Flying with an infant...

[Tacori E-ring]

I am starting to get nervous. We are flying to AZ with Tessa in a few weeks. She''ll be 3 months old. I am looking for some tips to make it go smoothly. We couldn''t get direct flights

so we are taking two planes each way (2 hours each). I know I am suppose to feed/or use a pacifier at landing and take off for her ears. I also chose our seats well (hopefully). All the planes are 2 seats aisle 3 seats so we got the side with only two. She can''t sit on her own anyways so DH will probably "wear" her in our baby carrier. We will gate check her car seat & snap n'' go and check the car seat base. I am hoping the white noise will knock her out. What else should I do or know???

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Well, having flown a 15 hour flight with a 6 month old (and the next day a 5 hour flight), I suppose I am qualified to answer! Yes, feed her while taking off and landing for the ear pressure. The rest of the time is just regular except for the fact you can''t easily walk her around if she is used to being in motion a lot. There were simply times that Anna cried and there wasn''t much I could do about it other than hold her, pat her back, feed her, etc. You have to sort of rock them in your arms which isn''t easy in a confined space. I wish you had been able to get a direct flight to make the whole trip shorter. But you''ll probably also enjoy the break between flights just to be able to walk around and not be so confined.

 

[Independent Gal]

When you get to the airport, ask the lady at your gate if she can switch your seats for the bulkhead. Sometimes, these seats are actually designated ''babies first'' (though I think that''s maybe only for intercontinental flights). That will give you more space and make it easier to move around a little. Plus, it''s OK to walk up and down the aisle!

Then there''s always, uh, duct tape.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

DS, thanks! Yes I cannot imagine a 15 hours flight!

There is no direct flights which is a PITA. Also I am not sure how hungry she will be so close together. I guess I should just offer it to her anyways.

IG, I will ask about the bulk row seats. I know international flights offer bassinets which would be so great. Oh well. We are going to mexico for a wedding in April (she will be 6 months) so hopefully we can get one then. I am not sure if I am allowed to walk the aisle much (for security reasons) I feel like I heard that somewhere. I guess anything goes with a screaming baby. I already called to make sure they have changing tables in the bathrooms and am already thinking how I am going to dress her for easy changing access. I am just glad DH will be with me.

 

[diamondfan]

Definitely sucking on a bottle helps, though not all kids are as badly affected. I had two kids who were not and one who was. The tough thing is nowadays you really cannot walk the aisles with a baby, my kids, if they slept were fine, but often if they were fussy they wanted to be rocked or walked along and bounced. You have to stay seated with seatbelts on now, which is tough, and airport delays stink. Make sure you have plenty of food and clean supplies just in case. Does she like music? Maybe you could get an ipod shuffle, load on her favorite classical or lullaby stuff, and get the little portable speakers, so when you get to your destination you can put it near her at night abd she can sleep. Of course bring her favorite blankie and toys with you, familiar things are really important.

 

[KimberlyH]

Date: 1/27/2008 3:06:49 PM
Author: Tacori E-ring
I am not sure if I am allowed to walk the aisle much (for security reasons) I feel like I heard that somewhere. I guess anything goes with a screaming baby.

I fly fairly frequently (at least 8 round trips a year) and often see people walking the aisles with children. They do request that the aisles are kept clear at the beginning of most flights but I''ve never seen it enforced.

Good luck!

 

[Independent Gal]

I also fly a lot (about once a month) and have never seen them enforce aisle restrictions either. In fact, on intl flights you''re supposed to move around for health reaons (blood clot prevention) and there is often a space at the back where the jump seats are where it''s fine to stand and stretch. I always stroll a little on longish flights and have never had a problem. So I would walk that babe - if necessary - unless told otherwise, and my guess is you should be fine!

 

[Tacori E-ring]

DF, not sure if you lurk on the preggo thread but Tessa''s favorite song is the vacuum cleaner (she loves it). We have a CD of it and play it throughout the night to calm her. B/c of that I think she will do well with the normal airplane noises. She''s not really into toys yet, well besides mom and dad, but she does get distracted with the soft rattle so I will be sure to bring that. Also a swaddle blanket *just in case*

Kimberly & IG, good to know they are not enforced. I just hope I don''t have *that* baby. I am sure you know what I am talking about!

