Flying with baby--few specific questions--advice please.
 

Hi All,

Baby is two months old, exclusively breastfed (no paci, no bottle), and we purchased her own seat--plan to bring infant carrier. We have a direct flight from SFO to CLE. I checked faa.gov and continental airlines, and didn't see answers to my following questions:

1) Can I breastfeed during take-off and landing in order to help babe's ears pop? Is this safe? The rest of the time we're hoping she'll sleep strapped into her seat.

2) Should I request the bulkhead row? They would not give it to me when I made the reservation-just three seats in one row together. How/when should I request this and why?

3) Where do I change her diaper if need be? Since she's breastfed, it's not too smelly, but I don't want to annoy our fellow passengers.

4) Any advice for if she gets wired and cries inconsolably--bring earplugs for those around us?

Anything else that you can think of that will help make this less stressful for baby/us/fellow passengers? Thanks in advance!

AZWildcat

I am not sure if you can take her out of her seat during takeoff and landing. You used to be able to do so. Check the airline's site. Take off usually doesn't cause ears to hurt, it is just landing. IF you are allowed to hold baby during these times, or anytime you breastfeed, I think it would be appropriate to cover yourself and the baby. While I completely understand the naturalness of this, others don't and in a plane, you can't get up and walk away if it makes your feel uncomfortable. Use a light receiving blanket to cover the baby's head and you should be fine.

I would NOT pick bulkhead seats -- there is no place to store your carryon in front of you on the floor; you's have to put carryon in overhead bin and then get up everytime you needed something - a pain to you and you might find that you cannot get up when you need something due to FASTEN SEAT BELT sign being on.

I assume you have 3 seats together, so you could technically change the diaper using the seats as a surface. Bring some of those disposal changing pad things to keep baby clean and seat too. As for the aesthetics of changing a baby in the cabin.. that is a different matter.

Make sure you preboard, and get settled in your seats before general boarding.

YOU have flown before haven't you?

Also, be sure you know what you can take in your carry one as far things for baby.

TSA.GOV

Hope this helps...
Debi

Ditto on the bulkheat seats (not requesting them). There is more space in front of you, but no place to tuck your stuff. Some airplane bathrooms have changing tables. I'd check most of your questions with your doctor and the rest directly with the airlines you are flying.

This is some info from Continental:

http://tinyurl.com/2n2e8j

Debi

My son was like yours breastfed with no paci or bottle. Yes, I nursed him on takeoff and landing to help his ears. It did help, but landing was still an ordeal.

Bulkhead row is best, Hopefully they will assign it to you upon checkin if you ask.

Changing diapers--this shouldn't be a problem with a 2-month old. Lap, or carry her to the restroom. Your fellow passengers are not going to be annoyed. If they are. . . I wouldn't worry about it.

If she cries unconsolably, get up and walk. Or whatever soothes her at home.

Here's more help:
General Travel info --
http://www.babycenter.com/baby/babytravel/index

and

for changing a diaper --
http://www.babycenter.com/expert/bab...avel/7280.html

Others sitting around do not want to watch you change a loaded diaper. I would recommend using the lavatory. I would hate to see you trying to clean up a messy seat if something unexpected happens. Talk to you Dr about helping baby stay calm during the flight. No one wants to hear a baby crying/ screaming on a plane.

SCORE:
Bulkhead 1
Not bulkhead 2


Everyone has their own favorites! LOL!!

Just want to comment on the request to cover yourself with a receiving blanket if you nurse. I don't know how "talented" you are but I could never use a blanket and nurse. I got really good at being discreet without a blanket. If you are seated across the row, I can't imagine anyone would even be close enough to you to be offended.

As of a year ago, you could nurse anytime... I never found bulkhead necessary... Please change her in the bathroom on your lap... :)

I am always cold on planes and dressed my baby WAY too warmly the first time. If she gets going crying make sure she's not too warm.

I know others like to be first on the plane... but I 've always found it beneficial to be on last. That way, everyone else is settled and you can just breeze in and not be waiting... the waiting is the worst... especially if the flight is delayed once you've boarded.

OK--- Ilose on the bulkhead seetain. We liked it for the extra rooom.

