traveling with your newborn

labhina · February 2016

Hey mom's am having a question regarding traveling home from the hospital with my newborn twins as am going to be helped by my mom with them is it safe or should I wait few days

labhina · February 2016

Was thinking of getting car seats and I don't know what to do if they cry on the road as it is 5hrs to my mom's house

cmjenkies · February 2016

I'm not sure what you mean by the question - if you plan to leave the hospital in any type of vehicle I'm fairly certain you have to have car seats, by law.

Would you be driving or riding as a passenger? If you have a c-section, you will likely be too uncomfortable/not medically cleared to drive as it is, and riding for that long would be equally unpleasant. Regardless, I wouldn't travel that far immediately after giving birth with 1 child, much less 2, unless it was absolutely necessary.

Have your mother come to you.

TKaiser91 · February 2016

I'm confused by the question as well. If your mom is helping you out then she should be doing it at your house so you can get a routine started in the environment you will be staying in long term. Going to her house wouldnt be as beneficial IMO. Also driving 5 hours away immediately after giving birth is asking a lot of a person. You should be relaxing and learning how to take care of twins, not going on a long drive.

Also, more than likely your twins will cry in the 5 hour time period because they will need to eat every 2-3 hours. You will have to stop, feed them, burp them, change their diaper, possibly even their outfits (poop blowouts). I know from personal experience that it will take an hour for all that at minimum, and that's with a one month old. Two newborns only days old will be so much harder. I would reconsider going to yoir mom's house and see if she can come to you, or wait until they are a little older before making the trip.

CCLow87 · February 2016

You legally have to have car seats, so that's not really something to consider. If they cry, you'll have to stop and take care of them..... obviously. I'm failing to see the question or confusion here. That being said, I'd never drive five hours with any number of newborns.

Jules08 · February 2016

Yeah. Ditto that the car seat are not optional. Why can't your mom come to you? The other ladies mentioned valid reasons why 5 hours will be tough to do, not to mention you won't be cleared to drive for at least 1-2 weeks after delivery (vaginal or c-section)

olivemomma · February 2016

I really hope I am interpreting this wrong but my main concern is that you are questioning the necessity of car seats when driving with your newborns in a car. If I read that wrong I do apologize, but I don't care if you live next door to the hospital, if your child is in a moving vehicle put them in a car seat.

mzbkworm · February 2016

I second the above. Car seats for little ones should never be an option. My hospital won't let me leave without one.
As far as the trip: she should come to your house instead. You're going to take at least twice as long to make that trip with two newborns.
Also better for you to be home where things are where you put them and you can get into your own habits with your little ones, rather than having to change everything when you go back home from mom's.

misstopsail · February 2016

Honestly, if your mom is your only support, and you have to go there, and you'll be there for a while, I'd just go before they're born and deliver at a local hospital. This may not be the popular opinion but it sounds like you've got special circumstances?

But... car seats are a must unless you're walking home.

emgee27 · February 2016

Drive-by MUD....just make sure you drive by with those twins in car seats.

elasticheart13 · February 2016

Uhm I'm pretty sure we have safety regulations here that dictate newborns can't be placed in a car seat for more than half an hour at a time? That would make for a long car ride, combined with the feedings and changing.

thaisac1 · February 2016

A slight change of direction but still within the same topic: Any STMs+ here travelled by plane with their babies within the first 6 months of life? I will take 6 months of mat leave and was wondering whether it would be realistic for me to bring baby boy home to Brazil towards the end of the mat leave; and perhaps squeeze in an Europe trip too. I know I am being super idealistic/ optimistic (hehehe) and I will certainly go with the flow; but was wondering other mom's experiences with air travel at such a young age.
Along the same lines, does anyone have experience with traveling with an infant in business class? In economy you can request the little bassinets, but the only times I've seen infants in business class, they were traveling on their mom's chest/ lap.

CCLow87 · February 2016

thaisac1 said:

A slight change of direction but still within the same topic: Any STMs+ here travelled by plane with their babies within the first 6 months of life? I will take 6 months of mat leave and was wondering whether it would be realistic for me to bring baby boy home to Brazil towards the end of the mat leave; and perhaps squeeze in an Europe trip too. I know I am being super idealistic/ optimistic (hehehe) and I will certainly go with the flow; but was wondering other mom's experiences with air travel at such a young age.
Along the same lines, does anyone have experience with traveling with an infant in business class? In economy you can request the little bassinets, but the only times I've seen infants in business class, they were traveling on their mom's chest/ lap.