 

[flutterby]

A friend of mine is a flight attendant, and I asked her about taking Ian to Wisconsin, she told me not to pre-board. It is just longer that the baby has to sit in the plane.

And I dont know the car seat you have, but you probably dont need to bring the base. I have the Graco and I bought the extra base for DH''s car, but never use it. You can actually use the car seat without it and it may free up an extra hand at the airport!

 

[Tacori E-ring]

MsF, that is a long flight but I am sure he would be fine. We thought about bringing the base since we need the car seat in the snap ''n go to use as a stroller. I know you can use the seatbelt but is it a PITA to do it every time you go somewhere?

Thanks for the tip about NOT pre-boarding.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

That was a great idea about not pre-boarding! I''d want to be among the last to board with a baby or toddler.

 

[Independent Gal]

Yeah, I agree! Board last once everyone else is settled in! As long as you're on 10 mins or so before, it's no problem, and it's usually much calmer then anyway.

And as for your daughter being 'that baby', I'm always careful to give 'that mom' an extra smile. It's not her fault, and it's not the baby's fault either. And unlike a fancy restaurant, the theater, or MY FORMAL WEDDING DINNER, I think a plane - like a city bus - is a totally appropriate place for a baby, where people should just suck it up - because crying is what babies do. If not by plane, how else is baby supposed to go visit far-away grandma? And grandmas are very important people.

I guess what I mean is, one sometimes HAS to take a plane (unlike HAVING to take a baby to a movie) and so unless people want the world to stop having kids, or, say, stop visiting grandma (which seems harsh) they just have to realize that kids will fuss on planes sometimes. So they should just deal.

Well, that's my view anyway. So you just be strong if anyone gives you a glare and glare right back!

 

[curlygirl]

Tacori, we''ve flown twice with Lily already and it was not bad at all--the first flight was to LA (6 hours) and the 2nd to Atlanta (2 hours). Believe it or not, they do not allow you to pre-board anymore. We were really surprised but then we realized it was much better so we weren''t trapped on the plane for longer than we needed to be. You might want to get the window and aisle in the 3 seat configuration and leave the middle empty. Most people don''t want a middle seat and if you''re lucky like we were on all 4 legs of our trips, we had all 3 seats to ourselves. It made things much easier. We didn''t bring the carseat on, we actually gatechecked that and our stroller--we didn''t bring the carseat base and honestly, it''s really easy to install the seat in the car without a base. Bring some quiet toys to entertain her and a blanket. Oh yeah, the other plus about having 3 seats was that we were able to change her diaper on the middle seat with a changing pad under her. Not sure where they expect you to change your baby on a plane!! I''ve never seen them enforce the aisle seat thing. I know it says it on most airline websites but I don''t think they really follow that. And I definitely walked up and down the aisle with Lily and nobody said a word. She slept most of the time on all the flights and since Tessa loves the vacuum, the sound of the plane may totally knock her out!!! I''ll try to think of some more tips for you but I think you''ll be fine.

 

[Independent Gal]

OK, I have to confess that I would be all "WTF?!?!" if someone was changing their baby''s diaper in the seat next to me. I wonder if there is some attachment or something that stewardesses can provide so that it can be done in the bathroom? Obviously, if there isn''t any such thing, the baby does just need to be changed and people like me do just have to cope. But if there is ANY way to avoid it, I don''t want visual or nasal contact with anybody''s poo when I''m in my seat on a plane, no matter how small and cute that person is.

There, I said it.

 

[snowflakeluvr]

are you nursing? we flew when our son was about 6 months. i held him and offered the boobala(which he loved anyway) often. he did very well on a 2 1/2 hour flight. i''d say not to overdress/put layers on as planes can get stuffy if you''re sitting for awhile pre-takeoff. good luck-our youngest is over 2 now and we have not traveled (by plane) since she was born. she''s a very loud child and it''s just too risky...

 

[TravelingGal]

Date: 1/27/2008 9:11:57 PM
Author: Independent Gal
OK, I have to confess that I would be all ''WTF?!?!'' if someone was changing their baby''s diaper in the seat next to me. I wonder if there is some attachment or something that stewardesses can provide so that it can be done in the bathroom? Obviously, if there isn''t any such thing, the baby does just need to be changed and people like me do just have to cope. But if there is ANY way to avoid it, I don''t want visual or nasal contact with anybody''s poo when I''m in my seat on a plane, no matter how small and cute that person is.

