by Brook , Contributor, babyandsofia (@babyandsofia)
Airplane rides with a newborn is quite an experience, and it only seems to become more of a “treat” as the baby grows.
My husband and I took our first airplane ride with our baby, Paolo, when we went on vacation six weeks after he was born. Yes, when he was six weeks old, we flew to Hawaii to visit my parents for Thanksgiving. Most people thought we were crazy, but we ignored them. I mean, hey, we were going to paradise! We could brave a five-hour plane ride, no problem. And actually, it was no problem. I brought my sling and my Boppy nursing pillow and we were good to go. Paolo was so tiny that all he did during the flight was nurse and sleep in my arms. I think the noise and movement of the plane was relaxing. It was a dream for the hubs and I.
The next time I took the baby on an airplane is a whole different story. My husband took a position at the University of Iowa, so the baby and I flew to the Great Midwest to find a place to live this past March. Paolo was then five months old and not as thrilled to be sitting in my lap for the flight, especially when he got sleepy. So he let me know, loudly. He, in fact, SCREAMED the entire way from Orange County to Phoenix. On a crowded plane. Wedged between two men.
I’ll just say it was a traumatic event that involved a lot of tears (both his and mine) and, by the grace of God, the help of a kind stranger sitting next to us. I decided that was the last time I was flying alone with my baby on my lap.
Just last month, Paolo and I went for another Hawaiian vacation at my parents’ home. (I know, I know. It’s tough having your folks live in paradise.) This time, I was PREPARED. I booked seats for both us and brought all kinds of baby gear: car seat, stroller, books, videos, my laptop for playing the glorious Baby Einstein videos, toys, sippy cups, food, and blankets. I booked our route with a few layovers so that we could get off the plane and stretch our legs. During each layover, I found a corner in the airport where I laid down a blanket and “picnicked” so that Paolo could roll around and play. Then, he would be tired out and took some naps during the flights. It wasn’t easy pushing the stroller and lugging around the car seat base and extra bag, but boy, was it worth it! While the trip was long, we survived. And at no point during the trip did I cry.
As I have experienced the full spectrum of traveling with baby, as my experiences do range from heinous to delightful, here is a list of suggestions for airplane travel with the under one year old crowd:
1. If you can, buy a ticket for your baby and bring your car seat. It will not only preserve your sanity, it is a much safer mode of travel for your baby. When the ‘fasten seat belt’ light is on for the adults, it should be on for the babies, too.
2. For long trips, schedule a layover. Your baby will thank you for the time to be free and roll around. (Sometimes this cuts back on travel cost, so you can afford that extra ticket for baby!)
3. Bring a few favorite toys and books, and bring along brand new ones, too. The variation will keep baby entertained a tad bit longer.
4. If there is a video that your baby likes (our favorite is “Lullaby Time” by Baby Einstein), bring it, and your computer. Your neighbors on your flight will thank you.
5. Wear a cardigan or light jacket with pockets. Having pockets is key when you are trying to juggle baby and all of your gear AND find your boarding passes and IDs.
I hope these tips will ease some of the stress that comes with airplane travel with the little ones. I wish I had known this on that dreadful trip to Iowa…After that flight, I sure that I would be banned from air travel for the next 18 years!
Twitter: saididneverdo
I’m am going to have to take my 4 month old on his first plane ride soon. I am totally terrified but this post is super helpful! Thanks!
Laura @ The Things I Said I’d Never Do´s last blog ..Life got in the way
I respectfully disagree with #1 and #2.
Southwest will let you have a seat for free if there is an empty one, which there has never not been when we’ve flown. And there is no way I would do anything to extend our trip. I always book the shortest flight and travel time. The longer you are traveling the more chance there is for missed naps, meals and tantrums!
#3, #4 & #5 are musts!
Kristin @ Ellie-Town´s last blog ..Madelines Island – party planning part 1
Twitter: unexpexpectbaby
Great tips!
I also must respectfully disagree with #2 – the shorter, the better.
Ill be flying with my little one for the first time in a few weeks, and I’m feeling pretty nervous about it, though moreso about nursing on the plane. I’ve flown with other children before as a nanny, and it has ranged from traumatic to easy breezy.
Don’t be stressed about nursing! Just bring your cover and no one will even know!
Kristin @ Ellie-Town´s last blog ..Madelines Island – party planning part 1
Hats off to you, Brave Woman!
Bethany´s last blog ..On Globes And Pencil Sharpeners
Hi ladies! Thanks for the input. I now always opt to reserve a seat, as every flight I have been on in the past few years have been booked totally full-no hope of an empty seat! And with the layovers, my baby gets a little fussy when he can’t roll around get his wiggles out, so too long on the plane is dreadful! But every baby is different! I must say that nursing on the airplane was really no problem, but then I have become pretty open about nursing in public-I always do it, but I know that not all women are able to do so. Brijtaylor: I’m sure you’re flight will be easy breezy! You sound like you’re already an old pro with your nanny-ing experience!
baby&sofia´s last blog ..Our Mommyhood
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Great tips! It is scary for different reasons, as they get older. We have traveled on planes quite a bit and each time I was nervous but for different reason. Too much crying and diaper leaking, then squirming around and not wanting to sit or ears hurting, then potty training and trying to fit in that bathroom lol =)
The Activity Mom´s last blog ..Baby Activity – Playing with Water
Oh my goodness. Potty training and traveling…already nervous for that day!
baby&sofia´s last blog ..Our Mommyhood
A sling. So helpful so u have hands free for boarding, leaving planes. FYI, there r almost never any open seats on flights to Hawaii. I live there.
I know! The sling is a LIFESAVER for the newborns; my baby loved the sling on flights. And, about the flights to Hawaii: isn’t it incredible how all of the flights are always booked?!
baby&sofia´s last blog ..Our Mommyhood
Twitter: funnyorsnot
My experience is very similar to yours. I flew with my oldest when she was 11 days old (I was 2 weeks overdue so I didn’t plan to fly so soon after delivery it just worked out that way), with no problems. I flew again when she was about 5 months old and it was a nightmare, she screamed the whole time, spilled a bloody mary on the guy we were sitting next to. I swore I’d never fly with that kid again and I didn’t until she was 4. Totally jealous your parents live in Hawaii and envious of all of the cool places you’ve been
Poppy´s last blog ..Im A Wiener
Oh my goodness. Spilling cocktails! That is actually hilarious, although I’m not sure it felt that way at the time. My hat goes off to you!
baby&sofia´s last blog ..Our Mommyhood