Flying to Hawaii with Seven Month Old

Been there. Take your stroller, when you have layovers it will be your best friend. Plenty of everything. Pacifiers, the pressure on the flight will hurt his little ears if he doesn't use a pacifier baby bottle will work make sure he gets plenty of water and juice.

Hello, we just moved here from Hawaii and had to plan effectively to fly with our son who was 10 days old at the time. I am assuming by your name that you are from Hawaii? My husband just separated from the AF and works at McDill as a dod civilian. When we flew over here, our pediatrician suggested that we be feeding him when we landed and took off because the swallowing would help his ears pop and they would not hurt him as much. since you have already flown, that may not be an issue for you guys. Also, we took our boppy to lay him on in our laps because the flight was full and I was recovering from a c-section so I didn't feel like actually "holding" him the entire flight. If the flight is full, something like that may help you guys out a little and make it comfortable for him. Also, things are a little more expensive in Hawaii so you might want to bring baby proof sunscreen and a sun hat and sunglasses for him from here. Just a suggestion. Anyways, have fun and be safe and good luck flying with that baby of yours!!!

Hi K.! I am also a SAHM with a 7 month old boy! I live south of you, in Manatee County. I was also a teacher until I had him. I taught in Hillsborough County. Now, I work at home, so I'm not going back.I flew home with him for Christmas and I was really nervous, but he did fine!The flight didn't bother him at all. I only flew a couple hours though and he wasn't crawling yet. it would probably be more difficult now that he's crawling everywhere. Bring along a lot of his favorite toys! Well, good luck, and have a great time in Hawaii!!!

K.,

I think your plan is an excellent one. I flew from Italy to Atlanta with an 11 month old...not quite as far, but still a long trip. (I'm military too and was flying home for my sister's wedding.) We flew from Venice to Paris, had a 4 hr lay over, and then a straight shot to Atlanta. The break was just what the doctor ordered...I could stretch my legs (and so could he...probably not as much of an issue for you.) If it feels right for your situation, go for it...you'll be glad you did! Good luck!

R.

Hi,
I used to travel a lot and long distances, when I had only one boy.... and actually have gone on a trip to Kawaii when mine was 9 months old ..Yes, take a stop over at LAX.... I request for the first row seats so you can have the bassinet (ask the airline .. 8 years ago the airlines on long flight used to have that ..). Mostly, the first row also have more leg room but the trays are in the middle(hand rest, so you can not open them). I believe your son is not walking yet, so he can rest in the bassinet. I made a point of making the baby tired, so they slept in the flight for at least 3 to 4 hours.
Good Luck and Enjoy ...

I like Melissa (flight attendent) response. Right on the head. Also, I learned this from experience, keep an extra set of clothes for you and your child in your carry-on. You never know when the diaper will fail and you won't want to walk around with poop on you or him. Also, plastic zip bags to put the dirty diapers in. It will help keep the smell down and the other passengers will be thankful for it.
Other than that, don't stress. Just prepare yourself first and have a wonderful Hawaiian vacation!

One suggestion for the passengers around you - offer disposable earplugs. You can get them at CVS (or any drugstore) for about $10 per bottle. I fly with my little guy (10 mos) and always offer everyone around me a pair. Not only do some people take them and REALLY appreciate it, some people don't take them and tend to be more sympathetic and willing to help you out if needed.

Good luck and safe travels!

K.,
I found an adorable onesie/shirt online(can't remember the sight) that made me laugh at the thought of a long flight with my little one. It said, Aren't you lucky you get to sit by me" written inside an airplane...a little humor never hurts.
H.

I've never done a flight that long. But, I have flew a few times with my daughter. Some people recommend getting a seat up front because there is more leg room. But, I always get a seat in the back. The front seats fill up first. And possibly you'll get an extra seat. Bring a new toy, something exciting, and some books. Maybe even a portable dvd player and some baby einstein dvds. Have fun!

K.,
I've been through that with my kids by myself too. My husband is military also. Snacks, pacifier, drinks, books, small quiet toys all worked for me. Takeoffs and landings tend to be hard on the ears so the drinking/sucking on something is a must. The most direct route is helpful also. We too lived in Hawaii (Aiea, Oahu) for 3 years. It will always be in our hearts. Good luck on your trip.
Aloha, Jennifer

Hi! I have flown from Jacksonville to Portland, OR several times with different age children. (I have a 4.5 year old son and a 17 month old son.) The last time I made the trip was with my younger son when he was 10 months old. Couple of tips...try, if possible, to get the bulkhead seat. You'll have more room for yourself and your stuff. Takes lots of little things to distract/entertain your baby. Are you nursing? I nursed my baby on every take-off and every landing (and anytime in between when he started to fuss). It made the trip so easy! I just took my sling and slipped it on and I don't think the person sitting right next to me even knew what was going on! Also, I agree that you aren't going to want such a long layover. Really, what would you be able to do with an infant for that long in an airport? I'd much rather just get the trip over with as soon as possible. At that age your baby will probably sleep alot, anyway.
Good luck and have fun!

