Best way to keep an infant calm on the plane?

[TerryKitten]

One idea I thought was cool was...

One adult goes on during pre-boarding w/ all the gear while the other stays w/ baby out in the lobby. Adult 1 gets the carseat settled, bags stored and any items that need to be out ready. Baby and 2nd adult boards last, and then pops them into the seat, sit down and hopefully not too much longer they are on their way. That way any fussing/crying/last min entergy is release out in the lobby rather in the plane... AND you wont have baby and adult standing in the way while getting the seat situated.

Other tips I heard was:
- the pacifire/bottle/sucking for the ears.
- new quite toy
- least amount of layovers = less stress for you
- make sure you have enought supplies to last a day incase you are separated from the luggage
- change of clothes for everyone incase of spitup, throwup, food up, etc
- be calm and ignore the other passengers.

While you could drug your baby, I wouldn't. most medications that would be used for "drugging" are not recommended for anyone under 6 months and then you should ask a doctor for doseage. Perhaps you should ask your doctor for any recommendations.

 

[lizdotcom99]

Originally posted by TheOtherVillainess
I want to dope him up with something to keep him calm during the flight.

OK, I just don't get this...you formula feed because you care....at least that is what your avatar says....(whatever that means, and I have asked about this several times and you never seem to answer that question)...but you want to dope him up for a 2 1/2 hour flight!!!

If that is caring.....I am VERY confused!!!

 

[KristiKelly]

What time is the flight? I would try to keep the baby awake as long as possible. Do you bottlefeed or nurse? If you nurse, both of you hold out, if possible, until the plane takes off. You nursing takes approx. 30 minutes - now you've only got 2 more hours to go. Then hope for a nice nap.

 

[Lewski709]

Well, I don't recommend it....but one time my mom gave my baby some juice. I said, hmmmm that doesn't smell like juice. Well. . . it was margarita in a juice bottle. He only had about 1/2 cup and it was not strong, but he liked it and slept well that night.

 

[lulugirl]

You are smart to get baby his own seat, it is much safer for him and I think a lot more comfortable for everyone.
I have flown cross country countless times w/ DD (she was 4 months the first time we flew). I have to admit I was quite nervous the first time, I worried she would cry a lot, suffer from ear pain, etc.... We always got her her own seat and she wound up sleeping quite a bit we just brought along any of her "comfort" items.
As far as bothering other passengers, I stopped worrying about that pretty quickly!!!! If he cries, well, babies cry!!! You do what you can to comfort him, but really I think it bothers the parents more than anyone else.
As far as using medications like benadryl or the like, I would ask the pediatrician. Personally I never found it necessary, but I have heard of parents doing it.

Good luck and enjoy the trip!
-Elisabeth

 

[Laurabearz]

FYI.... benadryl can have either a drowsy effect or a hyper effect, depending on the child.

 

[H&Hmommy]

Laurabearz...You are so right. Most meds. that tend to knock little ones out have always made my 2 go go go. My daughter was suffering with night terrors and my ped. suggested giving her benadryl, I already knew the only thing it would do would be keep her awake so I passed.
Best of luck with your trip.

 

[TheOtherVillainess]

KristiKelli--we don't really know yet exactly. But it's in the works and will be finalized by this weekend or Monday at the latest.

at least that is what your avatar says....(whatever that means, and I have asked about this several times and you never seem to answer that question)...

If I haven't answered it, I apologize. I created that avatar in response to some much uncalled for name-calling and whathaveyou on a parenting community I no longer belong to. Some women insinuated that I didn't care about my son because I work 40 hrs a week to provide for him, because I didn't 'try hard enough' to breastfeed, don't believe in delaying solids or vaccinations, don't do 'all natural' baby food, don't AP (god that would make me NUTS),believe in CIO,don't wear him in a sling everywhere all the time,that sort of stuff. I got very,very angry because they made it seem like everything I did was causing my son to turn out to be a complete and total moron. Made me very,very angry. There are reasons I didn't breastfeed but I feel I gave it my very best shot. It didn't work out and so I give him formula. It's not quite the poison the ****ie bullies make it out to be and I'd rather give him formula than pump and pump and pump and not make diddly squat and have him fail to thrive because he's not getting enough to eat.
So therefore...I formula feed because I care. Make sense now?

TerryKitten--you are BRILLIANT! I'll mention that to my husband when he gets home from work tonight.

most medications that would be used for "drugging" are not recommended for anyone under 6 months and then you should ask a doctor for doseage. Perhaps you should ask your doctor for any recommendations.

He'll be 6 mos and a few days when we take the trip and I'll ask his pedi at the 6 mos checkup on Oct 1.

TOV