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One of my dearest friends is getting married out of state about 2 months after my due date. I want so badly to be able to be there for her big day, but I have no idea whether it's even realistic. I would not want to leave my baby that soon, even with family, just because I'm a new mom and have no idea what to expect. So I'm thinking about going as a family or not at all (hubby is also good friends with the couple). Does anyone have experience with traveling with a newborn <3 months? I know it's not recommended unless absolutely necessary (e.g., adopted children from other countries) and there are a few basic precautions, but just would like some insight.
Thanks!
I don't have any experience with this yet, but I wanted to say you aren't alone! My sister is graduating from college about a month after my due date and we plan to attend. It will be the first time most of my siblings will get to meet my son. I'll be checking your thread for advice!
I hope this doesn't come across as insensitive, but for the sake of your and your baby's experience, not to mention the sanity of the rest of the plane, PLEASE talk to your doctor* about medication to sedate (calm/drowse) the baby for the flight! As a frequent traveler, the sight of a baby on my flight fills me with dread every time because it seems that 90% of them don't acclimatize well to the changes in pressure. Their response is to cry LOUDLY for at least an hour of the flight (between takeoff and landing), and I've been on multiple flights where babies don't acclimatize at all and have absolutely wailed for 75% of it (and I'm not just talking about short flights).
*I want to stress the importance of talking to your doctor first; while I fully think your baby should be doped up (and i know it can be done), I don't want you to accidentally put your baby at risk by just going with over-the-counter meds at such a young age.
I know their ears can get irritated due to the pressure change. Perhaps you can ask your pediatrician about some solutions - I think an obvious one would be to feed them so they're swallowing and there's a better chance of their ears "popping".
What's the latest you can wait to get a ticket? You may not even WANT to travel with a baby at that point (if they have any health issues) or you could end up with a baby that adjusts easily and sleeps the whole time.
Babies mostly sleep at that age, so I see no reason to drug a newborn.
I've heard nursing during take off and landing ease the pressure for them. I'm assuming you cannot drive to the wedding, but we didn't take any trips until after LOs 2 month shots, plus I've heard their immune system is just that much more sensitive in the first 2-3 months. So, I'd definitely be extra careful about any germs, especially if it is during flu season.
I flew to SE Asia last week on a business trip and there was someone flying with their 3.5 week old baby. If they can do an international flight without issue, I'm sure you'd be fine for your flight. Babies that young sleep most of the time anyway.
@MsAGD: I cannot believe that you would suggest such a thing. It's child abuse! Unless there is a medical reason, you should never give a child drugs to make them calm or drowsy.
@harmonyeee: DO NOT DRUG YOUR BABY TO FLY! That's the most ridiculous thing I've heard. You have a right to be on a flight just as anyone else does, and many babies, especially youngs ones, fly without an issue.
You can feed them or use a pacicifier during the take off and landing to help with the ears. Look for flights on larger planes, if possible, because the pressure change doesn't have as big an affect on the larger planes. The bigger the plane, the better.
We are flying with our baby when he'll be about 5-6 weeks old from NY to FL for my sister's wedding. Thankfully we're flying together with my parents and step siblings. We're planning to use a baby carrier to get through the airport and use breastfeeding or a paci for take off and landing.
I'd say make sure you have a few clothing changes and extra diapers, more than you think you'll need. You don't want to run out. I was with my sister when my niece had a blowout and she didn't have an extra change of clothes... it sucked. Also, if you are using formula, and your baby takes warm bottles, think about how to have a warm bottle ready for the flight. If the flight is offering drinks, you can probably get hot water. But you might want to get hot water from a coffee place in the airport and make the bottle before you get on the plane in case.
Mostly, I'd say go for it and just relax. You'll be fine. Especially with your husband going with you. It's obviously much harder if you are flying alone with a baby.
@MsAGD: Wow, holy cow! I can't believe you just said that. Babies can't help that their ears don't equalize well - it isn't their fault, and it doesn't merit drugging them up for YOUR comfort!! You know what I find annoying on planes? Adults that spend 6 hours straight talking, get drunk and beligerant, etc. Can we drug those people instead? Because they are knowingly and willingly annoying. Babies crying don't even phaze me - they can't help it!
I am sure you will be fine traveling at that age. You just have to be prepared. Get storage bags to protect your car seat and stroller. Do some research on traveling with formula or breast milk.