As for changing the baby---travelkite, a 2-month old breast-fed baby does not and cannot have "loaded" diaper. I won't go into details. But it should not be offensive to people in the adjacent rows if AZ Wildcat chooses to change the diaper a their seat instead of trying to manage in the restroom.

enzian - don't give up yet, final tally still pending. I think I see a dangling chad!

ah, Debi, you are so funny! I appreciate you so much.

But who is going to rule on those hanging chads in this case? I feel my thoughts are hopelessly out of date. I speak simply, from the days when we could hold our babes on the airplane, and breastfeed the without worry or criticism. Maybe things have changed.

I agree w/moneygirl. Get on the plane last. It can be very hot and you don't want to prolong the trip. Change the baby in the bathroom, less stressful for you (no-one is watching), have a bottle of water w/a squirt of apple juice so the baby will swallow when his ears are popping. If the baby cries walk w/him. If it bothers people, too bad! Babies cry, people travel and I'm sure they cried too when they were babies. Enjoy your trip.

Our baby's first flight was at 5 weeks, and we did a lot more with her as a baby. I liked the bulkhead seat, because you could get the the little basinets that hang from the wall. If your baby does not have it's own seat, this makes it much more fcomfortable for all of you. My daughters both slept really well in them. In those days, taking a car seat was not an option.

But, I see you are a good parent, you will have a guaranteed airplane seat and your infant carrier. In your case, I would skip the bulkhead and go for a regular row of three to have the storage room on the floor. Besides, if she does get loud, you are sooo visible in the front row!

Feeding during takeoff won't help ears. strap her in and be safe instead.

When you start the descent, you may need to do some nursing. Unless youre pretty well endowed, this means you have to make a choice...safe in seat or feeding. Other options for helping with ear pain are using a dropper with pre-espressed milk or do as the Indonesians do: pull gently on her earlobes.

Bring some of those disposable blue pads and change her in the bathroom. Some planes now have baby changing trays in them. Breastfeeding is okay in public, especially since your nearest neighbor will be across the aisle. Poopy diaper smells will drift all around!

Good advice above, plus bring extra outfit for you (in addition to baby) - babies tend to leak at inopportune times, like on a plane.

Since your baby is legal to be a "lap baby" I see no reason why you could not breastfeed her on takeoff and landing. Also good if she gets cranked up during flight.

While no one wants to hear a baby screaming, most people realize that they do - and what I think most fellow passengers want from you is to see that you are making an effort to calm her down - it is twice as irritating to hear a baby screaming on a flight and see the parents doing nothing.

My kids were exclusively breastfeed - diaper may not be smelly to you, but it will be to everyone else. Change her in the bathroom and bring ziplock bags to dispose of evidence - don't leave it stinking up the bathroom.

Bring easy to eat food/snacks for you. Something like fruit or energy bar - if flight is delayed, you may find it more difficult to eat at airport and you don't want to be a breastfeeding mom stuck on the tarmac without anything to eat.

Since you have 3 seats, I am assuming there is another adult. Have the other adult board firt
st with all the baby junk, to hook up car seat - and then you board with baby at last minute.

Hi AZWildcat, I love babies and as a mother and a grandmother I have a lot of patience for parents with babies and children on planes and I certainly do not have any problem with a mother breastfeeding their little one.

But, I can also say, as Gail did, that a baby that is breastfed certainly can have a smelly "poopy" diaper for those that are not use to be around dirty diapers. All babies, probably not, but I have experienced family members with breastfed babies and in that it has been years since I have been accustomed to dirty diapers the odor has been shall we say a bit overwhelming..so I can only imagine what it would be like on a plane. Saying that I hate..I loath..airplane bathrooms. Do bring ziploc bags and if you can quickly remove the dirty diaper and get it in the ziploc bag and while you are doing that your husband could be cleaning your little one..that should be acceptable to most passengers I would think or at least hope. We were all babies once upon a time just like if we are fortunate we will all be elderly.

Wishing you a comfortable, safe and easy flight.

Most babies who are exclusively breastfeed WILL NOT take a bottle. They don't know what to do with it. I guess if she is fussy enough, I would try anything but I know from experience that bottles NEVER worked for me.

AZ, I too was very good at nursing discreetly. I don't think anyone will complain. I agree about changing in the bathroom. LoveItaly is right about people who are not used to diapers, it may still bother them. You don't need to give anyone a reason to complain, right? :)

I will keep my fingers crossed for a smooth trip!

