Air Travel With Baby

**finn's mom** · 07-20-2009, 05:14 PM

Any suggestions on how to help make the flight pleasant for baby, me and the other passengers?

Clara will be around 4 or 5 months old if and when we fly to South Carolina. It's a short flight, less than 3 hours.

**Pembroke_Corgi** · 07-20-2009, 06:03 PM

Lyra and I flew to Iowa (2 hour flight) when she was 2 months old. She ended up sleeping the entire flight both ways! I think she liked the noise in the cabin. Also, the plane was a small one (2 seats on each side) and I learned that if you sit on one side of the cabin with a baby (if you are looking to the front of the aircraft, it is on the left side), you will get your own (2) seats if there is room because of the weight distribution.

We are flying again this Saturday and I know the flight won't be quite as easy, because Lyra doesn't sleep as much and she will be too excited to want to nap! I'm hoping that staying awake in the airport will tire her enough to sleep on the plane. I'm going to try the same tactics we use when we go to movies... keep her entertained with quiet singing and whispering in her ear, bouncing, letting her stand in my lap, etc. She also really likes to people watch so I'm hoping that will keep her entertained for a while too. I'll let you know what works (and what doesn't) for us when we get back!

Also, her pediatrician said she could have a little bit of Tylenol 15 minutes before we boarded for her ears, and that sucking on a pacifier if she is awake can help during take off and landing.

**finn's mom** · 07-20-2009, 06:14 PM

Jill, thank you! It's looking like this is a done deal! I can't believe it, I'm so excited already! David's even hoping to come with us, but for only part of the trip (she and I will be there for about 10 days). I've done a little reading online, and I'm feeling like this will be something we can make happen, in a pleasant way. Of course, it all comes down to what Clara is like and what she wants to do that day.

Thank you again for the advice and good luck on YOUR trip!

**carole** · 07-20-2009, 06:18 PM

Kari i have no experience in this field,but i just found out you have called your baby girl Clara, i must have missed that thread, not long until she enters your world, and then your life will change forever, for the better.

My mother traveled all the way from Scotland to New Zealand, when i was just six months old and my sister four, it took three days with a stop over, imagine that,and the first time she had ever seen diapers as you americans call them, we call them nappies here,they did not even have disposables in NZ for some time after that.

Hey good luck with your proposed trip and of course the birth of your beautiful baby girl, i am excited for you.

**Pembroke_Corgi** · 07-20-2009, 06:25 PM

I'm sure your trip will be great! Even if Clara decides that she hates flying I think most people won't mind- people love babies! (One time I was at the post office and Lyra was being cranky, and this older man who I wouldn't have expected to be a fan of a crying baby started talking to her so she stopped! I've found that even strangers will act silly to entertain your baby).

I can't wait till we go because Lyra has changed so much since my family last saw her she's like a different baby. We are doing the same thing- Lyra and I will be there for 2 weeks, but my husband will only be there 5 days (and then we will get to see his family, too). I'm looking forward to the return flight more since Eric will be there to help keep her entertained.

**carole** · 07-20-2009, 06:45 PM

Just to re-assure you my best friend just flew to Sydney about a three hour flight with her 8mth old baby, she said he traveled really well, just said you have so much stuff to take with you, is the main problem.

**beeniesmom** · 07-20-2009, 07:10 PM

I'm having the same question. I asked the pediatrician at our 'meet the mommy to be' appointment. He said that 2 months is ok for domestic and 4, or even better, 6 months for international travel.