We took Oliver for his first flight last weekend. Nonstop, 1 hour 45 minutes. Figured it was the easiest that it could get. Of course, the Tuesday before we leave he and I catch a cold. And the worst thing about flying with babies is when their little ears hurt from the change in pressure - and a stuffy nose can make that much worse... So the nurse suggested giving him a dose of Benadryl an hour before the flight. We had to do a test run in advance, since it's supposed to dry some babies out and make them sleepy - or it can have the opposite effect and make them manic. So you could have a crazy baby on a plane and can do nothing about it! Fortunately, it worked for Oliver. We also practically brought along a whole medical kit just in case, including Tylenol, nose sucker, tooth numbing gel, milk and bottle, etc. Basically the answer was that Oliver will survive - he just may scream the whole descent, or breeze right through it. Great.
We were as prepared as possible. We arranged with the airline to have the three of us (Kerry, Mitchell and me, and Oliver on my lap) in the same row. They checked our carseat for free, wrapping it in a thick plastic bag (tip: you don't have to use the base) and we were able to gate-check the stroller for free. Brought his birth certificate along, but didn't need it. They make it as easy as possible to travel with a baby. Much to the chagrin of most travelers. :)
Friday, we boarded the first flight, and just let Oliver suck on his pacifier as much as he wanted to. He ipassed out by the time we take off. He actually spit out his pacifier and I had to wrestle it into his locked-jaw to help with the assent. He slept for the first hour or so, and then was a bit restless. But he only cried once or twice when I slowed up on feeding because I was scared of expanding air bubbles. He just sucked his pacifier the whole descent and didn't seem to even notice the change in pressure. Our first flight was a success!
The flight home on Monday was even better, if that was possible. They let us go through our own line with the strollers and wheelchairs, so we didn't have to wait as long at security. Then, the flight attendant was in LOVE with Oliver. She asked to hold him before we took off and then paraded him around the back half of the plane. She took him with her when she went in the back to make an announcement. He hammed it up. Then he was returned to me and he passed out just before we took off, as expected. He woke up with a half-hour left, and continued to be cute. The whole group of attendants came and held him. Once we landed and were waiting for the front half to deplane, the flight attendant called out his name on the speaker. We got several compliments, including Mitchell overhearing someone say that they've never seen a baby be so quiet on a plane. He didn't cry once. For sure a success!
This was the biggest challenge of the trip and we essentially breezed through it. Wish I could have known that so I didn't loose sleep worrying about it ahead of time! More traveling in our future!
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