Suggestion for flight with 4-week old
 

Hello friends,<BR><BR>My husband and I are expecting our first baby in 2 weeks. We have a brother's wedding that we will need to attend when the baby is 4-5 weeks old (assuming baby comes on time!). The wedding is in Phoenix, we're in San Francisco. It's a done deal, we wouldn't miss it for the world, but I am anxious about the details of the trip, having never flown before with a 4 week old infant. We travel very frequently but this is a whole new world! We will be flying nonstop and we may get a seat for the baby. I'm looking for advice on the details of the flight (please no negative comments, of course we don't want to bother fellow passengers but the fact is, this trip is a must do for us). <BR><BR>So here are my questions: <BR>*We have a travel system that includes a stroller with an infant carseat that snaps into the stroller. Should we take the stroller? If so, do we take it right up to the gate and then ask them to check it? Do we need a special travel case or something for the stroller?<BR>*Once on the flight, is it possible to discreetly nurse the baby if I find it necessary? I hope to have a bottle of expressed milk but I'm not sure how the whole breastfeeding thing will be working at that point. One person said to nurse in the bathroom but that sounds really, really awkward. Plus I think it would take too long, occupying the bathroom when other passengers might need it. Advice from experienced moms?<BR>*Is there anything else special to know when traveling with an infant this young? Will his ears hurt as older children's do? Any other suggestions? <BR><BR>Thanks!<BR><BR>Kelly

Kelly, bring the stroller right up to the gate and they will check it for you if there's no room in the cabin. If you can afford it, get a seat for the baby, though this is not a terribly long flight, and good for you getting nonstop. You can put the carseat into the baby's seat and baby will feel more comfortable.<BR><BR>Definitely plan on nursing that baby for takeoff and landing, and try not to nurse much in between so baby will be hungry and willing to eat for the descent, which is the hardest part for them. I've nursed a baby on a plane. Bring a large blanket to throw over your shoulder and don't sweat it. Get a window seat and put your husband next to you. No one will notice, and all will be thankful you are keeping your baby happy. At four weeks, you and baby will be skilled at the discreet nursing thing. Don't try and nurse in the bathroom!!<BR><BR>Good luck and have fun at the wedding!

Hi there... first I wish you the best of luck. I know this is a hard thing to do!<BR>*Book a flight that starts when your baby would normally be falling asleep. At that age I suppose this will be difficult to ascertain. <BR>*Sit near the engine. Crazy at t sounds, it seems to lull a baby to sleep.<BR>*Use a pacifier to help reduce pain caused by altitude<BR>*I think it is not really necessary to get an additional seat for a 2 hour flight. Seat assignments are critical.<BR>Get the 2 seat side or ask the airline to block the middle seat.<BR>If you sit in the back, odds are the middle seat will not be used unless the flight is full.<BR>Last but not least PLEASE do not worry yourself about fellow passengers with a baby this age. Do all you can to insure you are well positioned in the plane and concentrate on making yourself and your baby comfortable.<BR>I am a frequent (-ly grumpy) traveler and the only children that annoy me are toddlers and youngsters that are allowed to go crazy on the plane. <BR>Infants are exempt, even those who cry!!!!!<BR>Once I was in that 3rd seat next to a non-english speaking woman who has already traveled ALONE with her infant and 2 year old for 20+ hours!<BR>I was a little annoyed at first and then very sympathetic to her situation.<BR>Ultimately, I held the infant for the 2 1/2 hour flight while she tended to the 2 year old. <BR>Best wishes! <BR>

Oh, one more thing... try to book a flight during a time of day when they are not as likely to be full. <BR>Your travel agent or the airline can help you decide.<BR>I usually go for midday and try to avoid Friday night, Saturday Morning and Sunday afternoon.<BR>: )

I agree with everything Susan said, *except* to nurse during takeoff and landing. These are the most dangerous parts of the flight, and if you do manage to get a seat where you can buckle baby into her carseat, you should do so for this part of the flight. <BR><BR>Have a bottle ready in case of serious ear pain, but otherwise please nurse only when the seatbelt sign is off. Most breastfeeding advisors recoment not introducing bottles (or as they put it "artificial nipples") until at least a month of age.<BR><BR>I trveled extensively with my dd when she was 6 weeks old, and found that a child this age is extremely portable -- really just another piece of luggage, but one that must be fed and changed! ;-)

Kelly, have you discussed this with your pediatrician, especially if the baby arrives a couple of weeks later than expected? You might have to make fall-back plans to drive. I agree with everything Susan suggests.

