Advice for Trip to Hawaii

Hi J.-
I was a Flight Attendant for 7 years and it is very hard traveling with children but here are a few tips that I hope help you out.
Tip #1 Give the baby a bottle right before taking off and during the decent because of the pressure in the ears. The sucking and swallowing will help reduce pressure.
Tip #2 Buy a seat for the baby. You dont want him/her sitting on your lap the entire flight. The seats are way too close together and he will be more likely to fall asleep if he is in his carseat. Plus, for safety it is better to have him in his carseat if you hit unexpected turbulence.
Tip #3 Carry plenty of bottled water with you (or whatever they allow now) You dont want to drink the airplane potable water...YUK!
Tip #4 Try to gate check your stroller so you have it right when you get off the plane in Hawaii. You dont want to have to walk all the way down to baggage claim to get your stroller. If you have an umbrella stroller even better. Those fit in the overheard bins.
Tip #5 I'm sure you will wear flip flops since youre heading to Hawaii, but you definately want to wear shoes you can slip on/off easy when going through security. No belts, jewelry, things that might make the buzzer go off. You have an infant and all of their items, the last thing you need is a hold up at security.
Tip #6 Bring food and snacks with you because now alot of the airlines charge for food and snacks. Oh how the industry has changed. : )

If your baby cries during the flight, try walking around the airplane. It's a tight squeeze and you will have to dodge the dirty looks but just remember you are on your way to paradise with your beautiful baby...What could be better? HAVE FUN!!!!

Hi J.. I'm so jealous you're going to Hawaii!! Good for you! OK, not that I've traveled with a baby yet, however, being a flight attendant, I may have some useful tips. First, have everything for the baby in one bag, ready to go through security. You will have to take everything out of the stroller, so avoid stashing anything just yet. Second, if you have to mix formula, wait until you go through security and buy bottled water. I recommend 2-3 bottles for the flight, (for you and baby to use). Third, have a cozy blanket, diapers and at least 2 extra sleepers, just in case. I know that sounds obvious, but people do forget these things. Fourth, make sure to have a bottle or binky ready for take off and about 20 minutes before landing to help with the pressure. If her ears start to hurt (a.k.a. she's screaming mad!!), take a warm washcloth and hold over her ears. It helps soothe and allow the pressure to release. Just ask the flight attendant to wet it with hot water and allow it to cool a minute or two (duh!!). Well, that's about all I have. Make sure to have a Mai Tai on the way there to relax you and her!! Have fun and don't forget the sunscreen!! Call when you get back and thanks for sending me the tree! ALOHA! Miss "Prego" Flygirl

We have traveled a lot with our 18 month old - including Jamaica & Hawaii. We have been very fortunate that he is a great traveler - the plane engine lulls him to sleep every time! My advice - bring the necessities all in one bag. you will have to take the baby out of the stoller and put the stroller through the xray machine. I tend to pick a security line with other children and don't worry about the business people squaking behind you! Don't feel you have to rush -each airport is different so ask TSA if you have any questions on what to do. Gate check the stroller. We have yet to buy our son a seat - he does just fine sitting on our laps. Make sure you let the gate know you are traveling with a lap child and they will do what they can to get to a row with an empty seat! Buy bottled water once through security for bottles and yourself on the plane. Feeding or binky at take-off and landing. Chaning diapers is a pain....not enough room in the stinky bathrooms and the seat changes are kind of hard on your heighbors! No easy way to do it. Stand in the back by the galley during the flight. The flight attendants are very helpful...especially if you make an effort to not be up while they are serving! Have a Mai Tai on the plane and RELAX...you're going to Hawaii with your baby! It doesn't get better than that!

we took our son to the Philippines when he was 5 months old. i was very anxious about the 14 hour flight, the time diffference, the heat and practically eveything! however, it turned out that i really worried for nothing. younger babies are easier to manage...i found my baby to be very portable! In fact he is 6 months old now and we took him on another trip - to Ohio this time (we live in CA).

here are some tips that you may find useful: bring a boppy. it's an additional thing to carry but especially if you are breastfeeding, you and your baby will be more comfortable. don't burden yourself by bringing a bag full of toys! Just carry a few of her favorites. The main thing is to keep her as comfortable as possible and too much action can over stimulate her anyway. Dress her in comfy pjs on the plane. I always give my baby a bath 2 hours before heading out to the airport. It helps him feel fresh and relaxed. try to keep your baby's feeding schedule consistent even if you're on the go. a hungry baby is a cranky baby! loose the purse, get a good diaper bag for you and baby to use. lastly, bring an extra shirt for yourself and wear flipflops. you dont have time to tie shoelaces while carrying a baby through airport security. bring a pair of socks to wear on the plane if you dont like your feet cold. and oh, most importantly, RELAX! your baby can sense how you feel. hope this helps. have fun!