THanks for all the great advice! Especially to send DH ahead onto plane to get settled and then me walk on as late as possible with the babe. I can nurse discreetly, thanks to nursing-wear--the only way someone would actually see anything offensive would be if they were really TRYING--and that's their own issue. And I'll aim for changing diaper in the lavatory.

Thanks again--and any other good tips, keep 'em coming!

AZWildcat

1) yes you can breast feed during take off and landing. It is as safe as any time you hold her on the plane. It should help her ears so go for it.

2) I don't see the point of the bulkhead. All your stuff will be above you in the overhead compartments and it would be so much easier to have it at your feet for easy access. Remember, you could put all your carryons underneath the baby's seat and still have tons of leg room.

3) All planes have changing tables in at least one of the restrooms (on bigger planes, in all). Ask the flight attendent when you board. Do NOT change the baby in the seat. You might be immune to it but no one else will be. Really, there is no question on this one.

4) If she gets wired and cries uncontrollably, do whatever you do at home....swaddle, rock, feed, etc. Obviously, if she is collicky and has a bad time of day, say late afternoon, then don't fly then.

5) other advice...when we travelled with infants (as opposed to the three four year olds we take these days), there really isn't too much to worry about. They are still too young to get really fussy or cranky or need to be constantly entertained or amused. When they were toddlers, my husband would board first with THREE car seats and strap them in and I would board last but with a two month old, not sure that is entirely necesary. You don't have to worry about tantrums or kicking the seat or any of the challenges you will face in a couple of months and years. Just bring more diapers than you think you will need and a change of clothes for you and the baby in case of accidents. Relax. It is so much easier now than it will be...enjoy your trip.

taitai

There is a produst called "Diaper Doublers" that really help with quick changes. It's an extra pad that lays inside the diaper and can be whisked out easily if the mess is contained on the pad. It also doubles the absorbency of the diaper so you don't have to change as often. This isn't always a good thing, but it is helpful when traveling. I used to find them at Walgreens.

Great advice above. Bulk head or not, I doubt it will make or break the trip. I'd pick not bulkhead, as I like to have everything at arm's length. But that's me.

Re: crying. Your baby's two month old cry is a LOT different from, say, a 10-month old. Much less energy and much less volume. I wouldn't worry too much about it. There is a great "baby faces" book that is fun for that age, and also the "black and white" book by Tana Hoban is fun. Maybe those will keep baby interested.

Re: changing. How long is this flight, anyway? Assuming you will change the baby just before boarding, and you can change again just after landing, will it kill you to just skip changing while on the plane? I mean, if there's a blowout diaper, then you'll have to do it, but otherwise, waiting a few minutes till you can get to where you can spread out and change easily shouldn't really be that big of a deal.

I think you will be fine since you are thinking this all through. Relax and enjoy! I've flown with a 3 week old and an 8 week old (not at the same time) and it was a breeze. Really!

The diaper will smell to others and you need privacy to deal with it. Even if it's a short flight, you have to be prepared for the possibility. I breastfed during take off (I had lap baby not in his own seat) but I always made the mistake of starting too soon. You really need to wait until you are taxi-ing because the wait on the ground can be longer than you think. People around you will ignore you if you don't make a big deal and are discreet. Good luck! It's very awkward but it'll be OK. Oh! I agree, no to bulkhead, and if she cries, everyone will have to cope somehow.

I agree to changing baby in bathroom...IF there is a changing table. If not, do it in the seat as quickly as possible, using baggie to dispose. Changing a baby on your lap in that tiny lavatory, especially if there is turbulence, could be too risky for the baby. Better safe baby than happy seat neighbors. They'll get over it; you won't get over dropping your baby on her head in the lavatory!

Additionally: You can check your stroller at the gate. Just ask the gate agent for a special tag. When you get up to the actual plane door, there will be someone there that will take your stroller and place it in cargo. When you get off the plane, it will be there waiting for you! Don't make the mistake of checking it as regular baggage...it can be a long haul to the baggage claim area with a baby carrier!

One more tip...my daughter once leaked in her last clean outfit. I found the hot air hand dryers in the bathroom at the airport to be my saving grace. Rinsed her pants out in the sink and placed them over the hot air tube. 2 minutes, they were dry!

Good luck!

