Need Tips for Travelilng with a Newborn on an Airplane

I've been traveling with my daughter since she was six months old. Primarily, she would remain in her car seat. We travelled from Chicago to Phoenix, AZ. I brought flash cards and quite toys that lit up with different lights. I also had children DVDs that were more visual stimulation than sound as not to disrupt the others on the flight.

As for the stinky diapers, I would change my daughter in the back of the plane with baking soda in the used diapers and a can of Oust, not too much though.

Hope this helps!!

SAM

Feed her bottle/breast during take off and landing. That helps with ear pain/popping. Also, don't hesitate to walk around with her. I bought a brand new toy (one that my daughter had never seen before) and took that with us--that kept her amused. At 5 months though, it doesn't take much. I remember letting my 5 month old play with my keys during a flight to Florida and that kept her very entertained!

Don't let other people worry you either. Babies will be babies. Do what you can, but don't let it stress you. Also, on a positive note, every time I've flown with my daughter (who is now 4), people were remarkably helpful--opened doors, were patient. You also will get to board the flight first, ahead of other, to get yourself comfortable. Good luck!

Don't even worry about her - she'll do great! Bring a sling/bjorn type carrier with you in the airport. Nurse or feed her during takeoff and landing. And bring some books and toys for her. If you can postpone her nap until right after takeoff she may sleep in your arms the whole way. Kids ar really easy to travel with at this age. Don't forget though - when you get to the West Coast, don't be surprised if she doesn't acknowledge the time change. She'll likely be sleepy early and getting you up at the crack of dawn.

I've flown plenty of times with my son - starting at 3 months. You can do it.
Well, I would definitely take plenty of thing for her to drink - especially during take off and landing to avoid the ear pressure issue. Other than that, I would bring things that make sounds (not loud sounds, but things like the paper crushing sounds), that light up, that have mirrors on them so that she can look at herself. Also, try to keep her up as long as possible so that she's tired. Be sure to change her one last time before you get on the plane and but try not to give her too much food too far before the flight so that you don't have a poopy pamper on the plane. Beleive me I've been there and there's not very much room in those laboratories for you (much less a baby and you)! :)

That's all I can think of for now...Good luck.

Oh, you might try getting some of those pills from you PCP so that she's sort of drowsy and not as active.

All of the posters have good advice, but I would add one thing: Little kids pick up on your anxieties, so you should make a supreme effort to stay calm. I traveled with a child that age plus a toddler once (by myself - we were meeting husband in another state) and we were delayed on the ground for hours with no idea of when we were to take off. I don't like airplanes much because they are small, confined spaces, so I did yogic breathing the whole time to keep calm and not get flustered, and it really helped - they played more or less quietly. One of the best gifts you can give your kids is to cultivate, first for yourself and then to pass along to them, the ability to be flexible and roll with changes in routine, schedule, plans, etc. If you don't get upset there's a much better chance that they won't, either. AND don't make the mistake I did and be so darned independent - since no one offered to help me, I even went to the bathroom with the toddler and the lap child! I don't remember how I did it - must have been a feat of contortionism - but I did. Shouldn't be necessary; the world is full of people willing to hold an adorable baby for a few minutes so you can at least relieve yourself in peace! Good luck.

Everyone here has had some great tips--I would also add that you might ask the flight attendants about the best place to change her diaper if need be. They might have a suggestion for something better than those nasty airplane bathrooms.

As for bothering other people, I think the most important thing is that you *try* to keep her quiet. Most people will be understanding about a fussy baby--what's annoying is the parent who isn't doing anything about it! That woman you mentioned who got thrown off the plane? The reason they got thrown off is because the toddler wouldn't sit in her seat for takeoff, and the parents weren't doing anything about it...

Travel with aninfant is not as hard as one might think. My sister & I have done many times. For us it makes no sense not to take advantage of the free airfare until they are 2 years old, so all of our kids (8 between us) have extensive travel expereinces from before the age of 2. Here are the things to keep in mind to ease the journey;
1- Timing of the flight - flying during the time your child would ordinarily be sleeping is one way to encourae her to sleep on the flight.
2- Feeding to ease ear pressure - whether your child is nursing or bottle-fed, hold off feeding her the hour before take off and the half hour before landing. If she can eat through the take off and landing that will take care of the hardest part of the journey for her.
3- a good carrier is worth it's weight in gold - check out www.babycarriers.com Invest in a carrier that is comfortable for you and your baby. Be mindful of the fact that you will be repeatedly asked to remove her from the carrier throughout the journey. you want a carrier that is easy to maneuver but also allows for maximum closness for you and your baby and ease of feeding.
4- Look at the journey as special one-on-one time for you and your baby. What do you enjoy doing withher at home. If you don't have any games or activities that you do withher, start now to create some before the trip. learn her likes and dislikes, then fill the bag with things the 2 of you enjoy and have fun.
5- pack you diaper bag for 2 days. Be sure to have adaquete diapers, changes of clothes, wipes, snacks in see-thru ziploc bags, toys, soft books etc. change her before you get on the plane. Aiplane bathrooms are not ideal for diaper changes. make sure you declare any snacks or drinks you have for the baby at security. Let thme know the length of your journey and assure them that you will need ALL of it for the child. In a worst case scenario, be prepared to toss juice and water you bring from home and buy more in the terminal.
6 - finally - keep your eye on the prize. I found that a photo book with picutres of people or places we are going to see is an excellent way to keep you & the baby focused on the destination and not the length of the journey.

Have fun.

About me: Mom of 3 seasoned travelers; youngest traveler 3 months old

I have traveled to europe a few times with my little one. I brought an array of small toys for her and a few books and her dollie. she played for hours with a water bottle. On the last occasion when she was 7-8 months, she didnt sleep much but seemed to be okay with her toys and looking around, some snacks and crawling up to others. I was definitely apprehensive but it all went well and it was over 8 hrs of travel - ahhh

I traveled with my baby when he was small and before we took off I gave him a small dose of motrin and made sure he was fed and kept his pacifier handy. He slept the majority of the trip and his pacifier kept his ears from popping so much for the airpressure. Our trip there and back was a success.

I have flown several 4 hour flights with my daughter starting at 6 months. I agree with the visual toys and DVD player with headphones or no sound. Also, I tied a long piece of yarn to her toys and held on to the end so that if she did drop them, I could pull it back up off the floor with the yarn.

Also, the bathrooms on the plane do have a changing table that is fastened above the toilet. I never knew that until I asked. The flight attendant was more than helpful to assist me in holding the baby outside the bathroom door as I got set up inside for changing and then afterwards as I cleaned up. I bought disposable chuck-pads, the kind they put under you in hospital beds, at Sam's Club in the maxi pad isle. They are large enough to cover a whole changing station table, and a whole box is $24 or so and lasts me almost a whole year. I lay down a disposable chuck pad on the changing table and then roll up the stinky diaper in it and put both the pad and the diaper in a scented plastic baggy that I buy from Target and Babies R Us.

The only problem I have had traveling is when I have gone through security and been questioned about the amount of breast milk or formula I had in my bag. Just remind them that flights are often delayed or cancelled and the airport does not sell formula. You don't want to run out and have a hungry, screaming child on board.

If your baby is breastfed, nurse her at take off and landing. It clears her ears. Bottles won't do it as well, though. I went on a plane when my daughter was 6 months old, and the worst part was changing her diapers. There were no changing tables on the plane! I had to change her my lap while sitting on the toilet. It was horrible. Good luck, I'm sure you won't be kicked off the plane if your girl gets fussy. I found the other passengers to be very understanding of my baby.