STMs - Flying with a Newborn Tips?

OnBabymaking226 · February 2014

I recently found out my grandmother who lives across the county was diagnosed w/ Stage 3 colorectal cancer, and because of her illness my mother, myself and DD will be flying to visit her in a month. I used to be generally opposed to babies flying, but now that I am in the position of wanting my daughter to get to meet her great grandmother (more so wanting my grandmother to get to meet DD, I suppose) while she has the chance, I understand that you never know anyone's story and I really should never have side-eyed parents w/ LOs on flights.

I am EXTREMELY anxious about flying w/ DD and hoping some STMs might have some tips for travel! Emma will be just shy of 11 weeks when we fly. We are flying nonstop red-eye leaving at 10pm there (5 hours flight) and nonstop flight leaving at 8pm on the way home (6 hour flight). I am EBF, though I do usually pump twice a day (one in AM after feeding, and once while DH usually gives her a bottle), so not sure if I should bring my pump/bottles to keep that routine up while there (we will be there for 5 days). We will be renting a car, so I'll need to bring the carseat.

Thank you in advance, and hopefully this might help other ladies needing to travel with their LOs in the future too?

bensmommy518 · February 2014

Young babies are actually easier to fly with than toddlers. Breastfeed during take off and landing to help babies ears. I highly suggest a carrier of some sort to allow you use of your hands while boarding and getting around the airport. In my experience the stoller and/or car seat can be checked at the gate or with regular luggage but the dont count as extra luggage you need to pay for. Double check this with your airline though.

The pumping is your call - if you want you hubby to be able to continue doing a feeding you will need to continue to pump.

Buy a pack of diapers when you get there. dont waste room in your luggage carrying a weeks worth of diapers. Also think about where baby will sleep there. If you are staying at a hotel, they usually have cribs you can reuest. If staying with family you need either a pack and play or rock and play

Piach · February 2014

I flew a lot with my first DD in her first year. I brought my boppy, which allowed my arms to rest. I used a wrap carrier (baby ktan) in the airport & checked the stroller & car seat. I just used the car seat without the base (installed with the seatbelt) in the rental car.

Sorry to hear about your grandmother.

OnBabymaking226 · February 2014

@bensmommy518 I was just thinking about what she would sleep in while there! We are staying with family, and everyone we are staying with smokes, so while I kind of have to suck it up and be around them (though I do plan on being as strict as possible as far as them washing their hands and maybe changing clothes before holding her?), I don't want to borrow anything they've used for years for her to sleep in. She sleeps in PNP at night, wonder if you can check that on an airline and if it would get damaged at all in transport?

JaneW2 · February 2014

OnBabymaking226 said:

She sleeps in PNP at night, wonder if you can check that on an airline and if it would get damaged at all in transport?

I've checked skis, which are longer and more awkward. You'd probably have to pay a fee, but they can totally check something like that.

joshsmandy · February 2014

If you wanted to save room you can get a car seat with your car rental, just when you make your reservation for your rental let them know you need an infant car seat. I used to do that with my kids when I needed rentals

ccip82 · February 2014

I am sorry about your grandmother.

PPs gave really good advice. I would also recommend wearing LO for air travel. It makes it so much easier rather than gate checking the stroller. Also, make sure you pack a change of clothes for you and LO. While flying on an international flight with DD, she had a poop explosion all over herself and me...

FTR, traveling with infants is also 1000x better than traveling with toddlers.

ksonne · February 2014

The pp had great suggestions. It's relatively easy to fly with a newborn, you just need help carrying all if their extra stuff.

Definitely nurse during take off and landing. And don't worry about breast feeding in public. Yes, it's a small space, but you are providing for your baby. I was self conscious on my first flight (flew solo with DS1 at 6 weeks), and sat beside a large, older gentleman. At the end of the flight he told me his wife nursed all three of their daughters. So I had no reason to be self conscious.

Does your carseat attach to your stroller? You can gate check the carseat and the stroller, no cost to you. And if the plane isn't full, you may be able to bring the carseat on board.

I'm sorry to hear about your grandmother.

sugarland726 · February 2014

joshsmandy said:

If you wanted to save room you can get a car seat with your car rental, just when you make your reservation for your rental let them know you need an infant car seat. I used to do that with my kids when I needed rentals

Sometimes they double book those and parents are left with nothing. Or the car seats are in terrible condition or expired. I would not suggest this as an option because if any of these scenarios happens then you are stuck at the airport with no way to fix the situation.

TheBorg7of9 · February 2014

I would take the car seat on the plane and buy a seat. It's much safer during the flight. And also safer for the integrity of the car seat. You really don't want it thrown around by baggage handlers. Google it.

If you don't want to buy a seat, you can ask at the gate if there happens to be an extra seat you can use.

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