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I'm booking a flight to visit my parents in a few months. I'll be flying alone with Jack. He's flown a lot, but as a little baby and it was easy to nurse him and amuse him with a rattle. Now he's mobile and more alert and I worry about entertaining him on a plane and dealing with a 2 hour layover.
Any tips?

You're at a tough age. He's too young to be entertained any by just being on the plane. I once took my kids to Chicago when they were about 2 and 3. At that age, they were at least able to walk and keep up with me... which they had to do b/c I was alone with them. I packed a little carry-on (one of those "going to grandma's" bags) with just toys... which they had to pull, too. It worked out very well... but, again, they were older than Jack is now.

I think I would try to find a spot during layover that he could run around and work off some energy.

Also, if you're worried about him running around loose in the airport, they have baby leashes at target. We have one that looks like a monkey backpack. I like it b/c it lets him walk with me w/o getting away. I have thought that if I were to have him in a larger space, I could take off the short leash and use a longer one (but make sure it doesnt' get around his neck!!!).

A friend of mine buys several toys and wraps them as presents. On the plane, if her son gets fussy, she pulls out a little gift for him which, in and of itself, is distracting and novel. She usually gets the items at the dollar store...nothing fancy. But for long flights, it works for her LO (who is a little older than Jack).

Good luck!

Good tips. Thanks. Angie, a friend of mine told me the same thing this morning - wrap a bunch of little gifts for him to open. What a great idea. He also has a portable DVD player. So hopefully that will help.
FYI: I looked into infant fares on Southwest and it is $129. I had to laugh because that's more than MY flight...so I'll be putting him on my lap.

Does anyone know if I can bring an umbrella stroller onto a flight? As my trip approaches I'm trying to think of the best way to transport Jack around the airports. I am hoping to use his umbrella stroller. Otherwise my arms are going to be killing me!

Yes, you can. Each airline has its own rules - you can check online - but generally you can take it all the way up the boarding ramp and then you leave it there, they tag it, and you get it back as soon as you get off the plane.

But would I get it back for my layover? I want to take it on the plane, not check it.

You should. We did (but of course, check the specific airline's rules). It's not really "checking" it - you just hand it over right before you get on the plane and they tag it and you get it back as soon as you get off, whether for layover or final destination. And it doesn't count as a checked or a carry-on bag.

Depending on how much you plan to fly, you might want to buy a Sit 'N Stroll or Go Go Kidz. We bought the Sit 'N Stroll and I love it. It's both a car seat/plane seat and stroller. The wheels collapse into the bottom of the seat and it's ready to go on the plane. Then we don't have to haul our car seat and stroller through the airport.

Go Go Kidz is a tote with wheels that rolls your car seat through the airport. The reason we opted for Sit 'N Stroll over Go Go Kidz was Go Go Kidz doesn't work as a stroller to get around your destination when you get there, so you'd still need to bring a stroller, but you could check it with your baggage rather than cart it around the airport along with your car seat.

Hope that helps!

Well, we fly out on Wednesday. And I'm getting a bit nervous. I just hope Jack isn't too squirmy on my lap.
Any more last minute advice is appreciated!!

I plan on bringing the umbrella stroller for the airport and layovers. We have a portable DVD player for the plane. And I will buy him a new toy just for the plane. Snacks, books, milk.
Ummmm.....

Wow! Good luck on your trip, Kristi.
By the way, is this the one to NY or did you already take that?
I've never flown with a baby OR a toddler, but we've all been to New York a lot, because that's where I'm from. I still have lots of family there, too. But I haven't been in a few years, and I miss it!

No, this is the one. LOL.
Hey, you're from NY too? Have we talked about this? Where are you from? I am from the Albany area. I try to get back about every 3 months.
My parents say the weather isn't too bad right now. Rain and 40s. I'll take it! I just don't want bitter cold and snow. I don't want Jack getting sick.
We are flying alone so wish us luck! Jack has flown a lot but not in 6 months and he's so much different now. I really hope he just chills out on my lap. Fingers crossed!

I'm from Queens & lived in Flushing until we moved to Alabama (which was about 27 years ago, so I guess I'm more southern than northern now). It's been a while since I've been in that part of NY, but I remember growing up with the sound of airplanes taking off over our heads, from LaGuardia.
Most of my family lives in Staten Island now, and we stayed at hotels in Manhattan the last few times we were there.
We don't get up there even half as often as you do, though, & haven't been at all since our preschooler was born.
I hope you have a great time - and good luck with that flying stuff!

Well we made it to NY. Phew. LOL.
Jack was great. He had his own seat both ways (we lucked out and got the last empty seat on the plane for him). The people were kind. Jack played with his new toy (thanks for the tip!)and ate breakfast and was in good spirits. That is, until the second leg of the journey when he was exhausted from being up since 5. I was able to rock him to sleep so that was good.

FYI: Southwest doesn't let you board first anymore with children. However, you can board after the first group (A).
Also, they let us through security with his milk. But we had to put the stroller up on the belt and Jack had to take off his shoes and coat and everything too. A big pain. Ah well.
FYI: I was so glad I opted for his bulky stroller over the umbrella stroller b/c I was able to store everything in the compartment down below and it was easy breezy walking through the airports.

I met a few nice moms in the airport and we helped each other. Gotta love how moms help each other out and just provide general support during times of need!