First Time Flying with an Infant

[tr-ray]

Hi everyone!!

We're headed down to Disney next week, but it will be our first trip ever with an infant. I think we have everything covered for the actual Disney portion, but I'm wondering if you seasoned professionals have any tips for the airport & flying portion.

My DD is 4 months old, and a very good baby, but I'm just not sure how she'll handle being held for 3+ hours or the changes in altitude with the plane.

Thanks!!

 

[erin327]

Our daughter hasn't shown any issue with the pressure on airplanes. I am sure it bothers some kids more than others, but our baby never shows any issue. We always buy a seat for her (for safety reasons), so have never had to handle the holding her part. I think trying to hold a baby for that long would be harder than the pressure changes for most babies. If there is more than one adult you can take turns to give a change of scenery. Will the baby play with toys at all? If so maybe have a couple of new ones available to be exciting. I can't think of any other great ways to entertain a baby so young. Maybe the baby will sleep?

 

[Perditamarie]

I flew to CA from NH when my baby was 4 mos as a lap baby. She really slept most of the way. The tricky part is a diaper change!

Here are some other tips:

* Feed during take off and landing to help w/ear pressure.

* The single serving portion tubes of formula worked great for the plane. You can buy water after security to mix the bottle. If you breastfeed, it will be even easier!! For traveling, I realy liked the bottles w/the disposable liners so I wouldn't need as much gear (made by Playtex).

* Bring infant tylenol in a ziplock just in case - this is the only liquid I take through, just to keep it simple. Check w/your ped for any recommendations if your baby has a head cold or known ear issues.

* If you are gate checking a stroller, you will need to fold it flat and put it through the security point.

* To make it easy on you and baby, wear slip on shoes w/socks as you have to take your shoes off through security too.


* Pack a change of clothes for you and baby in case of any spit-up incidents!

* Bring enough formula/diapers etc. in case you are stuck on the plane or re-routed for any reason.

 

[mom2meiko]

we flew with our daughter for the first time when she was 6.5 months old. i was terrified of being ill prepared and brought a ton of toys, formula, diapers, wipes, etc. (never know when you may be delayed, right?)

first - we boarded as soon as they called for preboarding. it took us a while to get her seat installed, get out the things we thought we would need for her, etc.

we got her her own seat which was a huge help to use. buckled her in right when we got on the plane - had a bottle ready for take off - she sucked about 1/2 down and fell off to sleep. she woke up at one point for about 20 minutes or so, entertained her with a rattle, and back to sleep she went. i woke her up for the landing to give her a new bottle (maybe not necessary?) and that was it.

after landing - we waited for everyone else to get off the plane before we bothered trying to get her and the carseat and all the other crap we had with us. the flight attendants were also helpful - in a nice "let us help you" way vs. a rude "let us help you get off this plane so we can move on with our day" way that they were probably thinking/feeling.

we used our stroller (travel system) in the airport and gate checked it - huge help! also - changed her diaper immediately before boarding and again once we were at our destination airport.

the biggest thing for me was that we made sure we had plenty of time and i never felt rushed!

oh - my dd didn't wear shoes until she knew how to walk so we didn't have to deal with shoes at security but they will make you take them off so i wouldn't bother if you typically put shoes on your little one.

and i did bring infant tylenol just in case her ears were bothering her (and as a potential sleep aid) but never needed it.

both flights (there and home) were great! she slept, we relaxed, it was wonderful! good luck and enjoy!

 

[ilandrazdsw]

I flew to CA from NH when my baby was 4 mos as a lap baby. She really slept most of the way. The tricky part is a diaper change!

Here are some other tips:

* Feed during take off and landing to help w/ear pressure.

* The single serving portion tubes of formula worked great for the plane. You can buy water after security to mix the bottle. If you breastfeed, it will be even easier!! For traveling, I realy liked the bottles w/the disposable liners so I wouldn't need as much gear (made by Playtex).

* Bring infant tylenol in a ziplock just in case - this is the only liquid I take through, just to keep it simple. Check w/your ped for any recommendations if your baby has a head cold or known ear issues.

* If you are gate checking a stroller, you will need to fold it flat and put it through the security point.

* To make it easy on you and baby, wear slip on shoes w/socks as you have to take your shoes off through security too.


* Pack a change of clothes for you and baby in case of any spit-up incidents!

* Bring enough formula/diapers etc. in case you are stuck on the plane or re-routed for any reason.

