Does anyone have tips for flying with a 4 month old?

Gina - posted on 12/10/2008

You don't have anything to worry about since your baby is only 4months old. How cute! They are easier to travel with when they are still in your arms and have your full attention on the flight. When they start getting toddler ages, that's when they become a hand full. They get bored of sitting and want to walk around the plane. But DVD works great and so does a little bit of Benadryl! :) I always try to take early morning flights rather than evening flights just because the kids are still tired and will go back to sleep in the early morning and the evening flights are not so good because all passengers seem to be more tired and don't want to hear crying kids who don't want to go to sleep yet. That's my thoughts. Have a nice trip and good luck.

Jodi - posted on 12/10/2008

We've been across country twice with our 3.5 month old. The first time was at 6 weeks and the second time was last week. Just make sure you have either a pacifier or bottle (or breast) ready for take offs and landings. I've noticed it affected him more during takeoffs, but as long as he had something to suck on it didn't seem to bother him. This time around we brought along stuff for him to look at in case he was awake. He slept most of the time. The best thing is that you can gate check your car seat and stroller (or just your stroller if you don't have the dual option). We didn't have to carry our stuff through the airport as we loaded up the stroller. Some airports have family security lines, others don't. We did get stopped by the formula police going through Chicago. We had 10 bottles of premade formula bottles and they apparently thought it was too much (we were going from Seattle to Florida) and said I would have to go through a "Pat down". My husband claimed it and he went through the pat down. Ridiculous really, as we didn't have any issues in any other airport! Good luck and have fun. Have you ever checked out www.mobywrap.com? It worked great to carry him on and off in (he's 17.5 lbs) and he actually slept in it (easier than having to hold him for the 7 hours).

Stephanie - posted on 12/09/2008

Our regular sized stroller didn't count as luggage, they let you bring it right to the door and when you exit, it's there! My doctor suggested a Triamenic (sp?) or other decongestant. Feed on the way up and again on the way down. That got me throught the same flight when my youngest was little.

Keli - posted on 12/09/2008

My pedi told me that Benadryl will work great and it wont hurt them. Tylenol will work also, nursing is a great idea if you are in fact nursing but if not a bottle will work. Good luck I hope you have a nice trip. :)

Nicole - posted on 12/09/2008

I choose to bring an umbrella stroller since its free to bring -- does not count toward a piece of baggage - and I was able to wheel her around in it through the airport ( and my 5 & 6 year old had something they could hang on to and not get lost since I was travelling alone), definately saved my arms and was super convienant to move around the airport with -- I wheeled it right to the door of the airplane! and it was waiting for me when we got off.

Justine - posted on 12/09/2008

You have a few options in regards to the stroller. You can bring an umbrella stroller that is light and easily portable, then just check it right before you get on the plane. If you have a travel system, you can just tuck the carseat into the stroller and check it right before you get on the plane too. This is what my husband and I do because it's just so much easier that way. The biggest pain about that option is that you have to get the stroller through security and sometimes people are unforgiving about having to wait. OR, you can see (as I think was mentioned before) if there are places you can rent stuff from around where you are going. Your final option is to bring a baby bjorn or something similar. Those fold easily and you don't have to carry her full weight throughout the airport. Hope that helps!

Sherri - posted on 12/09/2008

Wow! Thanks to all the moms out there who replied! I'll definitely nurse her during take off and landing. I'm thinking of leaving her stroller/car seat then renting or borrowing when we get there. Is there anyone who has thoughts on that? I don't want to have to pack ALL her gear - but then again it might be nice to have the stroller so the hubby and I don't have to carry her all the time.

Cierra - posted on 12/08/2008

i just flew with my son about a month ago and he was 4 1/2 months old i would just say make sure u feed him on taking off and landing u can bring a car seat and stroller with u right up to the gate if u want so i took advantage of that so i didnt have to carry him around the airport...also i didnt do this but my doc said it was ok i he needed it...give him some tylonol a few minutes b4 u take off so if his ears do pop they wont hurt as bad....witch equals no screaming

Melissa - posted on 12/08/2008

First off, it's much easier than you'd think! I had this all worked up in my head to be a hard and stressful thing (I also personally don't do so well flying). It was no problem though! I'd have traveled a lot more that first year, had I realized. Now, with a two year old, things are a bit trickier ; ) But with your age, it's great to nurse on the way up and down (or bottle works too from what I hear) -- and most importantly, take a red-eye if possible. It's so easy - everyone gets to sleep on the plane and you don't have to worry with keeping baby quiet or occupied during the flight. Also, we were headed to see family, who had equipment to borrow on the other end of the flight -- SO, we skipped the stroller AND car seat all together. We used a sling and then when she was older (9 or 10 mos) we used this great backpack from REI.com. We had little to no gear to fuss with at security, and the whole things was incredibly smooth. I also brought some gummy/chewy items for her to suck on once she was closer to 1 year and didn't sleep all the way through, to help with her ears (dried apricots were what we used). That was a good help as well. Mainly though, the red eye was the key.

