So how was flying with a 15 month old with an earache? A surprising breeze!! To give you a recap of how this flying business went down: Bella, myself, and Cody flew down to Florida and then just myself and Bella flew back. Here are my tips broken into solo and with help:
With or without "the help"
BUY THE BABY A SEAT ON THE PLANE! If you are flying don't be cheap; our flight was an hour and half and we all got to peacefully rest and relax. If you buy a seat you will need an airplane approved car seat. We traveled with our Britax Marathon and it fit perfectly in the seat. It is also super nice to quickly install.
To install a Britax car seat in a plane just lift up the back flap and stick each side of the seat belt through the seat belt restraint, buckle, tighten, and then lay the back flap over again.
Having our car seat gave Bella a sense of normalcy, gave us a car seat for the car, and then also provided a great way to transport her in the airport.
BRING A SIPPY CUP! We have Bella a sippy cup for take off and landing. This worked great for her ears; we were nervous of the flight aggravating her ears since she had an earache, but she handled it like a pro!
GET A CAR SEAT CART TO TRANSPORT THE LITTLE JETSETTER. We bought the Britax travel cart prior to leaving and may I just say it was awesome!!! I literally wheeled her all through the airport and it proved to be very handy for the solo trip. You simply set the car seat on top of it and hook it in with the car secure hooks. I left her in every time and just took her from the car to the travel cart and vice versa.
With "the Help"
LOAD THE CAR SEAT FIRST. On the flight down, Cody boarded with Bella after I had already boarded with the car seat. I strolled the car seat while attached to the Britax travel cart to the plane door; popped the car seat off the travel cart, folded the travel cart down and proceeded to our seat (I stored the cart in the overhead bin). We had three seats so we put Miss Bella in the middle.
UNLOAD THE SAME WAY YOU BOARDED. When we got off the plane Cody took Bella and I got the car seat. Once we got off the plane we hooked the car seat to the travel cart and went on our marry way.
Without Help! Ah!
TAKE A DEEP BREATH! Enough said.
ASK FOR HELP WITH LUGGAGE. Luckily, my grandparents watched Bella in the car while I hauled the stroller and our 3 pieces of luggage (I may have bought too much) to the airline counter. If you can't leave the baby with someone I suggest using a luggage valet. It's worth it. Once I got us all checked in I went back for Bella. HINT! Buy a gate check bag for your stroller and then just check it at the counter... ITS FREE!
SECURITY IS NOTHING TO FEAR! I had two carry ons, Bella, and the travel cart with car seat. I left Bella in the travel cart until the last moment. I was capable of getting all the way through security in 10 minutes.
GET THROUGH SECURITY, USE THE BATHROOM AND LET THE LITTLE ONE RUN. I kept Bella in the car seat in the travel cart while I purchased snacks and a few drinks, used the bathroom myself, and recovered from security. Then I just let her run around in a secure blocked off barricade of seats and carry ons.
THE FLIGHT.... TURBULENCE! On the flight back, I had help from the nicest people whom carried my bags as I carried the car seat and Bella. It was only a tiny bit stressful. ASK FOR HELP! People like to help and quite frankly there is no shame! We were stuck on the tarmac for an hour and a half before we took off. Thank goodness Bella fell asleep after eating snacks and a drink. She also slept the ENTIRE hour and half flight; which was GREAT and UNBELIEVABLE since we had a lot of turbulence like losing your stomach and your lunch turbulence. This is why I HIGHLY RECOMMEND getting a seat and restraining your child in a car seat. There would have been NO way I could have held onto no matter how much I would have tried! Safety before money!! Because she was in her car seat she slept right through it!
SERIOUSLY ASK FOR HELP! When we I boarded I unhooked Bella lifted her back up and unhooked the car seat. I literally just hoisted the car seat up while an awesome gentleman carried one of my bags and the travel cart off. When we got out of the walk way I unfolded the cart (while holding the car seat) set the car seat on it; hooked it in and went on our way.
I was stressed anticipating the worst on both flights but they both turned out great. Just be sure your stress doesn't project onto your child... Just keep smiling!
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