Bioteacher
My son will be 5 1/2 months old when we will be flying out to stay with my parents (we live on opposite coasts). I know he will be fussy during the flight, but looking for any advice to make this an enjoyable experience for him as I can (and the surrounding passengers). I'm flying alone with him (my husband has to work).
We have a connecting flight on each trip - and about an hour layover between each one. We are flying first class, so we will have plenty of room (he has a lap ticket). I plan on bringing toys, books, his comfort blankets, & I've downloaded some cartoons on iTunes. I plan to use a bottle/paci during take off and landing to help with the ear pain. And I'm going to try to keep him on his normal schedule - as much as I can at least.
Any other advice to help make this as pleasant of an experience for all of us?
I also bought a bulk supply of those foam earplugs that I plan on giving out to the passengers around us as soon as we get on the plane -- if nothing else I figure it'll be humorous.
Answer
Sounds like you are well prepared. I flew with my son on my own when he was 5 months old and he did so great. I bought a few new toys before we left and didn't let him play with them until we were on the plane so they were new to him and hopefully keep his interest for a while. He was so interested in babbling to all of the passengers on the plane and I'd give him a bottle when he was started to get a little tired or fussy. He never cried on any of my flights. He played or slept most of the time. Just do what you normally do. If your son gets a little fussy then passengers have to understand. I hate when you get on a plane with a baby and you get those "oh crap" looks from everyone. They have to understand that you had to fly with your baby and babies cry. Flight attendants were a great help for me too. Always asking if I needed anything and talking to my son which kept him a little entertained too. It won't be so bad! I hope it goes smoothly for you!
Sounds like you are well prepared. I flew with my son on my own when he was 5 months old and he did so great. I bought a few new toys before we left and didn't let him play with them until we were on the plane so they were new to him and hopefully keep his interest for a while. He was so interested in babbling to all of the passengers on the plane and I'd give him a bottle when he was started to get a little tired or fussy. He never cried on any of my flights. He played or slept most of the time. Just do what you normally do. If your son gets a little fussy then passengers have to understand. I hate when you get on a plane with a baby and you get those "oh crap" looks from everyone. They have to understand that you had to fly with your baby and babies cry. Flight attendants were a great help for me too. Always asking if I needed anything and talking to my son which kept him a little entertained too. It won't be so bad! I hope it goes smoothly for you!
Traveling with an infant on Planes ?
LoveFaithH
I'm taking my 6 month year old on a 4 hour flight and i'm kinda of nervous. anyone have experiences or suggestions. thanks
Answer
1.) If possible, buy a seat for your child. Here I talk about it's importance:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AuzCyPcceRfxbsmok0f_jRPty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20081016015002AASP55j&show=7#profile-info-qgIGOJQOaa
2.) Pack plenty of things to entertain your baby. A few soft toys, a comfort blankie, etc.
2.) You are allowed to take a stroller with you for your journey, and it will not count towards your checked baggage limit. All airlines differ on what kind of stroller you are allowed to take, but all allow an umbrella stroller.Check with your airline to see if they will allow a bigger one. Here is a link that talks about the procedure for gate checking your stroller:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AnKvCt1q1JVJISfMQUsXcyPty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20081005224258AAmgcGm&show=7#profile-info-942f313b2c81b37310c7808f5ed1d1a9aa
3.) Liquid and powder formula, milk, juice, baby food, and water are allowed in quantities over 3oz (100ml). Here is a link that will give you all the details:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=ApaVhxxUaNiiEsDfths2ADjty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20081002064751AAqUtKH&show=7#profile-info-Y3IuVmeiaa
4.) Many parents are concerned about pressure changes in their childs ears, but honesty, I've never had problems with my children. In fact, not all children have problems with pressure changes in their ears. The "popping" is what helps to equalize the pressure changes, so it is actually the result you want. What you do *not* want, is for them not to be able to "pop" their ears.
Make sure your child has a check-up with the doctor to ensure s/he is healthy enough to fly. Doctors recommend that anyone sick (stuffed up or already having an earache), not take the flight. My husband and other pilots do not work if they are sick. If your child seems to have problems equalizing pressure in his/her ears, here are some ways to help:
For take-offs and landings (the WHOLE way up, and starting from the BEGINNING, or TOP of descent - about an hour before landing), the best ways to alleviate ear pressure are to:
1. If your child is nursing, nurse him/her
2. Give him/her something to drink (formula, juice, water - it doesn't matter)
3. Give him/her a pacifier to suck on
4. Place hot damp towels (usually like the ones distributed to first and business class before take-off and landing to freshen up with - just ask a flight attendant for them) or paper towels that have been soaked in hot water and wrung out, at the bottom of two paper or styrofoam cups, then hold the cups over the ears
5. Gently but with some pressure, rub his/her neck repeatedly from the chin to the base of the neck. This will cause a swallowing motion that will relieve pressure build-up in the ears.
