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E_7
Guest
What’s your experience with Air traveling with a baby in terms of health (including ears), and weather/season.
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Xantippe
Guest
Make sure they have something to suck on (and remember you probably can’t breastfeed during takeoff and landing if you’re using a carseat).
Oh, and do the trip as soon as possible. Little infants are often very nice to travel with while bigger babies and toddlers aren’t so much. With my youngest, I had a fabulous trip at 7/8 months. I took a car seat, stroller frame, flew all by myself and it went perfectly.
I personally don’t believe in air travel between about 10-11 months and 3 years. Toddlers love to scamper back and forth and hate being confined. They also often don’t have the patience to do videos or phone games for very long. Naps and sleep are often a problem. Also, the bigger toddler carseats are often a pain on the road.
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Xantippe
Guest
Our youngest is now 3 and I think she would be fine for air travel pretty much anywhere. However, the car seat would still be a pain.
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UbiCaritas
Guest
Varies wildly.
Does your kid like being in his car seat? If so, I suggest purchasing him his own seat so you don’t have to hold him and he’ll be happy. However, if he doesn’t or if that’s not feasible…
I’ve flown cross-country three times with DD: once when she was 8 months old, once at 9/10 months, and once at 18 months. The 8-month old flights varied from “awesome” (slept the whole way!) to…less than awesome (cried for a lot of the flight). The 9/10 month old stage was the same.
That 18-month trip…well, put it this way. DH wanted her to fly as a lap baby, and I had to hold her. After multiple flights holding a big, strong tantruming toddler, I have decided that if he ever wants a kid coming as a lap baby, he’s holding them.
Otherwise, they’re getting their own seat!
The younger trips were definitely easier.
I put her in a carrier and wore her for most of the flight, though I wasn’t allowed to for one descent. The flight attendant agreed with me that it was a stupid policy, but she had to be taken out of the structured carrier and I had to hold her facing forward on my lap for that landing. It was annoying, mostly because of getting her back into the carrier, but a minor annoyance.
This last trip, I found the combination of a carrier and a stroller to be very helpful. We were going some places for which a carrier would be better (hiking), but others where I might want to give myself and DD, who’s not a huge carrier fan, a break by using the stroller. Strollers and car seats fly for free because they’re considered assistance items. We could put DD in the carrier and use the stroller to haul our luggage around the airport.
The TSA were actually really helpful; I’ve found this to be consistently true. Before she could walk, they’d just have DD stay in the carrier while I walked through the metal detector. Any food items I brought for her had to be screened, but that was quite easy: they opened the cooler and waved a little paper over it/the food, then put it in a machine to test for explosive residue while making goofy faces at DD. No problem.
Bring more baby food and supplies than you think you’ll need–diapers (I usually use cloth, but not when travelling), wipes, food, clothing changes, etc. Also bring a few toys and books to pull out strategically.
Does your kid like being in his car seat? If so, I suggest purchasing him his own seat so you don’t have to hold him and he’ll be happy. However, if he doesn’t or if that’s not feasible…
I’ve flown cross-country three times with DD: once when she was 8 months old, once at 9/10 months, and once at 18 months. The 8-month old flights varied from “awesome” (slept the whole way!) to…less than awesome (cried for a lot of the flight). The 9/10 month old stage was the same.
That 18-month trip…well, put it this way. DH wanted her to fly as a lap baby, and I had to hold her. After multiple flights holding a big, strong tantruming toddler, I have decided that if he ever wants a kid coming as a lap baby, he’s holding them.
Otherwise, they’re getting their own seat!The younger trips were definitely easier.
I put her in a carrier and wore her for most of the flight, though I wasn’t allowed to for one descent. The flight attendant agreed with me that it was a stupid policy, but she had to be taken out of the structured carrier and I had to hold her facing forward on my lap for that landing. It was annoying, mostly because of getting her back into the carrier, but a minor annoyance.
This last trip, I found the combination of a carrier and a stroller to be very helpful. We were going some places for which a carrier would be better (hiking), but others where I might want to give myself and DD, who’s not a huge carrier fan, a break by using the stroller. Strollers and car seats fly for free because they’re considered assistance items. We could put DD in the carrier and use the stroller to haul our luggage around the airport.
