Traveling and Adjusting to the Time Change There and When We Get Back - Hamden,CT

Just a thought - you may want to ask the pedi first if it's okay - I was told not to fly until 12 weeks, because airplanes/airports are germ infested places.

Hi,
I had very positive experiences traveling with my infants (it's the toddlers that are troublesome). I would just suggest you buy a seat for him and keep him in his infant carrier. My babies slept through the entire flights. GL!

Hi S.,
I took my son on his first plane ride at 10 weeks (he's 4 months now) and he had a rough time on the way there. My son won't take a pacifier, but it helps their ears to suck on something during take off and landing, so I tried to keep him nursing. I'm usually freezing on planes, so I bundled my son up, but he was fussing a lot, which made him too warm. Later on I figured he was probably fussing because he was too hot to begin with. So I would dress your son in layers to ensure he's comfortable. On our returning flight, as soon as we got on the plane, I stripped my son down to a onesie, started nursing, and he slept the whole way. One good thing about traveling with them when they're so young is that the noise of the plane soothes them. I also told the person next to me that it was his first flight, and apologized in advance if he cried the whole time!
Don't worry, you'll do fine. I did it the first time without my husband, and people were very understanding and helpful:)

My kids are 4 and 7, but I started traveling from CO/NM to CT with them at 8 weeks. That was actually easier than now. Mine both slept most of the time at that age anyway. If they are asleep on take off/landing don't wake a child, otherwise either feed your son or give him a pacifier to help with his ears. I even nursed when necessary for my little one who did not want to take his bottle. People were very understanding and nice and I never had any problems. If you use formula you should be able to bring it through security - I would call the airport and ask, I have brought soy milk with a doctor's note because I have a child with allergies. I would bring the formual powder separate from the water and just get water after security. The only other thing I would say is make sure your child has had his first set of vacciniations, which I assume he already has, before getting on a plane with him. Good luck and happy traveling.

Hi S.,

You got loads of great responses, so I will only reiterate - I travelled with my daughter at six weeks,over Christmas to visit my parents from NY to SF. It was several flights with layover; I just made sure she got shots a couple of days before so she wouldn't fuss. We also took the carseat and asked before boarding on each plane, if there was an empty seat so that we could strap her in. The attendants were lovely and gave us bulkside seats when possible, so that she could remain in her carseat. When it wasn't possible we simply checked the carseat in at the door. She slept for most of the time. I tried to get her to suck on a pacifier on takeoff and landing but she was more interested in sleeping!

It worked really well - all the advice about what to take with you etc is great - she had a couple of blowouts so I really needed a change of clothing for her. Blankets work great to change them on either on one's lap or in the bathroom. Pack both a top and bottom for yourself for clothing changes just in case!

Good luck and safe travels!

All good advice. I flew with my son at that age from NY to CA. That was a long flight and I cannot imagine him on my lap the entire time. I purchased a seat for him. There are some airlines that will give you a deal on a seat for an infant but not all of them. I also checked the seating chart of the flight on the internet the night before. It turned out to be a full flight but if it was relatively empty I was going to cancel his ticket to get a credit to use another time since I knew there was 99% going to be an open middle seat next to me. If someone does end up sitting there I'm sure they wouldn't mind moving to another open middle seat - who wants to sit next to a lady w/ a baby on her lap? : )

Very easy. Much easier than traveling with a toddler.
That can be a nightmare. Have fune.

I took my then 7 week old on a long flight and it was great - it is the best time to travel with them! Take a sling or something comparable so the babe can sleep and you have your hands free. You will have to take them out when going through security, but having something like that on the flight is critical. Best if they nurse or drink during takeoff and landing to ease the pressure on the ears, but if they are sleeping through it just let them sleep.
Carry on bag: Don't bother to pack much for yourself, your hands will be full. Pack an extra shirt for you (in case of spit up) and an extra outfit for them (beware awesome unexpected explosions when traveling) and the usual changing gear and you are good to go. A plastic bag for dirty clothes is also a good idea.
If you are nursing then buy water in the airport so you can stay hydrated on the flight.

Here are some tips... since you can't bring more that 4 oz of fluid, bring powder formula if you aren't breast feeding, if you have a seat for your baby, bring a car seat, because that is more comfortable for them and gives your arms a break. Please take a look at a new product I created, the nomie baby car seat cover, because it will make clean ups SO much easier (www.nomiebaby.com), when the plane is taking off and landing try to feed your baby, so that the ears will clear. 9 weeks is better than 9 months! Enjoy
best,
K.