6. Give him something to eat.
6.) Other tips:
-Keep your diaper bag well stocked with what you will need
-Be sure to pack 2-3 changes of clothes for your child
-Bring any medications that you might need for your child should s/he get sick or that s/he takes regularly.
-Don't be afraid to get up and walk the aisles with your child
-Keep your calm. If you get stressed out, your child can pick up on it and it will make the travel that much harder
-Do NOT plan on giving your child medicine with the hopes of it making him/her sleep on the plane. This is not only cruel, but dangerous as well.
-Last but not least, if help is offered to you, take it
I've been flying internationally & domestically with my children since they were each 2 months (now 9&6, 11 months and currently pregnant with #4). At least three trips a year are the children & I traveling internationally (14+ hours each way) alone. We do another 8-10 international & domestic flights a year as a family. Due to this, I have written a small article about flying with children that goes more in-depth, gives up to date security rules & regulations for the US, EU, UK, & Australia, offers tips & tricks for the travel, etc.
http://www.angelfire.com/jamiehassen79/flying_children.html
If I can be of any more help or assistance, please feel free to contact me.
1.) If possible, buy a seat for your child. Here I talk about it's importance:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AuzCyPcceRfxbsmok0f_jRPty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20081016015002AASP55j&show=7#profile-info-qgIGOJQOaa
2.) Pack plenty of things to entertain your baby. A few soft toys, a comfort blankie, etc.
2.) You are allowed to take a stroller with you for your journey, and it will not count towards your checked baggage limit. All airlines differ on what kind of stroller you are allowed to take, but all allow an umbrella stroller.Check with your airline to see if they will allow a bigger one. Here is a link that talks about the procedure for gate checking your stroller:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AnKvCt1q1JVJISfMQUsXcyPty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20081005224258AAmgcGm&show=7#profile-info-942f313b2c81b37310c7808f5ed1d1a9aa
3.) Liquid and powder formula, milk, juice, baby food, and water are allowed in quantities over 3oz (100ml). Here is a link that will give you all the details:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=ApaVhxxUaNiiEsDfths2ADjty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20081002064751AAqUtKH&show=7#profile-info-Y3IuVmeiaa
4.) Many parents are concerned about pressure changes in their childs ears, but honesty, I've never had problems with my children. In fact, not all children have problems with pressure changes in their ears. The "popping" is what helps to equalize the pressure changes, so it is actually the result you want. What you do *not* want, is for them not to be able to "pop" their ears.
Make sure your child has a check-up with the doctor to ensure s/he is healthy enough to fly. Doctors recommend that anyone sick (stuffed up or already having an earache), not take the flight. My husband and other pilots do not work if they are sick. If your child seems to have problems equalizing pressure in his/her ears, here are some ways to help:
For take-offs and landings (the WHOLE way up, and starting from the BEGINNING, or TOP of descent - about an hour before landing), the best ways to alleviate ear pressure are to:
1. If your child is nursing, nurse him/her
2. Give him/her something to drink (formula, juice, water - it doesn't matter)
3. Give him/her a pacifier to suck on
4. Place hot damp towels (usually like the ones distributed to first and business class before take-off and landing to freshen up with - just ask a flight attendant for them) or paper towels that have been soaked in hot water and wrung out, at the bottom of two paper or styrofoam cups, then hold the cups over the ears
5. Gently but with some pressure, rub his/her neck repeatedly from the chin to the base of the neck. This will cause a swallowing motion that will relieve pressure build-up in the ears.
6. Give him something to eat.
6.) Other tips:
-Keep your diaper bag well stocked with what you will need
-Be sure to pack 2-3 changes of clothes for your child
-Bring any medications that you might need for your child should s/he get sick or that s/he takes regularly.
-Don't be afraid to get up and walk the aisles with your child
-Keep your calm. If you get stressed out, your child can pick up on it and it will make the travel that much harder
-Do NOT plan on giving your child medicine with the hopes of it making him/her sleep on the plane. This is not only cruel, but dangerous as well.
-Last but not least, if help is offered to you, take it
I've been flying internationally & domestically with my children since they were each 2 months (now 9&6, 11 months and currently pregnant with #4). At least three trips a year are the children & I traveling internationally (14+ hours each way) alone. We do another 8-10 international & domestic flights a year as a family. Due to this, I have written a small article about flying with children that goes more in-depth, gives up to date security rules & regulations for the US, EU, UK, & Australia, offers tips & tricks for the travel, etc.
http://www.angelfire.com/jamiehassen79/flying_children.html
If I can be of any more help or assistance, please feel free to contact me.
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