Melissa M
I'm leaving in a few weeks on a trip from Alaska to Virginia, and will be taking my 4 month old son with me. This is my first flight with an infant, and I have NO idea what to expect or do!! Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated!
Answer
I'm a former Flight Attendant and I now fly a lot with my own three children. We usually travel between Europe and California about twice a year and each was 4 months old on their first trip.
This is really the best age to travel with a baby; no longer a needy newborn but not yet crawling and getting into things. You also don't have to bring food since solids at still *at least* two months away. Only a few toys are needed...
First of all, I really recommend bringing a car seat and using it onboard. Make sure your car seat is approved for use on aircraft. If you're flying on a U.S. company, see the below link for information on if it's approved. Most car seats, including infant buckets, sold in the U.S. are.
http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/crs/
This way, the seat will get to your destination without risking it being damaged or lost in luggage. On one of our last transatlantics last year with my kids, three of our four bags didn't make it but since we had the car seat with us, my daughter was safe for the 2 hour drive home (the bags arrived 2 days later). I saw at least two other seats while looking for our luggage. Wonder how they got home?
If you don't have a seat for him, request it at check-in. Ask if the flight is full, and if not, they can "block" the seat next to you, only using it if they really need it. They often do this for families.
Bring the seat to the gate, even if they are unsure that you'll get a seat. This way, if you don't manage it, they will "gate check" your seat, sending it down with the strollers and wheelchairs. This is gentlier than checking it in at the desk.
If you have a travel system, you can use the stroller until you get to the door of the aircraft and then it'll be "gate checked". If not, use a stroller frame for a infant seat. You'll have it again, by the door of the aircraft when you arrive. If you have a convertible car seat (going to 40lbs), there are a number of contraptions you can use to wheel it around. I simply strap mine to a small metal luggage cart and that works great.
If you do have a stroller, bring a bungee cord and double secure it before leaving it at the door of the plane. They can get damaged if they pop open en route. Make sure the claim ticket can be seen and isn't squished or hidden. Be sure to ask when disembarking where the stroller is.
I also recommend trying to sit at the bulkhead. These are the seats with the wall in front, located in different places depending on the aircraft. Bulkheads are easier with children since no one is leaning in front of you and you can get in and out of them easier.
Bring at least 1/3 more diapers than you think you'll need. I saw so many parents run out on flights when I was working! Wrap them in plastic bags and throw a bunch of rubber bands around them to save room in your carry-on.
For a formula fed baby, I really recommend using the bottles with plastic liners. Traditional bottles are too difficult to wash onboard because of the kind of sinks on airplanes. I premeasured the powder and rolled them up, placing the rolls in a ziplock bag. Then you throw the liners away as you use them and only have the ring and nipple to clean.
If you use bottled water, be sure to give yourself enough time to buy some once you're past security. Make sure you have enough! The water on the aircraft is filtered tap so decide if you're comfortable using that for your baby. Bottled water runs out fast on flights and we never had any extra for baby bottles.
Be sure your baby does not need the bottle warmed. Get him used to a room-temperature bottle before leaving. This is unnecessary health-wise and a real pain to do while travelling. I warmed many bottles on my flights but I wasn't there in the check-in line, the security line or the waiting area! Babies do great with room-temperature bottles.
Make sure you have at least one change of clothes. I would bring two. At that age, I simply dressed mine in sleep suits for flying. No one will care so keep him comfortable.
Hopefully you have a good baby carrier. They're so useful for flying, especially at this age. I had a sling but other parents swear by their wraps and pouches. The Ergo and Beccos are other popular carriers for travel that go on the back.
I liked the sling because I could slide my babies from into and out of a stroller or car seat without waking them. It also doubled as a blanket, baby changer, breastfeeding cover-up and sunshade! My sling was magic for calming my babies during the flight. Other parents wanted one when they saw how easy it made my travels. Avoid front packs like the Bjorn since they're so bad for both the parents' and child's back. A good carrier should go to at least age 2.
Many flying tips say to make the child suck on something or drink during take-off and landing. This is actually a myth. ENT specialists say to have the child awake about an hour before landing (top of descent, landing or touch-down is too late).
http://www.entcda.com/AAOHNSF/earsandaltitude.htm
I can confirm that is when I saw problems at work. Take your child to the doctor in the last few days before you fly to make sure his ears are clear and infection-free. Heathy ears can handle pressurization changes. No need to wake a child on take-off, remove him from him seatm force him to drink or make him take a pacifier. None of my children had paci's, two never had bottles and I kept all strapped into their seats for take-off and landing without any ear problems.
About 8 years ago, I wrote an article on flying with children for an expat newsletter. Over the years many parents have contributed. I later put it on a blog so that parents had access to non-commercial information from someone with both practical and professional experience on the web.
http://flyingwithchildren.blogspot.com
Have a great flight!
Any infant toy recommendations?
alexis7310
I have a 6 month old daughter and I just recently began sitting for a 5 1/2 month old girl also.
I have all the big stuff (swing, jumparoo', entertainer, etc...) and lots of rattles, balls, stuffed animals...but am looking for other toys that might keep their interest longer and help them learn as well.
Any recommendations/links would be helpful!
Answer
I have an in-home daycare...currently I have 4 infants that range from 4 months to 11 months, here are the favorites:
http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=2341&e=detail&pid=31376&pcat=bubrilliant
The 6 months olds can close them easily, around 10 months they learn to open them also.
http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=2341&e=detail&pid=30446&pcat=bulnl
This is an expensive one but well worth the investment in my opinion...it keeps ages 6 months all the way to 4 years old occupied
http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=2341&e=detail&pid=30446&pcat=bulnl
Another big one, but it's great for kids around 6-10 months learning how to put things into other things, plus the balls themselves are entertainment :)
http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=2341&e=detail&pid=33177&pcat=bugym
Great for crawlers, fun to chase :)
http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=2341&e=detail&pid=30444&pcat=bulnl
Pretty much any type of activity table is a must once they hit around 6-7 months, they are great for learning to stand and play
Well I could go on and on...I have a zillion toys and the kids love most of them...if you'd like more ideas let me know, I'd be happy to help!
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