My wife and I are expecting our first child in September. We are in our mid-30's and have travelled quite frequently but this will be a new experience.

We are planning a trip for April to either Mexico or the Caribbean from NY. What is an infans tolerance level in terms of trip length? Is it better to just pay for a 3rd seat? Any hints for 2 neophyte parents is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Definitely pay for the third seat! It's not only more convenient, it's also far safer were there to be turbulence. Plus where you are going you will probably want the carrier with you anyhow. The baby's tolerance for travel depends on the baby. Some are easygoing and don't mind, others resent any change to their routine. Unfortunately, there's no way to know now which kind you have! But I don't think that being a parent has to end life as you know it, just be prepared to be flexible.

Though we didn't buy a seat for our baby, we were told there were extra seats on a flight and took our baby car seat with us. The stewardess at the gate told us it wasn't FAA approved, so we couldn't use it. I had no idea a car seat was or wasn't FAA approved at that time, something to think about/look for in a car seat.

I would be leary about traveling to Mexico with an infant for several reasons. One being the water of course. If the baby nurses exclusively at the time you travel there it shouldn't be an issue, but if bottle feeding or eating solids that you might wash in the water or mix with water you might have some concerns. I hear some of the resorts have "good" water, maybe those with more Mexican-water experience can comment.

I don't think infants have any particular tolerance level for trip lengths. If you allow adequate time for them to nap comfortably, i.e. time to stretch out on a bed/in a crib on cool sheets versus sleeping cramped up in a carseat or stroller on the beach, they will probably be happy. Babies object when you try to do too much and too many adult oriented things, without allowing them adequate sleep and nourishment. It helps if you can sort of keep them on a sleep and eating schedule at least somewhat similar to that at home. Happy travels!

I also feel that alot of babies get very irritable on flights due to the air pressure and the pain it obviously causes to the ear. I know adults who are bothered tremendously by this and can't imagine how an infant feels. Great point about the water, too. Bacteria is going to be completely different in everything down in Mexico, so be prepared. You'll also want to pre-plan obviously in regards to any Pediatricians nearby, etc. if your baby were to get ill or something. Medical care is handled somewhat differently as well. Just some things to think of. You definitely need to be mega-preplanned for this trip but you probably have already thought of all this.

Your baby will probably be about 7 months old by then. That is the same age my daughter was when we took her on her first plane trip, a 9 hour flight. We didn't buy the extra seat and I held her the entire time. That was fine with me, though. I think it is, at least in part, why she was so peaceful on the plane. She slept for most of the trip and literally didn't cry once. All babies are different and my daughter was always an easy going baby. Maybe this is a unique experience, but that's how it was for us.

Thanks for the great advice and tips. I would't have even considerd the FAA car seat issue.
Thanks again everyone!

P.s. Hopefully, we will not be the couple with the screaming child on your next flight!

I just wanted to add, bottled water is probably a good idea. My child was breastfed and we didn't have to worry much about that. And don't forget your pediatrician's phone number. Also for the trip we took lots of her favorite toys and books to read to her. The days of traveling light are over for us. Trips with babies can be a bit more complicated, but not impossible with a little planning.

A suggestion for the ear pressure is to take along things for the baby to suck like bottles and pacifiers. The sucking helps relieve the pressure.

Both the Department of Transportaion and the Association of Flight Attendants strongly suggest you buy the extra seat and strap your child in. Clear air turbulence is a very real and present danger in the sky and an unsecured infant can act as a projectile. You buckle your kid up in a car, why on earth would you not buckle your kid on a plane with unstable air beneath you. And why would you lap hold an infant on your lap with seating as cramped as it is on an airplane? For your sanity and your child's safety buy the extra seat. Check to make sure the seat you buy is FAA approved for in-flight use. Most are.

As to taking off and landing, make sure your child has something to drink to stabilize the air pressure in their ears. Take along toys, books, travel magna doodle etc. to keep them entertained. And don't forget to pack snacks if they are eating solids. Take extra handi wipes and plastic bags to put things in especially dirty diapers. I would buy a portable umbrella stroller or one that collapses easily, you can gate check it at the gate and they will have it sitting on the jetway when you deplane. Most of all--Be flexible and be patient.

I don't want to rain on your parade......but, our daughter was six months old when we went on our first vacation. We had a horrible time. She was upset with complete change in routine. She didn't sleep well in her portable crib. Most of all, I remember she cried a lot, which made all of us miserable. We did have other family there, so we could go out on a couple of dates. Looking back my husband and I both said we would wait until our next child is a little older before first vacation. Of course, your child may be different and do fine......I thought ours was too.
BTW, now we vacation twice a year with her (3 yrs. old) and she does great and we have a wonderful time.
As far as suggestions, take a first aid kit that includes a thermometer, Tylenol, and Benadryl just in case.

I wrote before about my daughter also going on her first plane ride at 7 months. By the time you travel, I suspect that you will know if you have the type of child who will cry with the routine change or take everything in stride. I didn't mean to imply that having the extra seat wasn't a good idea, but in my case I probably would have ended up holding my daughter for the entire plane ride even if we had bought the extra seat just because I would have wanted to hold her and I don't think it's as unsafe as the previous poster commented. Also, consider if you have a particularly large child for their age, holding them is not as easy. Take your cues from your child, even before they can talk they can tell you want they need. DO pack Tylenol and/or Motrin and Benadryl. Although, I never had to do this, some people like to give Benadryl to their children to make them drowsy for the flight and it's really harmless. Obviously, your pediatrician should be consulted about this, though. You will be suprised at how helpful your pediatrician will be on all aspects of your childs health and well-being.

