Sunday, May 12, 2013

Will a SnugRide 35 car seat fit in the overhead compartment on the airplane?

Q. We are traveling with a lap infant for the first time and hoping for an open seat on the plane for him. We are gate checking the stroller in a stroller bag but wondering if we can carry the car seat on on put it in the overhead compartment with the handle down. Has anyone ever tried this?

A. It all depends on the type of aircraft you're flying and how full the flight is. Logically, if you don't get an open seat to use it in, that will mean the flight is full and it's doubtful you can stow it on board.

Do try to use the seat if you can. It's both safer and more comfortable for all of you. Be really nice at check-in when you ask. Remember to either pack the base or leave it at home. Make sure you're comfortable with the seatbelt-only installation. You wont need it on the plane and depending on how much car travel you will be doing at your destination, it might be easier to leave this bulky item at home.

Just as a tip, you might find it easier to both stow it and get it through the X-ray maching by lowering the handle and flipping it upside down. Make sure to remove any extras, toys specifically.

If you do have to gate-check it, you might want to bring a bag to keep it clean and dry (a big plastic or laundry bag should do). Make sure your name and address are somewhere on the seat and that the gate-check tag can be seen. Ask them specifically to "hand carry" the seat down (some airports use chutes for gate-checked items, which could damage your seat).

Also, be sure to bring a bungee cord to double-secure your stroller before handing it over. Most strollers only have small latches that can pop open en route and result in the stroller being damaged.

Good luck getting the extra seat and have a good trip!


Could you offer any suggestions to make the trip smooth on traveling by airplane with a 10.5 month old?
Q. We are traveling via airplane with our 10.5 month old daughter for a 4 hour flight and I am looking for pointers to make the trip smooth. We have requested aisle seat. She is traveling in our lap.
Do you think giving a bottle with formula during take off and landing is wise or would you think juice/water is better? Also, I am going to pack finger food snacks and a few small toys for the trip. We are gate checking her stroller as well.

Thank You!

A. Well it sounds like you have it pretty much worked out so far. :)
Since this is only a four hour flight I'm assuming that you are taking a domestic flight which would rule out asking for a bulk head seat. Depending on the aircraft you are flying on you can still request it. Believe me. Everybody on that flight wants a happy baby too! :)
I would recommend feeding a formula bottle on take-off, especially if it will help her sleep. If you take a tired baby on a flight and get her tummy full on take-off chances are you'll be blessed and have a very smooth flight with a zonked out lap-infant.
Goodluck!


What kind of toys worked when flying with kids(less than a year old) on long flights ?
Q. I have a 10 month old, will be flying to Asia, I have purchased a seat for her but she does not enjoy being strapped in the car seat for long. I am contemplating checking in the car seat, at the same time wondering if the airlines provides you with necessary things to secure a child this young ? My first time flying with her so want to do every bit of research so make the journey comfortable for her and other fellow passengers. Please feel free to pass on any tips as well. Thanks.

A. We’ve only flown with a really young child once, and it wasn’t as long of a flight as you’ll be taking. My son was 13 months old, so a little older than your baby.

We checked the car seat and did not bring it on the plane. We’d flown with our daughter once when she was a toddler and used the car seat on the plane. It was awful--the seats are so close together that she literally had nowhere to put her feet. The man sitting in front of her insisted on reclining his seat, which made it worse. If she bumped his seat (which she could not help doing every time she moved), he turned around and glared at us. He even made a few comments about it, and when I tried to explain that it wasn’t the poor kid’s fault, he got very huffy. We decided to never try to bring a car seat on the plane again. I don’t know why the airlines suggest it, when they don’t even fit onto those stupid seats!

To keep my son occupied--we brought along a few quiet toys, some small books, and LOTS of snacks. It’s not a tactic I normally use, but to keep him happy on the plane I pulled out something new each time he got restless. His favorite activity was searching for Cheerios in a small box. I’d put a few Cheerios at a time into the little box, and he’d dig around for them. We also brought some of those Crayola Color Wonder markers and paper. The markers only write on the paper, so don’t make a mess. Your baby might be a bit young for something like that, but if she is starting to enjoy scribbling on paper, the markers might keep her busy for a while.

I’d suggest getting some small, inexpensive, quiet toys that your daughter has never seen before. They will be new to her and more interesting than her own toys. Pull them out one at a time, as needed, whenever she gets restless. She’ll probably also like playing with your keys or your cell phone--my kids always liked those things more than they liked their toys! Bring along some picture books that are new to her as well. The novelty of everything will keep her occupied for longer.

Also, it’s a good idea to have something on hand for your child to drink during take-off and landing so her ears don’t hurt. I don’t know what the current regulations are for bring things like juice boxes or bottles onto an airplane, but make sure you check that on the airline’s website before you leave.

Here are some websites with more tips for traveling with children:

http://www. flyingwithkids .com/ best_travel_tips .htm
http://www. flyingwithkids .com/ travel_tips .htm
http:// parenting.ivillage .com/mom/travel/0,,45jl, 00 .html
http://www. faa .gov/passengers/fly_children/
http://www. onestepahead .com/custserv/ shop_smarter_article .jsp?pageName=Flying_Tips

This article lists restricted items on planes. It does say that formula, milk, and juice for infants and toddlers ARE allowed. http://www. tsa .gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/ permitted-prohibited-items .shtm

Have a safe and happy trip!

ps you might want to pack some Advil or Tylenol for yourself. :)





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