Flying with a newborn

2cutepups87 · February 2016

Hi all, FTM here needing advice from those who have done it before! Thinking way ahead here but I have a family wedding to attend in September (DH's brother) and would really love to go and bring baby with us. We will have to fly there and baby will be 4-6 weeks old at the time. Has anybody on here flown with a baby that young before? I worry about germs more than anything and will feel like a bad mom if I expose him to all those crowds and he gets sick.

This trip would involve a week at the beach with my in-laws and then I would like to spend a couple days with my Grandma too since I don't know when she will have another chance to meet him. My mom would come and help out for that since DH just has enough vacation time for the beach part. Is this too ambitious of a trip to plan with a one-month-old? Will I totally regret it and wish we were home??

Also any general tips on flying with a baby would be appreciated!

texasmama2014 · February 2016

I wouldn't expose a baby that young personally. The baby won't even have immunizations at that point.

DH and I road tripped to see my grandma several states away when DD was this age. This way, the stops, feelings, and pace were set by her. She was not in enclosed spaces with germs-a-plenty. It was still exhausting. you also my want to consider that infants feeding schedule is exhausting. If you are formula feeding you will have to pack very carefully and ensure you have the space to wash bottles and bring what you need (or have a handy place you know carries that brand). If you EBF keep in mind that you will probably be feeding a minimum of 8-10 times per day which can be pretty inconvenient on vacation. You will be tired. Baby probably won't sleep.

Every kid is different, you may hit the lottery with a good sleeper, with no colic. Or, baby could have colic and scream the whole plane ride, and the wedding, and on the beach.

I would say it's too much of a gamble to plan now.

kiwico14 · February 2016

I've never flown with DS, so no advice to offer on that front. However, the Facebook group Car Seats for the Littles has great airplane safety information for flying with babies. I highly recommend it.

mooncusp22 · February 2016

I flew with my DD1 when she was 4 weeks old (& again when she was 8 weeks old- she has been on over 20 flights in less then her 2 years of life!). Anyway, it was just fine. I was nervous but Doctor assured me it would be ok. She stayed in the carrier against me the entire time and I put a light blanket over her. I made sure no one touched her and that I cleaned my hands a lot and kept hand sanitizer on me.

mamaqdubu · February 2016

@2cutepups87 I'm in literally the exact same situation. My cousins wedding is 6 weeks after my due date. It would be either a 12 hr drive or like (2) 1.5 hr flights since there are no nonstops between the airports. I'm nervous because I would have to book plane tickets and RSVP for the wedding before the baby is born most likely. If the baby is one of those "quite observer" types and I don't go I'll be upset, and if they are colicky and we do go I'll probably regret it. Tough situation. I also feel bad because I never see them and they flew up for my wedding 2 years ago.

kat22stl · February 2016

I flew with my son at 7 weeks - like the pp I kept him in a sling against my chest the whole time with a blanket. We were BFing; I also brought a bottle of expressed milk bc I was nervous about having enough space to nurse (which was really a non-issue with a baby that small).

hannahh18 · February 2016

I would just put her in a carrier with a light blanked over her to keep her protected! Sometime you have to weigh the risks with the benefits

danahorowitz · February 2016

I flew with my daughter at 8 weeks. Aside from germs, the pressure on your baby's ears is something else to think about. I would ask your pediatrician. We asked ours and he gave us the green light to fly.
It'll be a hard trip with a baby that small (just from a logistics standpoint and all the equipment you need in those early days), but if you're determined it is feasible. Is the wedding in the US or out of the country? Will you need a passport for the baby?

mooncusp22 · February 2016

danahorowitz mentioned... the ears. My DD1 never had a problem, but I didn't know that at the beginning. They say have them suck on a pacifier during takeoff or a bottle. My DD never took to pacifiers so I always timed it so she was ready for a bottle. Also just make sure you very prepared in your bag with extra clothes, diapers, etc etc etc.