One thing that I would recommend is using a carrier of some sort such as a Moby wrap. If your baby likes being swaddled then they will love being in a moby wrap. I have used one since 2 months of age and it always worked to get my little man right to sleep on my chest. It's a much easier way for him to sleep than for you to try to hold him and not wake him for long periods of time. Some people are intimidated by wrapping them but it's easy once you get used to it.
If you don't like the idea of a wrap then I would have some plan for how the baby will sleep since you won't have a stroller or anything.
I was two weeks old on my first plane ride, from Oregon to Connecticut. My mother was prepared with sedatives for herself and me, if we needed them ( I didn't - I slept the whole way).
If after talking with her doctor the PP decides that sedatives are a sensible precaution, then she has every right to make that decision. It is not child abuse.
I have a similar situation and my main concern was his immune system having so few immunizations yet and the fact that he would be especially vulnerable to the germs that circulate in an airplane's enclosed cabin. Have you picked out a pediatrician for your baby that you could call and talk to about this? Also, flying could be particularly troublesome for your baby if he/she has an ear infection or respiratory problems at the time. I think ultimately it's a matter of what your pediatrician recommends and then what you're comfortable with. Don't have experience with what it's like to travel with a newborn to offer, but talking to my pediatrician really did help make this an easy decision for me so you may find worth the call.
i was on an international flight next to a 2 month old and a 4 month old. they both slept almost the entire time.
from what i've heard from my friends with kids, try to sit either at the bulkhead (sometimes they have bassinets that attach to the wall) or at the very back of the plane so you're least likely to bother others.
i'm not sure if a 2 month old has a sleep schedule or what, but it's best to choose a flight at times the baby would normally be asleep.
I don't have too much to add, except to check with your airline; a lot of them have what they call a "sky bassinet." It's a little bassinet that clips onto the window or the tray, and most airlines will allow you to use it for free if you tell them in advance that you'll need it. That will allow you a little rest form carrying/holding your baby the entire travel time, while still giving them a safe and secure place to rest.
Also, read up on the five S's from Happiest Baby on the Block; when Addie was that age I used the five S's everywhere (the store, church, restaurants, etc...) to calm her down when she got really upset and it was quick, effective, and easy.
We're also flying with Addie this August internationally and even though she's going to be older (14 months) I'm also pretty nervous. :) But we'll both get through it, I'm sure, and everything will turn out fine!
I think if you nurse or feed the baby or give her a binky during take off and landing it should help with the pressure change... I may be way off base
Oh! And you can take the stroller right up to the plane. They will check it for you and meet you with it when you get off the plane.
I work in social services, and it is child abuse to give a child drugs without a medical reason. Not wanting an infant to cry on a plane does NOT constitute a medical reason. You are drugging your child for convenience, which is child abuse. No good pediatrician would recommend a parent drug a child either.
Here is some information about air travel with babies from The Canadaina Pediaqtric Society
http://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/keepkidssafe/AirTravel.htm
You will be fine to travel if you want to. What I would suggest is making sure that the ticket you get is refundable, exchangeable without horrendous fees,or at least can be cancelled for a credit with that airline, so if your plans change, you are not out any significant amount of cash.
Many babies have travelled at that age. At 2 months they basically breathe, eat, sleep, poo, and pee so they don't need much entertaining. You also don't really need to consider time of day yet since that is the sum total of their 24 hour per day activities.
The key is to have them sucking during takeoff and landing as it helps adjust the pressure in the eustachian tube, whether that is breastfeeding, giving them a bottle or a pacifier.
Thanks for asking this question and to those that responded - we have a wedding 7 weeks after our due date that we are planning to attend but have been worried about flying with the baby. Our plan is to spend the extra $20 bucks or so on the travel insurance so if we chicken out, have health issues, or for some other reason can't go, we can just get a note from the doctor (totally willing to write one) and get our money back from the airlines.
We are actually more concerned about keeping other guests awake with a crying baby than we are the flight, I think!
Yeah, I hear that newborns usually just sleep and that it gets harder to fly when they are older and more active.
I would be more afraid of babies having pain from their ears popping, since I get them pretty bad. From what I hear from parents, just make sure they are sucking on a pacifier or sucking on a bottle.
Good luck!
