Flying with an infant?

Question

I have a son who today is 4 weeks 1 day old. I would really love to go to Ohio for a couple of days to see my sister and get a much needed break

It is a 16 hour drive, so it's probably not a good idea to do that long of a drive with him. What are the regulations of flying with an infant? Can he go on the plane at such a young age? How do you manage diaper changes in such a small bathroom? Do I need to buy an extra seat? what if he goes into a screaming fit?

Thanks for any advice/suggestions

Answer 1

I have been flying domestically and internationally with my 27-month-old since he was an infant and we've never had a problem. As long as your pediatrician says that your baby is healthy to fly then there is no reason not to fly with him.

We've been on long car rides with our son as well and I would say flying would be much better for a number of reasons. If you are traveling alone, it is very hard to take care of an infant in the back seat, in a back-facing carrier without having to stop every half hour. It's not possible to feed him while driving if you are breastfeeding and if you are not, it's not so easy just to pop a bottle in his mouth. A 16-hour drive will take a minimum of two days, if not three, which would be exhausting for both of you.

A few tips for flying:

Although it is possible to carry any child under 2 in your lap on a plane, we have always purchased a seat for him as we believe this is the safest way to fly. I know it can be costly but I highly recommend it!! Try keeping a squirmy child in your arms for 6 hours and you'll see that it is neither comfortable nor practical. Turbulance on a flight can cause harm to your child and it's best to have a seat to strap him or her into. Also in the event of an incident, you may not be able to physically hold on to your child. We've found that being in his own seat puts our son to sleep, much like going on a car ride, which is bliss for a long flight.

With your child's car seat it is easy enough to get carry nboard (even better if yours clips into a stoller, that way you'll have it up to the door of the airplane, where they will check it and bring it to you as you deplane). Be sure though that you have one approved for airplanes. Here is a link to the FAA site that will give you all the information you need about flying with children:
http://www.faa.gov/passengers/

Whether you get a seat for your baby or not, ask for seat assignments in the bulkhead (the first row of seats in each plane section). It has more room and will allow you to easily change your child (there are often changing tables in the bathrooms but the space is cramped and you may have to wait in line to do so.) One note though: Because there are no seats in from of you, you'll have to stow all your carry-on luggage in the overhead compartments during take-off and landing and that could impede access for necessary items like baby food or drink. If you don't book your child a seat and you are in the bulkhead, you can request a bassinet which will hook to the wall in front of you and allow your baby to sleep while the plane is in the air (for take off and landing you will have to hold your baby).

If possible, book a direct flight so that the trip is as short as possible and you minimize the ups and downs which can be tough on little ones (see more below). It also means you don't have to schlep your stuff around various airports.

Get to the airport early, check in early and ask for help from airline personnel. Be sure you have your documents in order. Although most airlines won't require it, it is smart to have a certified copy of the baby's birth certificate. If you are traveling without the baby's father (sorry, I'm assuming you're the mom), be sure to have a notarized letter from Dad giving you permission to travel with your son or have a document showing you have sold custoday. It may sound crazy but you may get stopped in security if don't have documentation -- it has happened to me -- I guess there are enough custody issues out there that they are sensitive to these things.

Now for how to handle your child onboard:

1. Be sure to have the food/formula you will need. If you are breastfeeding this is easy. If you are using formula, you can either mix it with bottled water on board or carry it on. You are allowed to bring amounts of baby formula that supercede TSA regulations for carry-on liquids but you might be asked to taste your baby's formula at security to prove that it is edible.

2. To deal with pressure on the ears for your child, be sure they have something to suck on. Nurse or give him a bottle or pacifier on take off and landing. This is the best way to relieve the pain of the pressure that they are too young to deal with on their own. Be sure your little one drinks plenty of fluids to stay hydrated as well (you too!).

3. You'll need to have a well-stocked diaper bag of course, but be aware of the rule restricting liquids, creams and pastes. (They need to be 3 oz or less and in a plastic bag -- there are exceptions for necessary medicines and baby food/formula but they need to be declared to security. See www.tsa.gov). It's good not to weigh yourself down too much but bring enough stuff to comfortably make the trip: bring a change of clothes plus a pair of pajamas so he or she can sleep comfortably (you may want a shirt change for you too in case of messes).

4. Don't worry if your baby has a screaming fit. Yes, people will stare at you but who cares. Babies are babies and are not meant to be hidden away until they are adults that know how to act in the world (how will they ever learn if they aren't out and about). Some people might recommend this but you don't have to drug your child to fly with them. Some will suggest that you give your child things like benadryl to make them sleep and I think this is a mistake and can be dangerous. Yes, a crying or fussy child on a plane is stressful but they need to be able to communicate with you and how is your baby going to learn the proper behavior in situations in life if you drug them for them. You child should only take medications that are medically necessary not for the convenience of you or other adults who may not like that you are traveling with an infant.

Hope this is all helpful and that you have a great flight and vacation!

