E was 11 months when we flew with her. We did a two hour flight from Colorado to LAX than a 6.5 hour flight from LAX to Miami, FL. Our return flight was from Miami, FL to Colorado. Here are a few things we learned along the way...
1. Check and double check to see what your airline policies are for a gate checked carseat/stroller. We did not bring a carseat on our trip because we were going on a cruise ship and did not need one. Our airline (American Airlines) would only let you gate check a umbrella type stroller that is under 20lbs. Our chicco stroller that we got with out travel system was 27lbs so we opted to buy the Chicco Liteway Stroller (pictured below). We choose this stroller because it also had an under carriage area that we could store things.
2. Backpacks are your best friend. C and I both brought backpacks. I used mine as a purse/diaper bag and C used his for toys and entertainment things that we would want during the flight. I did not bring any additonal bags with us other than the bags that were checked. We did this because with a 11 month old, your hands are already full, even with bringing a stroller. Having a backpack made it easier to lug around with a toddler who wants/needs to get in and out of the stroller. Also, it is pretty much stationed on your back so it doesnt flip and flop all over the place when you lean over or the such.
3. Buy little one a seat. We did not buy her one but we wished we had. We had forgotten how cramped it is in those seats and since it was the two of us and another random person, E had no where to go except back and forth. With an additional seat we all could've had a little more room. I should also mention that I was 17 weeks pregnant at the time, so with that ever so growing belly of mine we were really tight on space.
4. Over night flights mean you don't get much sleep, but little one is not disturbed by the flight much. We flew over night on the way to Miami. The flight from Denver to LAX E was up most the way but she had fun singing songs and reading books. It is a lot easier to fill a two hour flight than say a 6 hour flight. By the time we got on our second flight E was ready to pass out. She was asleep before we even took off and slept all 6.5 hours. Not to mention, she was well rested when we go to the destination. Grumpy babies are no fun.
5. Think practical with clothing choices. Yes, we all love for our little ones to look so stinkin adorable, it is more important that the child is comforable and warm. Those airplanes are get chilly. E flew there in a foot sleeper (since it was an over night flight) and she flew home in a onsie outfit. This is also important because the easier it is to undo the easier it is to change little one in those teeny tiny bathrooms on the plane.
6. Be prepared for anything. This is essential, I feel like having all E's comfort items as well EVERYTHING we need and more made things so much easier. Unfortantely, on the way to LAX from Denver, we had a mother with her three kids sitting behind us. She was not prepared at all. We ended up lending a lot of our stuff to them for the duration of the flight because her children were literally crying because they were cold, or hungry. Be sure you have snacks, plenty of formula/breast milk/bottles, paci's, blankets, etc. E loves her blankets so we had two of her favorites, which definitely helped comfort her.
7. Bringing snacks and formula/breat milk/bottles. We brought pouches of food, fruit bars, and plenty of premade, indiviual bottles of formula. We found that the premade, indiviual bottles of formula worked best because they are basically grab and go, rather than mixing everything. TSA did not give us a problem at all. They did have to peel back the label of one of them to make sure it was what it said it was but thats it. They didnt even check the snacks. Along these lines, have the formula/breat milk out and ready to be checked before you go through TSA other wise they have to search the entire bag that it is in to make sure that was the only thing that needed to be checked.
8. Feed little one or give them a paci at take-off and landing. This is likely the first times they will experience their ears pop and it could be uncomfortable for them. E had bottles or her paci at every take off and landing and did great! She didn't seem bother. However, the unpreprared mother behind us forgot a bottle and/or paci for her 11 month old and she cried and cried. Poor thing.
9. Have a change of clothes and plenty of diapers with you. Also, a change of clothes for you. The change in altitude may affect your little one. I have heard many stories of blow-outs and projectile vomitting happening. This did not happen with E, but we were prepared. It might be smart to have large gallon side zip lock bags for those messy clothes, should you need them.
10. Load up your ipad/tablet with toddler friendly apps. Baby E specially enjoy these when we were headed back to Colorado because this was not an over night flight. They kept her busy for at least a little while.
11. Have no expectations. I feel like when you have expectations your setting yourself up for failure. Just sit back, relax and take it as it comes.
