Hello FTers!

My family and I are flying to London from IAH - 20.35 flight. However we're currently in Dallas and since we couldn't get CW availability direct from Dallas we're thinking of buying an American Airline ticket to connect. There are only 3 availabilities - 6am, 9am and 6pm. I don't like the 6pm DFW - IAH cos that is a very tight connection especially with a baby so we're thinking of the 9am connection, that leaves us wt 10+ hours to spend at IAH. My questions:

1). Will American Airline check our luggage all through to London from DFW, considering we have 2 separate tickets. DFW-IAH and IAH-LHR (CW)

2). Can we get an hotel within the airport that can offer us a 'day rate' where we can pass time and rest? The lounge is out of it as I don't think it will be comfortable if you have a little baby and a new mother.

Does anyone have similar experience for navigating these layovers?