Would you fly with a 6wk old???

Knottie67048120

I could really use some input on this. I'm a FTM and I have really bad nervousness/anxiety when it comes to my baby, which I'm sure y'all can relate. That being said, my husband and his family are super lax when it comes to parenting. My husband's parents live in Fl and it's their 50th Anniversary, which is a big deal for my husband. So, he has been super adamant about us going. He even bought the tickets already before really discussing it with me! He really wants the baby and I to go. It's a nonstop 2 hour flight. My son is only 6wks old and hasn't had his 2 month shots yet. I'm asking y'alls opinion because nobody in this family understands why I'm worried about this and they're really pressuring me to bring the baby. What would y'all do? Am I just being crazy?

delujm0

My SIL flew from Illinois to Pennsylvania when her son was 6 weeks, for thanksgiving. He was a pretty chill baby and everything was fine.

DD however was doing nothing but eating, sleeping, or screaming her face off at 6 weeks. No way would I have wanted to bring her on a plane. The germs would have been secondary to the stress for me.

Knottie67048120

Thx for the input! DS sleeps whenever we go on walks or car rides so fingers crossed a plane will be no different. My main concern though is the germs and it being flu season. DH and I are both vaccinated, I'm breastfeeding, and we're both very careful and sanitize. My maternal instinct says no go but everybody I talk to doesn't seem as concerned as me. We'll just have to be very careful. Thanks again!

DustyMelons

It depends on the baby but generally 6 week olds are still mostly sleeping and eating and not doing too much else. I, too, would probably be more concerned about germs and not so much whether they'll be crying.

If it were me, I would go only if this is a very important occasion and the tickets are non refundable.

And I hope you talked to your husband about purchasing the tickets without checking with you first. That's pretty crazy with a new baby.

Good luck!

Knottie1442268460

Yes. Id buy the baby a seat so he can be buckled in.

delujm0

Knottie67048120 said:

Thx for the input! DS sleeps whenever we go on walks or car rides so fingers crossed a plane will be no different. My main concern though is the germs and it being flu season. DH and I are both vaccinated, I'm breastfeeding, and we're both very careful and sanitize. My maternal instinct says no go but everybody I talk to doesn't seem as concerned as me. We'll just have to be very careful. Thanks again!

My doctor suggested that a good way to protect from germs is to baby wear when out in public.  It won't stop the air circulation issues on a plane, but strangers are far less likely to get in your baby's face when you are wearing him against you than they are if he's in a stroller out in the open.  It sounds like a special occassion, so if you think you can handle it, try to go!

 

Might be too late on this since tickets have already been pruchased...but SIL's advice was always to book flights in the middle of the day, preferably during the week, because they are less likely to be full.  She flies Southwest, so when she did that she would often wind up with an empty seat next to her even though she didn't buy a seat for the baby (Southwest doesn't do assigned seats, and most people don't want to take a seat next to a mom with a lap infant if they don't have to!)  This was more helpful once her son was old enough to sit in the seat on his own (around one year), but she also liked the extra space when he was an infant so that she could have her diaper bag easily accessable.

NurseRieger

I would say breastfeeding will make it easier because you can just nurse the baby during the flight. Definitely do baby wearing! I'm assuming you are going to south Florida where the retirement communities are. I live here so I must tell you there are a lot of old people down here and little old ladies can be VERY intrusive. I always keep my baby in the ktan carrier facing my chest in the grocery store. If he's in a stroller little old ladies will literally try to lift the hood and peek in so you can't be afraid to tell people to back off. This is the time of year when they all come down from new York and spread colds like the plague because they still want to go to the early bird special and matinee after golfing even if they are sick. Just keep baby in carrier, if you go out in public places nurse baby with a conversation over yourself and tell in laws you don't want all their retiree friends coming over. Don't worry about seeming rude because people are very rude in this area of the country anyway...I guess it's all the humidity making everyone miserable.

Knottie67048120

We're originally from WPB and our family is in Jupiter so I know all to well about those crazy snow birds. I have a Ktan and DS does great in it and just sleeps. I'd still rather stay safe at home but I'm sure if we're careful it'll be okay. Thank you so much everyone for your input and suggestions. I feel much better.

NurseRieger

I was picturing Boca /Delray when I made the post lol. Jupiter isn't as bad. It is true that all the nuts roll down to Florida.

Knottie1442268460

Just as an aside... You can't baby wear during take off and landing. Safety rule.

midge519

I moved from PA to CA when my daughter was 6.5 weeks old. We flew a non stop 6 hour flight from Philly to San Diego and I had her in a sling the entire flight minus diaper changes. I also had my son who was 2.5 at the time. It made for an incredibly difficult situation doing it all on my own but it wasn't impossible. Nursing on take off and landing helped keep her from being fussy and she did sleep most of the flight. IMO as long as people aren't in baby's face you'll be fine. Having your DH with will help fend off the crazies lol