I was a flight attendant with United Airlines for 14 years before I quit to stay at home with my kids. I have my own business now with Arbonne and love it! My traveling experience is certainly one of work and pleasure. He is so young to really have to bring anything to do! But if he is teething at all yet maybe some teething toys or rings and those Gerber snacks of some sort as airlines have downsized everything. Don't forget something comforting as well. (ie. blanket, pillow, stuffed animal) But most importantly.. Feed him his bottle at take-off and upon descent. This will help him clear his ears because he will be swallowing. And check with your pediatrician... Dimatap. It does help them sleep while going through the different altitude changes. Check with your Ped though and see what he would recommend being he is so young. If the F/A's bring you a cup with warm damp tissues in it and tell you to put them on his ears, don't do it! The moisture can get trapped in his ear and cause worse damage. Don't be too worried. If he cries and people get upset, just respond with a sweet comment like..."Oh and I'm sure you didn't cry as a baby did you?" That usually calms the storm! Good luck! e-mail me if you have any other questions... ____@____.com

Also one other thing... If you choose to hold your baby for take-off and/or landing, do not buckle him in with you. A lot of people want to do that and some flight attendants don't neccesarily catch this unless they ask to see the buckle. If anything were to happen, even a rough ride, it could really hurt the baby. Even worse. So keep him free of your buckle. With all the restrictions now, you'll have to either be holding him or he will have to be buckled. A lot of people use to put their kids across the seat or on the floor! (Yuck) Depending on the type of aircraft... there may or may not be a place to change your little one. Bring an extra receiving blanket to use on the counter or floor if needed. The planes have curtains to use to pull for handicap folks so ask to use it if you want.

The baby sling is VERY helpful if you didn't purchase an additional seat. That's exactly what I used when we traveled to Hawaii a few months ago [with my 3-month old daughter], which made nursing during take-off and landing very comfortable & discreet. Falling asleep in the sling was quick and I wasn't tired from holding the baby. Although some people recommend changing the baby on the seat, it's VERY rude to do so, especially when most airlines offer baby-changing stations in at least a couple of the restrooms [ask the flight attendants]. My husband did all the baby changing during the flights [he's 6'3"], so it's not that tight of a squeeze in the restrooms. And if you head to a beach where cabanas aren't available to rent, I would recommend you purchase a beach umbrella from an ABC store [$15] to keep the baby in the shade. If you decide to hike Diamond Head, go EARLY, again to keep the baby out of the sun. ENJOY!!!

All of the advice offered here is excellent. We have travelled quite a bit with our little one. He is 9 months now and has been on at least 20+ flights already. Definitely gate-check your stroller. See about getting an umbrella stroller if you don't already have one- Maclaren has the best one-hand fold and its so lightweight! Makes going through security a breeze. I looooove my Mac Volo stroller. You want to keep things as quick and EFFICIENT as possible for your own sanity. Check out www.travelingwithkids.com for some good travel gear and ideas. I recommend the red "gate-check" bags they sell for your stroller and carseats. These keep your gear clean, and you can't miss them. Also, when packing your diaper bag- be prepared for a possible delay- especially if formula feeding. We had a six-hour flight-delay recently, and did not pack enough formula for that! It was just supposed to be a 1-hour flight. I found out the hard way that they don't sell formula in the giftshops... Anyways, have fun!

Start with a little information about what she will exprience or encounter. make sure that there are going to be enough things to keep her busy, so you do not get so stressed. Have your child Practice packing her own suitcase. You can also prepare a check-list simple enough for her to follow. although she is three, believe me she can do it.( When my daughter was three, she began making grocery lists, followed by a small picture of what we were buying, ie bagels, yogurt etc...)
It's only a challenge if you let it be that. I was a single mother or two and frequently traveled with babies on my own. They are now 18 & 20. Getting good rest beforehand is essential. Make sure their snacks are healthy. Do not pack candy. Crackers and almond butter or cellery(make sure to peel the rough backs off first), gummy bears are okay. Make sure they have eliminated their bowels before they get to the airport. Because she is young, she may not be able to fully communicate her discomfort, and may become cranky. If she is out of diapers, it's okay to use pull-ups in order to anticipate any accidents.

Most of all, enjoy every moment. Don't sweat the small stuff or you will have axiety set-backs and she will know it. Bring a magnetic 'color-forms' game set so the pieces are not lost. Also, you can read books to her on the plane at her reading level, and play with finger puppets.

Hire someone to handle your baggage, and try not to handle more than your carry on shoulder bag and your child. Make sure she understands the importance of staying near you. Harnesses or connecting bracelets work real well, especially if you have to transfer gates.

