My son is a month old and I am breast-feeding. For Thanksgiving my father, sister, husband, son, and myself are flying to Pittsburgh, Pa from Houston, Texas. That’s a 3-hour flight. My son will only be 3 and half months old. I am so nervous he will cry the WHOLE flight. I heard your supposed to breast feed on take off's and landings but does that really work? Anyone been in a similar situation and know what to do?
2007-09-04 06:48:50 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
We just traveled by plane (1.5 hr flight each way) this past weekend with our 3 month old (on our lap) and we were nervous too. Doctor told us it helped our baby to suck on something (pacifier, breast, bottle) at plane ascent but mainly descent because of the air pressure hurting his ears/head. Our little one was ok on the ascent, but was fussy at the descent. We entertained him with a favorite toy and breastfeeding during the flight. Other than this slight fussiness, he was a GREAT little traveler, and so will yours! He was cooing /looking at his toy, or napping! For x-ray machines at security check points, fold the stroller, and place the car seat and base on the conveyor belt. If you need the base, don't forget to tag the base, the car seat and the stroller at the ticket counter before you get on the plane. The flight attendant will take these 3 items at the door of the plane. No need to check them as luggage. Right before plane departs make sure baby has clean diaper and has been fed so he has less things to be fussy about. There was no fussiness elsewhere! (Oh, make sure you take enough diapers -- we almost ran out at 14 per day). Enjoy your trip.
2007-09-04 07:56:15 · answer #1 · answered by Alyse 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
like most people already said breast feeding at take off and landing helps. But remember any significant change in altitude can affect them. I traveled with my first child twice before she was a year old...from Ca. to NC. Then with both my children almost 3 and 8 weeks from NC to Ca. babies do pretty good. My biggest mistake was on our way home from Ca was a night flight. Children get used to sleeping in there beds or comfortable area. My baby wasnt very happy being held for that long. The last 45 min- 1 hour of the flight she had had it and fussed the whole time. Nothing worked, she didnt want to nurse, take her passy or be walked. Try to schedual your flight at a time when your baby is happiest. Or pay the extra money and get them a seat if they are comfortable in there carseat. Also babies can sence your stress....try to stay as clam as you can and hopefully your baby will be calm too. Good luck!
2007-09-04 08:24:51 · answer #2 · answered by pixiepalace04 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, a plane ride with a 3.5 mo old is a daunting thing.
We took our 3.5 month old from Massachusetts to San Antonio and then to Phoenix...She slept most of the time with one exception. Honestly, the plane noise was so intense that it drowned out the crying. My pediatrician said that this was a good time to take the trip because her eustation (sp?) tubes are still very open. I gave her a bottle of breastmilk (I pump exclusively) and a pacifier upon take-off and landing.
It helped that we had a separate seat for her on the plane, onto which we attached her car seat. I'd go for the breastfeeding at take-off and landing just to make sure he's distracted and swallowing. Bring an extra blanket, as the flights are cold!
I was really nervous, too, but it turned out not to be so bad except for one really nasty crying spell, but then she went to sleep.
Hope all goes well.
2007-09-04 07:13:26 · answer #3 · answered by dm72 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with the very first answer. This is going to be the easiest trip for a very long time! We flew 6 hours when my son was 2 months old and the hardest part was getting through security (taking him out of the infant seat and putting the seat & stroller through security while trying to get my shoes off and hold an infant...yipes!)
Nursing works because it helps calm them and keep their ears from popping, but honestly my son slept the whole time.
2007-09-04 11:12:47 · answer #4 · answered by eli_star 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes..its completely normal to feel nervous......Since the infant is only a month old, you really shouldn't have any issues. during take off (ascending), and landing (decending) it is a very good idea to feed then whether it be by breast or breast milk in the bottle as it influences the baby to suck and swallow, keeping them from having ear popping problems. if the child is not hungry and is sleeping...though pacifiers may not be desirable.......anything to keep the baby sucking, should be fine......really i'd say you shouldn't have anything to worry about... if the baby happens to have diaper issues........thats something else and with a natural mothers instict after taking care of it, you'll know how to keep your baby soothed.
2007-09-04 07:05:05 · answer #5 · answered by arielchrisandjunior 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We flew when my third child was only 2 months old, you should nurse during take off and landing. Remember that a baby that little is easy to soothe, you can nurse the whole time if you need to. It is much easier to fly with an infant than a toddler. you will be fine and so will baby! Just relax and enjoy your trip!
2007-09-04 06:53:58 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Don't be afraid of flying with an infant, be afraid when he's a toddler and he really wants to get down and run around and is cranky and sick of sitting.
I think a majority of people are pretty understanding, but you might do something like buy a bag of candy and pass it out to those within closest proximity on the plane. Tell them it's your way of thanking them for putting up with a possibly unconsolable child. Great way to preempt any groaning and complaining from fellow passengers. And yes, nurse on take-off and landing.
2007-09-04 08:24:38 · answer #7 · answered by mel1026 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I flew from Detroit to Phoenix with my baby, and he slept almost the whole time. There is no reason to worry that your baby will cry the whole time, unless your baby cries that much at home. Don't let needless fears get you worried and spoil the trip. Chances are he will be just fine.
Yes to the breastfeeding, or pacifier during take off and landing...it helps keep their ears popped.
2007-09-04 06:55:01 · answer #8 · answered by Melanie 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My son was fine on all of his plane trips. He is 7.5 months old now and has been on 6 flights! It really does help for them to suck on something during take off and for the last 30 min. of the flight to help with the pressure in their ears. Another tip for easy security checks and boarding and for your sanity is to check the stroller and carseat when you check the luggage. Don't take it to the gate. You might think its easier but believe me its not. When you go through security you have to take the baby out and put the carseat through and then you have to fold up the stroller and put it through. I flew once without my husband and I had to try to hold my son and fold his stroller up with one hand! The attendant could'nt figure how to fold it for me and she could'nt hold the baby because it was against the rules. I finally got it folded and then she tried to put it through the machine and it would'nt fit. She unfolded it and sent it through the handicap enterance. Hello! If she would have done that in the first place I would'nt have held everyone up for 20 min!!!! It was a nightmare! I always put my son in a body carrier. We have the baby bjorn one that does'nt have any metal so you can wear it through the check and not have to take it off. You will be fine! Good luck!!
2007-09-04 07:05:09 · answer #9 · answered by Erica J 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
i flew with my son when he was 2 months, 4 months, 8 months. as long as they have something to drink to help pop their ears when taking off and landing they do pretty good. my son flew just fine. make sure to have extra clothes on the plane for your kiddo and you. my son has a bad habit of peeing and pooing everything when landing. sometimes goes right down my leg too. not much fun. its also helpfull when they are young to have a snuggly, the thingy to carry them, the one that hold them close to your body. they can't be in it in take off and landing but once in the air makes it easyer then holding them the whole time. but you have people flying with you so it also might be easyer, i flew with just me and kiddo. also if there is a toy he loves make sure to have that on the plane with you.
2007-09-04 07:16:31 · answer #10 · answered by serenity975428 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