DD travelled with me everywhere and took lots of flights. I just nursed her and all was well. DH is speaking at a conference in Sweden this summer and we'll be taking this baby! I say go for it! From what I can tell, you're well travelled and smart, which will translate to being smart about baby.

We'll be in business class going to Sweden but I haven't flown with an infant In business class yet. Yay travel!

mrstrax · February 2016

thaisac1 said:

A slight change of direction but still within the same topic: Any STMs+ here travelled by plane with their babies within the first 6 months of life? I will take 6 months of mat leave and was wondering whether it would be realistic for me to bring baby boy home to Brazil towards the end of the mat leave; and perhaps squeeze in an Europe trip too. I know I am being super idealistic/ optimistic (hehehe) and I will certainly go with the flow; but was wondering other mom's experiences with air travel at such a young age.
Along the same lines, does anyone have experience with traveling with an infant in business class? In economy you can request the little bassinets, but the only times I've seen infants in business class, they were traveling on their mom's chest/ lap.

I haven't, but everything I have heard is that it's way easier to do in the first 6 months than in the 6-18 month range because they still arent independently mobile. If you babywear you can check a car seat and at least in the US you don't have to take them off for security. You'll have to prepare for a long day whenever you go, but during maternity leave seems like a really convenient time.

CCLow87 · February 2016

mrstrax said:

thaisac1 said:

A slight change of direction but still within the same topic: Any STMs+ here travelled by plane with their babies within the first 6 months of life? I will take 6 months of mat leave and was wondering whether it would be realistic for me to bring baby boy home to Brazil towards the end of the mat leave; and perhaps squeeze in an Europe trip too. I know I am being super idealistic/ optimistic (hehehe) and I will certainly go with the flow; but was wondering other mom's experiences with air travel at such a young age.
Along the same lines, does anyone have experience with traveling with an infant in business class? In economy you can request the little bassinets, but the only times I've seen infants in business class, they were traveling on their mom's chest/ lap.

I haven't, but everything I have heard is that it's way easier to do in the first 6 months than in the 6-18 month range because they still arent independently mobile. If you babywear you can check a car seat and at least in the US you don't have to take them off for security. You'll have to prepare for a long day whenever you go, but during maternity leave seems like a really convenient time.

Yes!! Wear all the babies! Makes traveling SO easy! And I agree than its much easier when they are under 6 months.

thaisac1 · February 2016

CCLow87 said:

thaisac1 said:

A slight change of direction but still within the same topic: Any STMs+ here travelled by plane with their babies within the first 6 months of life? I will take 6 months of mat leave and was wondering whether it would be realistic for me to bring baby boy home to Brazil towards the end of the mat leave; and perhaps squeeze in an Europe trip too. I know I am being super idealistic/ optimistic (hehehe) and I will certainly go with the flow; but was wondering other mom's experiences with air travel at such a young age.
Along the same lines, does anyone have experience with traveling with an infant in business class? In economy you can request the little bassinets, but the only times I've seen infants in business class, they were traveling on their mom's chest/ lap.

DD travelled with me everywhere and took lots of flights. I just nursed her and all was well. DH is speaking at a conference in Sweden this summer and we'll be taking this baby! I say go for it! From what I can tell, you're well travelled and smart, which will translate to being smart about baby. We'll be in business class going to Sweden but I haven't flown with an infant In business class yet. Yay travel!

I think business with an infant has the potential to be a dream or a curse. If baby decides to cry a lot, I would probably want to hide somewhere in the bathroom to avoid the evil looks from other passengers… But on the other hand, if baby behaves well everyone will be more rested, which is a win. Last year on my way to London there was a lady in business behind me with a 4 month old. The moment I saw her I though "oh great, there goes my sleep…". But the baby was a champ!!! He just laid on his mom's chest, nursed and didn't make a single noise the whole flight. I so want my baby to be like that!!!!!

Wish it was something I could control.

nikkinbonnie · February 2016

I'm planning on flying a nonstop 3 hour flight at about 8 weeks. I'm nervous and not buying our tickets until after the baby is born and getting an okay from the hospital but it really is the only time to see family before going back to work and such. I think as long as mom and baby are healthy and cleared by the doc you should go to Brazil!

CCLow87 · February 2016

@thaisac1 Right?! I'll be nervous too.

momofmanyinthemitten · February 2016

@thaisac1 - I think it all depends on your baby. My first cried 24/7 for the first 5.5mos. My other two would've done fine on a trip before the 6 mo mark.

kalanieileen · February 2016

@thaisac1 love that you asked this question! The family is taking a trip home (the Philippines) and I was pretty sad I would have to stay home with the baby. Now I'm going to look into the possibility of going!

cmjenkies · February 2016

elasticheart13 said:

Uhm I'm pretty sure we have safety regulations here that dictate newborns can't be placed in a car seat for more than half an hour at a time? That would make for a long car ride, combined with the feedings and changing.

