Hi! I traveled alot with my boys when they were babies, and I agree with getting the baby her own seat if possible. Yes, have a bottle or allow the baby to nurse to alleviate ear pressure. Of all the trips I made when the boys were small babies, I can't think of any horrendous trips that stand out in my mind! Most all of the time they fell asleep once the engines started, many times even before the plane was off the ground! I'd fly with a baby over a toddler any day!!! Wishing you all the best of luck on the upcoming arrival! Also let your son and girlfriend know that they can keep their stroller all the way to the gate. Just ask the gate worker to "gate check" the stroller and it will be waiting at the gate for them at their destination as soon as they get off the plane.
One other thing, keep the diaper bag to a minimum. It just gets in the way! My first trip with my first son, I had the super mama-jama diaper bag thing going on -- I had a mini-clinic packed in there, things like tylenol, 3 days worth of diapers (what if my luggage got lost! ) extra outfits, rattles, pacifiers, thermometer etc...... it was just another thing for mama pack mule to haul around & try to keep track of! I now pack a couple diapers, tarvel size bottle of hand sanitizer, travel pak of wipes, 1 piece pj's in case I need to change clothes. Also those little plastic sleeve bags your newspapers come in are real handy to store messes in (like clothes from a leaky diaper, or completely barfed on clothes) until you can clean them up.
and one last thought ... do pack a disposible changing pad or baby blanket or something to lay over the changing tables in the airport restrooms!!!!!