And absolutely encourage your child to nurse/take a bottle during take off and landing. If you can, hold off on feedings until that time. And if your babies ears do end up hurting, well crying WILL eleviate the pressure. Your fellow passengers will survive.

One more suggestion. When we took our 14 month old son on his first plane trip we got children's "earplanes". These ear plugs supposedly equalize ear pressure during the flight. My son didn't have any trouble while wearing them so maybe they really work. He was past the pacifier age at that time. They also make them for adults and can be found at the drug store usually. My two cents...get the extra seat. We didn't and lived to regret it.

Unless you are still nursing - 7 months is a perfect time to leave the baby with grandma for a few nights and get away together just the two of you and remember your other role (besides mommy and daddy.) We always loved our 4 and 5 day anniversary trips to mexico or the caribean when our kids were tiny. The one time we traveled with an 8 month old I came home more tired and stressed than ever before - never again. Little babies stayed home after that - there is plenty of time for big trips when they are older.

I am not underestimating the need for time together as a couple. I think that's important, too, but timing is everything. That said, I would caution you against listening to the previous poster's advice. Seven or eight months might be a terrible time to leave your baby because a lot of babies begin having seperation anxiety at around 6 months or so. Even though Mommy and Daddy may know everything is okay, baby will probably think you're never coming back. That's not something I would ever have wanted my baby to think. Besides that, I personally couldn't have stood being away from my baby for that long at that age. Lesson here, everybody balance parenthood and marriage differently.


Of course, you never said you wanted to leave baby with Grandma. Maybe THAT WAS Grandma posting trying to get the baby for a few days!!!

We took our fifteen month old to St. Croix and had no real problems. One piece of advice to all regarding car seats in planes. We took a car seat with us on nearly 20 different airplanes from 4-5 different airlines over a three year period and never had a problem. In February we went to Florida on Midway and had no problems on the way down. All of a sudden on the flight back the Midway flight attendant said our seat was not FAA approved though she could not provide any proof. We were sure she was wrong. My wife and I stood at the plane entrance and turned the seat every which way and then found the notation that said it was approved for car or air travel. We showed the ground crew staff person who overruled the flight attendant. So make sure you know where on the car seat the documentation is since some flight attendants will make decisions on car seats that have no basis in fact.

Sorry Mom above, it is unsafe to lap hold your child. Remember the Sioux City United crash a few years back? A child who was lap held was killed when the plane crashed because he was not secured. Had this child been placed in a proper car seat, he would have survived. And why does both the American Association of Flight Attendants and DOT strongly recommend using car seats on airplanes?? Kids are used to being in their car seats and it is proven they are inherently safer for air travel. Ask any flight attendant and they will tell you the same thing.

People like you make me see red because you are clueless as to the dangers of turbulence, etc. If you can't afford to pay the extra for your child's seat either stay home or drive to your destination!

Those are some pretty nasy remarks. What ever happened to the no rudeness policy? I disagreed with the previous poster, but managed to do so without saying being insulting. As I said before, having a seat is best, but I still don't believe it's absolutely necessary.

Until the airlines can clean up the quality of cabin air, I would be very hesitant to fly with a very young child.

"Hydraulic fluids and engine oils can get into the aircraft's ventilation air, which is pumped into the aircraft cabin. Exposure to contaminants in an aircraft's air supply can have devastating health effects ranging from simple flu-like symptoms to neurological damage." Dawn Deeks, AFA.

Mom-You haven't been on here a whole lot have you? Rudeness is not monitored by Fodor's unless it is totally obscene. In fact, Fodor's laid off tons of people so the monitoring on this forum is slim to none.

As to the seat issue-You are totally off base. The seat is necessary and safer. Why don't you check on the DOT's website and the AFA's website. You will see the same conclusion. People like you really shouldn't have kids if you are not going to do what's best for them....

Mom-You are still totally clueless...

Here are excerpts from an article written on car seats:

"Little children should have the same protection adults have in the airplane cabin," states Patricia Friend. "Using an FAA-approved child restraint device will provide children with that much-needed protection. Flying restrained in a child restraint device is the only safe way for children to fly."

AFA has been a strong advocate of mandatory aircraft child restraint seats for nearly 10 years. Most recently, AFA participated in a working group of the White House Commission on Aviation Safety and Security, and pushed for mandatory child seats on aircraft. In its final report, the Commission recommended that the FAA revise its regulations to require that all infants and children under 40 pounds and under the height of 40 inches be restrained in an appropriate child restraint system. The Commission added, "It is inappropriate for infants to be afforded a lesser degree of protection than older passengers."

"As a flight attendant for 30 years, I can recount stories of injury and even death to small children flying unrestrained," states Friend. "Sitting on an adult's lap, unrestrained, little infants and small children are at risk of injury during takeoff and landing, or during turbulence."

Another advocate of aircraft child restraints, the National Transportation Safety Board first recommended the use of the seats." Jane Goodman, Jill Gallagher.