Early Flyers?

Hi J., We started traveling with our son and daughter at about 6 weeks on a plane. It can seem daunting but it really is doable. I suggest being over prepared. With both my kids I would travel wearing a baby carrier, which can make it easier to navigate security. Try to eliminate wearing anything you would have to take off to go through security, it makes it more simple to get through. Pack extra bottles if you're bottle feeding or an extra blanket if you're nursing. Always 2 extra outfits. It seemed that with my kids they would inevitably have a blow out on the plane. If I traveled with my husband it made it easier, I would book the window for more privacy to nurse and he could kind of block anyone's view. When my DD was about 6 weeks I took the kids to florida by myself (I also had a 4 yo at the time) and found that not all airplane restrooms have a baby changing station (most small planes don't). Fortunatly the other woman in our row was gracious enough to take a walk when I needed to change my DD's diaper in the seat. Nurse or feed at take off and landing or use a binky to ease ear pain. And smile a lot, people are willing to help. Hope this helps! S.

We adopted our son and brought him home (on the plane) when he was just 2 weeks old. It was pretty easy. I would suggest carrying your baby in a baby bjorn or whatever throughout the airport but carrying on an infant carseat. The reason for this being that you have to carry the baby through security and any carriers (stollers, carseats, etc) have to go on the belt through the xray machine. They usually have an extra seat that you can put the carseat in (without paying) to let the baby sleep or to feed them, especially on the way up and down. FYI-I could be wrong about this but I think you still need a copy of your baby's birth certificate as well.

Flying with a smaller baby is WAY easier then an older baby or toddler. My daughter was 9 weeks old when we made an overseas flight. We've flown with her many times since, and when she was younger by far it was the easiest.

The 'ear' problem can be easily solved with a paci or bottle (or nursing baby if you breastfeed). The sucking helps keep the ears from popping. Most airlines allow baby to be on your lap until they are 2. An infant WILL stay on your lap... when they are older and more mobile, that becomes a challenge.

I would suggest a baby carrier. You can check a stroller at the gate, but depending on the size it may or may not be put in the cargo hold. This means you may or may not get it back at the disembarkment gate. If it is put in the cargo hold it gets unloaded with the rest of the luggage and you pick it up there. So, ask before you decide on a stroller. I found a baby carrier was just as easy going through the airport and way easier at the gate. Take on the plane only what you need so you aren't carrying a bunch of stuff through the airport.

But in general...the noise of the plane will soothe baby and put them to sleep. The flight should go just fine for you. Enjoy!

I flew with my daughter at 4 weeks and it was a breeze..she slept the whole way and was easy to carry around. Gate checked her car seat and stroller so I had it available the whole time except on the plane. Have fun!

My daughter was 3 1/2 months old when we first flew with her. My biggest tip would be to have a bottle ready when the plane is taking off and landing. Sucking on the bottle (or breast) will really help with the pressure in his ears & make the trip a LOT easier.

Few other tips: Airlines will let you bring the car seat/pumpkin seat and a stroller. These 2 items will NOT count against your luggage allowance. The stroller you can take all the way up to the plane & they will check it at the plane. Then when you land it will be right there at the plane for you to pick up. It made life a lot easier to be able to push my daughter rather than carry her through CVG & Miami airports!

Those are my biggies. Have a safe trip!

My son was about eight weeks when we flew home (just he and I) for a visit. He was my first so I was still very modest about breastfeeding in front of my seat mate. A younger lady and her husband sat next to me but I was still very nervous. He fussed a little at takeoff and so I asked the lady if she minded terribly if I nursed him. She laughed and responded "honey I'm a nurse and my husband's a doctor so you can do whatever you want!".
I still imagine someone seated next to you would be more uncomfortable listening to your baby cry than knowing you're nursing. If you don't nurse, bottles and pacifiers also work. At that age they'll mostly sleep.
I did have someone drop me off who was able to help me lug everything around and then someone there to pick me up who was prepared to do the same. We borrowed a car seat from another family member so I didn't have to mess with that.
Good luck and have a wonderful trip!!!