Oi. That is one of the strangest things I've ever heard in re: kid travel. I live in a good sized metro area with several outlying rural communities as well. To get from my house to my in-laws takes a good 30 mins and they're not that far out. I know it's not advisable to leave an infant in a car seat once your trip is done, but how do you Europeans ever get anywhere if you have a 30 minute limit? We will be driving 17 hours to FL in June and ain't no way I'd ever stop every 30 minutes to get baby out of car seat. Not a chance!

K&Elizabeth · February 2016

@thaisac1 we have flown with DD when she was 4 months old and again when she was 2.5 years old. The younger trip was MUCH easier. We found flight times close to her usual nap time and fed her right before take off. She slept like a log and never made a peep. The time when she was older wasn't harder in the sense that she was cranky. She napped the majority of the flight, but because she was older she was bigger, needed more stuff, was super excited in the airport and potty trained so we needed lots of potty breaks.

eta: we purchased a seat for DD both times and she traveled in her carseat. The extra cost was well worth the peace of mind of the car seat and having my lap to myself for the flight.

Bltbear82 · February 2016

thaisac1 said:

A slight change of direction but still within the same topic: Any STMs+ here travelled by plane with their babies within the first 6 months of life? I will take 6 months of mat leave and was wondering whether it would be realistic for me to bring baby boy home to Brazil towards the end of the mat leave; and perhaps squeeze in an Europe trip too. I know I am being super idealistic/ optimistic (hehehe) and I will certainly go with the flow; but was wondering other mom's experiences with air travel at such a young age.
Along the same lines, does anyone have experience with traveling with an infant in business class? In economy you can request the little bassinets, but the only times I've seen infants in business class, they were traveling on their mom's chest/ lap.

Lurking from May, but we traveled with DS at 10 weeks in business and he was fine. We bought a seat and brought the car seat but he preferred to be on me most of the trip. I also traveled by myself from NYC-LA at 5 months in business and bought him a seat for the car seat and he definitely preferred the car seat at that point. It is also lso helpful in case you need to go to the restroom, but the flight attendants were lovely and sat with him while I ran to the bathroom. We also went to Sweden to see family at 14 months again in business (I love to travel) and it was more difficult but only because the announcements woke him up whereas before he slept through all of it.

Re: bassinets, you need to book the bulkhead (per United) and call to request one. And keep confirming. Good luck!

Jules08 · February 2016

elasticheart13 said:

Uhm I'm pretty sure we have safety regulations here that dictate newborns can't be placed in a car seat for more than half an hour at a time? That would make for a long car ride, combined with the feedings and changing.

I have never heard of this before.

helleebellee · February 2016

cmjenkies said:

elasticheart13 said:

Uhm I'm pretty sure we have safety regulations here that dictate newborns can't be placed in a car seat for more than half an hour at a time? That would make for a long car ride, combined with the feedings and changing.

Oi. That is one of the strangest things I've ever heard in re: kid travel. I live in a good sized metro area with several outlying rural communities as well. To get from my house to my in-laws takes a good 30 mins and they're not that far out. I know it's not advisable to leave an infant in a car seat once your trip is done, but how do you Europeans ever get anywhere if you have a 30 minute limit? We will be driving 17 hours to FL in June and ain't no way I'd ever stop every 30 minutes to get baby out of car seat. Not a chance!

My hospital is 45 minutes away and there's no way I would stop when I'm almost home. I've drove 12 hours with a two week old more than once, it would have taken me a week to get there if I had to stop every 30 minutes.

RoseGold10 · February 2016

Jules08 said:

elasticheart13 said:

Uhm I'm pretty sure we have safety regulations here that dictate newborns can't be placed in a car seat for more than half an hour at a time? That would make for a long car ride, combined with the feedings and changing.

I have never heard of this before.

The posted who mentioned this is from Denmark, I believe. A rule like this seems more feasible and practical in a country of that size (roughly equal to Massachusetts x 2).

kdebesche4 · February 2016

Regarding air travel when they are little, I agree with some of the other posters about getting a separate seat for the baby and bring the car seat on the plane. Totally worth having the extra space and having a place to put the baby to sleep, play, etc. Additionally, it is a lot safer in case of turbulence.