ETA: Oh there are these seat hammocks that are airplane safe, if you don't want to hold the child in your arms during the whole flight. When I have kids, I'll probably get one.
Hey, let's not beat up on MsAGD! There are a LOT of people (including myself) who get annoyed with a screaming baby on a plane. Yes, I am sympathetic to the fact that the child is most likely uncomfortable due to pressure changes, and yes, I am sympathetic to the parents who are trying everything they can to make their child more comfortable. But let's face it, hearing a screaming child in the seat right behind you (essentially screaming into your ear) for a loooong flight is really annoying.
Adults who get anxious on planes take sedatives to "calm" down, so why would it be so terrible to get a DOCTOR APPROVED medical preventative for the baby? Hell, when we were kids, my doc told my parents to give me Triaminic for long car rides to help me sleep.
Also, if I had a baby, I would be really concerned about all the germs circulated in an airplane....
As a mother I could never imagine taking such a small child on a plane. A friend of mine did it and her daughter was not very good on the plane and cried the whole time, and for the rest of the trip she was very unsettled. I personally would avoid it, but if your set on going talk to a doctor to see what they recommend. Please, do not drug your child! That is so wrong. Even if they are 'approved' drugs, they are un neccesary and usually given to a child for ease/ convienence for the parent. I just think babies that age are too young to be pumped with drugs. Feeding your bub when he/she is unsettled is a much better idea. But your doctor might have more solutions for you... or even go onto a baby/pregnancy forum as some ladies on there might have more solutions for you as they have kids.
@Rock Hugger: ditto to everything you just said. Especially regarding not beating up on MsAGD. Flying is basically terrible regardless. Add a crying baby to that and it makes me want to jump out the tiny windows. I don't hate the baby for crying-- I get that its not "their fault." But nevertheless, it makes an already terrible flight about 10,000 times worse for every other person on that flight.
@MsAGD: I get this. I really do. I'm pregnant and I feel guilty for getting annoyed by kids on planes, but I do.
That said, if you expect people to drug their babies, I think we should be able to drug every drunk, beligerant, loud-talking, smelly food eating, loud music playing, dude who spreads his legs and invades my space, hogger of the armrest that also get on planes. You know, the grown-ups who know better and can actually understand their environment and control their actions.
Regardless if you wouldn't travel with a young baby or if you don't like babies on a plane, drugging a child is abuse. Giving a child triaminic to sleep in a car trip is abuse! If it's all a parent does, then maybe you don't see it as a big deal. An Adult, or even an older child/teen has the choice to take something to help them stay calm, if they are afraid of flying. I work with kids who are beaten and abused all the time. This is not okay. It just isn't. And you can rationalize it all you want, but it is not, and never will be okay. Any doctor that okays a parent to use drugs to take a baby on the plane should lose his license. Just because he's a doctor doesn't mean he deserves to be.
I think you should be fine. My sister has travelled with a 3 month old from Japan to Texas, and then a 3 month old and a 3.5 year old (same trip) without any help! It was just her and the kids. If she can travel with them for almost 24 hours, you can do it. :)
@mrstilly: I agree with everything you wrote!
what doctors recommended years ago is way different than what doctors are recommending today. Hell, my grandparents brought their kids home from the hospital without carseats and the doctor's had no problem with it, does that mean it's ok to do that today??? I don't think so.
They change the laws on children's and babies medicine all the time, in Canada the only medicine you can give to a child under 6 is tylenol or advil. No cough syrup, nothing with codeine and nothing that will make them sleepy. Simply because adults were getting the dosages wrong and killing their children.http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Health/20070303/cough_syrup_070303/
I would say, go for it if you are feeling up to it. You will never know if your baby is a good flyer or not until you try. I personally, have taken my two children with me every where ever since they were born and they are very good travellers because they are used to it.
wow! thanks everyone for all your responses.
first i'll say that while i'm not personally offended by the suggestion to medicate my baby, it's really just not something i would be quick to do. i find it slightly annoying that people are so quick to suggest that because it just seems unnecessary, and there are so many things you can do to plan ahead and minimize the chances that the baby will be uncomfortable or crying nonstop. i certainly don't want to ruin anyone else's flight, because yes, flights suck. but more often than not, the kids i observe screaming their heads off are 2, 3, 10 years old! it's annoying, but it's definitely not specific to newborns at all. most of the time i see them, they are nursing or sleeping soundly, but i realize that i can't bet on that happening for us.
sounds like the best option is to talk to our pediatrician (we have a few options picked out but haven't chosen one yet) about what he/she recommends and just try to plan ahead as much as possible. i've heard that nursing during take-off & landing is the best way to go, and if i do go i'd be armed with as many supplies as i can carry!
oh, and i like your idea @ladyox about getting travel insurance! if the baby has any health issues, or something else happens last minute, i won't hesitate to stay home. i want to celebrate my friend, but baby is number 1 :)
glad to know i'm not alone!
