Babies on a plane

jshrop · May 2014

TL;DR-- quick version. Would you take a two month old on a flight from GA to PA? (Total travel time from home to MIL home= 3 hours flight/layover and then 2 hr drive)

Long story: So Hubs and I have started butting heads already (surprise surprise). Hubs is not a fan of my family... And that's rightfully so, half of them are assholes. The other half are fantastic and I adore them. Anyway... My family reunion is the first weekend in August. Hubs doesn't want me taking the baby on a plane because he is worried she won't be able to regulate the pressure (he struggles with this and gets migraines when he flies). I think the issue is he doesn't want me taking her to see my family (which would be like 3-4 hours out of the entire visit). I want our friends and family to meet her. Other than his mom and my sisters no one will meet her until we go home to visit. I won't drive because I don't want to stop every 2-4 hrs to feed her and he likely won't be able to go. So, would you have any issues taking a 2 month old on a plane?

ricecakes1216 · May 2014

I'm glad you ask this. H's grandfather passed in February. They didn't do the burial because of the snow/frozen ground. So they'll be doing it this summer. We are debating if he just goes or if all of us go. We live in WA and we'd be flying to VT.

I'll be interested to read the responses.

elsa1688 · May 2014

I would. I plan on flying from Seattle to Key West when baby is 3 months old and my cousin flew to Italy with their 3 month old.

otter1103 · May 2014

I'll give you my experience but keep in mind, when I flew with my son, it was back in 1996 before so much fear and paranoia about the issue.

I flew from Omaha, NE to Phoenix with my 2 week old son. Direct flight so it was a little long. But I had no issues with him. Granted I did pay for a seat for him so he was tucked away in his infant seat. Even on the flight home while on final approach the plane encountered nasty wind shear. The whole plane was, for lack of a better term, bobbing up and down while we circled the airport numerous times. I felt sick, my mom felt sick. My little guy just snoozed and sucked on a pacifier.

Take that for what you will, but also keep in mind, every baby is different too. My son from day one was an easy going baby.

tbmadeamistake · May 2014

I did with C, MA to NC. I had her in the moby wrap most of the time, fed her on the way up and down so she'd swallow and therefore pop her ears. She was a champ! No crying, slept most of the way there and back. Totally doable. MA I had her out of the wrap for security, my own choice, but NC she was in it because she was already asleep. They let me go through the regular metal detector, not the scanner, and then just wiped my hands for explosives or what not. Super simple.

Side note: Take your own car seat or use one provided by a family/friend. We decided to rent one because hey, the rental company offered it! Bad choice. It took them almost an hour to find it, it was a convertible car seat that was missing the infant insert so we had to use towels, and she was flopping around in it the entire trip. We didn't go anywhere without one of us sitting next to her in the back. Most airlines will let you check seats at the gate for free.

rainstar752 · May 2014

I'm planning to fly from Denver to Maine when the baby is about 6 weeks. I just plan to keep him close and wash my hands frequently to try to prevent too many germs.

jshrop · May 2014

Thank you so much ladies!!!! I have my "ammunition" now.... I will have to wait until he gets home to use it.

LadyMacaron · May 2014

I'd going to do it. TX to RI. I think it's easier when they sleep a lot vs when they are older. I also asked my pediatrician about the risks of flying before baby was immune to things and she said flying is no more risky than taking your kid to the park or grocery store, plus the air doesn't circulate as much so illnesses don't carry as much as people think. 3 hrs plus a drive doesn't seem outrageous to me, I think you can do it!

rastrau · May 2014

(FTM here) We're taking a 3 month old to France for a wedding because I refuse to leave him at home for 7+ days, so I don't see anything wrong with a short domestic flight a little earlier. IMHO, just plan ahead for all contingencies so you're prepared for anything. In order to keep people from sticking their faces in baby's face, I plan to babywear in the airport and boarding, to minimize the risk of germy people, etc. Pre-board. And nurse/bottle feed/pacifier when taking off/landing so that their ears equalize. Can babies even get migraines?

I got a book for my shower that has tons of helpful tips for traveling with babies/kids. There is a slim "take-along" version of it, too.

ElTrain5 · May 2014

I would, and plan to after LO's 2 month shots. From what I hear (and have seen in my flight attendant days) tiny babies are actually easier to fly with than big babies/toddlers who need to be entertained/move around a lot. Try and make sure they stay on their schedule as much as possible, and bring lots of supplies (formula/pumped breastmilk is A-OK to bring through TSA). Changing tables should be in the lavs, but if not a changing pad on top of the closed toilet lid works too. If you can afford it, getting a seat for the car seat is the safest bet. Since LO will be really small, the travel system is great for the airport. I recommend bringing the carseat/stroller through security (they do not count as "carryon items" for most airlines, I know they don't for United), and when you get to the gate, "gate-check" the stroller and bring the seat onboard (if you've purchased a seat for it) if you haven't purchased a seat for it, gate check both. They will be brought up to the gate at your destination (You shouldn't have to go to baggage claim) Just mke sure you get a gate check tag for both the seat and the stroller. And of course, confirm this with your airline's website. Good luck!

:) I can't wait to get my little frequent flier up in the air!

Taymiller · May 2014

We go to Oregon every fall for a couple of Oregon State football games and we are planning on flying to Oregon with our LO when he is about 3 months. I am excited because there will be 10 babies under 1 years old!

jshrop · May 2014

@ElTrain5‌ United is one of the main carriers out of Savannah and likely who we'd use so that's great. I was planning to wear her and give her a bottle at take off/landing to help. Again, I think he doesn't want us so far away and around my family without him. Maybe I'll just force him to go with us lol

kimmyberly26 · May 2014

I am still debating. DH's grandmother is turning 90 in Aug so we'd fly from VA to MN. I need to do some more research buty big dilemma is that she won't have all of her vaccinations yet and with the rate of people not vaccinating their child, I don't want her to contract something that she isn't old enough to be vaccinated against.