We flew from Oregon to Hawaii with our daughter when she was 3 months old and she did great. I did carry her in a sling almost the entire plane ride which meant she could sleep and I had my hands a little bit free to help my 3 year old son without worrying that my daughter would roll off my lap. The sling also gave me some extra privacy when breastfeeding on the plane. I say feel free to fly with your new baby!

you can't have baby in a sling/wrap/carrier while flying, which seems rediculous to me, but that's the rule. the sling was very useful in the airport though and made things easier going through security, checking in, using the bathroom, etc. also you can bring your stroller to the gate and they will check it at the gate, give it to you for layovers, and deliver it at the gate at your destination. very handy. carseats are free to check (unlike the suitcases, which airlines are charging for now...)

good luck! The airline people are really helpful and understanding with babies, so you can ask them for help.

J.-

Talking them when they are little is actually easier than when they get mobile. I carried both my kids in a front pack at that age so I could have my hands free for carry-ons and ids/boarding passes. I did have to talk my son out once for security and put the carrier through the scan, but usually they have let me through without taking it off. Like others have said, it is important to take extra clothes for both you and the baby. Most of the planes I have traveled on have not had changing tables; either change them right before you board or be prepared to change them on your lap. Obviously things go smoother if you have someone traveling with you to help, but it is doable on your own.

Have a great trip-
A.

Hi J.,

When my son was 10 weeks old, we made the trip home to see my parents. It was an extremely long trip. Hour by car, hour and a half by train, another 45 minute train, a 12.5 hour flight from Japan to the States, and then a second flight within the States that was 1.5 hours, and a 45 minute car ride. It was very stressful. I actually thought giving birth to him was easier, and that is saying a lot! I did it 100% natural with no pain killers. All that said, we survived the trip without too much trouble.

I get motion sickness pretty badly on airplanes. So, if you also have that problem, I would recommend flying with someone who you trust who can help with your baby. I didn't take any medicine so that I could breastfeed easily. You should definitely breastfeed or give him a bottle or pacifier during takeoff and landing. One thing I learned the hard way. Pack a full change of clothing for yourself in your carry-on. A must!!! My little guy threw up on the takeoff and I ended up having to sit in it for 12.5 hours. I had originally packed a change of clothing, but took it out the last minute to make sure I had enough space for something else, don't remember what it was now, but the change for yourself is a must have! I would also take plenty of changes for your baby too. We went through 7 changes of clothes for our little guy. I held my son on my lap for the entire trip, but I think that you can also request a basinet. Some airlines have those and some don't. You will also need to check with your airline as to the amount of formula you can take, or at least inform them that you are taking formula. You can get hot water on board. My son was pretty good during flight. He slept or nursed most of the way. Only that little bit of trouble at the beginning. Hope that was helpful. Best of luck on planning your trip.

D.

Well, due to a death in our family we had to fly when our daughter was just 11 days old. This was with both doctors permission of course. He said it was fine at that age so I would guess at 6 weeks you shouldn't have a problem. All he suggested was to feed/paci whichever way at take off and landing..so time it so you fly at around feeding time. Which at 6 wks is about all the time. Our daughter did great! Good luck!

Hi there J.! All mine and my husband's family are from the Boston area and we live in Ohio. Fortunately and not so fortunately, we had non-stop visitors for the first 3 months of our baby boy's life. When that finally slowed down we did fly back home to Boston. Luke was 4 months old and he did great!! The important thing to remember is to have your baby sucking on something during take off and landing...either breastfeeding, pacifier, sippy cup, etc. Luke was awake for the take off so i nursed him on the way up, and then he fell asleep for the entire flight (~2hours) anddidn't wake up until after we landed. Of course I was freaking out as we were landing wondering if I should wake him so that he could suck on his pacifier or something, bu he was just fine. The other big thing that helped was that we gave him infant tylenol about a half-hour before take-off. i don't actually know if this helped him sleep longer and be more relaxed, or if he would have been fine without it, but I figured I'd rather try it. We flew again with him when he was 6 and a half months old and again he ate on the way up then slept the entire ride. I do think it's easier to fly with them when they are younger, since they sleep more. We're flying home again in Dec. and I'm very nervous because he's very active now. Well, I guess i don't need to bore you with any more. Good luck and don't hesitate to ask if you have any more questions! Safe travels! :)

