Flying with a newborn?

UWgal04 · May 2011

My family is spread around the West coast and has recently decided to hold a reunion of sorts this summer. It has been nearly ten years since we were all in one place. Now, my DH and I have to decide how we will travel with a baby who may only be 6-8 weeks old. We could drive the 1300 miles over several days, but that would cost ~$400 one way for gas and hotels along the route. Then, we'd have to pay the same amount to go home again. OR, we could fly for ~$500 round trip. Obviously, if it was just about the costs, we would fly, but being a first time mom, I guess I'm nervous about flying with such a young infant. What do you think? Has anyone flown with a newborn?

CarlaAndJames · May 2011

I'd rather fly than drive! Shorter travel time and you can breastfeed on the plane. A roadtrip like that would take a LONG time because you're going to have to stop the car for every change, feeding, etc.

Alfie02 · May 2011

*bump*

I was thinking of driving with my newborn over the summer to visit family. It would be about 8 hours in the car. I am curious as well.

kattyleigh · May 2011

Oh my goodness, flying with a newborn is super easy. Do it. Waaaayyy easier than that long drive you are talking about. I have flown with my DD many many times and the newborn stage was by far the easiest. Let me know if you have any specific questions (about checking the stroller, carseat, what to bring on the plane, etc.). Yay for PDX, fantastic weather today, huh? Smile

luvbeingmom · May 2011

i'd rather fly with a nb than a toddler for the most part lol

they will sleep most of the time more likely

and at 6-8 weeks old, it's not like they're teeny tiny and super susceptible to germs... and it's before germ/cold season anyway

SERuppert · May 2011

1st baby, so no personal experience. My Mom, however, flew with each of the 5 of us before we were 3 months. She has always said it was so much easier than flying with us when we're older! One thing to look into and just be ready for of course - airport security. No one likes to be the person holding up the line of anxious passengers, so make sure everything for LO (diaper cream, etc) is travel sized and anything bigger is in your checked luggage! Exception is formula if you're not BF. GL!

kattyleigh · May 2011

SERuppert:
1st baby, so no personal experience. My Mom, however, flew with each of the 5 of us before we were 3 months. She has always said it was so much easier than flying with us when we're older! One thing to look into and just be ready for of course - airport security. No one likes to be the person holding up the line of anxious passengers, so make sure everything for LO (diaper cream, etc) is travel sized and anything bigger is in your checked luggage! Exception is formula if you're not BF. GL!

Every time I have flown with DD, we get pulled to a separate line so we are not holding anyone up. They don't care what size of products you have; they use a special wand to test fumes from the products (water, breast milk, formula, creams, etc.) and it is no biggie at all. I don't even think they have to be in plastic bags.

SpceCadet · May 2011

We will be flying from LA to Boston at the end of August. I've heard that flying with a newborn is much easier than a toddler and with that in mind, we decided to go see my family on the east coast this year instead of next.

I would fly for sure.

DramaMama06 · May 2011

i agree that flying will be easier than driving! we're doing a family trip to Disney over labor day so LO will be a little over 2 mo. my SIL is driving ( her EDD is two days after me) and you could not pay me enough! from what i've read/heard they best thing to do is to feed during take off and landing and to try to get a seat close to the engines. everyone says that it's WAY easy to fly with an infant. most airlines will gate check the stroller and car seat at no charge and let you keep LO in your lap (so you don't have to pay for a seat) the only thing is that you don't get carry on allowances for LO if you do that.

good luck!

Pretzel80 · May 2011

We'll be flying from Portland back to Philly and Boston where family is when LO is about 8 weeks old. Everyone says flying with a baby that young is much easier than when they get older. Just make sure to feed them during take off/landing to decrease the pressure in their ears.

UWgal04 · May 2011

Thanks for all the replies, clearly the vote is one-sided! I guess I knew flying was the right choice. When we get closer, I will probably have some questions about specifics of flying with a newborn!

Pretzel80 · May 2011

I should have also added that we will also be driving from Salt Lake City to Portland (~800 miles) the last week of June since we are moving then. LO will only be a couple weeks old then so we plan to split the drive into 2 days knowing we'll have to stop a lot for feedings and diaper changes. Guess I'll get to experience both modes of transportation with a newborn...fun Tongue Tied

folkfemme · May 2011

I'll be flying with LO by myself at the end of July. I'm sort of nervous, but I think that if you just take your time and plan everything out ahead of time, it should be okay.

mammcg88 · May 2011

I was anxious about this as well. I will be flying ONE MONTH after my due date with little one. I asked my doctor about it and he said as long as I kept him away from people touching him and washed my own hands frequently as well as fed him during take-off and landing, everything should be just fine. Now I'm more worried about what to pack

eeeeek!

kbel424 · May 2011

We are flying from LA to Boston when she will be about 8 weeks old. A friend of mine flew that same route 4x with her newborn last year and also says flying when she was newborn was so much easier then flying with her now at about a year old.

1momma · May 2011

szimmerman06:
i agree that flying will be easier than driving! we're doing a family trip to Disney over labor day so LO will be a little over 2 mo. my SIL is driving ( her EDD is two days after me) and you could not pay me enough! from what i've read/heard they best thing to do is to feed during take off and landing and to try to get a seat close to the engines. everyone says that it's WAY easy to fly with an infant. most airlines will gate check the stroller and car seat at no charge and let you keep LO in your lap (so you don't have to pay for a seat) the only thing is that you don't get carry on allowances for LO if you do that.

good luck!

yes, you do.

queensteph17 · May 2011

We'll be flying when LO is about 8 weeks. I figure it's going to suck..but way better than driving!

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