air travel w/baby???

im traveling to puertorico from miami beach and i wanted to know what i would have to do to make this a safe and relaxing trip for my 11month old....The main thing i want to know do you need vaccines to travel over there and a passport? thanks!

you defenitely going to need your passport.

yes you need a passport. It takes up to 12 weeks if you do it the regular way, three weeks if you have it expedited (around 60 dollars) and 1 day if you go to a passport agency (within U.S customs) in a major city. In order to do that you need to have purchased your tickets and show that you are traveling within two weeks, or they will not take your application.
vaccines- ask your ped. for the local immunization clinic, they can tell you if your baby needs any special vaccinations, but I doubt it for Puerto Rico.
In the US I've found it difficult in some areas to get a bug repellant safe for babies- but in tropical and subtropical areas such as you're going to there is one marketed by Johnson and Johnson which has worked wonderfully for my babies in central america and the caribbean.
have fun!

You do not need a passport to travel between the U.S. and Puerto Rico, as it is a U.S. territory.

My second source link has some vaccination information but you should contact your pediatrician for advice.


Edit:
"Ms Rahi" from the state department's website: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html

"Note: The passport requirement does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or returning directly from a U.S. territory."

Passengers flying to and from PR are considered to have never left the U.S. and thus are not required to have a passport.

My baby was 11 months old when we took her to Mexico and we did not need passports for her or her 5 yo sister, only their birth certificates. But this was two years ago, things might have changed. About vaccines, you should see your baby's doctor before going. We did that and had physicals for both girls and made sure they were fine for traveling and checked their vaccines to make sure they were up-to-date. The doctor recommended some over the counter meds for air sickness but we never needed it. My baby loved looking out the window or she was nursing or napping. So don't worry and enjoy your trip.

You do NOT need a passport for your child at this time. U.S. Citizens traveling to and returning directly from a U.S. territory are not considered to have left the U.S. territory and do not need to present a passport.

U.S. territories include:

*American Samoa
*Guam
*Northern Mariana Islands
*Puerto Rico
*Swains Island
*U.S. Virgin Islands
http://www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/crossingborders/whtibasics.shtm#4

Since Puerto Rico is a commonwealth of the US, there are no special vaccinations you or your child will need. As long as you have your Rroutine vaccines (influenza, chickenpox, polio, measles/mumps/rubella, and diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus) you are fine.
http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationPuertoRico.aspx#vaccines





I've been flying internationally and domestically with my children since they were 2 months (now 8&5). At least three trips a year are the children and I traveling internationally (14+ hours each way) alone. In addition to that, we do another 8-10 international and domestic flights a year as a family. Here are some other tips and advice that have always worked for me and I hope will help you:


1.) A car seat is not mandatory, but is highly recommended. Since your child is under two, you are allowed to hold him/her as a lap child, meaning that he/she will have to sit in your lap the entire time.

This is not the safest way for a child to fly and the airlines recommend children to have their own seat with a child safety device.

I do advise using a CRS (Child Restraint System) because it is safe for the child - especially during turbulence, makes them feel secure, is more comfortable for both parent and child, will help your child sleep, and gives both of you the opportunity to relax a bit.

A CRS is a hard-backed child or infant or child safety seat that is approved by the government for use in both motor vehicles and aircraft.

In order to be certified for use on an airplane, the car seat has to met the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Check the labels on the side of your car restraint for a sticker (words will be printed in red) for verification that your seat is safe for airplane use. Almost all car seats pass this requirement. Here is a picture of what the sticker looks like: http://jamiehassen79.angelfire.com/flying_children_pics/FMVSS.jpg

There is also a new device that is approved by the FAA for airline use ONLY. It is called CARES (Child Aviation Restraint System) and costs $75. It weighs 1 pound, is certified for all phases of flight (taxiing, take off, turbulence and landing), adjusts to fit ALL size airplane seats, and is approved for kids 22–44 lbs.
http://www.kidsflysafe.com/

Many airlines offer half-price tickets so parents can be guaranteed that their child can travel in a CRS device. You should call your airline to ask for a discount and/or ask what the airline's policy is for using empty seats.

