im traveling with a 9 month old on airplane what do i need to know?

Question

My son is now 7 months and weights 24 lbs by 9 months i have no idea how much he will weight but my main concern is his weight (can i travel with a small stroller) and ear aches, how do they pop their ears?

Answer 1

If your baby uses a bottle, bring a bottle of juice with. The swallowing will help baby equalize pressure. I know you can't bring on a stroller. Please afford a seat for your baby if the flight will be longer than an hour. Use the baby's car seat to fasten them in. The baby will be more comfortable, which means less crying and less headaches for everyone on the plane.

Answer 2

I've flown with my kids many, many times, starting when each was about two weeks old. We fly cross-country several times a year, and we've done international flights, too. And I often travel with them alone.

Travel light. Changing diapers on the plane is close to impossible. Keeping track of a ton of toys and clothes is a pain. Bring things that can do double duty, i.e. a sheet makes a good surface for your child to play on if you have a layover, and you can use it as a blanket or wad it up to use as a pillow.

I don't buy a seat for a child under 2. If you do, and you bring a car seat, you'll have to a) haul the car seat onto the plane while hauling your baby and diaper bag, which is no easy feat in and of itself; and b) you'll be required to strap your baby in, which will really be a pain if your child is fussy. (Most car seats aren't rated for air safety anyway.)

An umbrella stroller is the way to go. That way, if it gets messed up in transit, you won't be too put out. In fact, I try to use a baby carrier or a sling instead of a stroller when I can. Or I put the older one in the stroller, put the baby in a baby carrier, and sling the diaper bag on the back of the stroller. Anyway...You gate check the stroller: you roll down the jetway, leave the stroller there, and when you get off the plane, it's there waiting for you.

For a domestic flight, I wouldn't fool around with Benedryl. There's no need. Just a few snacks, a favorite (small) toy or two, a bottle/boob and pacifier...that's all you really need. You are your baby's favorite toy, after all, and he'll have you all to himself for the whole flight!

I agree with a previous poster that looking for dogs and cats in the SkyMall catalog is a good time. We do that for what seems like hours. :)

Answer 3

You can gate check your stroller - meaning that you keep it up until the minute you board, and then you give it to the attendants and they will put it on the plane, and have it waiting for you when you get off. Forget the small stroller - take the big ol' horkin' travel system if you have one - that way if you're somewhere where there's no changing table, you can recline the seat in the stroller and change the baby there (this would've saved our butts when we went to France with our 13 month old - we were forced to change her on some of the creepiest surfaces I've ever seen. They don't have changing tables in France).

My doctor told us to give her benedryl for the flight. BE SURE to call and get the exact dose, by weight, and to test it out before you leave. Some kids react backwards to benedryl, so they get hyper instead of sleepy. You don't want to find out that you have a kid like this at 30,000 feet. Trust me.

They actually pop their ears the same way we do - by swallowing. If you breastfeed or give him a bottle during takeoff and landing, his ears will be fine. If he refuses to take it and cries instead, know that crying will also pop his ears. You can also try yawning at him (yawning is contagious, after all, and if he sees you yawn he might yawn too and pop his ears).

You didn't say how long the flight is, but changing a diaper on a flight is a BIG challenge. We flew overseas, so we had no choice. I did not think that the changing tables in the lavatory were safe - they were too small. Instead, I spread out a blanket and changed her in the little flight attendants area at the back of the plane. You'll want to change his diaper as close to boarding as you can. Try to avoid changing him in the air if at all possible.

If you're traveling with someone, see if you can get seats A and C (with seat B in between), or D and F (with E in between). If the flight isn't full, no one will take seat B, and therefore you'll have a free seat for the baby. He's going to be too big for the bassinet that fits in the bulkhead (mine's just now 24 pounds at 18 months, and I know she was too big at 13 months - you've got a big boy!!). You'll likely end up holding him the whole time, unless you buy him a seat. It's expensive, but worth it. I bought my daughter a seat when I traveled alone with her. I was also pregnant at the time, though, so it was harder for me to hold her. Requesting the bulkhead row gives you a bit more leg room, and maybe he'd sit on a blanket at your feet and play?

Bring along a favorite toy or two, but don't overpack. You'll have enough to deal with carrying a kiddo that size! Remember that kids will read the same book over and over and over. Take advantage of what's there, too. We had fun looking for dogs and cats in the "Sky Mall" catalog. We got up and walked around a couple times. Finger puppets are light and kept my daughter entertained. Snacks are good too. He's too young for chocolate, but maybe you could get some white chocolate Hershey kisses? We have bought a LOT of good behavior with candy. Probably not the best parenting strategy, but options are limited when you're halfway across the Atlantic. :)

I flew with my daughter at 13 months, and twice at 14 months. Two of those trips were with my husband (including the one overseas) and one was alone. She was walking at the time, too, which added a dimension. Plus, I was pregnant for all three trips. I'm insane. What was I thinking? Anyway, feel free to e-mail me if you have any other questions and I'd be glad to help.

Answer 4

My sling was a lifesaver in the airport. I wore the baby and carried the bag. It also doubles as a blanket, changing surface and nursing cover. If you need a stroller, gate-check it. Otherwise, ask every airline employee that you speak with for help. They will let you on the plane first, help carry any stuff you have trouble with, and will anticipate your needs. At takeoff and landing, either nurse baby or give a sippy-cup/bottle for his ears. My older child was much older when we flew, but the travel DVD player helped a lot. Practice changing a diaper in your lap. The person beside you may not like it, but you may need to do it!

Answer 5

Traveling is no problem with a baby. I did it with mine at 4 months. I would strongly suggest the stroller. As you get off the plane you can arrage for it to be there for you. One of the attendants should even have it ready for you! Talk about service! It comes in real handy especially with all of your luggage!

As for the ear poping. I do suggest bringing a pacifier, finger foods so that he can chew if he wishes while taking off and an empty bottle. I had to dump mine before getting on the plane and there was only water in one and formula in the other. They will provide you with water or juice on the plane. They might allow formula but I would check first so you don't have to dump it before hand. Better yet get some powdered formula and mix on the plane before taking off. It might not be as warm as he's used to but it'll be room temp.

Now, with my little one she cried for the first five minutes and that's it. She even slept a good part of the flight. She cried when we were getting ready to take off and not while taking off. Most of the flight attendants are really nice and they will specifically tell you how to hold your baby if you do not have a seat for him. How to place his body against yours and to make sure to support his head.

I wish you the best of luck and enjoy!

Answer 6

I see parents get on planes with umbrella strollers all the time. They are always first on planes, too, so you can get your baby comfy.

The ears part is a great question. Please check with your ped on that one.

Answer 7

you could have him experience over on your lap and that's unfastened, in spite of the incontrovertible fact that if the army will pay for it then you definately could be extra effective with him in his own seat. you may get medicine from his wellbeing care provider, i think of tricare could conceal it, however the medicine will make him sleepy and his ears wont harm so undesirable!!!! airlines permit you to convey something you decide on for slightly one as long as a results of fact the field specifies its for slightly one, you additionally can call the airlines past to time to ask what you could convey. solid luck!!!!