On behalf of everyone who flies regularly for business, please do not bring your 2 month-old on the plane. The only one who benefits from that is you. Your baby suffers and everyone else on your plane suffers. If you are uncomfortable leaving your child, please graciously decline the wedding invitation. If no one else is going to say it, I will.
@EmeraldR: Don't speak for me. I fly regularly for business and I have a business trip 8 wks after I am due. I will be going to Amsterdam with the kiddo. I don't have a choice and I know it'll be ok. You just need to be prepared.
@EmeraldR: Please don't speak for others! Flying with a child does not cause them to suffer. Maybe if they have a cold or ear infection, but otherwise there is absolutely nothing wrong with it. I have just as much right to fly with my child as you have to fly.
I was thinking about this post a lot this weekend (10-hour road-trip = lots of thinking time). I re-read the original post, and I have no medical advice to give the OP (I'm not a pediatrician). BUT, IMO the bottom line is, a crying baby can be really annoying to other travelers on a plane. As other PP have said, yes, you have the right to take your baby on a plane - but OP, you just need to decide if you want to take the chance that your baby will be crying throughout the flight....and if that (the baby crying = annoying other passengers) that is something that you even care about.
EDIT: You need to decide if your need to fly outweighs your caring about bothering other people (I'll just assume no one intentionally tries to annoy strangers!!)
I am having a DW in ~ 1 year, and several of my good friends are TTC, or planning on TTC in the near future. I have just accepted that these folks won't be at my wedding. Its not really a big deal to me. I will appreciate seeing them (and their new baby) after my wedding, when I come to visit them and properly meet the newest member of their family (without having to worry about stressful wedding stuff).
Good luck with your decision!
Try putting cotton in his ear. I have a friend who flew as a baby and his ears still give him problems because of that flight. ---but I do wish you and your baby the best. Is there no one else who can watch the baby?
I skimmed through the responses and was intrigued by the range in opinions. I was a bit surprised by the force behind some of them, but upon second thought, it really shouldn't have, since it's child-raising we're talking about.
@harmonyeee: I think it's sweet that you care more about others on the flight, but while I still think you should look into options to keep your baby quiet if you want to fly with her (I think?), make sure her safety is your first priority! Check with your doctor about medication, and even about whether or not it's recommended to fly at all, but at the end of the day, make sure you make the decision you're most comfortable with as a parent. For a more natural potential solution, I've also heard soothers/bottles can work upon landing/takeoff because when they swallow it clears their ears, but I can't speak to the success rate on that.
@ladyox: I would love love love to! But that's (unfortunately) not something individuals have control over, whereas parents do have (some) control over their own children.
For those who were abhorred at the concept of drowsing the child -- it's for the mother's sanity as well! Medication was meant to be an option worth researching since she asked for suggestions for traveling with a newborn; I fully respect her (and your) right to raise children based on her/your own values.
Finally (sorry for the long post!) I would respectfully disagree with those who call providing children with medication abuse; the baby is not being "punished" for its behaviour. It*'s crying because it's in pain; as a mother you have the option to ease it. The question is then, is the potential cost worth the benefit? I would view the decision as similar to that parents need to make of vaccination vs exposure to chicken pox.
*the use of "it" isn't meant to belittle/disrespect the child. I hate the clunkiness of sentences with he/she and love the French neutral/neuteured pronouns. I know some people get offended by it, and hope that knowing how it was meant will reduce that sentiment!
My baby who is now 7 months old had been on more than 10 flights. He has yet to cry on any of them and has actually been super easy to travel with. I have heard it gets much harder in the toddler years!! 2 months is young and if you deliver late, you could be talking about a 6-7 week old. The biggest concern is really not whether your baby will mind the flight (and certainly not whether some cranky passengers wish you weren't there) but the exposure to germs in a crowded, poorly circulated environment. My ped did not want us to fly until the baby had all of his 3 month shots as there are some germs which are quite dangerous to a young infant, and any high fever for a baby is a cause for concern. That said, I have friends who flew with babies as young as a month.
