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Flying with 6 month old
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Anonymous
| Does anyone have any tips for flying with a 6 month old baby - we are scheduled to take 2 long flights next month and I am dreading it as I think it could be exhausting. I am also concerned about pressure in the cabin - if you could share any thoughts I would appreciate it. |
Anonymous
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Have flown with DS (now 13 months) since he was about 2 months old, keys for me have been to nurse/give a bottle as we take off and land. Changed/increased the amount of liquid he got during that time normally, but figured hydration was also good for him. He never did a pacifier so that didn't work for us. As he got older, I started taking his favorite books and a couple toys with us, and just kept talking to him, describing things on the plane and outside, and suddenly we were landing. Temperature was tricky - can get very hot or very cold at times so plan accordingly. It truly hasn't ever been the nightmare I expected, even with the hassle of going through security with the stroller, etc. Good luck!
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Anonymous
| My trick was to always bring lots of things to draw with and read - and candy helps, too! At least when you get desperate! |
Meconbear
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| Agree with PPs (although drawing and candy probably doesn't work for 6 m.o.). Also, at 6 months, two godsends are paper cups and the skyamall magazines. The magazines can get torn to shreds, which takes a good long time. The cups are loads of fun too. Walking up and down the aisle and timing the flight with naptime are also all key. |
Anonymous
| Excellent! Thanks - the hydration thing makes sense as does the feeding during take off etc. I will try all of the above!!!! |
Anonymous
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I would echo the suggestions regarding nursing/feeding for take off and landing. We flew with our then three month old in December 2007 on a two our flight without incident. The nursing/feeding prevents the ear popping problem. I was very concerned about how our son would respond because I get motion sickness on flights and long car rides. My pediatrician gave us the suggestion of nursing/feeding.
Good luck to you.... Aidan's mom |
Anonymous
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I would echo the suggestions regarding nursing/feeding for take off and landing. We flew with our then three month old in December 2007 on a two hour flight without incident. The nursing/feeding prevents the ear popping problem. I was very concerned about how our son would respond because I get motion sickness on flights and long car rides. My pediatrician gave us the suggestion of nursing/feeding.
Good luck to you.... Aidan's mom |
Anonymous
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OP - the trick is to be prepared and relaxed. Going through customs is a pain but do not sweat the fact that you have a lot of unwieldly 'stuff' and ignore the passengers in line or on the flight who roll their eyes at you. If you are bottle feeding, make up bottles before you go and carry in cold storage and bring extra bottles to mix enroute. I tried once to bring distilled water in bottles and kept formula separate and they made me dump the water but go through if it was pre-mixed.
There is debate on how to transport child. I liked having the stroller though others prefer to check it and use a carrier. I bought a car seat luggage carrier (bag that you can pull or carry as backpack) and a large trashbag if I need to chcek or store anything below. Bring extras of everything - food, drink, diapers, wipes, clothes (not just for DC but for you also - at least a top). We use overniht diapers ofr traveling ever since our firts solo flight the fasten seatbelt sign was on for almost the entire flight. If meals are served you can get a baby tray - usually oatmeal and fruit or you can bring your own (extra). There are changing tables in the bathrooms but as you know one person in those areas is tricky let alone trying to change a baby. It sounds like you will be travelling with another adult which is a blessing. You can take turns walk and entertaining. My son flew 6 times his first year, including Europe which I did solo with him. I don't think it was to difficult - actually much harder as they get older! I was able to find quite a few resources when I Googled 'baby and air travel'. The FFA and others have some resources. Safe travels! |
Anonymous
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Just got back on Sunday from my first flight with my 7 1/2 month old -- alone and he handled it like a champ. Definitely a bottle during takeoff is key -- keeps him distracted. And turbulence was my best friend during the flight as it rocked him to sleep. I did not buy him a seat but just held him on my lap -- it was only a 1 1/2 hour flight so might not be feasible if you're flying a longer distance. I also couldn't handle having a car seat too since I was by myself (I rented one from the car rental company when I arrived at my destination -- ugh, a nightmare in and of itself but that's a different story). If you have the hands and someone else with you, buying a seat and bringing your car seat is a good idea. Also, the other passengers provided my son with loads of entertainment as he's at that age where he likes to smile at everyone.
I brought a lightweight stroller and checked it on the jetway and then just hung out on the plane until all of the passengers de-planed and then when I got off, my stroller was there and ready. I brought a whole bag full of little toys and books but, to be honest, I ended up having to put it up top because the flight was so full and never used much of it so I'd just bring maybe 2 or 3 favorite things. A nice soft blanket is good too because the air blowing out of those vents can be strong on a little one. Good luck! |
Anonymous
| One other thing re: formula (if you're using formula and not bf'ing) -- I brought a few cans of ready-to-feeds instead of putting bottles in cold packs because I didn't want to have to deal with trying to warm anything. I just told security as soon as I got up there that I had formula in my bag and they were fine with it. They did make me dump my bottle of water so agree with PP that you won't want to bring water and powder separate. |