Flying with a newborn

[Reese]

I was just wondering if anyone had experiance flying with a newborn. Our baby will be about 6 weeks when we have our vacation booked. I'm worried about ear problems and such with a little baby. My Dh is worried that driving 24 hours would be a lot more traumatic.

 

[jackdis]

Definitely talk to your pediatrician. I took my oldest on a plane at exactly that age, but it was 11 years ago. I would check on the confined conditions, illnesses, shots, etc.

 

[Erica09M]

Nursing him/her or giving them a bottle during take off and landing will help with the ears.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I was just wondering if anyone had experiance flying with a newborn. Our baby will be about 6 weeks when we have our vacation booked. I'm worried about ear problems and such with a little baby. My Dh is worried that driving 24 hours would be a lot more traumatic.

I agree with your dh. "Traumatic" for everyone!

Nursing him/her or giving them a bottle during take off and landing will help with the ears.

 

[dancin Disney style]

You also need to check with the carrier for the minimum age that they allow infants. If that 6 weeks is based on your due date remember that baby could arrive, at the most, 2 weeks late making baby 4 weeks at the time of travel which the airline may not allow.

 

[Reese]

Thanks guys. Problem is my current Dr. retired so I am in the process of obtaining a new Dr so I have no medical professional in that sense to consult. I will ask my midwife next appt..
I've been considering changing our vacation by a couple of weeks, hopefully that will give us enough time to have baby's first immunzations on board before we go.
For those that have flown with little ones did you find any ill effects? The youngest we've flown with is four months.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Thanks guys. Problem is my current Dr. retired so I am in the process of obtaining a new Dr so I have no medical professional in that sense to consult. I will ask my midwife next appt..
I've been considering changing our vacation by a couple of weeks, hopefully that will give us enough time to have baby's first immunzations on board before we go.
For those that have flown with little ones did you find any ill effects? The youngest we've flown with is four months.

Not sure how it works in Canada but here in the US, at least in PA hospitals and with our ped group in NJ, babies get their first hepatitis shot before leaving the hospital. Every month for 6 mos they get a check up and 2-3 shots each time. Then every 3 mos until age 2. From 2 and up check ups are once per year.

So for us, changing a vacation by a few weeks or even a couple months wouldn't change things that much. Getting vaccines is a long process here.

 

[auralia]

i flew with a 6 week old and NEVER again, she got so sick from a virus she got on the trip back ... she couldn't breath she couldn't eat she was so stuffed up it lasted for 6 days she was already a little baby and she lost at least a pound it was NOT worth it i wouldn't travel with an infant under 3 months of age knowing what i know now... i take her about 4xs a year on planes the trip we did when she was 1 she got sick right when she got back again something she got on the plane and she was in the hospital for 3 days!!! and that was a 1 year old, i would be scared to take a baby under 3 months after my experiences ... breast feeding will help if you decide to do it because it delivers direct immunity

 

[jsilvers]

You also need to check with the carrier for the minimum age that they allow infants.

For most U.S. carriers, the requirement is between 7 and 14 days after birth, but this is nevertheless good advice.

 

[Reese]

Not sure how it works in Canada but here in the US, at least in PA hospitals and with our ped group in NJ, babies get their first hepatitis shot before leaving the hospital. Every month for 6 mos they get a check up and 2-3 shots each time. Then every 3 mos until age 2. From 2 and up check ups are once per year.

So for us, changing a vacation by a few weeks or even a couple months wouldn't change things that much. Getting vaccines is a long process here.

In Canada they get there first immunization and Dr. check (because they are under midwife care until 6 weeks) at 2 months and than not again until 4 months. This way we should be able to have their check and shots on board (assuming that baby's not late since I've never gone over).

 

[Glencora]

I'm worried about ear problems and such with a little baby.

Earplanes makes an infant size. They're earplugs that are designed to alleviate ear pressure, and are available at most large drugstores.

If it helps, my sister always said that the easiest times she ever traveled with her kids was when they were newborns - they tended to sleep through everything.

Good luck1

 

[jackdis]

I had the same experience......she slept through the whole flight. She was a hit with the flight attendants!!!!

 

[DecaturDad]

We flew non stop from Hawaii to Atlanta with our 10 day old son. We were a wreak. He slept through most of it.

 

[TaraPA]

I flew to WDW with a 7-week old back in 2000. He was fine. Make sure you take extra clothing though for the baby AND for you - on the trip home he had a small explosion that leaked through him & onto me (those poor, poor people sitting beside us). It was almost impossible to clean him & myself up in those tiny bathrooms. Where do you put an infant while you try to clean up? I'll never forget that part of the trip!

 

[Reese]

I flew to WDW with a 7-week old back in 2000. He was fine. Make sure you take extra clothing though for the baby AND for you - on the trip home he had a small explosion that leaked through him & onto me (those poor, poor people sitting beside us). It was almost impossible to clean him & myself up in those tiny bathrooms. Where do you put an infant while you try to clean up? I'll never forget that part of the trip!

We have had that experience before. DH and I are similiar sizes so we always pack something either one of us can wear just in case (one of those tips I learned here).