Hi Kelly. Congratulations on your new baby. First thing you should do before you travel with your baby is to ask for your pediatrician's approval. I took my baby on her first flight when she was 3 months old. If your doctor says its okay, then I have a few advice for you. It's a good thing that you booked a direct flight. Since your baby would only be 4 weeks old, she would sleep a lot which would make it easier for you and her. Make sure that during take-off and landing that you are either nursing your baby, feeding her a bottle or letting her suck on a pacifier. This would prevent her ears from hurting. With regards to your questions, you can bring your stroller with the carseat up to the gate then you ask them to check it in when you're boarding and take the carseat with you in the plane. You don't need any travel case for the stroller. Once on the flight, you can nurse discreetly on your seat. You can use a small blanket for cover or you can get those nursing clothes designed specifically for this. You can take a look at it at www.motherwear.com<BR>If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.

the best advice is immediately above. check w/the pediatrician. although its been 15 years since I had an infant, I do recall that I was instructed not to take the baby out for some time in crowded confined spaces where germs can incubate. I would imagine that the germs carried by others on a plane, with air that is circulated in germ infested air ducts, would not be the best thing for a very young infant. I did fly with an 8 week old, nursed her the entire time (natural pacifier, not because she was hungry) and we had no problem whatsoever.

One small thing - you might want to check with the airline to see if they have any restrictions on the type of carseat that may be used when flying. On a recent flight, I saw a young couple have problems at the gate because their seat was not approved and did not meet FAA standards (I think some seats have a sticker that states that the seat meets FAA guidelines). Better to be safe than sorry.

I agree with Susan's recommendations. I've had good luck traveling with infants. Although I'm normally a real stickler for safety, I would choose to nurse the baby during takeoff and landing. The question of whether the baby's doctor okays an airline trip for a child that young is important. Ask now! Having a backup plan to drive is a good idea.<BR><BR>Just as an aside, previous nursing may protect the baby from airborne infections you'd worry about on the plane. When my son was about 6 months old, his sister contracted chicken pox.. Even living in the house with her for a week, he didn't catch it. I can only assume it was because of the antibodies he received from nursing.

travellyn, you've got healthy boobies!

Great advice you have gotten so far:) I had to go cross country once with a 3 week old...much easier than when they are older:) Since you have gotten lots of great ideas so far, the only thing I can add is to carry on several extra items of clothing for the baby, 1 extra shirt for you (in case a diaper explodes on you), and way more diapers than you think you will use. Have a great trip!

Wow, some great advice by all! Definitely do as msa says and pack lots of extra diapers and clothes. Definitely check with your baby's doctor first. I'm iffy about not nursing during takeoff and descent, only because my daughter absolutely refused all manner of pacifers at that age. It's worth a try though. Good luck with the nursing. It is a bit challenging when you and baby get started, but stick with it and after a few weeks you'll be so glad you did. It will help protect baby from all those relatives and their germs at the wedding too. I'm sure everyone will want to hold the new baby. <BR><BR>Driving is an option, though some babies love the car and some hate it. Also, you have to stop frequently to nurse and change the baby. Good luck with however you get from point A to point B!

There are lots of threads that discuss small children on flights. Embedded in them are a lot of good advice (ignore the rants and raves). Supposedly you're not supposed to fly with small children that age - something to do with the immaturity of their ears. But sometimes that's not an option. If the baby were older, I'd suggest an antihistimine to help make sure the eustacian tubes stay clear - but a baby that age - check with your doctor. Definitely take a bottle, pacifier, and tylenol and lots of extra changes of clothes for you and the baby. You'd hate to be stuck in messy clothes for the flight. I would suggest taking the stroller with infant carseat. Checking it would be no problem - but it'd be easier than trying to get one at your destination. Good luck.

I second (third?) the idea to breast feed at take off and landing. The idea is that the sucking helps prevent pressure build up in the ears. My doc suggested that when my daughter was a baby. It worked like a charm (and, she slept most of the flight after that, and woke in time to want some more.)

