Scared to fly with my 6 week old...

Donna - posted on 12/11/2009

Glad to hear your a bit calmer now! It'll be better if you wait a month then maybe you can just go out in public to breastfeed before you fly just so you get used to it. I hope the snuggly does the trick if not a muslin wrap will do.

Miranda - posted on 12/11/2009

Thanks for your replies! I have decided to wait on flying but not sure when my family will persue again! I haven't breastfed in public yet...I am a really really shy person(I felt uncomfortable with my mother helping me with positioning my baby boy when we were first learning) but I think I am just going to have to buckle down and do it. I went out and bought a snuggly the other day so I'll give it a try while nursing. Thank you both for calming me down a bit, I feel more confident about flying now-even tho we wont fly for at least another month! Thanks again!

Donna - posted on 12/10/2009

I flew with my 8 week old from Australia to England we were able to have a cot for him which was great and it meant that we got the seats with more leg room too, ask the airline for a cot when booking. As for breast milk i would suggest you nurse him yourself, i was formula feeding and it was a pain in the arse! If people have a problem with you nursing stuff em!!! If he wont nurse on take off and landing give him a dummy to suck on. The toillets will have a change table so dont worry about that. You will be given an infant seatbelt which attaches to yours and you will use this for take off and landing. Try not to stress too much about it babies are very resiliant and the white noice on the plane will soothe your little one so you'll probably find that he will sleep most of the way.

Leslie - posted on 12/07/2009

Hi Miranda, I would say first if it is going to stress you out too much then see if you can fly out in the Spring. Stress does decrease breastmilk flow....



Now if you are determined to see your family, I would suggest first checking with your doctor if they are ok with you flying with an infant. Now, I have a question are you opposed nursing in public even if you do it descretly under a nursing blanket or even better in a snuggly? This would be a better option then bringing bm on the plane. It also helps to have him nurse while taking off and landing. The sucking stops his ears from clogging and hurting. Your breastfeeding will keep his immunity strong. Another reason I love snugglies is he can stay safely hidden in one away from germs etc. He will get enough air. If you have to change him do it on your lap while sitting on the toilet with the seat lid down. As for the car seat... the airline is more than likely going to charge you another fee to bring it on the plane but not to check it through baggage as a specialty item. Infants can be carried on your lap for free. This is why I love snugglies or the Maya wrap!! They keep the baby safe, mom's hands free and privacy for nursing.



HTH.