I think your fellow passengers will love you if you bring a box of cheap earplugs from the drugstore and hand them out if your baby starts crying. Hell, I'd stand up and give you a standing ovation if you did that.

But I agree with what somebody else said. A lot is forgiven if your fellow passengers see you trying to calm your baby down. There's nothing that pisses me off more than a mother that is sitting there clueless while their baby screams in pain from its ears not popping.

As for the bulkhead, a baby screaming there is a lot more noticeable than a baby screaming near the back where the engine noise takes the edge off a bit.

Finally, my nephew is breastfed but will sometimes take a pacifier in an emergency situation (e.g. a plane). You might want to bring one as a potential last resort.

"Changing a baby on your lap in that tiny lavatory, especially if there is turbulence, could be too risky for the baby. Better safe baby than happy seat neighbors. They'll get over it; you won't get over dropping your baby on her head in the lavatory!"

I completely agree with Sarge56. I seldom see baby changing tables in airplane bathrooms. Nor have I been in a bathroom large enough for two people to help. It would be dangerous to try to support your very young baby's neck and back while wiping and changing baby.

I'm with Enzian. I nursed our babies upon take off and landing and it was a God-send. Changing a nursed baby's diapers in your seat is so much easier than the bathroom. As you well know, the diapers of a nursed baby don't really smell and the bathroom is not really a clean place for your precious darling.

Bulkhead is good if they're toddlers so they can stretch in front of you but since you have an infant, you'll want the space under the seat in front of you for storage.

Try to relax so your baby can relax and not sense your tension. You'll be fine as long as you're nursing your little bundle.

Crying helps with the ears and the pain. While it might be tension causing to have a crying baby, it will be over soon.

If she cries unconsolably she's just going to cry that way. I was on a flight back to SFO from Boston and the mom had a serious nose bleed. The baby was crying a great deal. MY SO dealt with the mom and I got to walk the baby in the aisle but had to pass her off to any number of folks who wanted to hold her as well including some really nice guys. I do think folks understand stuff happens including noise when flying with a baby.

I agree with other posters that, as long as you are doing what you can, other passengers will be sympathetic. This has always been our experience when flying with babies!

Both of my sons were also exclusively breastfed and never had any interest in a bottle. I tried to time it so I was nursing for landing. They didn't seem to have as much trouble with takeoff. We also tried putting a little water in a straw, covering the end, and letting them sip that. (I suppose a dropper would work as well.)

My first son never had any trouble napping on planes - he was just a much more relaxed baby. The second one had a really hard time falling asleep - he would get overtired or overstimulated. I found that a good swaddle, plus a light blanket on his head, worked to calm him down.

This is kind of ridiculous...also for the second one we dragged across the country a toy that seemed to always calm him at home. Unfortunately, it wasn't exactly small...it was a stuffed bunny that sang songs. I guess we did what we had to :) If you have any toys that are "guaranteed" soothers, it might be worth dragging them along too!

I would probably skip the bulkhead. We tried it on a trip to Germany with the older kid, but didn't use the bulkhead at all.

One thing to check when you board is where you can put the carseat. Some flight attendants do not allow you to put them in certain seats. It's a pain to get it all set up and then have to move it after you're settled!

Good luck!

hi AZWildcat- Congratulations on your new precious one!

the following article has some great ideas for flying with an infant - like sitting near the engine
(noise factor will help lull baby to sleep) I thought it was a good suggestion have a great trip :o)

http://www.associatedcontent.com/art...ur_infant.html

....umm I don't know where that clown guy came from I was hoping for a happy face guy....ha

One other thing I thought of last night is to be sure you get to the airport plenty early. I know it kind of goes without saying, but babies will sense if you are anxious or tense and it will get them worked up as well. Unfortunately, I've found that it's harder to get the baby calmed down for the rest of the day! If you have plenty of time and try really hard not to be stressed, the baby will be happier too!

Hello AZWildcat, I have been flying with my now 1 year old daughter since she was 2 months old. My husband has been able to fly with us on several trips but I have flown with her alone about every other month so her grandparents can get their fix. Here is what I know to be true:

No, you do not have to buy a ticket for her until she is 2 years of age. When she turns 2, you can call the airlines directly and ask for a toddler discount. When there is no one seated beside you, you can bring aboard the car seat. Just ask the attendant at the gate about the seat next to you and they may even move you to give you that extra seat. You have to check in here anyway to get a ticket for the stroller which you leave by the plane's entrance. When you land, wait by the plane door and they will bring up your gear.