The TSA were actually really helpful; I’ve found this to be consistently true. Before she could walk, they’d just have DD stay in the carrier while I walked through the metal detector. Any food items I brought for her had to be screened, but that was quite easy: they opened the cooler and waved a little paper over it/the food, then put it in a machine to test for explosive residue while making goofy faces at DD. No problem.
Bring more baby food and supplies than you think you’ll need–diapers (I usually use cloth, but not when travelling), wipes, food, clothing changes, etc. Also bring a few toys and books to pull out strategically.
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UbiCaritas
Guest
This. The trips with DD as a small baby were nerve-wracking, but mostly because I was a new and inexperienced mom. They weren’t too bad in terms of crying. Also, people are more understanding of a fussy small baby than a tantruming toddler.
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Kelfa28
Guest
With a baby who can suck on something?
Easy-peasy. No issues what-so-ever.
I had my middle on my lap the whole time. She was safe and happy. She sucked her thumb on take-off and landing and we had no issues.
With a toddler/preschooler who couldn’t/wouldn’t suck on anything?
Awful, stressful and downright heartbreaking.
My oldest was fine until the descent. It hurt her ears big time and because she has a speech delay, she couldn’t tell us what was wrong.
We won’t be doing air travel for awhile because of it. Not until all three girls are older and the pain won’t bother them so much and they are old enough to handle it if it does.
Easy-peasy. No issues what-so-ever.
I had my middle on my lap the whole time. She was safe and happy. She sucked her thumb on take-off and landing and we had no issues.
With a toddler/preschooler who couldn’t/wouldn’t suck on anything?
Awful, stressful and downright heartbreaking.
My oldest was fine until the descent. It hurt her ears big time and because she has a speech delay, she couldn’t tell us what was wrong.
We won’t be doing air travel for awhile because of it. Not until all three girls are older and the pain won’t bother them so much and they are old enough to handle it if it does.
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UbiCaritas
Guest
OP, I imagine your baby is probably going to be too young for this on this particular trip, but on our last trip I got a great idea from some other parents on the plane. They were travelling with a couple of toddlers, and had brought them lollipops to suck on during ascent/descent. The lollipops were apparently a special treat as far as the kids were concerned, and distracted them enough to get them sucking/swallowing and preventing much ear pain. If I ever have to fly with an older toddler again, I’m totally stealing this idea.
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Beryllos
Guest
Chewing gum worked when my kids were toddlers.
Back home, one of them was playing with a toy airplane and I heard him say “We’re landing. Quick, chew some gum!”
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pensmama87
Guest
My experiences pretty much go with what everyone else has said.
With toddlers and preschoolers, I am totally fine with lots and lots of screen time during the flight, even though I restrict it a lot at home.
With toddlers and preschoolers, I am totally fine with lots and lots of screen time during the flight, even though I restrict it a lot at home.
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E_7
Guest
And the aftermath? Did they get sick with flu, fever, or ear infection? Were they deaf for a short time?
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Sugabee43
Guest
I flew with my exclusively breastfeeding eldest son who was 8 month old from Houston to Pittsburgh. He was great (and he was a VERY active baby). Slept the flight there, and played/nursed the way back. No health issues/deafness.
I also flew with my youngest when he was 13 months old. He also was a breast-feeder, but obviously was eating snacks/food by then. He was great, too! He is gifted with being a natural charmer and people-person, so he just played with everyone within reach’s distance, and everyone was happy.
No sickness with him, either.
I also flew with my youngest when he was 13 months old. He also was a breast-feeder, but obviously was eating snacks/food by then. He was great, too! He is gifted with being a natural charmer and people-person, so he just played with everyone within reach’s distance, and everyone was happy.
No sickness with him, either.
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E_7
Guest
OK. Thank you! To be openly honest: I have a battle with my inner self. My dear hubby will be going on a business trip and will be sleeping two nights away. I’m so sad. We used to do things together. His first trip with his current employer was to New Jersey, and since it is close to Maryland, we drove and went together with our son. But now it is San Francisco. I’m battling with myself on exposing my son to viruses and bacteria and people coughing and sneezing as well as the air pressure (which I already looked for these: [Earmuffs for Babies, and Children’s Ear Protection for Airplane Travel](http://amzn.to/1ZUlwoE) ) and pain, just to be with hubby. I was planning to wait 3-5 years to air travel. And also the fear of sleeping alone and my son missing his dad in bed (we do co-sleeping) who every day he looks at the doorway waiting for dad to come in after working in the office…what if he feels strange after not seeing him for two nights?
