need air travel tips

pasadenabride7

I'm thinking of taking my 5 week old to visit my mom in Texas.  It's a 3 hour flight and I'd be traveling alone with the baby, but I have no idea how to do it.  What do I need to bring and have prepared.  I bf and supplement with formula after each feeding.  Please help!  I'm so nervous!  Is it safe to take a baby that small on an airplane with germs and sickness? Thanks.

misjenn

I would think it would be fine as long as your newborn is healthy, and of course ask your pediatrician for their advice. You can take on bottles, formula, etc onto the plane with you. I would bring an extra pair of clothing for you and the baby with plenty of nursing pad and covers for you, plenty of diapers, wipes, and possibly some pumped milk for suction when the plane is taking off and landing. I am not sure what else I am traveling tomorrow with my 5 month old and nervous too..Oh and don't forget your birth records either certificate, shot records or something with the babies name and date on it.

levans

I think it would be ok to take a 5 week old.  My husband and I traveled with DD when she was 11 weeks old.  I also just flew with her by myself a couple of weeks ago.  It was definitely more difficult when I was by myself. 

 I recommend gate checking your stroller and car seat.  In fact, when you get your boarding ticket I would ask if the flight is full.  If it isn't, they will probably let you just bring the carseat on the plane.  If it is full, then gate check it so it is right there waiting for you when you get off the plane (with the stroller). 

You can take more than 3 oz of liquid with you through security.  I brought three bottles with 6 oz of water and then the powdered formula in it's plastic dispenser.  I just put them in a bin with my shoes whem I went through security.  Wasn't a problem at all. 

People say to feed on take off and landing to help with the baby's ears.  Play that by ear, my daughter slept through most of it. 

My daughter spits up a lot so I carried on a bunch of bibs and burp cloths.  I brought her favorite blanket to kind of loosely swaddle her in (she likes to sleep swaddled).

I also found that most people are very helpful.  In fact, the lady next to me the last time I flew (by myself) offered to hold DD while I was getting everything situated (backpack, bottles, iPod).  Oh, if you are goiing to use your mp3 player I recommend getting that out and in a handy spot before you board.  The flight to Michigan I didn't do that and it was really hard trying to get it out of my backpack and hold DD at the same time. 

 

HTH, if you have any other questions- page me or reply to this post and I'l post my email address. 

1MusicMaker

I just took DS alone for the first time on a plane last week (but he was 5 months).  It was much easier than I thought, but I think part of that is because he was a little older since he could sit up in an umbrella stroller and he BF very easily.  I think BF on the plane was tough, but doable.  Make sure they know you're traveling with an infant before you get there, and bring the birth certificate.  Also, try to allow lots of time between flights if there is a layover.  It takes forever to change a baby when there is a line!  If you feed beforeor after the flight, bring a pacifier for sucking on takeoff and landing.  Since your DC is so young, you won't have to worry about toys, at least!  GL!

dazidog

I flew w/ DD by myself when she was 2 months old.  It was all a lot easier than I had anticipated.  I checked one bag (packed our clothes together). I had a layover of about 1 hour both ways.

I took the car seat, stroller, diaper bag, and my purse to the gate w/ me.  My diaper bag hooks onto my stroller so I didn't have to carry it. I gate checked the carseat and stroller.

Here is what I did:  *Asked to sit toward the front for easy access on and off the plane.    *Made sure not to sit in the front row b/c there is no seat in front of you therefore you would have to keep your diaper bag in the overhead bin.  *When I checked in asked to sit next to an empty seat and in the aisle so I could easily get up and walk around if I needed to.  *Boarded the plane early when they announce ppl that need extra help.  *I bf while on the plane but only if DD wanted to....meaning I didn't wake her up for take off and landing and she was just fine. 

DD only cried for maybe a total of 20 mins total (4 flights).  I just gave myself plenty of time to get through security and it was fine.  Everyone offered to help, TSA staff and passengers.....people are overly nice when you have a baby:) 

Good luck and have fun!!!!!  My Dr. told me it's easier to fly w/ them before they can run around and throw tempertantrums:)