Intro and a Travel Dilemma

Ems2684 · March 2013

Hello! I've been an occasional lurker on this board, so wanted to introduce myself. I'm a FTM, due 8/31. Thanks to you all for the great advice (and entertainment) - it's been really helpful so far.

I also have a sort of dilemma - my sister is getting married in late September, just a few weeks after my due date, and the wedding is 800 miles away from where I live. I'm the MOH so obviously I want/need to be there, but DH and I are not sure what we should do as far as traveling. My options would be: 1. Flying with a tiny infant 2. An 12+ hour drive with a tiny infant 3. Leaving baby with my DH and MIL for the weekend, while I fly up by myself for a quick 48 hour trip.

I know this will probably have to be a last minute decision based on when I deliver, how baby/I are doing, but just wanted to ask: have any of you experienced traveling with a brand new baby before? I think any option will be tough (especially flying with LO - makes me very nervous), so I appreciate any/all advice. Thanks!

carlyftc · March 2013

Due date buddies! Do you lurk on September board too?
I am FTM so have nothing constructive to tell you about your dilemma... Sorry.

afrochick09 · March 2013

Would car travel be possible?

Ems2684 · March 2013

Hey due date buddy! Glad to see another 8/31.I haven't spent much time on the September board, probably because I'm not-so-subsconsciously hoping this baby is on time I'll have to check it out.

Breezalina - we could drive, that's one of our options, but with just me and DH it takes about 11 hours, so it would be very long. That's why I'm not sure if it's better for me to just fly up by myself. Was hoping others had some insight on long car trips with VERY little ones!

Critter015 · March 2013

I flew from Oklahoma to California with my DD when she was 4 weeks old. I had to go back to work at 6 weeks and realized it may be my only opportunity for my family to meet her while she was a baby. We attended a cousin's bridal shower while we were there as well. I flew by myself with her in my lap. I was really no big deal. I nursed her on takeoff and landing and she mostly slept in between. I borrowed a car seat from my SIL while I was there so I did not have to take one with me. I carried DD in my moby wrap while in the airport and was able to slip her in it during the flight when she was asleep so I could rest my arms. It was a wonderful trip and I am sure yours is doable, especially if you do have some help! Let me know if you have any other questions!

Ems2684 · March 2013

Critter015:
I flew from Oklahoma to California with my DD when she was 4 weeks old. I had to go back to work at 6 weeks and realized it may be my only opportunity for my family to meet her while she was a baby. We attended a cousin's bridal shower while we were there as well. I flew by myself with her in my lap. I was really no big deal. I nursed her on takeoff and landing and she mostly slept in between. I borrowed a car seat from my SIL while I was there so I did not have to take one with me. I carried DD in my moby wrap while in the airport and was able to slip her in it during the flight when she was asleep so I could rest my arms. It was a wonderful trip and I am sure yours is doable, especially if you do have some help! Let me know if you have any other questions!

Thanks! This is really helpful and good to know that its doable - were you worried about DD getting sick? I think that's my biggest issue with flying. I ALWAYS get sick after I fly - usually a bad cold. My mom is a total germ phobic, and I think some of that is rubbing off on me now that I'm expecting, unfortunately!

carlyftc · March 2013

Hoping mine is on time too, but I get jealous of all the early August mom's hitting milestones I won't for weeks. I lurk on September purely because it makes me feel better.
Cheers to on time babies!

rissa06 · March 2013

i think it is doable, the only thing is that what happens if you go late and something happens that put you on bed rest after or other things. Those few weeks after the baby born is not the most glamorous.

Critter015 · March 2013

I wasn't really worried about her getting sick after, and it was the middle of March when we went. I figured the immunities she was getting from my milk would protect her.

That.Just.Happened · March 2013

Flying with an infant is really easy. Def go that route. If you drove it would take days since you would have to stop to breastfeed every 30 minutes.

JnDbaby4us · March 2013

Ems2684:
Critter015:
I flew from Oklahoma to California with my DD when she was 4 weeks old. I had to go back to work at 6 weeks and realized it may be my only opportunity for my family to meet her while she was a baby. We attended a cousin's bridal shower while we were there as well. I flew by myself with her in my lap. I was really no big deal. I nursed her on takeoff and landing and she mostly slept in between. I borrowed a car seat from my SIL while I was there so I did not have to take one with me. I carried DD in my moby wrap while in the airport and was able to slip her in it during the flight when she was asleep so I could rest my arms. It was a wonderful trip and I am sure yours is doable, especially if you do have some help! Let me know if you have any other questions!
Thanks! This is really helpful and good to know that its doable - were you worried about DD getting sick? I think that's my biggest issue with flying. I ALWAYS get sick after I fly - usually a bad cold. My mom is a total germ phobic, and I think some of that is rubbing off on me now that I'm expecting, unfortunately!

Babies immune systems are great unless the baby has problems, nursing and/or having baby under blanket is best though.

snookums2013 · March 2013

I will have to attend my cousin's wedding about 5 weeks after my due date and am planning on taking the baby. I am not in the wedding so that makes it easier to play things by ear while I'm there. There's no way I could leave my baby that soon. Thankfully it's only a few hours away so we'll be driving. Baby and labor aside, I always choose flying over driving for long trips because I can't stand being in a car for long periods of time and I don't like wasting a ton of time just getting there and back. So with the caveat that I'm also a FTM and have no idea what it's like to travel with a baby, I would definitely opt for bringing the baby and your husband with you and flying there. I can't imagine taking a baby on a 12 hour car ride and you will probably be exhausted from being a new mom.

Ems2684 · March 2013

Thanks all! You've got me rethinking the whole flying thing - a 2 hour flight does sound a lot better than driving.

Ems2684 · March 2013

msspeedymarie:
Just keep in mind that due dates are not absolute. You could deliver in early September, and then be only 2-3 weeks post when the wedding comes. If you have a c-section, or a bad tear, getting around may be really difficult, let alone flying across country, and participating in all the wedding stuff.
While you are at the wedding, is there someone who can keep the baby in a hotel room or something, where you can easily visit to BF or take a break?

Agree - while I'm hoping everything works out, I know that a lot of it is out of my control. If we do travel DH will come with me, so he'll be on "baby duty" during the actual ceremony, toasts, and any other times I need to be on MOH duty. Luckily my sister is pretty laid back, and the ceremony and reception are in the same place so there's a bridal suite where I can BF. Plus we'll have tons of family members around who I'm sure will volunteer to hold the baby - until it needs a diaper change or gets fussy

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