HELP PLEASE!! Flying with an infant for the first time.

[madmaxmom]

Hi All:

We leave in 2 weeks (Yahoooooo) for WDW. Very excited and have everything planned, but one thing. My ds is 6 months old and never been on a plane. My dd is 3 - soon to be 4 - and this is her second time on a plane. I don't worry about her, because she LOVES airplanes and is a GREAT rule follower - she is good to go.

What I need help with is any suggestions on the 6 month old. Are there any "tricks" to helping him be comfortable on the way up and down so that he is not "one of those" screaming babies? I know he could not help it is he is and being a parent, I am WAY more patient now on the planes with parents with babies. I just want to get some suggestions from you season travelers on any advise to help make this a great trip for him and not 3 1/2 hours of discomfort.

I appreciate your advise and as always - have a great day!

 

[hannahsmomma]

Is your ds nursing? I nursed ds (15 months at the time) almost the whole flight. It really helped, plus it made him fall asleep which was really nice.

 

[abookworm]

Do you nurse your baby? If you do then you will likely not have any problems since they can nurse on take off/landing and this is not only comfort but will help with the ear pressure. At that age nursing often makes baby relax and sleep on and off which is always good for flying.
If not, You can still offer a bottle during these times as well and the sucking will help with the pressure. The pacifier can help w/ this too if you use one. (bring a spare if you lose one!)
Try to time it around naptime if possible.
Bring any little toys or distractions that you know they like.

Babies can tell when parents are stressed so try and relax.

If you use a baby carrier like a sling or pouch these are great for getting babies comfy for sleeping on planes (though most flight attendants will make you take them out for take off/landing) I used one numerous times and while I never had to take mine off for take off many have said they had too. It was great for this age and my guy almost always slept most of the flight!

Babies at that age often cry because their ears are bothering them, they are overtired, or they need comfort in some way. Follow your babies cues and hopefully you'll have a great trip!

 

[abookworm]

xposted with hannahsmomma

 

[Not so Dumbo]

we just flew for the first time with our DD in December when she was 6months. She did well. I kept her in the front pack almost the whole time and she slept for a good majority of the flight. I've heard from other DIS'ers that you'll have to take the baby out of the front pack during take off and landing but our fight attendants never said anything about it on either flight so I just kept her in. When she was awake, I gave her as much of her bottle as she wanted and tried to keep her paci in when she wasn't drinking. Because of the engine noise and vibration of the plane, my DD didn't have any trouble falling asleep on the flight. On the flight home, there was a short period where she was a little bit aggitated I think just do to wanting to stretch and play and after I took her out of the front pack and bounced her on my knee a little she quieted right down.

As for relieving ear pressure, I just went by when mine were plugging up, then I would push the bottle of paci, but she never complained and I don't think it bothered her very much.

 

[tjmw2727]

Don't worry - IMHO babies are very easy to fly with. Make sure he can suck/swallow on takeoff and just prior to and during landing. BF, Bottle or even a pacifier will work. No stress though my kids never had issues - but be prepared just in case.

If you have purchased a seat for your child definately bring the carseat, your baby will be safer and more familiar with the setting. You can install your CRS rearfacing in the aircraft - this makes it easy to see and interact your baby.

If you are flying with your child as a lap baby try gate checking the carseat in case there is an empty seat, you may still be able to use it.

Check out the restrictions on liquids at the tsa website. If you bottle feed you can bring formula but "only enough for the flight" and unfortunately this varies at the discrection of the TSA agent. I recommend bringing a couple bottles of water and plenty of powder to mix formula if baby takes powder. Then you can purchase more water after security if necessary.

Here is the TSA info on traveling with baby:
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/formula.shtm

HTH
TJ

 

[tjmw2727]

FYI it is not safe to fly with a baby in a front carrier, sling or belly belt especially during take off and landing. There is a reason why airlines don't allow it - in case of an emergency this will insure that your baby acts as your airbag. I know none of us want that.

You don't have to take my word for just do a simple search, that will tell you more than you want to know. All the major airlines address this issue in the faq section about traveling with infants and toddlers. The FA's are not doing anyone any favors by letting parents break the rules.

I am honestly trying to provide information and not to make this seem like a judgment. I know we all try very hard to do what is right for us and especially our kiddos.

TJ

 

[madmaxmom]

Thank you so much for everyone's advice. It helps a lot, especially the tsa website. So much to think about when you have little ones. You want first them to be safe, second them to be happy, third - attempt to not ruin anyone's flight. My thought process on this flight anyway is that people KNOW we are going to Orlando - so most should know that we are going on vacation and accept the fact that there will be kids on the flight.

Thanks again for the advice - you all are the BEST.

 

[Not so Dumbo]

I forgot all about the rules about bringing liquids through security.

what we expierenced was, when we flew out of Detroit nobody questioned anything. We had one mixed bottle and one filled with water for later. On the flight out of Orlando, we had the same one mixed bottle and one filled with water and they told us we would have to either dump the water or mix it there in front of them.

 

[dsneygirl]

When I have flown with DS I bring the Ready to feed forumla in single serve cans. I have never had an issue with the amount. Also I wouldn't worry about your infant bothering others. There will be plenty of screaming 2 year olds to do that on an Orlando flight

 

[drakethib]

Hi All:

We leave in 2 weeks (Yahoooooo) for WDW. Very excited and have everything planned, but one thing. My ds is 6 months old and never been on a plane. My dd is 3 - soon to be 4 - and this is her second time on a plane. I don't worry about her, because she LOVES airplanes and is a GREAT rule follower - she is good to go.

What I need help with is any suggestions on the 6 month old. Are there any "tricks" to helping him be comfortable on the way up and down so that he is not "one of those" screaming babies? I know he could not help it is he is and being a parent, I am WAY more patient now on the planes with parents with babies. I just want to get some suggestions from you season travelers on any advise to help make this a great trip for him and not 3 1/2 hours of discomfort.

I appreciate your advise and as always - have a great day!

Have some toys, snacks, and juice bottles.

He will be fine.

 

[mericletwins]

My ped. recommended a dose of Tylenol and a dose of Dimetapp when we flew with our twins when they were 9 months old. They had already used both medications so we knew that neither caused any issues. Dimetapp made our babies sleepy, but I have heard from others that it causes the opposite in some children. If you are going to go this route, make sure you know how these meds affect your baby before you go on the flight. We gave the doses about an hour before the flight was scheduled to take off.


We had no problems and the babies slept most of the flight.