We never had an extra seat for ours, but holding hem was not a problem. O

Ours would usually sleep for at least a portion of the trip.

Bring comfort items/toys and have them close to you (like down at your feet to grab easily). For the love of all that is above...PLEASE do not bring loud/noisy toys for the sake of other passengers.

*Change the diaper before you get on the plane (ask when they expect to board) even if you have just change an hour ago* Believe me...I've gotten more "surprises" than I would have expected! Changing a baby on a plane is not fun!

Bring a few Zip baggies AND plastic store types. You need something to put that spitty ****/bib or poopy diaper/pants in.

I've noticed that people seem much more understanding and tolerant of a crying baby when the parent is trying to entertain/calm the child rather them just letting him cry. Yes, your child, you parenting, but the looks and to-be-hear comments I would guess get old and get you frustrated. But if he doesn't stop just love him it could be something that no external force will help.

Deon't be afraid to ask if you need help. People usually don't mind if you politely ask...could you please reach in the bin and get the blue bag.

AND the BIGGEST...BE calm and relaxed! If you are nervous and uncomfortable (not talking about the o so comft seats and leg room) the baby will pick up on it.

Have a terrific trip!!!

 

[DISNEYmooner2008]

This is great info!! We are flying from SC to Disney in just about a month with our 10 week old.

 

[lookingforward]

Great info. I used to live in Japan and flew 14 hours with two babies! I would always ask if there is an adjacent seat open on the plane...they will often have one or two and then you can sit in two seats, possibly with the car seat strapped in.

The bottle upon take off and landing is a great way to avoid ear pain which is always worse in litte ears.

Have a great trip!

 

[tr-ray]

Thanks all.

Alot of this stuff is good info. We are using the Playtex drop ins, so that is definitely easy for us, and I am doing the formula packets!

I'm glad most of you feel like it is no problem at all. As I said, my DD is very easy going, and I think she will be alright, but we all know babies are unpredictable!!

 

[dsnymomof4]

We flew when DS1 was 4 months - we couldn't have timed it any better. He nursed on takeoff and fell asleep and slept the whole ride there. So, if there is any way you can time it so she is due for a nap at that time - that would be ideal. We also got him his own seat - I can't imagine having to hold a squirmy, cranky baby for 3 hours in a crowded airplane! We will be flying again in 4 weeks, and I'm a little more worried this time because now that he's walking, he probably won't want to sit still for that long, so hopefully, the nap will be perfectly timed again! Good luck and have a wonderful trip!

 

[blessedby3]

We flew with DD at 3 1/2 mos and she did great. I nursed her during takeoff and landing and had her paci too. We didnt need a diaper change (thank goodness) as our flight was only 1 hr 45 mins.
We are getting ready to fly back to FL the second week of March and she will be 17 mos. Much harder Im thinking to keep her happy. Im praying she wont need a change on the plane this time either as that should be intresting! Hoping all goes well.
I was suprised when we traveled with her in her infant car seat, that we had to take her out of it and put it and her stroller through the table scanner. I was not prepared for that and it took some time to get her unharnessed, out and everything up on the table. I just figured that I would push her through the walking scanner. Just a heads up.

 

[star sweeper]

We flew with a 9-month-old and 6-month old on a 4-hour flight. We gate checked the stroller so we could have it right away on landing. We knew our flight was not overly crowded, so we asked the flight attendants to assist us with having room for the babies to lie down during the flight. DH and I sat across the aisle from each other with the middle seat empty and another person at the window. The middle seat was more than enough room for each baby to sleep. We fed them about 1-1.5 hours before the flight and made them hold out for another bottle at take-off. They were screaming for the 10 minutes before take-off, but as soon as we charged the runway, we popped bottles in their mouths and they didn't cry the entire trip. We did the same thing on descent. The flight attendants were also helpful with filling the bottles with water for their formula mid-flight since we could not bring any drinks into the gate area (foreign country). Our flight was short so we avoided the dreaded mid-flight diaper change.

Be sure to dress you and baby as comfortable as possible, bring a change of clothes, bring some comfort snuggies or toys, slip-on shoes for you and super warm socks for the baby (in case security requires baby shoes be removed).

