[shoshanna]

Hi Everyone,
We are working on an adoption from Guatemala and in a few months we will be going to get little Erick. He will be about 7 months old when he comes home and I believe we will have a 4 hour flight and then a 1 hour flight with him, plus a layover at the airport. What tips can you offer me about flying with a baby?

[Tsunshine]

Come stocked with goodies (dry cereal like cheerios and Kixs are great).

Toys like board books with bright colorful pictures, maybe some blocks, soft and hard toys, although stay away from the noisy ones because you don't want to disturb the other passengers.

Puppets are a great idea. You can make up a story, or share a fairytale.

Brush up on some easy fingerplays and songs like Old MacDonald, Eensy Weensy Spider, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Wheels on the Bus. People would rather hear you singing than your child crying. Although most people are sympathetic and have a soft heart when it comes to babies.

During the layover find an out of the way spot and let him move around. The floor may be dirty but that's okay, just wipe his hands with wipes and apply hand sanitizer when he's done. The clothes you can wash.

Congratulations!

[heritagemom]

Get your flight reservations as soon as you have a date and ask for the "bulkhead" seats. These are the first seats in the commuter section and they typically have more leg room. When we travel with our kids we ask for those seats so we have room to stretch out and they can get down and move around a little more. I would also ask that if the flight is not full that you ask the attendant if you can have a "row" to yourselves so you can stretch out a bit more if you are not purchasing a ticket for him. If the flight is packed and you are not paying for his ticket, then you will have to hold him on your laps the whole time. If it's not full, then you can ask them to move someone around so you can have an empty seat for him to enjoy too.

I'm not sure what they are called, but there are some homeopathic tablets for teething toddlers that have a "soothing" quality to them. They contain something like camomille or something and are totally safe, but they are soothing and ease anxiety. You can ask at a local health food store for them just in case.

Good luck!

[altland]

Congrats on the adoption!!! When I flew my daughter, I made sure she was ready for a bottle when we took off and landed. The sucking helped with the ear pressure problem. Also don't forget the tylenol. If he is really fussy, its probably because his ears hurt. Good Luck!!!

[mciver12]

that age really not alot to do. I fly all the time by myself with my kids. most recently with my 2yr, 4yr and 3mth old twins. Make sure you have some age apropriate toys. Nothing loud or others around you will hate you..lol.. do ask for bulk seating. And a few snacks, and walk the isles. You'll probably find he'll seep most of the way.