1st plane ride with 7 month old - need advice!

[imaswede78]

Hi Everyone -

We'll be flying direct from Chicago to Orlando on Southwest at the end of February. Can anyone offer suggestions on how to entertain an energetic, bouncy baby for three hours? I have visions of turbulance the whole time and being forced to sit - yikes!

Thanks!

 

[krmlaw]

we took LO on his 1st plane ride when he was 3 month old, not as active as 7, but still pretty active.

i planned an early ealry morning flight, so DS would still be sleepy.

We got onto the plane last, yes last, so DS didnt feel confined for the extra time waiting. As soon as we got onboard I feed DS and he snuggled in to go back to sleep.

when he woke, i had new toys he never saw before waiting, that kept him entertained.

ALSO, if you didnt buy him a seat, ask if there are any empty when you get to the gangway area. We didnt buy an extra seat, but on 3 out of the 4 legs of our flights to and back, DS got his own seat next to me. Made ALL the difference!

 

[onyx8]

Buy him a seat, strap him into his carseat. I have flown with my 7 month old twice (he was 3.5 months at the time) and taken him on three 6-hour car rides (most recently this past weekend). He mostly sleeps, but when he is awake, I have toys for him to play with or make funny sounds/faces at him.

 

[Charline]

I flew with my 6 month old 6 years ago and we had to take 2 flights so what I did is I made her miss her nap which happened to be about an hour before the flight. I kept her awake by playing with her and stuff. It disrupted her daily schedule but the second we got in the plane, she passed right out. She slept for the entire flight. Snacks are also a good idea, keep them busy (baby mumums etc). Hope this helps.

 

[SamiL]

Take bottles for take off and landing. If you can get him to swallow it helps avoid ear pain from the change in air pressure.

There's a lot of white noise during the flight and the motion can be kind of soothing. If you time things right he may sleep for much of the flight.

You may also find this thread helpful:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=29669441#post29669441

Good luck!

 

[annod_89]

We flew when our son was 7 mos. old and got very lucky. He slept from take off to landing. (3hrs) We got him his own seat so that he could sleep in his car seat. I gave him a bottle during take off and he was out. Good Luck.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Mine slept on planes about half the time around that age. The PPs are correct that the motion of take of and white noise tends to put the babies to sleep. None the less you want to be prepared in case he does not sleep

First, I agree with PPs to board last (do not do prebaording--jsut more time to be still and quiet) and give baby a sippy cup or bottle at take off and landing for his ears.

For entertainment, the best thing is YOU. Plan to be "on" the entire flight. You'll spend a lot of time singin itsy bitsy spider, playing this little piggy, etc. Babies can also find opening and closing the window blind and pulling things out of the seat pocket (if you can do so without disturbing the passenger in front of you--better yet if two adults are in your party seat the otehr adult in front of you rather than next to you). I found the best entertainments to pack were one or two small, new toys and a few things the kids had seen around the house but not played with. Stacks of bright colored post it notes and a roll of masking tape were always a big hit when mine were in the 6 month to 3 age range.

Pack twice as many diapers as you think you need. Also pack a change of clothes for baby and for YOU in the carry on. You'll also want easy to eat, non messy snacks (cheese cubes, cheerios, etc.). I suggest stopping at a store once through security and buying some water or juice too--you do not want to run out of drinks.

Have a fun trip