Good Luck & Safe Travels!

Erin - posted on 12/08/2008

Definitely check your car seat at the gate. They are just as easily lost or misdirected on flights and if you make it to the other end there's no car seat you've got problems. My dad's friend is in a wheelchair and they checked her wheelchair with their baggage and used an airport wheelchair to get to the gate. Her wheelchair ended up on a different flight. Also, you can gate check everything when you get to the gate and you don't have to wait until boarding. Makes getting everything on the plane a little easier when there's not a line of people behind you.

Samantha - posted on 12/08/2008

Check your carseat at the gate because if there is extra room on the plane, then they usually let you set your carseat on the seat next to you with the baby in it. It depends on your airline, but when you check in, be sure to ask them about this option because it makes a big difference!! Also, a baby bjorn or boppy pillow is nice to allow your hands to be free during the flight. The boppy takes up a lot of room though, so sometimes it is a pain, but it is nice for the baby to sleep in on your lap. I would also suggest taking a stroller with cargo space and that is easy to fold up and push. You have to take your baby out of the stroller usually to get through security and fold it up.

Niki - posted on 12/07/2008

Make sure you have plenty of bottles and stuff for the child to play with, coz baby's cant unblock there ears and the get very irratated, I went from perth to melbourn and my son was 14mths old, it was hard coz it was his first time on a plane, but the good thing is your hubby will be there to help, mine wasnt but i had a midwife sitting across from me

Colleen - posted on 12/07/2008

Ok, we have done this a few times, first time at 3 months and the flight was 5 hours.. Now what we learned was this.. BE PREPARED, cause we ended sitting on the runway for 3 hours and I had already nursed thinking we were taking off, I was dry and she was NOT wanting anything. However and this is only a suggestion, so please no MOMS telling what a terrible parent I am, I talked to my doctor before I did it. Benadryl or Tylenol. For me the Benadryl put her to sleep for a few hours. I gave her half what the doctor said was safe. I did not give it to her until we were already flying and it was close to her sleep time anyway. She was calmer and everyone was happier. If that is totally against your rules, then definetely a passy, mine never would take one. I hope this helps, but again just a suggestion, it worked for even in the worst situation. By the way, DO NOT worry about what other people will think on the plane, if you worry the baby will sense it and she/he will get uptight too. You have a baby, she is very little and if people are to close minded as to not understand, well that is there problem, they can find another way to travel. It is the risk they take. Go with the flow and if she cries well so be it, walk her up and down the isles if you need to, you have a right to see your family too!!!!!!! GOOD LUCK

Bonnie - posted on 12/07/2008

I just read some of the other replies.. and I agree that toys are good - try to take a few that your baby has never seen before.. like a caculator or tape measure (plastic coated pull out not metal) or flashlight... babies love these things...and saving them for the trip will do the trick to keep her interest. ;)

Bonnie - posted on 12/07/2008

we flew from TX to GA last Oct when our twins were 4 months old and they did great. I was breastfeeding them at that age.. and I made sure they were hungry during flying itmeso that they'd have the sucking motion to prevent ears from hurting... on the trip back one of them was more fussy than usual.. and the flight attendant told me to let them cry that that was the best thing for their ears... so I didnt' do anything to hush them and they fussed for a good 3-5 minuites and then immediately stopped! guss the ears poped and they had relief! ;)

Jennifer - posted on 12/07/2008

Just make sure she isn't teething. We flew from Detroit to Ft. Lauderdale (short flight) when our oldest was 3 months old. I nursed her on take off and landing, but she still cried the entire flight. We realized when we arrived that she was getting her first two teeth!

Cindy - posted on 12/07/2008

I traveled with my daughter when she was that age. If you're nursing, nurse her during take off/landing. That's when the pressure is intense on their little ears. Forgive my ignorance; is it a long trip from Toronto to Edmonton? I would count on your baby sleeping most of the time.

Amber - posted on 12/07/2008

Definetly the botle or binky. Also try to pick time s you know they nap. then our dr. told us to give our son benedryl, That helped alot. Also if she dosent have a seat of her own think of your arms and holding them the hole time. They dont give out pillows a blankets on some airlines anymore so yull want to take something to put under ur arm on the arm rest cuz it gets tired. hope it goes well.

Jill - posted on 12/07/2008

I understand your concerns, we are taking our twin girls on an airplane when they are 5 months old and very nervous about the poor soul who will be in the third seat. We don't want trouble, but I have flown with kids as a nanny and the more you are at ease the easier they take it. Kids can sense fear, anger, or anything. Just remember sometimes you can't help it if the baby cries. :)

MIchelle - posted on 12/07/2008

The best thing we did with flying often with our daughter when she was an infant was that I nursed the entire time. Sucking really helps their ears not to hurt. The minute we would take off, I would murse, then do it again when preparing to land. If you don't nurse, a bottle or pacifier will do the trick as well. Good luck!