Is there any chance you can afford to buy your son a seat? I've flown a lot with my 2 year old over the years and a trip to Hawaii with no place to put the baby, especially in coach, is really too long.

Hi K.!
I have a three year old daughter and during those years we have been travelling a lot, especially from USA to Europe. Her first time on the plane she was five months and flying to San Francisco from Florida. That went fine but I wasn't alone with her. Second time she was eight months old and that was the best trip ever! She slept for 5 hours which was more than a half of our time on board (eight and a half hours plus one hour during boarding).
It is important to have enough space while sitting so ask for a bulk seat. It will give you room to move a little in your seat and make it easier if baby gets fussy. Before trip buy some new toys, books etc. Wait to get on board before showing them to your little one. It will also give you some quiet time. You will need different snaks like cheerios or fruit puffs as well. That will keep him occupied for a while too.
If he starts crying, do not get frustrated but try singing or talking to him. Do not worry about people on the plane. Everyone tends to forget how it was when their kids were so young :)
I wish you a really good trip! Hopefully you'll want to repeat it :)

i am a flight attendant and my daughter and i have been flying together since she was 2 weeks old. you'de be surprised how much they can love it. try to keep your son awake a long time before the flight. the noise usually puts them to sleep for the first few hours, then make sure you have plenty of toys, food and milk. make sure he he sucking on something(bottle, breast, pacifier) during decent to help his ears clear.
as a flight attendant i know parents can really stress themselves out while traveling. don't!! everyone around you will understand if your child is not acting perfect, or if he is screaming for two hours. if they don't understand they are probably just a jerk so who cares anyway.
good luck and enjoy hawaii.

You might want to check into how you came up with 12 - 15 hours if you fly straight through. My dh and I went to HI for our honeymoon. We had a quick flight to Atlanta. From Atlanta to Hawaii it was only about 8 hours.

At 8 hours, the trip was really long. I couldn't imagine doing it with an infant in my lap. If I were traveling with an infant I'd definately try to break the trip up.

The only thing is I think a 3 - 5 hour layover is too much. If I remember correctly from HI to LAX it's only 4 hours. So by skipping the layover you can be there.

I think the ideal situation would be from here to LAX. Have a 1 - 2 hour layover there. Then on to HI.

Somebody on another board once mentioned that they always ask for a seat that has an empty seat beside it. That way if there's nobody next to you that's extra room for you and the baby.

So I would check your flight schedule options and go from there. I've flown when my kids were infants and found they both went to sleep on flights pretty easily. I swear my sons eyes close as the plane lifts, lol.

Have fun!
L.

K., I have never traveled with my son that long, however I have traveled alot with him since he was born. (He is now 18 months). You have to gauge what kind of personality/temperment your son has. I would also be very concerned if I had to take such a long trip. I have two suggestions without knowing your son; I am assuming there is no direct flight and that you have to stop. If you have to stop I would try to take a red eye to LAX while the baby is asleep then lay over in LAX as along as you can while both of you get a break then try to time it so that you take the next leg when he is almost tired but not yet asleep (I know this is tricky) the second flight might be harder becasue he may be past the stage of taking real long naps. My second suggestion which is the one I would try first if it were me is to find a late flight and fly to LAX and then get right on a plane to Hawaii. This would be good only if you can find a flight that leaves at 8:00 pm or so and gets you to Hawaii by 8:00 am. This way your son can sleep the whole time(we hope). I know you won't get a break but I would rather be a little bit uncomfortable myself then to have my baby crying the whole flight. Another thing I just thought about is if you know anyone in Los Angelos you could break it up. Take a red eye to LAX while the baby is asleep. Spend all day in LAX (relax, rest, shop, whatever) and then take another red eye to Hawaii (of course the scheduling would have to work for this) Do your best to keep your son busy during the day so that he is tired by the time you have to leave again. If your son is a sleeper the first two suggestions might work. We carry a small DVD player with us for my son but I'm not sure if that would capture your sons attention at his age. My son actually did much better when he was younger; after he turned one he started getting much more restlesss on the long flights. Hope I helped a little.