There, I said it.

Hm...yeah...where the heck DO you change a baby on a plane? I''ve seen people take the baby to the back of the plane and then lay something down on the ground to change it...but never seen someone do it on a seat.

 

[curlygirl]

Date: 1/28/2008 1:08:03 AM
Author: TravelingGal

Date: 1/27/2008 9:11:57 PM
Author: Independent Gal
OK, I have to confess that I would be all ''WTF?!?!'' if someone was changing their baby''s diaper in the seat next to me. I wonder if there is some attachment or something that stewardesses can provide so that it can be done in the bathroom? Obviously, if there isn''t any such thing, the baby does just need to be changed and people like me do just have to cope. But if there is ANY way to avoid it, I don''t want visual or nasal contact with anybody''s poo when I''m in my seat on a plane, no matter how small and cute that person is.

There, I said it.

Hm...yeah...where the heck DO you change a baby on a plane? I''ve seen people take the baby to the back of the plane and then lay something down on the ground to change it...but never seen someone do it on a seat.

Haha, see the dilemma? They don''t give you a place to change your baby. Fortunately, Miss Lily only peed and I made sure the seat was protected by her own blanket and a vinyl changing pad but I honestly had no idea where else to change her. On my lap? I don''t know how that would be possible. I didn''t think to lay her on the ground. The seat worked out really well because DH and I were the only ones in our row. I don''t think I would have done that if there was a stranger sitting there so don''t freak out! IG, wait till you have a baby. You do what you gotta do...

 

[LitigatorChick]

Baby Tylenol Cold. Sleepy baby......

 

[eks6426]

I have a 10 year old that I started flying with when he was your daughter''s age. Honestly, the baby years were by far the easiest. A baby doesn''t move around much and doesn''t get into things. People are sort of sympathetic toward you if she decides to scream. Wait a couple of years until she is 2-3 and it''s way worse. Toddlers don''t like to sit still. They aren''t distracted for a long time by eating. And people are really annoyed if your toddler is loud or kicks the seat. So, that being said, you are extremely lucky to be taking your daughter at 3 months.

You''ve been given a lot of good tips. The bottle part is crucial ( or nursing would be even better!). I used to go so far as to make sure my son was a little hungry even if that meant he screamed in the airport before boarding a bit. Chances are good she''ll sleep if you keep her awake before the flight. Don''t let her sleep while you are waiting for the flight to board...keep her active...looking around, playing with her etc. Wear her out before you get on that plane. As for the diaper changing, since your flights are super short I wouldn''t change her unless absolutely necessary. Pampers & such are super absorbant and it won''t kill her to sit in a diaper that has pee in it. If you must change her, the easiest way I found is this:

1. Drape a blanket over your family including DH...be sure to block the view to the aisle...plane blankets will usually work for this.
2. put a waterproof pad on DH''s lap and then put DD on your DH''s lap
3. DH holds her while you do the deed...make sure to bring grocery bags to put the diaper and clothes in...double up on those bags and tie them up...DO THIS FIRST BEFORE YOU PUT A NEW DIAPER ON...you want to close down that smell as fast as possible.
4. Put diaper on DD
5. Remove blanket--the trick is to do this fast and try to make it so nobody else gets grossed out by it.

And by the way, baby Bendryl etc. can work wonders.....

Good luck!

 

[Independent Gal]

Oh Curly, I''m sure you''re right, and as the elder sibling of about 6000 much younger brothers and sisters I do remember that if the baby has to be changed, the baby has to be changed!

I know it''s not the mom''s fault if there''s no other option. But airlines should really do something about that. It''s got to be easy to invent some kind of snap on thingy for the restroom.

 

[curlygirl]

I just want to say that for those who have recommended baby cold medicines, benadryl, etc., it has been proven that these things can actually have the opposite effect and may leave your child WIRED!

At 3 months, it''s way too early to use these things anyway. If you''re really desperate, you might try a little infant Tylenol but I wouldn''t mess with anything else. Just telling you whate I''ve heard!

