Flying with a 6 Month Old - Reynoldsburg,OH

Binky, boob or bottle for take off/landing. Diapers and wipes plus a change of clothes for baby AND for you. He'll probably cry a little, just relax and comfort him as you would at home (or as close to that as possible what with being stuffed into a plane seat).
I've flown with my son a bunch of times and it's never been as bad as I was afraid it would be. People are usually pretty nice and one of the flight attendants even offered to hold him while I used the airplane bathroom.

I just flew alone with my 6 month old and I know exactly how you feel! My suggestion is to take some small quiet toys to entertain him, a pacifier to help his ears and a bottle. I'm nursing so I did nurse him on the way up and on the way down once he started to fuss because of the pressure change - that helped a lot! It was somewhat awkward, but it worked. He wouldn't take a paci when the pressure was changing so I had no choice but to nurse. I held him for the flight too and the most helpful thing that I brought was his Boppy pillow. Yes it was a pain to carry, but it was a great place for him to nap and a huge relief for my arms. Also keep in mind how hot it can get on a plane and dress him lightly. Most importantly, forget about everyone else on the plane. He's a baby, so what if he cries? If someone has a problem with it then that's their problem and there's not much anyone can do about it. Kindly remind them of that fact while you comfort your son. The anxiety that you cause yourself worrying about it now just isn't worth it...I was actually surprised by how helpful most people were in getting through security and how nice people around me were on the plane. Hopefully you will be as pleasantly surprised by your son and everyone else on your flight as I was. Good luck!!!

I'm flying with my 5-month-old for the first time next week. I don't have any advice for you, but just wanted you to know I'm in the same boat. Good luck to you!

I traveled 7 hours with my 5 1/2 month old that I had just adopted. I took powder formula that I mixed with warm water supplied to me by the flight attendent. I gave her her bottle just as we took off to keep her ears from popping. I them attached her to me via a Baby Bjorn carrier with her facing me laying her head against my chest. She slept almost the entire flight. She woke up a few times and went right back to sleep. The baby bjorn is great because you can sleep too and not worry that you are going to drop the baby. It also helps to free up your arms so that you can more easily pull luggage with your other arm. That is my suggestion. Good luck.

L.

Just make sure to keep snacks and something for him to drink for the change in altitute. Toys are ok but if its late and he's tired you might get him more cranky by overstimulating him. Flying with a 6 month old isn't really that bad. He will do just fine. Keep him as comfortable as possible.

A few things that might help:
1)try to get a window seat and nurse him (or give a bottle)at takeoff, since the increased pressure on his ears will be diminished by the sucking.
2) you dont say how long the flight is, but if it's over 2 hours, he will likely wake up. have a new toy ready that he hasn't seen before, maybe one that lights up or plays a silly song to capture his attention. If you are traveling alone, it will be harder. If you have someone else along, take advantage of them and give him variety--you hold him for a while, then give him to your companion for a while.
3) if he fusses and becomes annoying to other passengers, just apologize as sweetly as you can. after all he IS a baby. If someone is mean or makes a ridiculous comment, such as "babies shouldn't be allowed to fly" (yes i did hear this before!) simply respond with this: "Last I checked, air travel is still public transportation, if you are so bothered by other passengers, I suggest you buy your own jet!" That has shut up a few unbelieveably selfish and rude people in my experience.
Good Luck! He may surprise you and be calm the whole way. It is very exciting to fly!

My first solo plane trip with my now 3 year old was at 6 months. He is now a very seasoned traveler and here are some of my tips:
He was a lap baby and I was nursing so I nursed him on take off and landing to help his ears. I also brought along a bottle of expressed milk in case I couldn't get comfortable nursing on the plane (at that time I was very shy about public nursing).

I would bring along a small squishy pillow for under my arm so if he falls asleep I would be more comfortable. I brought an ipod for me so once he fell asleep I could listen to pre loaded podcasts since reading a magazine was out with one arm.

At 6 months, his favorite blanket and one quiet distracting toy was enough - he was mostly interested in me and a few of the nearby neighbors.

Dress in layers since the temperature on planes are often hot then cold. Pack a spare shirt for you as well as two changes of clothes for him and several plastic bags. The change in pressure on the plane sometimes causes "blowouts".

My advice for the airport and getting on and off the plane is bring a small travel stroller and a baby carrier. That way you can shuttle him through the airport in the stroller then schelp him on the plane in the carrier (you will have two hands free). You won't be able to keep him in the carrier for take-off and landing but getting on the plane was much easier with two hands free. If you have a backpack, use that for a diaper bag/ carry on. It is much easier to handle everything else if you aren't juggling around a diaper bag.

Bringa couple more diapers than you think you need and fewer toys. And lastly - bring along a sense of humor, this is a short - lived part of your overall trip and the end goal is family. If anyone makes you feel badly, just ignore them.

Just relax. We have all been in a similar situation before. I flew to Jamaica with my daughter at 5 months and did not know what to expect. It was just fine, especially because she was on a schedule. We knew exactly what to expect from her and she did not deviate from her schedule once. I only took my baby bjorn and stroller. Make sure you have a bottle ready for take off and landing in order to help with the ear pressure. Take anything with you that tends to keep his attention. If it is a few weeks yet and you have not yet develop a schedule/routine for him, now would be a great time. Doing wake-ups, naps, feedings, baths, and bed times at the same time every day helps put his little body into an expected rhythm and schedule. Then maybe you can plan on him napping on the plane.

