How Old? Am I Mad?

[Inside Ball]

I have a trip booked for end of November and have just found out I'm pregnant (due beginning of sept). As it is a long awaited trip (and ds and dd are very excited) would I be mad to take such a young baby on a long haul flight. Any opinions would be great.
Thanks

 

[KayleeUK]

Firstly 'Congratulations'

Not got any experience in this myself, but check out the Disney for Families board, I am sure you will get some advice

 

[AndRu]

Congratulations on your good news!

The youngest I've taken is my daughter who was two whilst we were over there. The flights were an absolute nightmare but that was more to do with her being a 'shuffle-bum'! No idea what taking such a young baby would be like though, er ... interesting?!?!

 

[cheryl.UK]

My freiend took his 3 month old on a long haul to Canada last year. She screamed virtually all the way there and back. he thinks it was the cabin pressure playing havoc with her ears as she was normally a quiet, happy, little thing.

 

[shellbell]

Congratulations on your baby news If i were you i would just check how old a baby has to be before they can fly first time. When i had DD i was she to be 3 months old. This was to do with her ears (cabin pressure), how high the You know we yawn, swallow or chew and a baby like Cheryl said a baby can only scream.

Just thought i'd mention it.

Michelle

 

[Tron[ADS]]

We've canceled/amended two holidays in the past due to unplanned pregnancies (which reminds me, I had better get something sorted to make sure it doesnt happen again)......I am sure in the past I had read that someone had linked cot death, but then the Blair's took their newborn to New York.
I found this URL that might put your mind at ease though http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/ate/health/202969.html

With regards to the flight, you will be able to use a sky cot, which should make things much easier, and give you a bulkhead seat, which gives you the legroom for changing. The baby will probably sleep most of the way anyway.

Disney parks are pretty well geared up for being family friendly.....last October at Epcot, I was looking for a first aider/nurse for some advice for our youngest, cant recall what for now, but we went to the family area, and I casualy followed a sign which I thought was "nurse", which was infact "nursing", and I walked into a room which I wish I had paid more attention to the sign over. I shall say no more.

 

[RachaelAitken]

Firstly congratulations...lovely news,
We travelled with a 4 and 2 year old which i know is a different kettle of fish to a newborn but having always had the philosophy that i would go anywhere regardless of their age thought i would offer some support and advice!! We travelled to DLP when DD was only a few months old and had a great time.
Once you get there you will find everything you need. The big supermarkets such as walmart and publix stock baby food, nappies, formula etccc just like over here if not more. All the parks have designated baby rooms where you can do nappy changes, heat milk, a microwave for food. Most even sell nappies and food jars.They are realy family friendly.
You would probably need to reserve a sky cot and also take your own car seat and pushchair. The seats that click in to make a pushchair are realy versatile and ideal for this.Pushchairs and seats do not count in baggage allowance.The strollers you can hire at the parks aren't realy designed for little babies and provide little shade which you will need even in November.

Mothercare do some great bottles which self sterilise in a microwave. They are so clever and if you bought some of those you wouldn't need to take any further sterilising equipment with you. Assuming of couse you are bottle not breast feeding and have acess to a microwave.

I would say go for it...whenever you travel with children is luck on the day. Luckily babies sleep for long periods normally but we have had awfull flights with whingy toddlers!! Hope this helps, Rachael :

 

[RachaelAitken]

SORRY... Also meant to remind you you will need to be quick off the mark to get a passport arranged as he/she won't be able to go on yours.
When my son was born he was two weeks late and we were due to travel to France a few weeks later. We had a very entertaining afternoon in a passport booth!! I now know the easiest way to get a photo is to sit them in their car seats with a white sheet behind.Didn't know that then. People in Tescos thought i was mad as dangling the poor boy so i wouldn't appear as well!!! Get all the forms before youre due as most of it can be filled in in advancexx Rachael

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Congratulations.

We took our son when he was 10 months old.

Really enjoyed the holiday and had no problems, however, would probably not do it again.
Sorry it's a no from me.

 

[catherine]

Several years ago we were in the same situation although we were planning a trip to California. I sought the advice of medical professionals and did some research of my own. We were advised not to take a transatlantic flight until DD was at least six months old. So we re-arranged everything and travelled when she was just six months old. we had no problem travelling with her. We were able to get bulk head seats and she slept for most of the flight, and the flight to san Francisco is significantly longer than the flight to Florida.

Congratulations and good luck with your decision!

 

[robinb]

Congratulations!

Personally, I would wait a couple of months if you can. I just think that a lot can go on in those first 2 months and your trip may get delayed at the last minute. Plus, travelling with a newborn can be very difficult. Once the baby is 4-5 months old it will get a lot easier. I travelled with my DD when she was under a year old. I flew from Chicago to London when my DD was only 6 months old and I drove to WDW when she was only 4 months old. We flew BA to London and used the aircot. It was a lifesaver!

 

[allie5]

Do it!! We have taken both of ours before they were 1 and never had a problem.

In fact, I think the younger they are the easier it is! Newborns are generally quite low maintenance on holiday. They need milk, nappies and sleep. When they get bigger and are weaning (ours were at the weaning stage) then you have to deal with food which I did find a little hard going until I discovered a range of baby foods they liked!!

No problems on the flight. Both had skycots and slept for a good part of the flight. I made sure they were both sucking on a bottle for take off and landing.

The parks and restaurants are extremely baby / child friendly and will cater to your every need.

We have just returned from a trip where our kids are now 4 and 2. Believe me this was a MUCH more stressfull experience! I say go for it!!

I seem to remember babies can fly from 3 weeks old but some airlines insist on a doctors "fit to fly" letter. Check with your GP or midwife.

Big congrats on your pregnancy by the way.

Allie

 

[Inside Ball]

Thanks everyone for your input I think i'll check with the airline before I decide anything. I did take my DD at 11 mnths old and had no probs but not so sure about such a young baby. The main problem is my sister will be getting married in Florida and all the family will be there and I really want to be there so I'm feeling quite torn if was just a holiday I would postpone for about six months. My concern is the flight (ten hours with a screaming baby would annoy me let alone the other passengers) I know once we are there there shouldn't be any probs being in such a child friendly place.Thanks everyone I'll let you know what we decide. Thanks again.

 

[robinb]

My main concern would be your ability to pack and travel with 3 kids 8 weeks post-partum.

 

[Disney owl]

If it's a family wedding I'd do it. Lots of help when you get there!!!!!!!

My advice is breast is best so much more convenient when travelling & in different places.

Enjoy

 

[MazdaUK]

Congratulations! You're very brave to contemplate it but for a family wedding I think I would too.

If there are lots of other family members travelling too then you should get plenty of help - at least with your older ones. For passport photos try a "proper" photographer - they are generally equipped with digital camera which is useful! Is there a non-photo option for very young children though? Pic won't look much like the child after a year

 

[gilld]

I wouldn't take such a young baby on an aircraft because the air is recycled and heaven only knows what the baby would pick up. Remember they are prone to all sorts when young and catching viruses from the recycled air is very common

Just my opinion.