i took my now 2-year-old for his first flight at 10 weeks. used the stroller/pumpkin seat combo. outside of getting it all on and off the conveyor belt, it was so awesome, i wish i would have known to travel this way before kids. you can put your diaper bag and all that stuff in the basket so you are completely hands free. you can drive it right down to the plane, then check it. depending on how nice the gate agents are, they will try to put you next to an empty seat so you can bring on the pumpkin seat and strap it down.

one annoying this is they make you take off their shoes for security, tho i guess if one was a suicidal maniac, HLS can't be too careful.

while it does seem inevitable that your kid will have a blow out on the plane, i don't think i ever changed a diaper on there b/c it was so small/inconvenient. but at such a small size, i'd try it on the lap if no one is sitting next to you.

so many people are nice and helpful. more than once, i had to go downstairs (no elevators!) to get on a small plane and other passengers helped carry down the stroller.

agree that nursing/giving your kid a bottle during take off/landing is key. while i know i felt a little uncomfortable at first with the nursing, it's the most natural thing in the world so if you 'cover up', don't worry about it. not your hang up.

everything is daunting the first time, but you'll do great and be an expert in no time. good luck and have fun!

I flew with a 5 week old to boston and it was great. He just stayed in the bjorn the enure time except to nurse once at the airport. Walked to the train with him in it, rode with him in it, went through security with him in it.... Go soon before he wants to move around more and you have to worry about a set napping schedule and solid foods. By that time it gets harder but you will be more confident since you did it before so you can go again. When I flew with my infant I also had a toddler at it worked out fine. I have a flight coming up with my now 2-1/2 year old and my 5 year old. I am looking back to the easy time of flying with an infant.

J.,

I flew with one daughter when she was 12 weeks and my younger one when she was only 9 weeks. My son was 5 months, so pretty young as well. My boy took a paci (or I gave him a bottle), so that took care of the potential ear issues with flying but my girls wouldn't. In their cases, I gave them a bottle, especially on the ascent and descent. They really did fine, all 3, I must say. They are great travelers when that young. And, the noise of the plane provides good white noise for good sleeping. Also, I must add that I put them into their infant carseats and belted them in rear-facing. That allowed me to feed them when we needed to be seated/belted in. Then once we were in the air, I could hold them. Something to know is that hand-held infants are free on a flight but some people choose to pay for the seat for carseat reasons. Not once did I pay because I was willing to hold the baby regardless. However, I got a free seat every time because I checked into it when I got to the airport and if there were open seats, they arranged to seat us so as to give us an extra seat for our infant. I hope this helps.

Just remember that the baby needs to be nursing/feeding during takeoff and landing so that his/her ear pressure can equalize.(Just like we chew gum or keep swallowing so that we are not uncomfortable.)
Other than that you should have smooth sailing.

Hi J. this will probably be no help at all but it is a cute little happening. My daughter in laws mother, father and entire family were flying from coast to coast and there were four (4) yes four tiny babies so the mother went out and bught 50 pair of ear plugs and she said if anyone complained about the noise of any of them she would hand them a pair of the ear plugs. Have a safe flight.

My older son was 3 months old when we traveled. You nurse on the way up and down to help their ears adjust and he'll probably fall asleep while nursing anyhow. Don't deal with a stroller, just get a good infant carrier like an Ergo or MaiTie and strap him on while you're in the airport.

Good Luck!!

I started flying with my son when we was about 3 months old.

I bought a Baby Trend - frame, that the car seat snaps onto for traveling which made it easy. (I saw someone else with one at the airport). Put the diaper bag in the bottom- it's light weight and folds much slimmer than our regular stroller and I found it much easier than carrying the baby in his baby carrier and taking him out through security, etc. I then had hands free - and had drink holders and it was easier for me traveling alone to go the bathroom, etc.