I would check with your pedicitrician-to-be to see what he/she thinks.
In terms of your baby's ears - feed if at all possible on take off and landing, this can really help with their ears. A pacifier is a good second choice. And not all babies will have problems - mine seems to not mind at all. Please don't drug your baby at that age! Most peditricians are wary of drugs for young babies for more important concerns - even tylenol and stomach meds are used sparingly for newborns. It is annoying to have a crying baby on a plane, sure, but that should not be grounds for drugging your kid.
I fly a lot, like at least 3 times a month and I'm way more annoyed by adults talking loudly than babies crying. I feel bad for newborns who are clearly uncomfortable with the strange things happening to their ears and being around all those strangers and as a result have a little cry. It never lasts long though, like others have said babies need to sleep a lot so they usually just pass out after like 1/2 hour or so. And also what's worse than a newborn crying is when parents let their toddlers kick the seat in front of them nonstop.
I get the most upset actually when I see a group of teenagers traveleing together unchaperoned. I just hope I'm sitting as far away as possible.. or at least able to move to a different section.
I own a great pair of Bose noise cancelling over ear headphones and a tempurpedic neck pillow which I recommend to anyone who flys a lot!
I can't believe that more people don't realize that it is child abuse, as in you can be arrested and have your children taken away, to drug a healthy child! Regardless of the opinions on whether you should or shouldn't fly, at what age, if they've had shots, etc... I can't believe that so many people on here aren't more upset by it.
@MsAGD: If a mother wan'ts to "stay sane", then she should reconsider flying with an infant, not drug the infant.
I tried to resist posting on this thread again, but it just astounds me that no one seems to care that much.
@harmonyeee: I'm sorry for being so off topic with my replies. I hope you've gotten some positive ideas. I'll be flying in early may with my 6 week old. I plan to write about how it goes after the fact, so if you want to check out my blog (see my profile info) and see how it goes and what worked for us, you're very welcome to do so. I wish you luck on whatever you decide to do, and hope that you and your family have a safe trip and enjoy your friend's wedding if you chose to go.
@ladyox: I would support that :)
@mrstilly I'm sorry that you feel that your opinion isn't being sufficiently heard here... but I do think that people have read and understand your point of view. In my personal opinion it seems a bit overstated to call it "child abuse" because that seems to minimize the truly terrible things that some children go through... if it is not advisable to give a child an OTC medicine ("drugging your child" makes it sound like your'e giving the kid heroin to me)... that is one thing. But to lump it in with beating, starving, etc a child... that seems excessive. To me. But-- just my opinion.
@mrstilly:I also think calling it child abuse is a bit much. Keep in mind that the people most strongly recommending the drugs are not mothers! Just easily irritated airplane passengers. So I think people aren't more upset because these people aren't drugging their own kid, they just want others to do it ....
@EmeraldR: Yes, please don't speak for everyone! I have flown almost weekly for work for the 6 years before I got pregnant (finally lost that Diamond status this year), and I can recall tons of flights where adult passengers were rude and annoying (on cell phones, pushing my seat, etc etc) but not a single one where a baby bothered me.
@mrstilly: i appreciate your feedback and will definitely look to your blog in a few weeks to read about your experience.
i think it's really interesting that this thread has turned into a convo about the ethics of medicating a healthy baby. it actually hadn't even crossed my mind to use medication because it seems so utterly unnecessary! nursing during takeoff/landing, coming prepared with extra supplies, etc. is right up my alley, and it's good to know that it's not totally unheard of to travel in the months following birth. of course the #1 thing will be talking to a pediatrician, because if it poses a significant health risk, it was never an option to begin with!
whether or not it's abuse to medicate...i'm sure there is a legal answer to speak to that. but i think we can all agree that it should definitely not be the first option! personally, i hope to use all kinds of meds - whether for a common cold or teething or whatever - as minimally as possible throughout my child's life, as i do for myself. there are so many natural remedies that get overlooked everyday...
i still have a lot of time to decide so thanks again for all your suggestions and comments :)
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