Jenniferk08 · February 2016

If you fly no matter what age make sure baby gets their own seat so you can use the car seat. It is much safer for them if anything happens.

I know moms will dismiss it and say what are the chances but I learned from experience what can happen on a plane. when the captain comes on and says listen to the flight attendant as they explain how to brace for a crash landing.

ginger819 · February 2016

We took DD to Maine for her and I to meet DHs extended family when she was 7 weeks. She did fantastic. As others said I put her in a carrier and she mostly just slept on me. I bfed and just encouraged her to eat while we took off and landed to keep her ears from getting the pressure built up. She never had an issue. She only cried once during the flights and it was because DH tried to change her diaper, but the bathroom was so small he had trouble. He ended up bringing her back out and I finished up the job in my seat.

As I saw it, unless I was willing to keep her inside 24/7 she will always be exposed to germs and flying was not something I was overly worried about.

bananers · February 2016

Regarding the germs - if you plan to breastfeed, your baby gets the benefits of your immunity in the beginning. Then again, I'm fully aware that even if you intend to BF, it doesn't always work out, so I wouldn't totally count on that, but something to consider.

We've flown twice with DS - once at 9 months and once at 2 years. Flying with a little one always presents SOME kind of logistical challenge. Never did I think I'd look back on my childless days of flying and call it a pleasant experience, but comparatively, it kinda was!! As with all things, you just gotta weigh the pros and cons and think about how much it means for you to be at this wedding. On the plus side, a newborn won't kick the seat in front of him or squirm to get away from you.

amccul20 · February 2016

I flew with my son when he was 3 months old, so not quite as young, but it was just fine. I brought wet ones, more than one blanket just in case, and was in general careful about germs and changing his clothes when we got off the plane

Sonicstef · February 2016

We took a road trip at about that age with our first. Getting out on the road with the baby will be a great crash course in being comfortable taking her anywhere. Go for it!

cbpalagi · February 2016

I'm in the same boat...my sister-in-law is getting married 6wks after my due date. I think I'm more worried navigating around a hot congested place like NOLA than the plane ride.

SkiChic626 · February 2016

I think it's too far out for you to respond. You don't know your baby or your newborn situation yet - it can go so differently for every baby and every parent. Wedding venues really don't need a final final headcount until a week or two before, so they can still maneuver things around if you cancel or vice versa. I would just tell them that you plan to come BUT you won't be able to give them a definite response until the baby is born...it is what it is.

If you do go, I agree about getting baby his or her own seat. It's eons safer, it's the only way we've every flown with our DD.

2cutepups87 · February 2016

Thanks for all the replies! It is in the U.S. but a 20+ hour car ride so flying would definitely be best. It is the first time in years his whole family will be together and the only chance for a long time that his other brother and fam will get to meet our baby. So we are pretty determined to go. You all make it sound like it can be done!

@cbpalagi and @caitlinj187 glad to know I'm not alone!

cm716 · February 2016

Our dd was six weeks old when we flew for the first time. I think it's totally fine. enjoy flying with a baby while it is still easy!

WildWhat · February 2016

cbpalagi said:

I'm in the same boat...my sister-in-law is getting married 6wks after my due date. I think I'm more worried navigating around a hot congested place like NOLA than the plane ride.

Haha--everything is relative! Our little one is going to be growing up in NOLA. I'm worried about bringing baby to the cold, congested New England to visit my family!

greendogs1993 · February 2016

I flew with DS when he was 7 weeks. Pediatrician suggested keeping a light blanket over him and nursing or using a pacifier at take off and landing. Surprisingly, that was the easiest flight because he slept most the time. It was still easy at 9 months since he was still nursing and not quite running around yet. But it was so hard to convince a 14 month old to stay on my lap. If you want to go then I would say check with your pediatrician first, but you should be ok. But don't go just to please someone else, it's going to be hard no matter if you are home or with family so make sure it's wherever you are happy. Prepare for a day of adjusting for the baby.

