We have a 8hr flight ahead of us. My family and me are moving to germany for 3 yrs. Thanks to the army. any advice in how to make flying easier on my 5mo old?

I traveled by myself with my daughter when she was only 3 months.  It wasn't that long of a flight but it really wasn't that bad.  One of the best things I did was bring a Graco travel system stroller.  Her carseat fit right into it so I didn't have to carry the carseat through the airport.  I was able to put her diaper bag and my carry-on in the bottom.  I'm not sure if you know but if the flight is not full, you don't have to buy a seat for your baby to put the carseat in.  Federal regulations require airlines to allow you to buckle your baby in a childseat with out paying for the seat if they are under 2 years old and there is an available seat on the plane.  i would definitely bring the carseat on the plane with you-it gives the baby somewhere to (hopefully) nap.  You can take the baby out and hold him or her at some times but then put her back in the carseat for naps or to give you a break.  Also bring bottled water with you in case you have to mix formula or rinse a pacifier or bottle.  i was told you don't want to use the water on the plane.  The security people allowed me to bring an unopened bottle of water with me, they just asked if it was for the baby.  I also brought a small soft-sided cooler with a freezer pack to keep pumped breastmilk in.  They didn't give me any problems about the bags of frozen milk or bottles of fresh milk.  I'm not sure if you're breastfeeding or not but if you are you'll also want to bring a manual pump in the diaper bag or carry-on bag so you can pump at some point.  I wasn't comfortable breastfeeding on the plane so I brought bottles of milk, then pumped in the car on the way to my destination.  I also made sure to time her napping so she would be ready for one on the plane and timed her feeedings so she would be ready for a bottle as the plane was taking off so she wouldn't have problems with her ears because of the air pressure.  My daughter enjoyed her first flight-she liked looking around at all the people.  We are flying again next week.  Hope this helps.  Let me know if you have any more questions.