Pack extra diapers, food, etc. And bring a breast feeding cover up with you.

Our son slept most of the flight - and yes it was easy to travel with him so young.

Another good thing to know is you can travel with liquids with a baby: milk, water, food, etc. They usually will do an extra check on everything - so just allow for time at security.

I'm sure someone will respond with the "freakout" over germs in the air, sick here, sick there speech. Just do not let anyone cough/sneeze near the baby or touch him without clean hands. Small infants are a breeze to travel with, they do not need much entertaining, just keep comfortable. Sucking during takeoff and landing is an absolute must for pressure equalization in their ears. Pacifier, bottle, breastfeeding-anything. Under 2 yrs-airlines leave them in your lap and they are FREE. Clothing change-for both of you, at least one. Light blankets for cool air in cabin and screening if nursing. My boys were around 8-12 weeks the first time they were on an airplane, they survived and are 22 and 17 yrs old. Have fun and a fun flight!

As far as flying goes, A six week old should be pretty easy, actually! I used my baby carrier (Baby Bjorn or a sling would be perfect too) for walking in the airport and I just held my son on my lap in the plane. I was equipped with 2 paci's, bottles to supplement (but I was nursing too) and tylenol. I would just feed your son on take off and landing and that should help ear discomfort. I gave my son tylenol about 45 min. before take off just as a precautionary method. And then let him suck on a paci in between feeds. Maybe a 2 toys that make fun light movements to catch his attention if he doesn't fall asleep on the plane and for other parts of your trip.
Good luck!

A.

The best tip I can give you is to nurse/feed when the plane is going up and on decent too. I traveled with my little one this way and it worked like a charm. She slept most of the flight. It is important to feed both times. I let het sleep through decent once and it seemed fine until a dew hours later. She started screaming ( ithink the pressure finally started to equalize) but she was better after feeding again.

Also since she was small and the flight short I had her on my lap the whole time. Each airline has guidelines on their webpage about flying with infants and ages.

I am probably going to be the differing opinion than everyone else on this. Before the age of 6 months, a baby's immune system is not fully developed, even breast fed ones. Therefore taking them on a plane, unless it is an emergency, is not a good idea. The air filter systems are not adequate and an airplane is one of the most germ filled envionment.

We did not take our son on until he was 6 1/2 months old. I refused to make him vulnerable to those kinds of germs...considering how easily they can end up in the ER and hospital. This advice comes straight from my ped and my husband, another physician. Especially with the flu season coming up, and even though H1M1 is just the flu, he can not be vaccinated, so he is really at risk.

Unless it is an emergency, just wait.

In my opinion, younger babies are the easiest to travel with. IT IS IMPORTANT, If you are nursing, to make sure that he is nursing when taking off and landing. The change in cabin pressure hurts their ears, just like you, however they can't "pop it" like we do, thus the sucking will prevent that. The bottle or pacifier will serve the same purpose. Your stroller will be taken from you, just before you enter the plane, and given back when you exit. I liked the carseat/stroller combo, baby in front, handbag/babybag under the seat, and a place for bottles on the stroller. That way, you are sure that your baby has a carseat at your destination. I would just use one luggage w/wheels for you and babystuff. This way, when you are walking in the airport, you can push stroller and pull your luggage. Check it in. Take baby bag on board with your handbag or purse. Do travel light. Remember to always put anything that you don't need in your check-in luggage. If baby is formula fed, measure formula and place dry food in little ziplock bags. There is always hot water on the plane to mix formula. I had a nice time travelling to New Orleans from OH when my son was 6 months old. Didn't have much issue travelling with my little 8 month old daughter to Amsterdam, either. The hardest part was figuring out what to put on board the train first, when I got to Holland, my baby or my luggage? So, I just stood there with my baby carriage, and asked some strong men to put my luggages into the train. :) I wasn't letting my baby go. Goodluck and have fun.