 

[LitigatorChick]

3 months is a little early. I would make sure you have tried it at home first, because it can have the opposite effect. It makes my 19 month old sleepy, so all good.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Thanks for all the advice! I was told that there ARE changing tables in the bathrooms. My mom looked for me when she flew back from a visit and said she never noticed them before, but they were there. Not sure I feel comfortable giving her medicine at this age...but I will try to wear her out and having her hungry is a good idea. They should make special kid friendly airplanes. They could have mobiles, toys, basinetts, babysitters...I bet a lot of parents would pay a little extra for this!

we have lots of future flights. A short one when she is 4 months. A very long one to cabo when she is 6 month and a 4 hour one when she is 9 months. So she will be a pro. I agree IG, grandparents are very important people.

 

[Mara]

i never knew there were changing tables in the bathrooms!! i'll have to look next time, out of curiousity.

i agree with whoever said earlier that i am way more tolerant of babies on planes than toddlers. i feel like parents and kids should know better at age 2+ about behavior (or at least entertainment)...but with a baby you seriously cannot prevent whatever is going to happen from happening.

i'd prefer to not be seated too near a baby but even if you aren't...somehow the plane carries all the sound anyway. part of the reason why i have my bose noise-cancelling earbuds hehee. much harder to ignore bobby kicking your chair repeatedly than a crying baby because it's ears hurt.

you'll be fine tacori, women do it all the time! sounds like you have given it a lot of thought and have great tips.

OH and i almost forgot but i just flew and both my flights did pre-boarding for people with kids, babies, or needing special assistance. and recently we flew to mexico and 3 out of the 5 legs also did pre-boarding.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Thanks Mara! I agree kicking kids are SO annoying

I never knew there were changing tables either until recently. I had to call the airline to tell them we have an infant in lap and he confirmed it. How EASY it will be to change her in that little space, now that is a different story. Good to know most people will be understanding. If not they can feel free to calm her down

 

[diamondfan]

I would be VERY careful and wary about medicating a baby that young in order to get on a plane. You have no idea how she will react. My oldest had somewhat of an opposite reaction with some of that stuff, which I gave him when he had severe allergies as a kid. Most pediatricians do not at all support that. Bottom line, bring a little visual thing she likes and that distracts her. You can read to her in a low voice, my kids always loved that. Try to walk about if you are allowed to. Also, no offense, kids will be kids. Not saying anyone loves to be near a screaming kid, but that is part of life. Kids need to get from point A to point B, and I never mind as long as the parent is really trying. Worse is having large kids who should know better kick your freaking seat for hours and the parents do NOTHING. A baby crying is biological. A baby that age cries because something is up. It is not manipulative.

I flew home from Mexico with all my kids, first class, and not feeling well. Had a kid who literally screamed NON STOP for 6 hours. If I had not had a migraine it might not have been so bad. She was 3 or 4, and the mom was beside herself. Said she had been on lots of planes and never done it. I put on some headphones, popped my pain pills, said a little silent prayer that the baby was really okay and tried to block it out. Once we landed she was STILL crying, so I think she was ill.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

DF, don''t worry I am not going to try to medicate her. I think she is way too young for that.

Bad news though I may be doing this trip alone

DH just dropped the bomb on me last night. He may not be able to go b/c of work. I am really freaked about going on her first flight, w/ layovers alone. What do I do with her if I have to go to the bathroom? What if I miss my connection? Oh....this is not going to be good....

 

[lumpkin]

I don''t have anything to add, just wishing you a great trip.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

UPDATE: DH can come after all!!!

I am so relieved! Thanks for all the advice. I''ll let you know how it goes!

 

[sumbride]

I was chiming in to say I have seen changing tables in SOME airplane bathrooms, but that has already been confirmed! Ah well, late to the game. Tacori, I''m glad your DH is going with you, but I''m sure you would have been ok on your own as long as you have a carrier of some sort. I once flew from Shannon, Ireland to Baltimore across an aisle from a woman traveling alone with a 3 year old and a newborn! And we were delayed! I felt so bad for her! I helped entertain the 3 year old for most of the flight... she climbed into the seat next to me and looked at magazines with me and we walked up and down the aisle together... I don''t know how she was going to juggle both, but in that closed environment depending on the kindness of strangers was just fine. Of course I wouldn''t have expected her to hand over the newborn, you know?

I did hear from a parent that if one of the parents can get on the plane first with all the luggage and put it away, and the one holding the baby can get on at the last minute, it works out really well. They want you on early enough to not block the aisles... not that you would do that, but so many people do... but not so early that the baby is bored before the plane even takes off. With the delays they have these days, the less time on the plane, the better.