Thanks for the very helpful advice, everyone! I have one more question which I forgot to ask--what if the baby needs a diaper change? Is the bathroom the best location? I can't really imagine doing it anywhere else, though I haven't changed a diaper since I was a babysitter 15 years ago. <BR><BR>Thanks!<BR>Kel

Airline bathrooms are tiny and disgusting. A month-old baby is pretty small -- If you have your own row, I'd change him right at your seat.

Put Desitin cream or any other cream/ointment that prevents diaper rash on your baby's butt before you go to the airport. If you have to change him/her, she's so small you can do it right in your seat. If you're nursing her, her dirty diaper won't smell bad. Just don't change the baby while others are having their meal coz' some people get irritated.

Just want to add that you should take advantage of this time to get a lot of rest because once your baby comes, it's going to be exhausting for you. You should also take this into consideration when planning this trip. When your baby is a month old, he/she might wake up 2-3x/night which would leave you and your hubby tired so if you feel then that this trip would be difficult for you, you should listen to your body. I'm sure your brother will understand if you can't make it. Take care.

If you find an flight that is fairly empty, you can ask them to block out the middle seat. If no one else takes it, you can put the car seat there. We flew many times and it always worked out. When my son was very small, I brought my front pack to strap him onto my front when I needed to do so. The car seat is much safer though and I would buy a seat if there any chance the flight will be full. I always fed my son a bottle on take off and landing and he did well. Other mothers were given a presciption for benadryl for their infants - but on such a short flight that would seem like overkill. Be sure to book the least crowded flight you can to avoid germs and get as much space as you can.

You can't give Benadryl to a 4 week old baby. My pediatrician avoids prescribing medicines for baby 6 months and younger unless they are sick.

It's a good idea to have a fresh diaper just before boarding. You should be able to find a change room or adequate toilet facility near the departure gate in most airports.If you choose to change your baby in your seat, you will not be the first to do so. Remember to be sensitive to your neighbours. <BR><BR>

Please check with the airlines as to what age a baby may start to fly. Friends of ours adopted a baby in Colorado and had to drive her back to LA because the airlines wouldn't fly someone that young.I don't know that I would get an infant seat for that small an infant---it's a short flight and she'll be more comfortable in your arms. I too would nurse the baby during take off and landing---put a "receiving blanket over your shoulder and her head and ignore the rest of the plane. Agree--from SF to Phoenix is so short a flight that a dirty diaper shouldn't matter. Change her right before departure and plan to change her on arrival. You do need to investigate alternative driving plans should the baby not come on time---my first was 3 weeks late! Good luck, and a baby that young won't bother folks on the plane---she'll just sleep and eat. It's the 8 monthers who shreik and stand up on Mom's lap to look behind them that make the rest of the plane crazy! Hope all goes well for you!

American Airlines' website states that it allows infants as young as 2 days to travel, although they recommend 7 days. You did not mention what airline you were flying but I suspect most airlines' websites contain this information or it can be easily ascertained by calling their customer service number.

I can't think of a more asinine thing for a caring parent to do than to take a four week old, or younger, baby on a plane trip for "pleasure". You will be exhausted from getting up nights, the baby will be subjected to who knows what. <BR>Go see the relatives later, and remember to put the infant first in your lives and in your love and put your pleasure trips in the background for a little while. <BR>You won't regret it, look at the bigger picture.

The most private seats you want are the bulkhead seats. When making reservations ask for the bulkhead seats. You'll have the most privacy there.

We had to fly from Honolulu to California for my sister's wedding when our first daughter was 5 weeks old. Like yours, it wasn't optional. Nursed her for much of the trip, and put her in the bulkhead bassinet when she slept. She was just fine. Like others mentioned, germs are thwarted by the nursing, and diapers don't smell. Do take some plastic pads - at the birth, the hospital will give you those blue disposable ones...save a few - to do any changing. Diapers can leak or explode, and babies drool and spit up, and that would not be nice on the seat. <BR><BR>Arrange for a family friend to watch baby during the wedding, then do show and tell at the reception. <BR><BR>Same daughter went to Japan for two weeks at 4 months as we had a free trip that would have expired. She was still nursing, and didn't sit or crawl yet, so it was also very easy. <BR><BR>We've travelled with our 2 girls for 17 years now, and only once did we have any problem with noise or excess energy on planes. My secret was to plan ahead, bring lots of activities and snacks, choose flights during the good times of their daily routine, and if they got antsy, go for a walk up the aisles. Main thing is to not just sit there with an unhappy kid, hoping your neighbors won't notice. If you look like you're struggling to calm them down, they won't resent you.

