9 hour flight with a newborn

[Anonymous]

how old can the baby be to fly with us that far? we'll spend 10 days away.

[Anonymous]

How newborn are we talking? If I were you, I'd wait at least 3 months before exposing the infant to all the germs and viruses on an airplane. Also, from a logistical point of view, you'll want to be comfortable with whatever feeding arrangement you settle on (either breastfeeding or bottle feeding) so you aren't still working it out during the trip.

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure what you mean. You can fly with your baby anytime after it is a week old without a doctor's note. Our pediatrician said not to fly until after their 3 month shots/check-up.

That long of a flight sounds difficult to me at any age.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks...
I'm thinking we'll have to leave when the baby is 4 weeks or so... Just wondering if some brave momma out there did it.
TIA

[Anonymous]

I traveled with my three week old on a four hour flight.

Honestly, I think the newborn period is the best time to travel with kids. They mostly sleep. I BFed, so I didn't have to worry about taking food/bottles/etc. I wore my baby in a sling close to my body and nobody touched her.

[Anonymous]

We traveled with our baby on a 4.5 hour flight when she was 6 weeks old. It was a piece of cake compared to flying with her now that she's a toddler! Just make sure you have a copy of her birth certificate or something with her DOB on it; the new security regulations require everyone to have proof of DOB, even though she's obviously a baby. Feed her going up, feed her coming down. That should pretty much take care of it! And don't let anyone breathe on her.

[Anonymous]

I'm planning to travel with DH and our baby at 2mo pp to San Diego. Others have told me that's a great time to travel b/c young babies are easier than older babies. I am a bit nervous about flu and other germs too, but I think if I keep the baby close to me (in a sling?) it should be ok. I've also been told to BF during take off and landing--helps their ears pressurize.

[Anonymous]

If it's 9 hours away, then it's out of the country, correct? You will need a passport I believe, so get the form filled out and have it ready as soon as the baby is born. You'll still need a picture with the baby's eyes open, which is fun.

[Anonymous]

The only problem I see with it is that "4 weeks or so" may mean the baby is born late, and is only about 2 weeks old. That's cutting it close, especially if you have a c-section. Leave enough of a cushion to get comfortable with your baby, your support system and your new body. And buy refundable tickets and trip insurance.

[Anonymous]

I took an 8 week old on an 13 hour flight. I had no choice in the matter as I was moving. I had to wait until 8 weeks because I needed his passport and citizenship papers.

[Anonymous]

We moved internationally at that age. Far easier than with an older baby -- she just nursed and slept the whole time.

They're relatively protected at that age by your antibodies they received through the placenta. There's certainly nothing magical by the 2 or even 4 month point -- they won't be protected from those vaccines until a couple of weeks past the 6 month mark.

Our doc preferred her to be 1 month for her lungs, for whatever reason.

[Anonymous]

I flew with both my kids on 16+ hour flights when each child was 6 weeks old. Babies just slept the whole time. Just wash your hands frequently and bring an infant car seat if you can (meaning, buy the baby a seat). I read somewhere that the air on an airplane is not really of concern - that germs are transmitted more from what you touch. If you are flying internationally, you will need a passport for the baby, which means that you will have to wait for the birth certificate. If I were you, I would ask the Department of Health if they could expedite the birth certificate so that you can travel. Depending on where you live, I think the Social Security card comes quickly, though you might ask if that can be expedited as well. Both parents will have to bring the child to the post office to submit the passport paperwork, however if your DH can't make it then he will have to sign/notarize an affidavit allowing the baby to get a passport. You can expedite the passport process as well.

[Anonymous]

wonderful thanks for everything

[Anonymous]

My pediatrician recommended not to fly before the baby gets the first vaccines at 2 months of age. He also said that any kind of fever before 2 months is a medical emergency, i.e. you have to go to the ER. What are you going to do if your baby has a fever and you are stuck on a 9 hour flight? Wait till the baby is 2 months old.

[Anonymous]

I flew when baby was about 8 weeks. From my experience (and some friends have told me the same thing) you will probably be exhausted at 4 weeks. Babies seem to go through a difficult period at that time (and get better around 6 weeks). I say this because when you are travelling, you need to be alert yourself - especially if you are going to be breastfeeding and/or hold the baby during the flight. Don't fall asleep with such a tiny baby on you or in the sling. Make sure their airways are always clear. I really hate to bring this up but there was a tragic event recently with a 4 week old on a Washington-Kuwait flight. Please don't be mad at me for mentioning it, but I would like to have known about that before (I often lay in first class & breastfed mine & fell asleep - although they weren't that young). Again - so sorry to mention it.