Should I hop in with my son and make memories in San Fransisco with hubby (on his free time) or should I be patient and wait home… :bighanky:…
To be openly honest: I have a battle with my inner self. My dear hubby will be going on a business trip and will be sleeping two nights away. I’m so sad. We used to do things together. His first trip with his current employer was to New Jersey, and since it is close to Maryland, we drove and went together with our son. But now it is San Francisco. I’m battling with myself on exposing my son to viruses and bacteria and people coughing and sneezing as well as the air pressure (which I already looked for these: [Earmuffs for Babies, and Children’s Ear Protection for Airplane Travel](http://amzn.to/1ZUlwoE) ) and pain, just to be with hubby. I was planning to wait 3-5 years to air travel. And also the fear of sleeping alone and my son missing his dad in bed (we do co-sleeping) who every day he looks at the doorway waiting for dad to come in after working in the office…what if he feels strange after not seeing him for two nights?Should I hop in with my son and make memories in San Fransisco with hubby (on his free time) or should I be patient and wait home… :bighanky:…
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Xantippe
Guest
Go, if it’s at all practical!OK. Thank you!
Should I hop in with my son and make memories in San Fransisco with hubby (on his free time) or should I be patient and wait home… :bighanky:…
It’s a perfect time.
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Kelfa28
Guest
No.
Nor should they.
If they do get sick it’s because they picked up something while on the flight.
Getting sick has nothing to do with pressure differences. It just feels really uncomfortable.
They might feel their hearing is muffled a little…until they are back at sea level or when they figure out how to de-pressurize their ears…such as swallowing.
Giving a kid a straw was something I wish I thought of.
Anything to suck on and swallow helps with the discomfort.
It’s more of an inconvenience then an actual health problem.
But…if a kid gets sick after being on an airplane…its because the flight attendants didn’t do a thorough job cleaning the seats and someone left their germs behind.
Or the poorly filtered air.
It has nothing to do with cabin pressure.
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Kelfa28
Guest
Your son will be fine if you choose to wait.OK. Thank you!
Should I hop in with my son and make memories in San Fransisco with hubby (on his free time) or should I be patient and wait home… :bighanky:…
My husband’s military schedule means he doesn’t see the girls for 2-3 days every week.
My oldest is Daddy’s number 1 fan. She misses him but it also makes the union that much more wonderful and special when he comes home.
But kids are super resilient and wouldn’t be effected much at all if Dad had to leave on business for a little while.
We military families put up with it as apart of daily life.
Of course my girls miss their Dad but they get extra loves, hugs and playtime when he gets home.
If it were me…I’d just wait it out. But I’m biased and have watched my husband leave for months at a time.
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E_7
Guest
Thanks Xantippe and Kelfa for the encouragement! My son’s pediatrician just called to reassure me that it’s ok to travel to San Fransisco and that she doesn’t see any medical concern. She strongly recommended to get a seat for himself and put it in a car seat. She also told me to call the airline for more info on traveling with a baby.
But I think I’m gonna give up. It’s too expensive to pay for an extra seat for my son close to the date of travel. :manvspc:
But I think I’m gonna give up. It’s too expensive to pay for an extra seat for my son close to the date of travel. :manvspc:
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Kelfa28
Guest
Makes the return trip home that much sweeter!
Something to look forward to.
Why not go out to dinner…the whole family when he gets off the plane?
We did that the last time my husband was away a few days. We greeted him at the airport and drove to a nearby restaurant for burgers, beer/chocolate milk to celebrate.
Kids loved it and it was that much more special…even if it was only for a couple of days.
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iepuras
Guest
How old is your baby? I traveled with my baby from the US to Eastern Europe when he was about 2 months and then back to the US a couple of months later. He is now 6 and despite the fact that the trip was 15+ hours, it was one of the easiest trips ever with him. I didn’t get an extra seat to use a car seat with. I held him the entire time, although I did use a baby carrier so I could use both hands at times.
All pediatricians will tell you to get an extra seat and use a car seat on an airplane, but I don’t think it is necessary, especially when the baby is immobile. I would fly with an immobile infant any day over a toddler or even small child who can walk.
All pediatricians will tell you to get an extra seat and use a car seat on an airplane, but I don’t think it is necessary, especially when the baby is immobile. I would fly with an immobile infant any day over a toddler or even small child who can walk.
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