Travellng with baby

KMac570

Any tips for taking a baby on a plane? He is constipated and very fussy, I am dreading the flight. . I'm also concerned that his sleep will get all messed up while we are travelling - we will be staying with family for almost three weeks.  Any tips or encouragement would be appreciated! I'm starting to regret this decision to travel with him already. :S

iumegan716

We just got back from FL.  DS2 did great on the plane.  The sound of the engine is great white noise.  DS was either sleeping, eating or awake and happy for most of the flights.  DS loves to lay flat and gets fussy when he's held, but other than a few short crying bouts, he did fine.  Not sure if you're BFing or not, but I brought the Boppy Travel Pillow on the plane and it worked out really well for holding him comfortably (and nursing).  I think it also helps to be friendly or make jokes with the people sitting around you.  Most of the people around us were oohhhing and ahhing over the baby.  

FKisses

I just returned from Costa Rica with my 5 week old and the flights were much better than anticipated.  Try to maintain as close to normal schedule as possible and you'll be fine.  I found that she slept better on the plane than she did at home & that worked out perfectly.  I made sure that fed her on take-off & landing for the first flight (as per all the advice) but the pressure changes weren't as bad as everyone says so I didn't wake her up for the next one (as it was during her normal nap time) and she managed just fine.   

I also found that her coziest blanket was great for the plane as it's regularly quite cold and I think it made her feel more "secure" with all the changing scenery.  I brought a wrap carrier which she slept in for the majority of the first flight, and as an added bonus I didn't feel obligated to stay awake knowing she wasn't going to slide off my lap or the pillow.   Also don't forget to bring an extra shirt for you as you'll already feel self conscious being the passenger with the baby that everyone is dreading to sit beside, you shouldn't smell like baby, um, fluids.

 We also brought ear plugs and hard candies as a offering to the passengers around us if she started to have a meltdown, but we didn't actually need them after all. 

PS- I feel that most things with a new baby are about going with the flow and handling things as they come up- don't let the baby change your plans or cause you to regret your decision.  The opportunity to spend three weeks with family far out weigh the potentially awkward few hours on a plane. 

KMac570

Thank you both! Those are some great suggestions.  Wish I'd thought of the earplugs for other passengers. I feel better about this now, so thanks!

jkuhmann

https://www.aintnomomjeans.com/2012/05/tips-for-flying-alone-with-kids.html

This was a great article on flying with kids.  Hope it helps!

kgs0505

Travelling with an infant is pretty easy. I have taken my now 2yo cross-country about 4 times by th etime he was 14 months old. He travelled at 10 days, 3 months, 11 months and 14 months. The easiest times were prior to him being able to walk. I used an Ergo carrier everytime and it was awesome. Especially when I was by myself at 11 mo. Security is a little lengthy, but plan ahead and realize it'll take more time. You'll be fine.