Hi S., this is probably the best age to travel! your baby will probably sleep most of the time, and it doesn't need to move around as much as older babies do. I started traveling w my daughter when she was 6 wks old, and no problems.
here are a few tips:
when you book your ticket, make sure to get a bulk head row and request a basinette. they only have 1-2 per flight (and not even on all flights), so make sure to make your reservation early, so you can get one.
if you don't already have one, invest in a good carrier (like a babyhawk or an ergo), that would be essential for easy carying of the baby and a good place for him to sleep. don't bring a stroller and car seat if you can borrow one at your destination. For that matter try to see if you can borrow a bunch of stuff, so you don't have to bring them. such as baby towels, bath tub, blankets, etc. all the bulky stuff you don't want to drag. You should have a few essentials for the flight, at least 2 sets of change clothes and plenty of diapers for the flight (don't bring too many diapers for the destination, you can buy them there, or better yet have someone buy them in advance for you).
if you breastfeed, things are super easy, since you can do that on the plance, and anywhere. if you formula eed, make sure you have enough prepared for the road and it's easily accessible during the flight. Don't overpack, cause you'll find yourself searching through stuff on the plane while the baby is screaming and you;ll get frustrated as well.
If you can't borrow a tub at your destinantion i would suggest buyging an inflatable one at babiesrus. Those things cost $12 (search for: Especially for Baby Noah's Ark Inflatable Tub) and are great, they shrink very small and inflate in a minute; and you'll use them later on as well. they double up as a swimming pool, pool float, etc. it's been one of the best purchases I made.
Anyway, this is probably more info, than you asked for, but hope it was helpful.
have fun on your trip!

My daughter was 11month old when I traveled w/ her to Haiti, it's a three hr flight, she slept the whole time. I made sure she was feed, cleaned before we got in the plane. It was easier then than when we went last July, she's 3 now, the whole flight she would not stay seated in her seat :) I'm sure he'll do fine.

I have flown a TON with both my kids, my son's first flight at 7 weeks and my daughter's at 6 weeks. It is SO easy. At this age, don't purchase a seat for the child (save your money to do this when your child can get away from you.) Bring a front carrier - ergo or bjorn or snuggli. You can skip the stroller at this age too. You can bring as much liquid on the plane as you want, as long as it is for the baby - just declare before going through security. Breastfeed or give a bottle at takeoff and landing to help the ears. Some airlines won't allow you to have your baby IN the front carrier during take off and landing, just a warning. Babies this age tend to sleep the whole flight. And don't worry if he cries. You can't hear much on the plane, and everyone can just deal with it!

Hi Sherly - I remember traveling with 10 week old twins on a 6 hr flight and it went well. Nurse or give bottle on take off as well as at landing. If the your baby gets fussy just stay calm and walk around the cabin, you know how they love to make you stand up and hold them. I think the only time there is a problem is if the baby is sick and has an ear infection; otherwise, you just might need to stand and entertain them until he/she gets to sleep...and usually they sleep most of the flight. It'll go much smoother than you think and you'll be so happy you made the trip.

best of luck,
S.

I flew with my daughter by myself when she was 8 weeks old and it was a breeze... I changed her before bording, I also asked if there was an open seat, so I could have more room for nursing and got lucky and there was on most of the flights. I thought I needed to nurse her so her ears wouldn't hurt, but she just wanted to sleep with the sound and vibrations of the plane:-) Everyone, passengers and airline staff were very helpfull I had a hand taking the car seat out and folding up the stroller at plane side bag check(graco system). I brought a light weight blanket so I could cover up while nursing and a pacifier that she didn't really take. other than that just a small diaper bag. It was harder every other time I flew between then and 2 yrs! Have Fun!

Hi S.,

I don't know how far you are planning on traveling, but I took my 6 week old daughter on a long trip that included a 6 hour drive and sailing on the ocean and she did great. The more you take them the better they get at it. You will need to stop often especially if you are by yourself to make sure that she is taken care of, but if you plan that into the trip you'll be fine. Good luck! Go for it!

I traveled with my son from CT to California when he was about 12 weeks and it was so easy. I kept his schedule regardless of time and he was fine. I nursed when we took off and landed and he didn't cry at all. I think it depends on the child but mine was fine - good luck. As a final thought, make sure you bring your crib sheet from home if you are staying in a hotel or family/friend home. The normal smells seemed to make a difference.