All of these may have already crossed your ming but here goes anyway... Load up on his favorite snacks and be sure to take along any security items he is comfortable with (ie: paci, blanket, stuffed animal, etc...) Try to hold off on his afternoon nap (if he takes more than one a day) until you are on the plane. I always tried to make flights around meals times so that I could get a bottle in their mouth during take off and then they would be asleep shortly thereafter. Don't go too crazy on packing toys but be sure to have enough diapers, changes of clothes and other times you might need should your luggage get lost or something of that nature. Additionally, take an umbrella stroller through the airport and check it at the gate, it is so much easier to get through the airport without you little on in your arms!!

It's really a lot easier than you might think. I have been traveling with my now 8 year old since she was 4 months old and same with my 2 year old and I have traveled with both of them all on my own. Get a good nights sleep the night before, have a little spending money for in the airport if you need to waste time, but most of all enjoy your trip!!

I flew with my son alot before his 3rd birthday (then we moved closer to family). The things that worked for me and him...

Always took his carseat and he had his own seat. Yes, it's more expensive, but it was best for us. He was used to his carseat from car rides and fell asleep easily when strapped into it. Besides, who wants to hold a 18lb baby for 4-5 hours? :-) If you hold the kid you can't put your tray down to eat or get a break to read or relax or whatever while he's sleeping.

If you are nervous or anxious, he will be that way, too and much more likely to cry and fuss.

We always flew during the day, leaving around lunchtime. By 6 months he was on a pretty predictable food/nap schedule so this made it easy. We'd board the plane and I'd feed him (yogurt, applesauce, etc) while everyone else got on board. When the plane got to the runway, I'd put everything away, lean back and turn my head away from him. Basically ignore him and pretend to sleep... this was his cue (along with full tummy and normal nap time) that it was time to sleep. 99% of the time, the rumbling of take-off would send him to sleep and he'd be out for the first 2 hours of the flight.

I try flying at night before but it wasn't his normal schedule (he was awake later than normal bedtime) and he was very over-stimulated on the plane so he just cried the whole time and never settled down. I also tried holding him once on a 1 hour flight - disaster. He was so squirmy and not used to falling asleep in my arms while traveling so he was awake the entire time (even though he was overtired and cranky).

He will probably cry. Most people know this. I had very few negative experiences with other passengers. When he cries (not if!), do your best to get him to stop crying... food, toys, crinkly cup, change the diaper, walk him around plane, etc. (but if he's tired, don't overstimulate, may be best to wrap up tight in blanket and jiggle/bounce/walk to get him to nod off). Most people are nice and understanding as long as they can see you are trying your best to get him to stop.

Most important - keep your cool. Babies pick up how they should react from parents. If you are anxious and nervous then he will think he needs to be to (after all, there's a reason you are acting that way, right?).

don't worry about the other people...babies cry. make sure you nurse(or bottle) on take off and landing, for his little ears. we always get a new toy for the kids for mid flight (a happy meal toy is great the bag is fun for quite a while)my daughter played with a bag of pretzels once for like an hour on the plane...the simplest things...anyhoo, just stay calm if he gets upset or fusy and know the plane will land soon and forget what the other passengers may think, most have been there too:) lots of snacks and his favorite books are good too. everyone is nervous the first time they fly with baby! good luck!!

I flew with my son when he was 6 months old and he did great. I was still nursing him at the time so I just nursed him as we were taking off and landing. He fell asleep on both flights and they were at different times. Most 6 month olds are taking frequent naps still, so hopefully he will sleep.

Just bring some toys and a few books with. As far as what other people will think, you really can't help that. Most people will understand, it's usually the ones with no kids that don't. Good luck!

Don't worry about it! There are babies on every flight and people just have to deal with it! I took my son on his first flight at 6 months and he did great! Just make sure you give him a bottle or binky for take off and landing if you can to help with pressure in the ears. Bring plenty of little toys to entertain as well! My son did great, never had any issues so you may be surprised! We even got stuck on an evening flight due to weather and sat on the runway for 5 hours before getting off and on again to depart.....one of the worst experiences of my life, but my son certainly surprised me with his patience! I was more stressed than he was! You will be fine and don't be concerned with other passengers!

Hey dont worry about what other people think, my daughter has flown home from the czech republic three times. The first time my grandson was only four months old and you will find that the flight attendants are a great help.Also there are going to always be good people on the plane. you can try taking some small toys that your baby likes and small snacks if he eats them. My grandson spends 14 hours on a plane , so im sure your little one will do fine. Trust me my grandson is a very busy 18 month old, who just came to visit in january and did just fine.

I flew with my son when he was 5 months old, he did fine. The best advice I can give you is for you to stay relaxed and calm, he may feed off your anxiety. Don't carry on any more than you have to so you have your hands free. I took a backpack, one pocket was used for my "purse" and the rest was stuff I'd need for him plus an extra shirt for me, just in case.

Good luck!

My best advice is nurse nurse nurse:) One the way up and on the way down to help his ears "pop". And then anytime he gets fussy in between.
Good Luck! It's never as bad as I expect it to be.