DougalMcG · February 2016

thaisac1 said:

A slight change of direction but still within the same topic: Any STMs+ here travelled by plane with their babies within the first 6 months of life? I will take 6 months of mat leave and was wondering whether it would be realistic for me to bring baby boy home to Brazil towards the end of the mat leave; and perhaps squeeze in an Europe trip too. I know I am being super idealistic/ optimistic (hehehe) and I will certainly go with the flow; but was wondering other mom's experiences with air travel at such a young age.
Along the same lines, does anyone have experience with traveling with an infant in business class? In economy you can request the little bassinets, but the only times I've seen infants in business class, they were traveling on their mom's chest/ lap.

I've flown with an infant in business (long haul) (on a red eye) several times and it was absolutely fine. It's actually much easier than flying with a toddler in my opinion. I can't speak for all airlines, but BA has bassinets and child seats in all it's classes that attach securely to a little table that folds out of the wall. They are usually located in the bulkhead seats, but honestly I have never used them in business. Hope that helps!

elasticheart13 · February 2016

Yeah, I know it seems pretty impossible for you guys when it's much larger than Denmark

they worry it can damage the baby's spine when the baby is very young which is why they recommend half an hour in a car seat. People who need to drive longer distances can get special flat car seats who are generally less secure than regular car seats but better for their spine.

brie_and_almonds · February 2016

Some hospitals in the US do a "car seat check" (I think mostly just for preemies) to make sure baby's airway isn't restricted in the car seat, and baby must pass them before being allowed to be in the car seat for longer than certain amounts of time. I have heard of parents having to leave baby at the hospital because their breathing wasn't good in the car seat and they needed a couple more days.

I took DD on a ~2 hour flight when she was 5 months old, and it was not really a big deal. She did cry a bit, but I was surprised by how much the engine noise drowned out other passengers, so it was only in our immediate vicinity that people could hear her. Everyone was very kind (the lady behind us tried playing peek a boo with her, which helped a bit). I did have her in the Ergo pretty much the whole time, and it made security much less of a hassle, and she did sleep for about half of the flight. I was kind-of paranoid that I was going to drop her during turbulence when she was out of the ergo. When we flew when she was bigger (16 and 19 months), we got a seat for her and brought her car seat if we could, but I still wore her through security.

thaisac1 · February 2016

DougalMcG said:

thaisac1 said:

A slight change of direction but still within the same topic: Any STMs+ here travelled by plane with their babies within the first 6 months of life? I will take 6 months of mat leave and was wondering whether it would be realistic for me to bring baby boy home to Brazil towards the end of the mat leave; and perhaps squeeze in an Europe trip too. I know I am being super idealistic/ optimistic (hehehe) and I will certainly go with the flow; but was wondering other mom's experiences with air travel at such a young age.
Along the same lines, does anyone have experience with traveling with an infant in business class? In economy you can request the little bassinets, but the only times I've seen infants in business class, they were traveling on their mom's chest/ lap.

I've flown with an infant in business (long haul) (on a red eye) several times and it was absolutely fine. It's actually much easier than flying with a toddler in my opinion. I can't speak for all airlines, but BA has bassinets and child seats in all it's classes that attach securely to a little table that folds out of the wall. They are usually located in the bulkhead seats, but honestly I have never used them in business. Hope that helps!

@DougalMcG There you are! You had disappeared! Hope all is well!
I am almost certain Air Canada does not have bassinets or car seats in business… Good to know BA does though.

Monicagail1 · February 2016

@thaisac1 I personally think travel under/around 6 months will be your easiest time for travel. As other posters said, if at all possible purchase a dedicated seat for the baby on the plane. However, if you are flying non-US based airlines review each carefully regarding car seat use. Not all may use the same guidelines as US based airlines, and even US based airlines can be tricky to deal with when it comes to car seats on planes. Csftl.org has some great resources for traveling with kids.

Side note-I'm seriously considering a flight/Disney trip with three kids next fall (kids will be 6.5, 4.5, and 7mos at that time, plus a husband who is barely more helpful than the kids when it comes to air travel). I think that makes me nuttier than you!!

korpatch · February 2016

We have to make a ten hour drive to Wisconsin in June for my brother in laws wedding! I'm so excited. It will actually be the first time most of his family will see our new son... However the long car ride does not thrill me...

JadaBlue · February 2016

I've mentioned before doing a 30 hour trip (three flights) with DD1 at two months. That long of a journey and dislocation is difficult regardless, but she slept more than normal and it was a breeze compared to the nightmare that was the same trip at a year. We'll have to do it again when DD1 is closing in on two years and DD2 will be two months old--I dread dealing with DD1 and haven't had a moments concern about DD2. Get out and enjoy it while you can!

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