I am going to be flying to St. Maarten at the beginning of October. I have never flown before and I will have a 1 yr old to accompany me. I am already stressed about flying alone (1yr old won't ease the stress) I have some questions! Any help will be AWESOME! I am sure all of this is posted on here elsewhere and yes I know there is a government site, but I want to know what REALLY goes on.
Airports I will be going through...Dallas, Miami, San Juan Puerto Rico.

1. What about hair products? Can I take them? Do I really have to buy those little 3oz containers? How anal are they about this?

2. What will I take for the baby to eat? How do I go about this?

3. Stroller...will they let me bring it and check it at the security or gate? Will it be waiting at the next airport gate for me?

4. How can you keep a 1 yr old from annoying everyone on the flight?

5. Underwire in my luggage? Is this a concern? I want underwire...but if it cause issues...I'll buy new ones!

6. What all can I carry on in my carry on?

7. How long does it really take to get a passport expedited?

ANY OTHER ADVICE WILL BE GREAT! SORRY ABOUT ALL OF THE QUESTIONS!! I am flying for the first time and this flight is the beginning of me moving to the Caribbean. I just need some advice! Thank you so much!

Welcome to FlyerTalk!

1) It depends. Your mileage may vary (YMMV). To be on the safe side, I'd bring 3oz shampoo, or just buy new shampoo at the Caribbean Islands. TSA can be unpredictable. Sucks, I know. You can also check the shampoo in your checked baggage to avoid the possibility of it being confiscated.

2) Just bring some non-liquid food. Breast milk should be fine. If you bring liquid food, make sure it's less than 3oz and in a plastic zip-lock bag.

3) You can check your stroller for free at check-in.

4) Haha, use your motherly instinct

5) Checked, most likely not. Carry on, it depends again (YMMV).

6) I'm not sure I understand your question?

7) Click here for passport expedition information

Hope this helps, and have a fun/safe travel! Let us know how it goes.

1. What about hair products? Can I take them? Do I really have to buy those little 3oz containers? How anal are they about this?

Yes, you can take them, but they officially do need to be in three-ounce containers, all of which must fit in a resealable Ziploc bag. Although the TSA has been more lenient lately, it's easier to just grumble and follow their idiotic rules.

If you're returning to the USA, use great care if you purchase anything in the St. Maarten Airport. Caribbean airports are sometimes stricter about liquid rules.


2. What will I take for the baby to eat? How do I go about this?
You are allowed to take baby food, supposed in a reasonable quantity for your flight. Just make sure that it is packed separately from everything else, so that you can take it out and show it to the TSA (if they ask.)

Depending on the airline and aircraft type, the airline may be able to warm the food for you. You should not, however, count on this.

3. Stroller...will they let me bring it and check it at the security or gate? Will it be waiting at the next airport gate for me?
You will be able to take the stroller with you to the gate. Just at the entrance to the airplane, you will hand the stroller over to the airline and you can pick it up in the same place (just at the door of the airplane) when you arrive.

4. How can you keep a 1 yr old from annoying everyone on the flight?
There is no perfect answer. Sometimes kids cry, scream, and put up a fight, and sometimes you can't always fix the problem. Be patient, keep your cool. Just like everything else, smile, enlist the help of those around you, and aim for distraction. Be sure that you have a usual "bag of tricks"--toys, rattles, whatever you need to distract your little one.

Just remember--as you probably already do--the baby is one year old. He or she can't figure all of this out. Airplanes are filled with stimuli, and sometimes the pressure changes are quite painful on kids' ears. You'd probably scream too in such a circumstance. That's why you need to keep the baby distracted.

5. Underwire in my luggage? Is this a concern? I want underwire...but if it cause issues...I'll buy new ones!

Underwires are only an issue for metal detectors. If the underwire is in your bag, it's not a problem.

6. What all can I carry on in my carry on?
Each airline has its own rules about the size of the carry-on. They are almost always more lenient if you have a baby.

You can take anything you like, assuming it's not a weapon or can be used as a weapon, no hazardous chemicals (like mace), and you know about the liquid rules.

7. How long does it really take to get a passport expedited?
It is possible to get a passport within a few days. The expediters usually take a week to 10 days (at least in the past.)

ANY OTHER ADVICE WILL BE GREAT! SORRY ABOUT ALL OF THE QUESTIONS!! I am flying for the first time and this flight is the beginning of me moving to the Caribbean. I just need some advice! Thank you so much!