 

[HGD24]

Here are some of the things we did when we flew with our 8.5 month old DD in Oct

- Let your DD nurse or drink a bottle on take offs and landing to help with the pressure in her ears
- Bring a few toys that she has not played with before and bring them out during the flight
- Gate check your stroller
- Bring disposable changing pads for airplane and airport restrooms
- Bring enough formula for 24 hours, in case you are re-routed to another city
- Change her diaper as close to boarding as possible to try to avoid changing on the plane. We changed our DD right before boarding both times, but both times she had a BM while in flight so off to the tiny restrooms it was...it wasn't that bad though, even with an 8.5 month old so don't let the size of the plane restrooms intimidate you.
- After getting off the plane, go to the seats at the side of the gateway entrance to gather your things and get organized before heading through the airport
- Change her diaper as soon as you get off the plane

 

[dsneygirl]

We flew with DS at 3, 4, and 5 months. It was really easy. He just had a bottle on landing/takeoff for his ears. Definitely bring a change of clothes for babe and for yourself in case of a spit up disaster.

 

[candance2]

We flew with our oldest DD to St. Thomas, about a 4.5 hours when she was 5 months old. She did great. She is now 6 yrs old and more challenging now than she was then. I think the biggest thing is to remember to feed on take off and landing and it will be great! Have fun!

 

[PelletierBears]

We flew from Boston to Orlando when our daughter was 3 mnths old. If you can't or prefer not to buy an extra seat I would suggest a ...what are they called? Snuggy... I totally forget now that I'm trying to say it LOL

You strap it onto yourself and carry the baby in front of you...so sorry I can't think of the name but I hope you know what I mean. I used it and it was great. I was uncomfortable just holding her on my lap but we couldn't afford an extra seat. I felt so secure and she had no problems but I did breastfeed during take off which may have helped.

 

[all4fun]

IMO, the ear pressure thing is overblown. What I found was that it really didn't bother ds any more than it bothered me. The only thing to really be concerned about is if there's an ear infection, then that would be truly painful when flying. Check with your ped asap, if you have any concerns. DS and I both contracted bad head colds on one trip and the ear pain was excruciating on that flight, but on every other flight, it hasn't been a problem. And usually, IF there's a problem, it's on descent when you will notice it the most. Descent starts probably about 45mins prior to landing. This is when you want to give your LO something to suck on. Swallowing is what clears the uncomfortable pressure in the ears. Hopefully, you will have a very smooth flight and your LO will sleep most of the way.

I also recommend bringing and using a car seat on board. Not just for the safety factor but because it will make all parties more comfortable. If you are bringing the car seat anyway, it's also a lot less likely to be damaged in transit if you take it on board with you rather than check it. On that note, if you do check it, take it to the gate and check it there. Much less likely to be damaged or lost this way. If you're using DME, and not renting a car, you technically won't need a car seat on the ground. We always brought and used one on the plane anyway and I always felt it was worth the extra effort. I know plenty of people don't agree w/me but jmo. also, just fyi, belly belts and the like (snugglies, carriers, slings/wraps, and those baby b'aire devices) are not allowed by the FAA during take off, landing, or taxi. Some airlines won't allow their use at all during the flight, just so you're aware.

My only other advice is to bring a clean shirt for the parents, and a change of clothing for the LO, just in case there's a "blow out" or LO gets sick. I won't bore you with the details, but I didn't pack a change of clothes once and it was a big mistake. We usually have two flights, one leg being 3 to 4 hrs, so your one 3hr flight really shouldn't be all that bad! Truly

Hope you have a smooth trip and a magical time at Disney!

 

[waltskids]

I flew to CA from NH when my baby was 4 mos as a lap baby. She really slept most of the way. The tricky part is a diaper change!

Here are some other tips:

* Feed during take off and landing to help w/ear pressure.

* The single serving portion tubes of formula worked great for the plane. You can buy water after security to mix the bottle. If you breastfeed, it will be even easier!! For traveling, I realy liked the bottles w/the disposable liners so I wouldn't need as much gear (made by Playtex).

* Bring infant tylenol in a ziplock just in case - this is the only liquid I take through, just to keep it simple. Check w/your ped for any recommendations if your baby has a head cold or known ear issues.

* If you are gate checking a stroller, you will need to fold it flat and put it through the security point.

* To make it easy on you and baby, wear slip on shoes w/socks as you have to take your shoes off through security too.


* Pack a change of clothes for you and baby in case of any spit-up incidents!

* Bring enough formula/diapers etc. in case you are stuck on the plane or re-routed for any reason.

All of these suggestions are great! We flew with our DS when he was 3 months old (as a lap baby) and he drank a bottle during take off and fell asleep for most of the ride. He is a very easy traveler, hopefully our baby girl will like to travel too.