Airplane travel/"vacation" with infant: any tips?

[Anonymous]

Hi everyone,

We're flying with our 7 month old tomorrow morning--we're leaving Reagan at 8:30 for a 2 hour flight home to the Midwest. DH and I really never fly in the first place so we're already out of our element--any tips on how to make this an ok situation?

Also I'm terrified of being away at my parents' for a week. We're finally getting a good bedtime routine after sleep training a month ago (naps still need work but she's in daycare FT so I have limited reach there); I'd also like to crowd source tips and advice on how to survive a total upheaval of baby's routine, too. My husband wants to cart her around everywhere to meet both of our extended families but that just seems like SO much to me. Are babies more resilient than I'm giving my daughter credit for?

Thanks in advance! I'm so nervous!

[Anonymous]

7 month olds barely have a routine anyway. You and she will be fine. I know it seems daunting the first time, but the more you do it the less daunting it will be. Bring an extra change of clothes for you and her for the plane, lots of diapers and wipes and some disposable changing pads, a few toys, and a bottle or pacifier or something for her to suck on. Gate check your stroller.

[Anonymous]

What time is the flight in relation to usual naps and feeding?

I flew with my 7 month old to see family and it went fine despite my nerves! Try to nurse or bottle during takeoff/landing. I also packed a little bag of new toys so if he got fussy, I could pull out something completely new to distract him. And have little snacks for when she gets bored or hungry. That's a great age to travel. My DS is now a year old and walking... no longer in a position to fly across country or drive 10+ hours to see family, so we are home for the holidays.

Btw getting "carted around" was just fine for DS and he crashed and napped when he could. Being in a carrier helped as well as getting back to the designated pack n play with familiar lovey and noise machine. But don't be afraid to say no or propose a schedule change. Do what is best for you and baby within reason!

[Anonymous]

Oh and try to get a break and take relatives up on babysitting if they offer. Get a date night in or a lunch away with DH. Have fun and take a lot of pictures.

[Anonymous]

A 2 hour flight is super fast. At 7 months they're no really mobile, so that takes a lot of the pressure off. Do you have lounge privileges? Even w/o, it might be worth it to have a relaxing place to wait and hang out before your flight, BF if you're doing that, etc

[Anonymous]

They are easy to fly with at that age. Also 7 months is too early for regular naps.

Be prepared for the security screen to take extra time. They will check your bottles by opening the bottle and holding a test strip over the liquid. Is your baby is used to formula, you might take powder to mix up later. I use a front carrier (Tula) and wear baby while sitting in my seat. That's usually enough to put her to sleep during the flight.

[Anonymous]

OP here--thanks for all of the advice but a special thank you for making me feel better about LO's lack of routine/set naps. I honestly thought I was behind the curve on that haha!

[Anonymous]

Nurse or give a pacifier during take off & Landing (helps ears).
Babywearing makes so many things possible.

We have absolutely always just carted ours around (sleeping on the go, etc— kids are 8 & almost 4 now). It’s worked for us. An infant doesn’t really need to stay in routine/on schedule.

Good luck & have fun!