2.) You can take a stroller and gate check it. It will not count towards your checked luggage. This means that you will be able to use it all the way up until the time that you board, and one of the handlers will take it from you at your departure gate, tag it, and put it in a special compartment for you. When you exit the plane, it will be waiting for you at the door as well.

There are many products out there designed to help the traveling family. Here's a product that can attach to most car seats so that you can use it as a stroller and get it through the airport more easily. http://www.gogobabyz.com/products/gogo_kids.html

3.) You will need to have all your baby's documents in order. It is a good idea to keep a copy of his/her notarized birth certificate with you.

Keep your doctors name and number with you. Also get the name and number of a doctor where you are visiting in case an emergency should come up.

Another thing you should consider bringing with you is your childs immunization book. That way if any emergency should arise while you are on vacation (no matter where you are) the treating physician will at least have some verifiable information to go on. This book also usually includes what your child is allergic to, and some small but very helpful notes from your doctor.

Verify what travel documents you will need in advance to make sure you have everything.

4.) Make sure you have a check-up with your doctor before leaving to make sure your child is healthy enough to fly. If your child has even a slight cold, the pressure in his/her ears during take-off and landing (even if you do the precaution methods) could leave his/her ears aching for days after the flight.

Most doctors recommend that if anyone is sick (such as being stuffed up or already having an earache), not to take the flight because of the potential damage to the ears. I know my husband and other pilots do not work if they are sick because of this danger.

Not all children have a problem with the pressure changes in their ears. If yours does however you'll want to know how to help. For take-offs and landings (the WHOLE way up, and starting from the BEGINNING, or TOP of descent), the best ways to alleviate ear pressure are to:

*If your child is nursing, nurse him/her.
* Give him/her something to drink (formula, milk, water, juice - it doesn't matter)
* Give him/her a pacifier to suck on
* Place hot damp towels (usually like the ones distributed to first and business class before take-off and landing to freshen up with - just ask a flight attendant for them) or paper towels that have been soaked in hot water and wrung out, at the bottom of two paper or styrofoam cups, then hold the cups over the ears
* Gently but with some pressure, rub his/her neck repeatedly from the chin to the base of the neck. This will cause a swallowing motion that will relieve pressure build-up in the ears.

You can also try using a decongestant. It is always best to check with your doctor before using any type of medications though, to make sure you are using the one best suited to your childs needs. I personally have found pain relief medications don't really help, and at least in my experience, decongestants are a waste of money.

5.) As long as your child is with you, you are able to take as much formula, breast milk, or regular milk that you will need for you child for the duration of the time you will spend in the airport and on the flight (as long as it is within reason).And no, you will NOT have to taste it - no matter what form you bring it in.

All that you must do is:

1. Separate the milk from the liquids, gels, and aerosols in your quart-size (1 liter) zip-top bag.
2. Declare you have the items to one of the Security Officers at the security checkpoint.
3. Present these items for additional inspection once reaching the X-ray. These items are subject to additional screening. http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/formula.shtm

Bring Snacks! just add water packets of food, cheerios, goldfish, animal crackers, dried fruit, etc. are great. New regulations also allow you to take beverages (including water) from home as long as they are less than 3oz (100ml), -OR- beverages (including water) of any size that you have purchased from inside the security area onto planes. You can also bring a limited amount of baby food, yogurt, cheese, puddings, etc. with you also as long as they are in containers less than 3oz (100ml).
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm#9

Save your money when it comes to buying water though because the Flight Attendants will provide you with hot or cold water (or any other drink) free at any time that you request, no matter how many times you request it.

6.) Keep your diaper bag well stocked with plenty of diapers, wipes, ointments and other essential things. Just remember the new law regulating liquids, gels, and such and pack accordingly. http://www.tsa.gov/311/index.shtm You can usually find travel size baby products in stores and they are wonderful for plane use. One thing I always like to carry with me is hand sanitizer! I always wipe the trays down with that (followed by a baby wipe) and use it for my kids after taking them to the bathroom (even though they wash their hands). I know that airplane bathrooms are not the cleanest, so that is why I try to e vigilant.

