sm04-- Email me about the bedding.... I'll respond when I have a bit more time
kb0325@hotmail.com
Ditto this - so easy, and I was always too concerned about the SIDS risk to co-sleep, and definitely would not have put her in a bed by herself. Also, check to see if they actually use cribs or pack n' plays. The hotels we've stayed at where we arranged for cribs (an Embassy Suites and a Marriott) provided PNP's instead, and I was glad I'd brought our own sheet because the one they provided didn't really fit.
Can't wait to hear your post when you return- I am sure you will do great. I'm planning on traveling with Baby C when she will be about 4 mo old (Z's age) but from Japan to the USA! A 15 hr flight w/ a baby- oh my! But I figure if I can get thru security with 4 bags, 2 laptops, a dog, a cat, 2 jackets, a purse and a backpack while pregnant and moving overseas, I can do a kid
You'll be fine- you aren't the first to travel w/ a baby, and I think airlines are pretty accomodating to your needs- they don't want a screaming baby on the plane anymore than you do. You'll be fine.
I've heard to nurse on take off and landing if at all possible, and bring snacks/toys/btls for entertainment. And bring the bigger travel system stroller w/ car seat so that you can have the seat for the car (and possibly the plane if there is room) and the stroller to get around.
Not sure on the birth cert. I know I have to order a passport asap so that my lil' bean will be able to travel. People say it takes like 3 mo to get that, so pretty much you pop out the kid, take a few pictures, and start on paperwork