Ed-on domestic flights the bulkhead is actually the worst place to be with a baby. The armrests do not go up and everyone is going up and down the aisle to first class,lav,etc.I would chose the middle section somewhat near the wing for seating(rides smoother) and see if you can get the aisle and window. I would definitely recommend nursing your child for takeoff and landing as their ears are so small and they block easily.Nurse your child at the window seat and no one will be the wiser.If you do change your child at the seat-please place something under him and put the dirty diapers in a burp bag that is disposed of in the lav garbage receptacle.Good luck-its hard traveling with one that small on so little sleep!

1. Buy a seat for the baby - put him/her in a car seat. If you are lucky s/he will sleep. It's also safer.<BR><BR>2. Do not breastfeed in the bathroom on plane - or bathroom anywhere else. Would you eat in a bathroom? It is easy to breastfeed very discretely if you are creative - use scarf, blouse and sweater, etc. As long as you are not exposing yourself, few people will notice.<BR><BR>3. Check with MD - both for you and baby. What if you are late and have a c-section 2 weeks late. You will be in no shape to fly then. <BR><BR>4. On a flight of that length, chances are you can avoid diaper change.<BR><BR>5. Bring more baby clothing and diapers in carryon than you can possible imagine you will need. Bring a clean shirt or 2 for you. Messes happen at the worst time.<BR><BR>6. Make plans for what to do with baby during ceremony. No matter how close you are to your brother, no one wants a screaming baby to interrupt their wedding ceremony.<BR><BR>7. Hope this works out for you. It is going to be a lot more exhausting and difficult than you can imagine - I had to fly several times alone with our son when he was quite young as my father was dying 1000 miles away from home. Careful pre-planning makes it possible, but not easy. Good luck.

You have gotten lots of excellent advice and I didn't read every response but would add that I don't think it is necessary or even advisable to buy a seat for the baby. He/she will feel better in your arms. You might consider a Baby Bjorn for carrying him and being "strapped in" on takeoff and landing. You will really want to encourage the sucking at those times as has been mentioned.

Regarding the suggestion about using a Baby Bjorn carrier on take off and landing - it will not be permitted. Those carriers, like airline vests, are not approved for take off and landing. Also, you may want to check if you can use the rear facing infant carrier on the plane. A girlfriend of mine took hers when her son was a few months old. The flight attendants would not let her install it rear facing (even though that was how it was designed) because the seat backs were designed to collapse forward in the event of a crash. So, she was forced to put it forward facing which simply does not work with those carriers. I just noticed that you said you may get a seat for the baby. I strongly suggest that you do so, even if it means buying a different carseat. Babies make incredible projectiles in the event of turbulence. It simply is not worth the risk. Ask for the 1/2 price fare for infants. You chould change the baby in the restroom out of respect for the other passengers. Many planes these days have changing tables in them. One last suggestion. If your baby has ear pain, get two styrofoam cups with wet, hot paper towels in the bottom of each. Hold them over the baby's ears. It will create a vacuum and cause the ears to pop, alleviating the pain. It looks funny, but it works.

I flew when I was nine days old, Pan Am gave me a certificate for this. I would say keep baby hydrated and I am not sure what the pressure will do to their little ears but I suppose the airline would advise if this was a serious issue. They make earplugs for kids but infants?<BR><BR>What can you do kelly other than see that naptime coinsides with take off and hydrate?

Kelly, I had the unfortunate experience of changing a dirty diaper on a full plane before they had changing tables in the bathrooms. (To readers who don't want to read about diaper changes, skip the rest of this post.)<BR><BR>My husband and I were in the middle and window seats; another person was in the aisle seat. We apologized, and then my husband held up an opened newspaper to shield the poor guy next to us from the view; we pulled up the armrest for enough room, and were able to accomplish the change pretty easily. Dirty diapers only start to stink when the baby gets more than breastmilk. Make sure you carry a few extra plastic bags to wrap up the diaper and wipes. Ask the flight attendant where to throw the bag away. On one flight, this rather disgusting woman just slipped one into the seat back pocket.