Heidi - posted on 12/07/2008

I have traveled internationally with my babies. The best advice is feed on the way up and down. It's just like the car the noise will keep them sleeping most of the time. Also if you are really on a schedule stick to it that's what worked for me the best.

Jane - posted on 12/07/2008

My pediatrician gave us a prescription for some ear numbing drops that I thought helped. Otherwise, just nurse, give a pacifier, have some toys etc.

Michelle - posted on 12/07/2008

I took my daughter when she was 6 months old from new jersey to Las Vegas and i was a reck, she was fine. My suggestions are bring toys that she likes, give her a bottle up and down to help with the ears, my doctor suggested benedryl before i got on the plane but talk to your doctor first. I tryed to pick a time that she would sleep so i wouldn't have to amuse her the whole trip. My sister in law would request the bulk head seat, which will give you more leg room to move around. That is about all i can think of i hope it helps. Most of all try to relax i think kids can sense it.

Joanna - posted on 12/07/2008

The change of clothes (and a plastic bag for the dirty ones) is a great idea. I don't know if it was the change in pressure or post-breastfeeding or both, but my son (about 5 mos at the time) had a huge, messy poop on the descent from one of our flights.

Marcella - posted on 12/07/2008

Nurse on the ascent and descent. My son loves to travel. He is only five months old and has been all over the country already. Also, bring lots of toys and a passifier.

Sara - posted on 12/07/2008

You'll do great and so will you baby and husband. Try to have fun. The more relaxed you and your husband are the more relaxed your little one will be. People will help you and you'll do great.

Jessi - posted on 12/07/2008

The bottle thing definately works...however, airport security personnel are HUGE jerks and won't let you take a bottle thru security with anything in it. Either bring unopened bottled water with you, or buy some once you get thru the gate. I would say ask flight attendants for some water once you get on the plane, but again that's kind of a hit or miss thing. I had one refuse to give me any until they came along with the drink service!

Nicole - posted on 12/07/2008

I've flown with all three of my kids when each of them were babies, most recently with my 10 month old when she was 5 months. Each time I found they fell right to sleep and didn't make any fuss at all (wish I could say the same about the 4 and 6 year olds :)). I was sure to feed her ( I was nursing) just before take off -- byt the time we were up in the air she was sleeping. Also be sure to pack your carry on bag with an easy access to a change of clothes and wipes and diapers -- something that can be easily pulled on and off -- the bathrooms on planes are TINY! Not much space to change a baby and fool around with buttons, zippers etc. Good luck!

Shannon - posted on 12/07/2008

Make sure you give your baby Tylenol or some form of pain meds before you board the plain. If you didn't buy an extra seat for your baby, when you board the plane ask the flight attendant if there is anywhere that may have an extra unused seat. The extra room helps. I agree with the bottle suggestion. It works wonders. But just incase you get stuck on the runway for unforeseen delays bring an extra.

Brynlee - posted on 12/07/2008

Nursing idea great. I nursed my son to sleep durning take off and he slept the entire flight. Try to plan his/her nap for that time. I also used the infant flight vest to ease my worries of him being tossed out of my arms if heavy turbulance occured. Not likely, but you never know. Good Luck!

Jennifer - posted on 12/07/2008

I flew across the country with my daughter and I brough a bottle for her which I made sure she was drinking it during take off so her ears would not hurt as we climbed altitude. After her bottle she slept most of the way and would wake up to feed.

Lindy - posted on 12/07/2008

Toys and also try to not feed him until the plane is taking off. It gives you something to do and will help them to swallow to release the pressure in their ears. My son slept most of the time while we were flying because the noise was soothing to him. Good luck!

Gisele - posted on 12/07/2008

We made the same trip with our 18 month old. The younger they are the better. Our little guy fought sleep. Otherwise like Jessica mentioned, Give your baby a pacifier or bottle when lifting off and landing, it'll help with pressure. Someone had also told me to hold cups(paper or Styrofoam) over their ears. I didn't try that one though. You'll be fine as long as your relaxed. Babies sense when we're stressed so baby will be comfortable as long as you are. Good luck and hope you have a great trip.

Justine - posted on 12/07/2008

If you're nursing, nurse on the way up and on the way down. Bring things that your baby likes to look at/cuddle with. An option that may work is to bring a portable DVD player and a Baby Einstein dvd...babies really do love them. Good luck!

Jessica - posted on 12/07/2008

I suggest you take a dummy with you and a bottle. I found that sucking on something helps a bub to release the air pressure in the ears which is the major cause of crying on an airplane. Toys are a help as well something bright and colourful for distraction. Hope that helps.