Since we are traveling next week, I wanted to share some tips for flying with babies... this is all based on our experience and the advice we received from friends. If anyone has additional advice to give, please do.

• Pack light for yourself, since you are bound to overpack for the baby.
• Do your best to arrive a bit early. Everything will take longer with the baby. Also, take the opportunity to pre-board if you can.
  
• When you check-in, make sure they give you a separate boarding pass for baby... even if baby is flying on your lap, TSA requires a boarding pass for everyone.
• Once your baby can walk, I recommend packing a copy of their birth certificate in the diaper bag or your purse. That way you always have it in case the airline wants to verify that they are under 2... and still allowed to ride for free on your lap. All it takes is one idiot who thinks your tall 11-month-old might be over 2 years old.
  
• If you can avoid having to bring the stroller and carseat with you (if you can borrow them at your destination), do it. It's much easier when you have less stuff.
• If you must travel with a stroller, practice folding it down so you can get through security easier.
  
• Many infant carseats fit best through the x-ray machine when they're upside down and the handle is clicked all the way back.
• If your stroller or carseat just won't fit through the machine, don't stress. TSA can visually and physically inspect it. Just ask.
• Baby must be removed from the carseat, stroller, sling or carrier when going through security. You just carry them through. At no time should a TSA officer ask you to be screened separately from your baby.
  
• To get through the security screening with ease, wear slip-on shoes and don't wear heavy jewelry or a belt. Don't put any shoes on the baby, socks are fine.
  
• You are allowed to bring more than 3 oz. of formula or pumped breastmilk with you on the plane. You must declare it when you go through security. This is even allowed if you are not traveling with your baby. Baby food and juice for baby is also okay when baby is with you. Since many TSA geniuses may not know this info, I would recommend printing out this article and bringing it with you if you need to travel with formula or breastmilk.
• Don't stress about holding up the line at the security checkpoint... if other passengers don't want to wait, they can get in another line. They will understand once they have children. :-P
  
• If you are bringing your carseat, pack a very large, clear, plastic bag in your diaper bag. That way if you have to gate check your carseat, you can put it in the bag to avoid getting it too dirty in the belly of the airplane. Some carseat companies make a bag specifically for this reason, spending the $$ is up to you.
  
• To avoid baby crying because of the change in air pressure, try nursing or bottle feeding during takeoff and landing. Sometimes a pacifier can work. Some airlines ask that you hold the baby a certain way during takeoff and landing... but you can't feed them in that hold. So, I just nod and smile at the flight attendant and then do what I want once the plane is zipping down the runway. Once the flight attendants are strapped in their seats, they can't come over and make you change how you hold the baby.
  
• You have every right to nurse your baby on the plane. If you can get a window seat, you will probably be more comfortable. This website has some great tips on how to handle if someone has an issue with you nursing on the plane. I have never had anyone give me any trouble while nursing on the plane. And I've even nursed a few times without a cover. I would not recommend using a blanket that the flight attendant provides as a cover, many times they are not clean.
• Pack a few extra toys or whatever will keep your baby occupied on the plane. From my experience, flying with an infant is way easier than flying with a toddler. Flying with my 3 year old godson was hell trying to keep him in his seat and entertained... and there was even free TV on the flight. I'm not looking forward to that when my son gets older. :-P
• If your baby does cry on the plane, try not to let it stress you out. It happens, other passengers will get over it. Don't let nastly looks and comments get to you. A flight attendant once offered my friend some Benadryl for her fussy baby... seriously?? And I once saw a mom with a colicky baby bring a dozen or so sets of ear plugs and offer them to her neighboring passengers. She had to fly for a funeral and knew her son was going to be that baby. I thought that was a nice gesture.
  

We've flown with the baby a few times now and I found the easiest trip was when we left the stroller at home and I carried the baby in our Beco carrier. We brought the infant carseat with us and just gate checked it. I also checked the suitcase that had my clothes and my son's clothes in it. But, with how secure I feel wearing the Beco, I could have carried the suitcase on too. Having the carrier also makes it way easier when I'm traveling alone... I can even use the bathroom with the baby in it. :-D

My brother is a baggage handler for an airline and he asks that parents please don't leave dirty diapers in the seat back pocket. There are changing tables in most airplane restrooms. And, it's gross! ;-)

Ug, the title is supposed to sa TIPS, not trip. :-P

Great tips!!!

THANKS!!!!  Great tips!

Thanks!  I have C+P this for future reference...we plan to fly with Libby this summer when she's around 5 months old.

when you board ask if there are any extra seats sometimes they will let you sit beside an empty seat so you can lay baby down, i put my lo on the empty seat while he slept i just turned my back to the window and put my feet around him so i spralled and he slept

Tips to add to this post:

• I know Squill already knows this, but the TSA rules have changed and you can walk thru the security checkpoint with your LO still in your sling or soft carrier. If the baby is wearing shoes, you will have to remove them. But as long as your carrier doesn't have a metal frame, you don't have to pull the baby out. At a couple of airports a female TSA agent has asked to pat me down in the space between me and the baby, but they have always been friendly about it. :-) I just smile and try not to get tickled.  I've been able to go thru security with Tommy in the carrier about a dozen times and it makes getting thru security a breeze. We don't even go to the "family" security line anymore when the airport has them separated.

• Best Travel Invention Ever: The pacifier strap!

  

  It's called Booginhead PaciGrip. It has been a huge help in preventing the pacifier from falling on the airplane or airport floor. DS loves the Soothie pacis, but they pop out really easily! This strap can fit almost any pacifier and even some toys. We use it on his teething toys too.

• Depending on the airline and depending on the type of aircraft, you may be able to reserve a bassinet for your LO. A friend of mine was flying with her 4 month old and they got to the airport really early to try and do this. What happens is they move you to a bulkhead seat (if the seats are available) and give you a bassinet that attaches to the wall. It has to be stowed during takeoff, landing and heavy turbulance, but it's great for a LO to sleep without having to be on Mom or Dad's lap. I believe they're only helpful for real little ones.

  

If you're interested in this, I would recommend calling your airline to see if it's something they even offer. If they do, then you will have to get to the airport really early to reserve it. The airline rep on the phone won't be able to do it.

I had a few more tips to add but I can't remember them right now... :-P

Squill, I imagine as long as you have Sullivan in a carrier and not too many bags as carry-on, you should be fine changing planes. Even if your plane is a few minutes late getting into SLC, the airline should let transferring passengers off first. You sitting in the front of the plane will also make it easier. :-)

Squill, are you changing planes all on the same airline? If so, they "should" hold the flight for you if you're inbound flight is running a little late. I have seen it done many times. Anything over 20 minutes and they probably won't hold the flight though. So, let's hope there aren't any thunderstorms in Michigan or Salt Lake the day you're flying. :-)

Two new tips to post:

1. Don't dress your LO in overalls. The extra metal may set off the metal detector. T was wearing OshKosh overalls last night, (the ones with the traditional buckles and a ton of snaps) and we had to get our first TSA pat-down. The woman was really nice and Tommy flirting with her seemed to make her night. But if we had been running late, we might have missed our flight.

2. Beginning October 29th, TSA will start giving moms using baby carriers the option of doing an additional screening/pat-down or taking the baby out of the carrier. We will no longer be able to just walk thru with the baby in the carrier. Lame!