Be sure to pack 2-3 changes of clothes for your child. You will need this in case he gets sick, spills something on himself, or in case your luggage gets lost.

Bring any medications that you might need for your child should he/she get sick or that he/she takes regularly. Remember that if they are not prescription medications, the 3oz (100ml) rule applies to them and they must be kept in a clear plastic bag. http://www.tsa.gov/311/index.shtm

Do NOT give your child medicine with the hopes of it making him/her sleep. This is not only cruel, but dangerous as well.

You should be respectful of other passengers and always change your child's diaper in the restroom. They do have diaper bed changers in there, although they can be a little small. Usually the bathrooms with the diapers beds are the handicap ones, so they tend to be a little bit bigger and it does help.

I also know some people who say that instead of using the changing table, they say to put the toilet seat down, use the toilet as a seat for yourself, and lay the baby across your knee to change their diaper.

For older children like yours, if you are able to change his/her diaper while standing up (sounds complicated, but really isn't), you will save a lot of room and time.

To make it easier on yourself, make sure that you undress your baby so that he/she has just a diaper on while at your seat. Grab your diaper, wipes, and ointment or baby powder (whatever you use for changing your childs diaper) and head to the bathroom. This will help to make the procedure faster and easier.

Try to change your childs diaper as close to boarding as possible. This will help to make you baby feel fresh and more comfortable for take-off (which could also mean less problems).

7.) Make sure to pack plenty of things to entertain your child, such as a few books, toys, a portable DVD player (be sure to bring extra batteries) or let him/her use your laptop (make sure it's fully charged) with a few movies, and one or two comfort things such as a favorite blankie or stuffed animal. I always bring a small pillow and blanket from home for my children (even now) because I know 100% that they are clean, and my children are accustomed to them.

My children like to bring along their own coloring books, a Doodle Pad, their Leap Pads (with a few booklets), and scrap paper that they can make their own drawings with and play games such as tic-tac-toe. My daughter used to like to bring along a doodle bear when she was younger so that she could draw on that as well, and my son likes to bring along some action figures to play with. I found that buying a Rose Art kit is great! It has crayons, markers, coloring books, coloring sheets, and stickers that they can color. It definitely keeps them entertained!

You can also play games like pat-a-cake, or I-spy, and tell stories to your child as well. If you tell a story, try to make it an interactive one where your child has a part in it so he/she stays interested.

You might also consider going to the store and letting your child (I let my children start this at the age of one) pick out his/her own carry on bag and a few inexpensive toys that will be used only once you are on the plane. Be sure to pick out a few toys without him/her seeing so that he/she has an extra surprise when he/she opens his/her carry on.

8.) Don't worry about what the other passengers are going to think or say should your baby cry. This will only add stress, which your child can pick up on, and it could make him/her cry longer and harder. Instead, just relax, and handle the situation like you would if you were at home. Most times the other passengers are very understanding anyways and some will even try to help you. Which reminds me, if help is offered to you, TAKE it!

9.) Last but not least, I always suggest preparing children for what to expect so that they are not caught off guard and scared on the day of travel. You want to make sure that you tell him/her what is going to happen from the time you get to the airport until the time you arrive at your destination. You don't need to go into any great detail here, but give him/her something that they will be able to reference when actually traveling. If you are able to, I always suggest doing a dry run of the airport. This provides you with an opportunity to explain to your children what is going to happen while they can see first hand what it looks like.

Here is a link to a question I answered about what to expect when flying (also includes information about what to do at the airport) that may help you out a bit: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AnuyJVZLZSuuQXP6rCWLSLvty6IX;_ylv=3?qid =20071108205522AAKqKgt&show=7#profile-info-a15ae544077933e44570caf0403c65abaa


I also wrote a small article about flying with children that goes more in-depth, gives airport security rules and regulations, plus offers tips and tricks for the travel, etc. http://www.angelfire.com/jamiehassen79/flying_children.html

If I can be of any more help or assistance, please feel free to contact me.