Now, when you check in your luggage, you want to make sure your ticket says "infant in arms". Also, they have always sat me in a window seat in an even numbered row. I was told this is there protocol.

The part I dread the most is going thru security when I am traveling alone with our daughter. Strangers, usually men, help me but I have also done this juggling act alone. After you have put your shoes, jacket and whatever else on the conveyor belt, you have to hold your baby and boarding pass in one arm while the other hand you are collapsing, restraining, lifting the car seat/stroller onto the x-ray line. After you get thru, do it all over in reverse.

Yes, you can breastfeed during take off and landing. Once the plane gets in the air, my daughter usually falls asleep. Since I am sat by the window, trying to crawl over 2 strangers with child and diaper bag in hand to get to the bathroom is almost impossible. It is my experience that some planes have changing "triangles" that fold out of the wall, some do not. Unless you have a smelly diaper, just wait until you land. I have had to change my daughter in my lap before. Placed everything in a ziploc freezer bag, then a grocery bag to have the flight attendant tell me she can not dispose of bio-waste. I put in the diaper bag then thru it away at the first trash receptacle in the airport.

Don't be the last one on the plane. Most are not hot. It is going to take time for you to get settled.

Flying with a baby is challenging and most people on the plane know that you are doing there best to not disturb them. Just do your best and you will be fine.

I've never understood why a child with her own seat is required to use an FAA-approved car seat but a lap child is considered safe dangling free on a parent's lap. A crash or really serious turbulence would rip a baby right out of the strongest pair of arms. I've always felt more comfortable using a Baby B'Air harness with a lap baby (or while feeding a baby outside of the car seat) but FAA (and 2-out-of-3 flight attendants) don't allow its use during take-off and landing. Isn't that when a secure harness would be most important?

As for your other questions: just let her suckle a little whenever she cries and during landing. Use your own best judgement about where to change the diaper but pack your carry-on as if you were going to be stuck on a Jet Blue plane for 10 hours. And make sure to buy mom a big bottle of bottled water once you clear security to stay hydrated on the plane. Ask the flight attendants for water too - frequently.

Of course, I shall get all kinds of firestorms, but to voice the thoughts of MILLIONS of the politically incorrect....

...no one appreciates a crying child, and will wonder why you cannot deny yourself a few years of travel until that child is socialized enough to travel. Let's not deny yourself in any way, just because you have a child who will be uncomfortable in confined circumstances.

Any number of travel studies shows that the most annoying event to travel with is a crying child....but perhaps the advent of on-board cellphones might top that one.

Madame X - don't know if you're a troll or not but you're obviously not a mother. A two month old baby doesn't have the lungs to cry loud enough to be annoying. A two year-old, yes, a two month-old, no way. Lighten up.

Since your baby is only two months old and doesn't require a seat you will be able to hold her and feed her.
Continental (not sure what carrier you are using) offers changing tables in the bathroom's.
Enjoy your trip.

I would agree on the waiting to change the diaper until you land unless it's smelly or your baby is easily suceptible to rashes, etc. or using the bathroom if possible.

If you do have to change the diaper in the seat, please use a blanket or towel between her and the seat - mostly for her safety (they don't get cleaned very often) but for accidents also.

When you change her, do so from the aisle seat facing towards the window - that will reduce the number of passengers noticing.

Please be quick with putting the diaper into a plastic baggie (yes, they all really do smell for those not accustomed).

Also, don't comment on the quality of the diaper contents - the rest of the plane doesn't need to know about her "precious poopie" (I knew someone who did that with every change).

Most mothers I know are very good at discreetly breastfeeding (and those that aren't do it on purpose), so I wouldn't worry about that - if you turn towards the window, there will be less chance for a weirdo to ogle you.

I agree with the comments that as long as you are trying to comfort the baby, most people are OK with the crying. If your baby does cry, please put down the book, magazine, etc. and don't just ignore the crying - you don't have to stop it, just let your fellow pax know that you are aware that it is a discomfort for them as well as the baby.

Oh Good Lord! #o

Who are you Oh Good Lording to TTess?