when we traveled with our infant, we didn't let him take his normal nap that day and we woke him up early. he was looking around as we were sitting at the gate, but within 5 minutes of wheels up, he was sound asleep for the entire 3 hour flight. we purposely booked a flight for his usual afternoon nap time..hope this was a little helpful, it worked for us..

All good advice above.

Since you're bringing your carseat anyway (I assume), bring it up to the desk when you check in and ask if there are any unoccupied seats next to yours. A lot of times they will block it out for you (for free!) if you just ask. Also ask if the bulkhead seats are available, because then your kid/s won't be kicking the seat in front of you. Most airlines would rather your baby be in an open seat than in a lap. This worked for us a couple of times. We've had much better luck with our kids falling asleep when they are strapped in the carseat than on our lap. It gives you a much-needed break as well.

BTW, FAA regs state that the carseat has to be next to the window. If you have two carseats, they can occupy the middle and window if you're in the aisle seat. I've flown 4-hour flights a number of times with two kids and carseats, and I've had to argue with attendants on several flights to allow them to put both seats in the same row. Usually the question, "Should my toddler sit next to a complete stranger?" shuts them up.

Bon Voyage!
Jim

Hope you have a nice trip!!!

I have been extremely lucky with my son, we have traveled two times from L.A to Miami and both times were really SMOOTH!!

First of all, expain to your baby what is going on and what is going to happen. Show him the planes and play with that.

Here some tips:
0. Request a Family seating at the boarding desk, so your family will go inside the plane first
1. If using car seat, it should be on the window seat.
1a. If traveling without carseat, use a good sling, instead of a baby carrier and don't seat at the window
2. Something to drink for the baby when the plane is taking off, whatever breastfeed (using a sling), or a bottle of juice, water or formula (remember only 3 ounces bottles are allowed at security check points)
3. If your baby eats solids, try "Golden Fish" cookies or Cheerios. or a delicious bottle of baby food
4. books of sticker have worked great for us, babies love to do something with little hands
5. An easy access diaper bag.

My son start crying when other baby in the plane start to cry, so don't be surpriced by the tremendous chorus they can create, and contrary to what other said, don't let your boy become extra tired before going to the plane, sometimes they react in unexpected ways.

And remember to try to enjoy the time

======================
Congregatio pro erudio et auxilium
Information Technology User X
Itux

Not true for baby formula.

"Breast Milk
On July 20, 2007, TSA modified the procedures associated with carrying breast milk through security checkpoints. Mothers flying with or without their child will be permitted to bring breast milk in quantities greater than three ounces as long as it is declared for inspection at the security checkpoint.

Update: Refined Security Measures Effective Sept. 26, 2006
Liquids, gels and aerosols must be in three-ounce or smaller containers and in a one-quart, zip-top bag.
At the checkpoint travelers will be asked to remove the zip-top bag of liquids and place it in a bin or on the conveyor belt. X-raying separately will allow TSA security officers to more easily examine the declared items.

In addition, larger amounts of prescription liquid medications, baby formula and diabetic glucose treatments must be declared at the checkpoint for additional screening.

In addition to liquids, gels, and aerosols numerous other potentially dangerous items are not permitted in carry-on baggage. "

I flew in may (and am flying in a few hours) and I brought two 8 ounce bottles of water and powder formula through the checkpoint. You have to declare it, but you can bring it.

You funny.

By the way, you all know you cannot take a bottle of water through security. However, you can take an empty bottle in your carry-on and fill it up at the water fountain after you go through security. This helps to avoid the $150,000 bottles of water that you are otherwise forced to buy.

By the way, does anyone else feel uncomfortable flying from a "terminal"? :-) Just ponderin'.

Thanks for all of the great advice. We enjoyed the vacation and we're bummed to be back so soon. Security was no problem - we just showed them all of his formula and food. Before the five hour flight out, he was well rested and well fed. The plane was full and we had seats at the back of the plane. He had to travel on our laps. Shortly after takeoff, even though we gave him a bottle, he let out some ear piercing screams and wanted to get up and move around. He pooped twice within the first hour and a half and changing him in the tiny bathroom with no changing table was somewhat of an adventure. But it all worked out okay - he slept for a few hours and when he was awake he smiled and laughed at anyone who would look at him. The trip home was a different story. On the climb to altitude, he puked up the formula we were feeding him as well as his earlier breakfast all over my wife, him, and me. Since we weren't allowed to leave our seats, we used up about half a package of wipes to clean us up and had to endure the throwup smell until we could clean up and change. He then pooped. While I was changing him in the tiny bathroom he somehow got ahold of the diaper and threw it on his leg and the floor. While I was trying to clean everything up, he squirmed off the closed toilet seat and knocked the diaper on the floor again making another mess. Eventually, I got him and the bathroom cleaned up and got back to our seats. He screamed every time we wouldn't let him get up and move around and the mother-in-law had had about enough along with some of the other passengers. I found an empty row and set him down to play for awhile and he finally slept for about fifteen minutes. He pooped again and used up the rest of our wipes, then played and sometimes screamed for the next three to four hours. As soon as we landed, he fell asleep in my arms. We're thinking of doing it again in December :)

Thanks. We got on the flight with a new package of wipes and extra cloths for all of us. The problem was that we weren't allowed to leave our seats until about a half hour after the plane took off and he threw up shortly after take off. Also, I couldn't have imagined going through a whole container of wipes in five hours - never done that before. We learned a lot and would do it again but next time without the mother-in-law who made the situation more stressful:) In time, I'm sure we'll laugh about it.