Plane Ride with 4.75 Month Old

L.,
I agree with everyone else. We had to fly home for 2 separate funerals when my son was 3mo and then again at 1 1/2yrs. When he was 3 mo. We gave him tylenol about 30 minutes before we were due to depart. He fell asleep and we had no problems. He fussed a bit when he woke up, but we fed him and he did fine after that. On the descent he slept the majority of the way down, but when he woke up he was fussy. We gave him a bottle (luckily it was his normal feeding time) and he was fine after that. The biggest thing is to watch his actions. If he shows signs of discomfort, start trying things that will help. If nothing works, just hold and cuddle him and let him know he is safe and loved.
Debi

Hi,

If she takes the pacifier it will have the same effect for her ears as breast feeding will.

P.S.,

I know how hard it is to leave a child for any length of time...even when it is one of your parents watching them...but he is going to be fine. He will enjoy his grandpa, just save the tears for when you get in the car and are out of sight.

If shes asleep just let her sleep, you can even try a pacifer if only for this plane ride.

L.,
I used to fly with my baby at least a couple times a year. Just nurse her during ascending and descending. If she is asleep hopefully she will sleep right through the departure and then you have nothing to worry about. I have only had my baby's ears hurt just once that made them cry a little most of the time they were really quite and relaxed because of all the movement. I would enjoy and relax and snuggle with your baby and read a book. Enjoy the time just the two of you have alone and yours without your two year old to keep entertained. I'm sure things will go wonderfully.

M.
Cedar Park, TX

I don't know how you feel about pacifiers, but they work just as well. This way you don't have to worry about when you should start nursing her for the descent. That's what I had to do when I brought home my last son. I delivered him in NJ and when he was 8 days old, we had to fly back home to Texas. Hope that helps!

I've done this plane trip with an infant before. He actually slept through the whole thing. I nursed as we started to take off, but was asleep while we were still climbing - he was fine. The decent is harder on the ears I believe. I would recommend you pay attention to your son's body as well as your own. If you start to notice the change in pressure in your ears, I'd try to nurse - but if he's alseep, I'd let him be. If he's fussy, nursing will help, so will burping. Good luck! :)A.

I flew from San Antonio, Texas to Florida with my son when he was two months old. Luckily he slept the entire time there and back.

I nursed the entire plane ride from OKC to New Orleans - but my babies are nursers. I also nursed the majority of OKC to LAX, with a layover in PHX.

In my experience though, I'd wake her up to start nursing before take off - odds are you'll be on the plane for most of her nap, anyway - since you will preboard with the old, sick, and elderly.

Then I would start nursing (for descent) when she starts fussing.

If nursing (for whatever reason) does not work, two warm wet paper towels in the bottom of two plastic cups held over her ears will work wonders.

S.

Hi!

I flew with my son at about 4-1/2 months old and it really wasn't a problem. I gave him juice or formula on take off and he did fine. I would suggest after you land that you pull on your daughter's earlobe. It relieves the pressure inside the ear but make sure not to pull to hard! I hope this helps. :)

J.

I took my 2 1/2 month old son on an hour and a half plane ride from Amarillo to Houston. The taking off was not really a big problem, the landing was where most of the pressure was. If she is sleeping upon take off, let her be. My son slept from the time we were on the tarmac to the time we touched down back in Amarillo. The problem that I had was that my son ate before we left and was not ready to eat again until after we landed. If your daughter will take a pacifier, use it. That will give her the sucking that she needs to pop her ears. Even if she's not a pacifier baby, like my son isn't, then I would have one anyway because she will probably take it because it does help alleviate the pressure. I would make sure that you have infant Tylenol on hand too just in case she is one of those babies that has really sensitive ears. The change in pressure may really hurt and the Tylenol will help alleviate any pain that she might get due to the flight. Good luck, I'm sure that she will do great!

Does she take a pacifier? If so, you can give her that & don't have to wake her up.
Have a safe trip.

L. I flew with my son when he was an infant many times and I always had something handy for him to suck on so that his ears would pop. I would only give it to him if he was starting to fuss sometimes he would other times he wouldn't. As for when to start nursing it should only be when you are getting ready to land and on take off. I found with him that was the only time he needed it because of the sudden decent. I hope you all have a safe flight.