Hi S.,

The first time I traveled with my daughter, she was a little over 3 months old and she did great. I traveled with my husband so that made it much easier because it can get hectic with so many things to carry. But, I have done it alone as well. If you have an infant seat and stroller, I would take your son in that and go through security with both items. You can usually check both items directly at the gate and this keeps your hands free before the flight and your son comfortable. I've also used a baby Bjorn which was helpful because again, it kept my hands free. Do you have a boppy pillow? If so, I would recommend taking that with you as well. If you are nursing or bottle feeding, it's always easier to feed them with the pillow, plus it makes it easier to hold him once he sleeps. Plus, it takes the strain off your back while sitting with him for so long! You can board the plane early since you are traveling with a child. I always try to take a flight when it will be the least amount of people--say 11 am on a Wednesday if I can. One time, I got a whole row to myself which was so nice because we could spread out and take up more space.

Good luck! I hope this helps. In my times traveling alone, people have been so nice and helpful. Just take your time and ask for help if you need it.

Hi S.,
I started air travelling at 6weeeks(47 years ago), and learned from my mom. She said she never had a problem!
so at 3 weeks I decided to fly WITH MY SON, everyone thought I was crazy, I heard all the horror stories.
well he is now 12yo, has travelled extensively, and I have 0 horror stories.
the trick, my mom said was to make sure that the infant was either ready to nurse, or take a bottle on takeoff and landing. so... time your flight with feeding time, and make sure you have enough formula for the hours of flight.THE DIFFICULTY IS THE PRESSURE CHANGE ON THEIR EARS DURING THESE TIMES.
tip, I flew with a friend a few months ago and formula, liquid or powder is not allowed through security at many airports... so call the store beyond security lines or the airline themselves when you make the reservation and order and prepay for enough formula to last you through the flight.
also try to get off season or off hour bookings so you can have an extra seat for the baby if the front row is not available.
PLEASE... do not accept "we don't offer infant service". they HAVE to provide for the infant without extra cost according to AITA rules (formula you pay for, just to guarrantee it's the brand that is best for your baby)

hi S.. i dont know if you are considering otherwise, but i would absolutely bring/use the carseat on the plane, and use your stroller right up to the door of the plane. put a big bright tag on it with your info and let them stow it as you board. ask them if you can board first, they will probably let you, and help you get settled with the carseat and all, they were a huge help for me. pack your carry-on very carefully so that you have everything you need at your fingertips, and have a smaller diaper bag that you can comfortably carry to the bathroom with the baby, and be sure it has at least 2 extra outfits for the baby in it, easy-on ones like pajamas, extra diapers, and an extra shirt for yourself, as well as something to lay the baby on on that surface in the bathroom and extra wipes. changing the baby in the bathroom is very awkward, and its really easy for mishaps to happen, you dont want to have to carry your naked screaming baby back down the aisle for a second back-up outfit like i did! also, whatever you bring for the baby to play with/suck/drink, be sure it is something you can attach to the straps with those rings or something, having to squish down under the seat over and over to retrieve dropped things gets really annoying really quickly. dont forget a bottle for the baby to relieve the pressure in his ears, be sure you are following regulations though. the security check in can be very threatening. check and double check that you have nothing that will cause them to check you out, dont forget your underwire bra might set the thing off, mine did! i felt so vulnerable, my shoes were over there, my bags over there, the stroller over there, and trying to deal with the baby and being scanned and all that. just plan ahead and pack very carefully and get there really early. call ahead to be sure you are complying with everything and to see what help they can be to you. dress both of you in layers. allow plenty of time, be prepared. if you are stressed out, the baby will pick up on it, and so will everyone around you. if you are calm and cool and friendly, your baby will be also, and you are more likely to get cooperation/understanding from those around you :) have fun, D.

Hi S.!
I've traveled so much with both my kids when they were small to their current ages of 6 & 3...it is SO much easier when they are little!!! Go for it! He will most likely sleep the whole time and you can nurse him or give him a bottle to help with take off and landing. I've changed my kids in the bathrooms of airplanes...of course it's tight, but totally doable nad nothing to really worry about. Your family will be so excited I bet!!! I personally would not buy a seat for a baby that age...i guess if you have that extra money why not...but personaly I just held my kids or brought a carrier so that I could be somewhat mobile if I had to be. Actually I gate checked my stroller and baby car seat (right before getting on the plane and picked it up the moment we got off, strapped him in and we were good to go.

Hope it all works out well for you!