I wish you the best and enjoy it to the fullest !!!

P.S. I am sorry...i read your request a little too fast and did not realize you wrote 3months ,and not Three years. I did not realize this until I read some of the other answers. Like some of the others said, yes make sure they have a bottle, and good fluids (no suger) and do deffinately consult a physician, because other people may bring their colds with them.

I took my son to Sweden at 4 months. My best item was my peanut shell baby sling, but any type of similar carrier would do. Having my hands free was very helpful and he was able to sleep easier. I used my stroller mostly as a luggage cart. I also brought a variety of toys and board books he liked. The toys that wrap or attach to the car seat carrier were especially helpful. If you nurse or use a pacifier, those are very helpful on the way up and down.

I have two girls (6 and 8 now) and have traveled with them several times - some bad, some good. Your baby is only 3 months old, so hopefully she will sleep. The only tips I have for you are:

1. Helps to have her own seat, where you can "lay her down" in her infant carrier. She's used to this and the motion of the plane will probably put her to sleep.

2. When you take off and land, be sure to have something for her to be drinking or sucking on to help her ears to stay clear. (That being said, I have had an infant sleep through take off and landing and was fine)

3. The plane is dry, so some extra fluids are a good idea.

4. If you use a infant carrier, like a Biorn or snuggly, bring it, if you want to hold her, she'll be safer in something that is attached to you or in her infant seat.

5. When you go through the airport, they will make you take her out of her car seat to go thru security (this is not fun if you have a baby you are trying to keep asleep), so be prepared.

If for some reason you have a "not so good" experience on the plane and your daughter decides to let everyone know it, be prepared, some people can be very unkind and get very frustrated with a crying baby. I had this experience with our first daughter when she was 5 months old and it was awful. Later, the only part I regret was my own frustration with my child, I let the people around me put pressure on me and I allowed it to increase my stress. I firmly believe that, even though my behavior didn't change outwardly, my daughter sensed my stress and it worsened the situation. If your daughter cries the whole flight (or what seems to be the whole flight), just remember, it will end and ignore all the looks you will get. Just calmly do what you need to do for your daughter, you can do anything for 5 hours, right? Oh, and by the way, the bathrooms are way to small for changing a baby. Ignore the looks or have your husband give a little privacy with a blanket and just change her on the seat. Remember to bring extra lrg ziplock bags for dirty diapers or spit up clothes.

Good luck and have a wonderful trip! Blessings. C.

Breastfeed (or bottle feed) on take off and landing - helps ear pressure. We took our daughter on a six hour flight when she was 10 weeks and again when 3 months. The rule of thumb is if they are sleeping on one of these -- they should be okay (no need to wake up to feed when landing.) However, we did have a bumpy flight on one of our legs and I just stuffed my boob in my daughter's mouth why she was sleeping for landing.....she instinctually started sucking and never woke up.

I would also recommend bringing your boppy for the plane - makes feeding easier and your baby can fall asleep that way after feeding.

In addition to the diaper bag, we had a bag that had a stash of must haves in case our bags didn't make it -extra diapers, a few outfits, etc.

Hand santizer. Our doc told us the biggest way germs were spread on the plane wasn't the air, but the hands! We used santizer everytime we got up to do anything and a few times throughout the flight...none of us go sick.

Diaper changes - we did this on the seat or in one of our laps to avoid the germs from the bathroom.

Good luck!!

I took my son to NY when he was 3 months. I spoke to his
Dr. first. one thing that helped, was given him a bottle when the plan took off and when it was landing. This helps ease the pressure.

We went to Maui for the first time at 10 weeks. We've been 6 times in 2 years, plus a trip to Europe. We use the stroller carseat as a luggage carrier for our carry ons. Baby goes in the sling. We nursed for takeoff and landing. You can bring a formula bottle through security also. They don't need much entertainment at hat age. They'll make you take her out of the sling for security and probably for takeoff and landing, but it is so worth having your hands free while moving through the airport. If you didn't buy a seat ask at the gate if the flight is full and they will sometimes give you a seat for the baby. The carseat has to be installed by the window and has to have a sticker or manual that says it's certified for aircraft use. As our daughter has grown we've attained a stash of really interesting small toys... stickers, magnets, aquadoodle... Keep a bag handy with a diaper, wipes, change of clothes and bottle if you're not nursing. Have fun, we'll be there in 2 weeks also!

I say give your daughter a little tylenol before flying- that way her ears dont bother her when flying. Also, bring your stroller through the airport and check it at the gate- it will be right there for you when you get off the plane (a big help!). Also, a side note- the Hawaii airports are not crazy like Seattle or Chicago ect.. pretty slow and laid back and most everyone has kids or has been around them so they are sympathetic if your daughter screams.

Have a good trip!