DS was very gassy and an unhappy baby in the first 3 months so it was really nice to have a short break where Grandma could take over and DH and I could nap :-)

pamelac405 · February 2016

I flew at 4 weeks and then 12 weeks with my first (and a million times afterwards). Bring a bottle or plan to feed on take off and landing so their ears pop. But honestly, flying at that age is the easiest! They normally sleep through the whole flight - I think the white noise of the airplane helps. I'll be flying with a two year old and 4 week old in September this time around. Good luck!

ThisisNumber3 · February 2016

Whatever you do make sure you buy trip insurance! You never know if baby could come down with something as simple as an Ear Infection and not be allowed to fly.

I would consider flying but I would consider buying a seat for the baby so it could be secure on the plane and sleep comfortable and away from germs.

Stephanie7693 · February 2016

I flew with my daughter when she was about 2 months. Brought her car seat and she did great. She slept most of it, and ate once. Flight crew was super helpful, but I was alone. They even brought my stroller up to the walkway for me when we got off the plane. The scary part was our emergency landing. One of the wheels didn't come out so we had to land 50 mph faster than normal. The flight attendant showed me how to hold her, and thankfully the landing went as smooth as it could have. Flight home was easy and uneventful.
As for germs, if baby is in the car seat or you're holding her, the airport and plane shouldn't be a big deal, especially if you get all the seats in your row for you and family. Just make sure all family washes their hands before holding the baby.

kwilliams3402 · February 2016

We travel frequently between Austin and Dallas--currently 2 weekends a month, a 4 hour drive--because my husband's father is not well and my husband's mom needs extra help, and we're hoping/planning to resume once a month trips with the baby after the baby is 4 weeks. Obviously a little easier than flying, but I don't think you're crazy. Obviously you may be sleep deprived and it's going to be a totally different trip than without a newborn, but a week at a beachhouse sounds like one of the places I'd most like to be with a newborn! Even if the trip there wears you out and the trip back is tiring, at least you have several days in between where frankly, as a new mom with a newborn, no one should expect you to do anymore than rest and take care of baby!

In addition to thinking about the 500 things to pack, avoiding germs, etc., one of the other things I'd arrange beforehand is having the contact info for the nearest hospital and a good pediatrician, and take any important health records you have by that point with you.

lfh22 · February 2016

Like many pps, I flew with my daughter when she was 6 weeks and it was easy! I kept her in a sling and she nursed and slept the whole way without a peep. Totally agree about keeping it as flexible as possible with travel insurance and clear expectations with the couple- you'll be less stressed leading up to the trip knowing you can easily get out of it last minute if it doesn't feel right. Good luck and have fun!

2cutepups87 · February 2016

What about sleeping arrangements when traveling with a baby? I was thinking we could just bring our pack n' play for baby to sleep in but it is so large and heavy. My mom suggested bringing along a co-sleeper type thing (such as this: https://www.amazon.com/SwaddleMe-By-Your-Side-Sleeper/dp/B00YBADM1O/ref=sr_1_1?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1455253701&sr=1-1&keywords=swaddleme+by+your+side+sleeper) and using that while we are on our trip. These seem like something that would be easy to transport and they SEEM safe but does anybody know how safe they actually are? I'm not normally a fan of co-sleeping but I'm intrigued by this product and can't find much information on its safety.

bananers · February 2016

You can buy a Pack n Play basic model for about $50. You're going to spend that much checking it anyway, so it might be worth just buying there. Some places you can rent them too.

Kristin712 · February 2016

bananers said:

You can buy a Pack n Play basic model for about $50. You're going to spend that much checking it anyway, so it might be worth just buying there. Some places you can rent them too.

We were just discussing this today as my ILs winter in Florida each year and we spend 7-8 nights with them. If they don't/can't bring a Pack n Play in the car when they drive down then they'll just buy a basic one out here for the week as that would be cheaper than renting.

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