If anyone has any info on vaccination immunity from the mother after birth, I'd lovesome more rresearch.

katekat8721 · May 2014

Yup! But I'd need/want hubby there with me because being alone with two-2 month olds on a plane sounds like hell.

ashanne88 · May 2014

I would be fine with it. I plan on flying from CA to CO when baby is only a few weeks old for a wedding though. I know someone who flew from CA to Portugal with a 2 month old.

Ultimately I think it comes down to you and how comfortable you feel with it.

aravis121 · May 2014

My DD has flown probably 20 times since she was born. The younger they are, the easier it is. She sleeps better on airplanes than at home, and I don't think she's ever cried. I had one flight where I had to sit next to a teenage boy and breastfeed (covered by a blanket, but that was when she was going through a particularly squirmy stage), and that was a little weird, but we all managed.

By the way, most of my flights have been alone, and we don't even travel with a stroller (shocker, I know!). I use an infant carrier in the airport (Baby K'tan when she was little, Beco butterfly when bigger). You're not supposed to have the baby in any kind of carrier like that once you get on the plane (although this is rarely enforced). I put her diaper stuff and toys and my magazines and camera in a backpack, so I am still completely hands-free. The worst part is getting everything through security and having to use the bathroom.

My DD HATED being in the car, so we flew whenever we could.

bumpuser9343355 · May 2014

FTM so no experience, but I would go for it. Sounds like you are prepared and have thought it out, plus it would be nice for your family to get to see the baby. I'm not sure I personally would go without DH, but if you feel comfortable, I don't think it's a big deal.

Also, am I the only one who started singing "Babies on a Plane" to the tune of "Snakes on a Plane"?

MollySm · May 2014

I have found flying with a little baby way easier than flying with a toddler. We are flying from San Diego to Maine in early September.

ricecakes1216 · May 2014

This is really helpful! Sounds like a trip back east is on my agenda!

ElTrain5 · May 2014

katekat8721 said:

Yup! But I'd need/want hubby there with me because being alone with two-2 month olds on a plane sounds like hell.

Plus, due to the number of oxegyn masks per row, only one infant is allowed per row of seats, so you would need a second person sitting in a different row to hold Baby #2.

MrsCase1 · May 2014

It is legal and many doctors consider it safe. Mine is more on the conservative side and said he preferred we save pleasure plane rides for 6 months and older. I think it should be ok.

ncbelle · May 2014

Given that I'm flying cross country with this guy on July 17 (so he'll be between 4-6 weeks) - no problem with it! I flew with #2 when she was about 6 weeks and it was very easy.

katekat8721 · May 2014

ElTrain5 said:

katekat8721 said:

Yup! But I'd need/want hubby there with me because being alone with two-2 month olds on a plane sounds like hell.

Plus, due to the number of oxegyn masks per row, only one infant is allowed per row of seats, so you would need a second person sitting in a different row to hold Baby #2.

That's good to know! Thanks!

PressLove · May 2014

Great question! For the ladies flying before two months, did you get your LO get his/her vax earlier? I'd love to see my family in August, but I'm nervous about so many people being around her.

JelloBean1 · May 2014

We are planning to fly from FL to MA in August, so she will be around 6 weeks then if she comes on her due date. I'm planning on keeping her in a carrier to avoid people touching/breathing on her too much. I've asked a few pediatricians their opinion when I've gone on the pre-natal interviews and each one had a different opinion on it, so it's really up to the parent's discretion.

meritsamomma · May 2014

Glad to see this post too! My family wants to fly us from San Diego to Boston in September and I've been stressing every time I think about it! Glad to see most of your experiences were good and that do many other mommas are planning to travel in that same time range!

allrightmeow · May 2014

rainstar752 said:

I'm planning to fly from Denver to Maine when the baby is about 6 weeks. I just plan to keep him close and wash my hands frequently to try to prevent too many germs.

Get antibacterial wipes and wipe everything down. I done this every time I fly for years. Just recently a doctor put out an article saying that it is a really great idea because planes are disgustingly filthy.

CherSomething · May 2014

I'm planning on flying CT to FL at the end of July with my baby who will be about 6 weeks old. Not worried.

gregsgurl81304 · May 2014

With DS I took him to Italy the day he turned 2 months old so we could be with his Daddy. DH was deployed during the pregnancy and birth so after DS was born and all the paperwork came back for his passport we set out on our journey overseas. It was a little scary, but DS slept a lot which made it easier, and I was nursing so I didn't have to worry about having liquids in the carry on. On the plane if he started to get uncomfortable mainly during take off and landing I just let him nurse and that seemed to really easy the pressure on what I assumed was his ears and made him more comfortable. I was lucky enough to get a seat with no other passengers next to me, so I took the blankets I had for him and made a nice comfy bed in the seat, and as I barely slept I just kept my hand on his little belly the whole time just to make sure he wasn't going to go anywhere with my eyes closed. I also walked up and down the isle with him multiple times, to help stretch my legs but to help sooth him as well. It was a long trip and they broke my stroller in Germany but we made it to Italy, and I would do it all over again if I had to. Hope my story will help you decide what you feel is best, Also I would recommend talking with your Dr. to make sure LO will be good to fly.

Want a personalized experience?

Babies on a plane

Re: Babies on a plane

Married DH 7/30/11

CSC arrived 5/7/12

CHC arrived 6/2/14

Choose Another Board

Search Boards