The best advice I have is to get others to help you out. Be kind and smile to the passengers around you and to the flight attendants. If they're like me, they'll recognize that you're traveling alone with a baby. Let them help you through it. If your baby is cute and you seem nice, others will hold your baby while you move your bags or go to the bathroom.

Your baby knows when you are stressed out, so it's important to stay as relaxed as you possibly can... it's not easy.

Good for you for asking these questions here. You're ahead of the game by thinking about these concerns and posting here.

Thank you two so much.
I will accutally be moving to the island so I am hoping that we can just make the flight un-scarred and then we will be fine! I can't wait to see my hubby at SXM

Re: #6: As you have already noted, be mindful of liquids, make sure to follow the 3-1-1 rule (see TSA site), place in correct size bag, and remove for x-ray. YMMV, but some have reported that 3-1-1 is not overly well enforced, but for a first time flyer, best bet is to follow the rules to the letter (IMHO).

Otherwise, make sure not to carry any weapons (guns, knives, etc) or anything that might be considered a weapon (trailer hitch, baseball bat, razor, etc). For long flights, make sure to bring something to keep yourself (and junior) busy. Some airlines still consider the window to be sufficient in-flight-entertainment.

If you plan on checking a bag, you can basically take anything without much restriction. But just don’t pack anything valuable in a checked bag (i.e. laptop, camera, etc). Also note, some airlines may charge for checked bags, (rates vary based on domestic/international, amount of bags, and weight). Check your air carrier’s website for the baggage policy.

One time I tried to help a woman in the same situation, I offered to unfold her stroller after it was x-rayed. She had her hands full and was obviously overwhelmed. When I offered my assistance, she snapped at me: "I can handle it". What a b!tch. Don't let your pride get in the way of accepting assistance. Most of us have been there.

It sounds like you are on AA (American Airlines). If so, you might want to consider purchasing a day pass to the Admirals Club, which will allow you and your baby access to clubs at all three locations: Dallas, Miami, San Juan. The cost is $50, and you can prepay. Although $50 might seem steep, club access might help take the edge off your flying experience. You can fill or refill your water containers, get some bevs and snacks, and very importantly, you'll have ready access to reservations and ticketing assistance in case one of your connections gets delayed or cancelled. The restrooms might also have changing tables, and chances are the clubs will be quieter and more tranquil than the terminals. There might even be microwaves behind the bar, and nice bartenders who will warm up a bottle for you. Anyway, just a thought...can't promise that the Admirals Club is the lap of luxury, but it might be a worthwhile $50 expenditure to notch down your stress at a time when you might really need it

Edited: looks like there are children's rooms at DFW and MIA

Well, color me jealous

I would never snap at somebody trying ot help. I hope that the people I will be flying with will be kind. My little boy is adorable so maybe they will bump me up to 1st class LOL!

If you're staying permanently, don't bother with the travel sizes; just pack your regular stuff in your checked luggage. To guard against leakage, put them in a big zip-lock baggie, then put the zip locked baggie into another big baggie upside down. (So the zip locks are at opposite ends.)


Take whatever you would normally take for the baby to eat on a trip of that length. Dry food (like cereals or cookies) should present no issues. Liquids are supposed to be allowed for babies, just be sure you only take what you anticipate you'll need. Even pre-TSA, when I traveled with little ones I always bagged liquid foods in freezer bags, just in case of leaks. (This would be a separate bag from your Kippie bag.)


Most airlines gate-check strollers. Check with your carrier. If you're flying more than one airline, check with EACH ONE. Gate-checked strollers will be waiting for you at the gate at your destination.


Take whatever stuff you usually take to occupy the baby. When I traveled with little ones, pressure changes usually caused the most trouble. Take something the baby can suck on -- a pacifier or bottle -- and engage the baby with it when the plane starts its take-off taxi. Don't wait for the baby to fuss! Same thing when you begin descent.

No problem in checked luggage. Sometimes they alarm at the WMDT.


Anything valuable should go in your carry-on. Jewelry, camara, excess money (anything more than you'll need available during your travels), and any medications. Liquid medications, of any size, can go through the checkpoint -- just be sure the screener knows if you're carrying more than 3 oz of a liquid medication. Medication doesn't have to be in your Kippie bag, but should be available for screening. As a general rule, don't carry anything sharp or pointy in carry-on.


I had mine expedited just a few months ago, and it took about a week and a half. YMMV.