Answer 2

Some airlines allow infants to travel for free, no problem with bringing infants but unless u have an infant baby seat u may have to hold him in ur hands, there are changing tables in the bathrooms, u don't need to buy an extra seat unless ur using an infant baby seat, an infant won't be allowed to sit on his own, u can buy the extra seat for ur own comfort but some airlines if they're not to busy will leave an extra seat for u out of consideration, he will probably go into a crying fit upon decent as the baby is unable to adjust the canals in its ears when the pressure changes, u need to feed him at that time or do something to make him swallow, that usually makes the ear pain go away, check with the airline about all this when u book as each airline has differend regulations

Answer 3

The safest way for your baby to travel is in a car seat just as you would in a car. If you choose to hold him in your lap, no..you don't get an extra seat belt because this can be more harmful to the little one as opposed to just holding him. If you have him strapped in with you and the plane experiences turbulence.....the force from your body weight into the seat belt can be harmful. I am not trying to scare you; just giving facts.

Please don't change the diaper at your seat/row...that is disturbing to the others around you. Go to the lav if there are changing tables or do it on the floor by the lav.
As stated in other responses, feed the baby on decent or have a pacifier if used to alleviate ear discomfort. If the baby cries on decent, PERFECT! That will open up the ears.

If you need a break, I would put money on it that the flight attendants would hold him and entertain for a bit!!

Screaming fit? Walk around...do what you do at home. Not a big deal, just watch the seat belt sign!!!

Answer 4

Most airlines let you take a child under age 2 for free as long as you plan to hold the child on your lap, if you want an extra seat you will have to pay for it.

For diaper changes just bring a pad and plan to do it on the floor in the back of the airplane near the bathrooms, the flight attendants will probably let you into the little area behind the bathrooms where they keep the drink carts.

Check with your doctor about safety for your child but most of the times its not a problem.

As for screaming fits: just make sure your son is well fed, and bring some infant Tylenol. (get doctor's approval first) I'm not one to encourage the use of drugs when you don't need them, but Tylenol will help your son go to sleep and help if his ears start to hurt. Make sure he is sucking on something (pacifier, bottle, finger, breast, anything will help) during takeoff/ascent and landing/descent to help his ears adjust to the pressure (just like chewing gum does for adults)

Of course the other option is to just help your sister buy an airline ticket to come see you or help her with gas money for the drive.
.

Answer 5

honestly for that age you're better off driving.

I travelled with my infant and I did both road trip and plane and I say the road trips easier and more convenient for you.

they sleep a lot anyways and they are not too restless in their car seat coz it's still like a bed to them at this age and they're not actually sitting up. all you have to remember is
~ to feed them every couple of hours which you can do while driving since you just have to put the nipple in their mouth and they will suck away.
~change the diaper every 4 hours ... you have to schedule your stops to accommodate this.

Besides by flying at this age you are exposing your child to infections from passengers since the cabin is "pressurized".
Your child may develop an ear infection.

Tips for flying:
~make sure your child is sucking on his pacifier or milk bottle during take-off and landing. (to prevent ear popping) so the baby would be comfortable.
~some aircrafts have a diaper changing station...
just ask the airline staff before you buy the ticket.
~as far as the extra seat is concerned...
if your sister who's going to pick you up has an extra infant car seat then you don't need to worry about it but if not then you have to check-in the car seat coz if you took it with you in the plane (hand-carry) chances are you will have to pay for an extra seat (airfare) unless the flight is not fully booked.

for kids this age, you won't have to pay for airfare coz you are expected to carry the child on your lap during the whole trip.

~remember to bring your childs medication in your hand carry luggage

~bring colorful toys, rattlers and stuff the baby may chew on or put in his mouth.

have a great trip.

Answer 6

He can travel as an "Infant In Arms" which is exactly what it sounds like. No extra seat necessary. Most airlines require you to buy your ticket as an "infant in Arms" ticket. Should not be any extra cost.

Look for flights that are not crowded, and hopefully the seat next to you will be vacant.

Hope he does not poop his pants. Otherwise, you have to manage best you can in the tiny bathroom, many of which have a changing table.

Hope he does not scream, or everyone will hate you. Do your best to calm him down.

At 4 weeks, I would think he would likely just sleep... but you know him better then me. :)

Answer 7

If he goes into a screaming fit...everyone wil hate you. But who cares!
As long as they are under 2 years old, they sit on your lap and you don't pay for a ticket.
Diaper changes are a challenge but it is managable.
I took my son at 3 months and he slept the whole 4 hour flight...I lucked out!! 4 Weeks is young, but I dont know if it is not ok to take them on a plane that young?

Answer 8

Ask for a seat in the front where they provide basinet. You have diaper changing table in the rest room.take paediatric teylenol.take the help of the stewards.Do not worry about the child screaming. It is common. You need not take another seat. They will provide extra belt which you may have to fasten.