Question re:airline travel

HapaLisa

Hello, ladies!  I gave a question I desperately need advice for, and I'm sure you're just the bunch to help a First Time Mom like me    I'm trying to plan a trip for this December.  We (hubby, baby and I) will be traveling from home (Los Angeles) to DH's home (Washington DC) for a 2-week holiday visit.  Our DS will be over 4 months by then.  I'm trying to figure out what time of day is the best to book a flight across country with a child this age.... morning, red eye, or...?  I understand that late afternoons are a particularly fussy times for babies, so I'll try to avoid those flights.   Also, would you recommend we purchase an extra seat for the baby, or no?  Money isn't a huge issue if it's necessary, but we'd rather save the $400-500 if we can.

I understand that every baby is different, but any helpful tips about flying with a baby would be helpful!  I am really concerned about upsetting the other passengers, not to mention DS's usual schedule.  TIA!!

mlf625

Eh, we've flown with DS all times of day and it hasn't really mattered. ?He flew for the first time at 2 months, mid day, did really well. ?The last time we flew he was 6 months and it was just after his bedtime- he was a little fussier as we waited to board but did really well overall. ?The white noise of the engine is really calming for the little ones, or if nothing else, drowns out the screams.

I've never bought him his own seat and probably won't until he's 2 (the cut off for most airlines). ?He is perfectly content to snuggle in my lap and I just don't see the point of paying for a whole seat for a child who likely wouldn't use it. ?He's not a big car seat fan so there's no way he'd sit there buckled in with me beside him. ?And I think (as morbid as this sounds) that if we're going down, his car seat isn't going to do much for him.?

Fordlor

I've never booked a trip based on DD's schedule.  I just pick non-stop flights.  Most likey at that age, the baby will sleep quite a bit anyway.  Just bring toys and have bottles or the boob ready. 

Concerning getting the extra seat if it's a long flight I probably would just so you could have a place to put him/her besides holding him/her.  Although if it's you and DH you could just trade off holding him/her.

FYI- most times if the flight isn't full the airline will let you bring the car seat on the plane for free.  If not, then just gate check the car seat.

HTH

DG1

every baby's schedule is different. At 4-5 months, though, lots of babies aren't really on a schedule at all. (Mine wasn't, for daytime anyway.) 

I'd save the $500 for the seat, esp. if you are traveling with your DH. You can take turns holding him.

When I traveled with DS at 4 months, the biggest issue, surprisingly, was that the plane was really HOT, and so was he, so he was grumpy about it.  Mostly, though, he slept.  It was a shorter flight, though (STL to New Orleans - about 2 hours).

Still, it was a lot easier than I thought. I brought the whole travel system and gate-checked the seat and the stroller. But I was really glad to have the travel system when we were at our destination.

mlf625

Oh! ?And (IMO) a Bjorn or carrier is the way to go. ?I did that with DS until he got too heavy, and it was SO much easier getting around the airport with him in the Bjorn (and my hands free) than it was to travel with his stroller this last time.

Worcbride

I flew w/DD last month and I'm so glad I purchased a seat for her;  she got to sit in her own car seat which I think made it easier for her to nap.  As to what time of day, I really can't say....probably around naptime.....