Travel back to States with 6 month old any advice?

  My husband, myself and our six month old are travelling back to the states for the first time. I 'm not concerned about immigration at all but I was wondering if anyone has any tips for travelling with a six month old. On the way there we booked to late to get the seat with the bassinet but we have managed to get it on the way back . I was wondering if there was anything you might have experienced which might help us. I bought the 100ml baby formula bottles to take on the plane with us and also a few jars of baby food as she is just starting on solids but i am worried about the long journey, how customs will look at the type of baby food I brought and how I will keep my baby happy for 16 hours . Thanks for all your tips and tricks in advance !

This thread is quite good http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=23018.0
I'm sure parents will chip in soon as well 

First of all it'll be FINE!!!!  Just pack some patience and understanding along with everything you are thinking of!!  I found using a sling or baby bjorn handy as you can be handsfree but they care on your lap they can dose off in it on you and your arms can get a little break.  I used one with mine and she would stand up and look at all the people but I felt she was secure and couldn't wiggle too much.

I also packed an extra shirt for myself.

We made the mistake of getting some baby "tranquilizer" from the GP for the first trip. Bad idea as it just seemed to wind her up even more.  I have a fond memory of her throwing gobs of the jarred baby food the attendant warmed up over our heads onto the passengers behind 

I have no advice as it's been too many years since I flew with an infant, but remember that those people on the plane that have been in your shoes will understand and have complete sympathy! Good luck!

Oh - those baby foods that come in a pouch are handy too over the jarred stuff.  Also after security in the UK there usually is a Boots so you can buy the baby food there and not have to open it to get through security. 

First of all it'll be FINE!!!!  Just pack some patience and understanding along with everything you are thinking of!!  I found using a sling or baby bjorn handy as you can be handsfree but they care on your lap they can dose off in it on you and your arms can get a little break.  I used one with mine and she would stand up and look at all the people but I felt she was secure and couldn't wiggle too much.

I also packed an extra shirt for myself.

The extra shirt is a good idea thanks !
I also have a becco butterfly that I think will work .
Thank you !

We made the mistake of getting some baby "tranquilizer" from the GP for the first trip. Bad idea as it just seemed to wind her up even more.  I have a fond memory of her throwing gobs of the jarred baby food the attendant warmed up over our heads onto the passengers behind 

hahaha I was just honestly thinking that I should make an appointment just for that reason .... I think I will just see how she does now

Oh - those baby foods that come in a pouch are handy too over the jarred stuff.  Also after security in the UK there usually is a Boots so you can buy the baby food there and not have to open it to get through security. 

I thought that security no longer required you to open everything up. Maybe this only applies for the U.S. airports. I am nervous about opening everything up because once opened it needs to be refrigerated and that was the whole point of buying the ready formula/jarred baby food. The airport we fly out of is very small I'm afraid and I know that there is only a duty free there so I'm not sure What i will do as our next stop is Amsterdam then Detroit .   

This thread is quite good http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=23018.0 [nofollow]
I'm sure parents will chip in soon as well 

excellent thread thanks !

I just flew back to the US last month with our then 6 month old.  It was WAY better than I expected and we're planning to go back for Christmas now.  I brought 3 normal sized bottles (the 260ml ones) and had water in them for formula.  I put more water in than we needed.  At Heathrow, I was apologetically asked to take a small taste out of 2/3 of the bottles to prove it was water.  We did and all was fine.  We also brought a few unopened pouches of food (over 100ml each -- like 120 or so) and I put them in a clear ziplock bag and no attention was paid to them whatsoever.

On the way back from the US, I got a bit more scrutiny for those same 3 bottles and was initially told to dump them, and I pushed back and said that I knew I was allowed to bring water for formula and another TSA agent came and took over.  Instead of asking me to drink from them, they whisked them away and put them into some sort of scanning device (without opening them) and handed them back, satisfied.  I did keep my eyes on those bottles at all times, lest they open them.  Again, same food situation and no attention was paid at all.  I completely forgot and didn't declare the food on landing in the US. 

We flew Virgin and got a sky cot and on the way to the US, it was barely used, but our little guy slept 50% of the way back on the red eye.

We brought some small toys and a book or two, but he was so excited to look around at all of the people, not much got touched.

Dress in or bring layers for your little person!  On the way over, the flight was freezing and we ended up putting a hooded sweatshirt on top of pajamas as well as a blanket.  It was so cold!  On the way back, we were better prepared and put him in warmer PJs with a sweater and a hat.  

Like I said, it was way better than we expected.  I was dreading it and it wasn't exactly relaxing, but it was tolerable!

I think you're going to have an easy time of it with a baby that young. For one thing, everyone wants to coo over a cute little baby and some will even offer to help you out 

On a domestic cross country US flight when our daughter wa about that age, I also brought, and used, a jersey skirt I had brought. Explosive poop during turbulence. But, I had brought extra clothes for us both, and plastic bags to pit them in. And even then, she was happy through the whole flight she was a happy baby. But I still bring extra clothes for us both:)