Airplane Ride with a 3 Month Old

Hi,

You will be fine! I flew by myself with my son when he was about that age. Just make sure you try to feed him when you take off to help with the air pressure. Or give him a pacifier. I flew again with my husband and having someone to help is great. You will be fine and you are lucky to have someone flying with you because it makes it so much easier. Good luck!

Hi C.-
I am a flight attendant for United and wanted to pass on some advice.
Since your son is still little, he won't need much to entertain him but a few little toys. The easiest way to travel is with a stroller and carseat. The strollers are handy for the airport(delays) and for wherever you are going.
The carseat is the safest way to travel on the plane- if the seat doesn't protrude into the aisle(where your feet are) it can go on the window, middle, or aisle(at least that's how it is with us).
Take an extra change of clothes, plenty of diapers and more food than you will think you will need. You would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
If he is showing any signs of a cold, I would ask your pediatrician about a decongestant- this will help on descent with his ears, along with a bottle feeding at that time.
I hope some of this advice has helped. I know your trip is not for a happy occasion, but make sure you get some wings for his first flight.

Best Wishes-
A.

Dear C.,
There is no reason to be terrified. Don't buy a seat for your son. Bring your car seat and your stroller with you to the airport. You can take both of them with you and they will check them on the plane at the gate. Ask if there are any extra seats available on the plane when you check in. If there are they will let you have one for the baby - free of charge. If not you and your mom can take turns holding him. He's so little, I would guess that he will sleep and eat and that's it on such a short flight. If you can, try to nurse or bottle feed him at take-off and landing. It'll be fine. Don't worry! : )

Hi C.! My son just turned one and we have been on vacation 5 times since he was 3 months. I never bought a seat for him, but sometimes if you ask at check in they will put you in a row that has an extra seat (if the plane is not full). The attendants and patrons are very understanding of a baby. I did talk to my son's pediatrician since I was nervous about his ears and stuff and he told me to make sure he was sucking (bottle, nursing, pacifier) during take-off and landing since that's when the pressure changes. If that isn't good enough you can use a small amount of benedryl 30 minutes before takeoff. Hope that helps!

C.:

I am sorry you have to travel for a funeral, but if your son is anything like my daughter, he will do just fine on the trip. I just returned from San Antonio, Texas with my three month old daughter and husband. It was a direct flight and she did fine. I nursed her on take off and landing so she wouldn't have pressure problems with her ears. I thought she would sleep but she was too busy looking around. Whenever she seemed to be getting kind of fussy, I would feed her. She was never a problem.

We did not buy an extra seat and didn't miss the extra room. One drawback was the bathroon situation. There were no changing tables in the restrooms in our plane. It was easier to change her on my husband's lap than it was to try to change her in the tiny airplane bathroom.

Good luck with your trip. You son will be fine.

M.

Both of my children flew quite frequently before they were six months old. Definately get the extra seat. Worth the money. If you can, travel in the evening/night and try to keep your child up alot during the day so he'll be tired. If you're breast feeding or bottle feeding, do so during takeoff and landing to help equalize the pressure in his ears. Definately take a pacifier if he uses one. Have about 10 different toys/pictures (those, red/white/black/yellow ones with geometric figures are good)to keep him occupied when awake. The extra seat will give you some room to cover up if breastfeeding or get the bottles/other gear organized. If all fails and he cries the whole way keep a stiff upper lip, try to sooth him the best you can, know that every other parent has gone through the same thing at some point in time, and ignore anyone giving you a dirty look! I'm not sure if you want to spend the money but there is a a car seat/strolller combo called Sit-n-Stroll that is FAA approved, about $200 that's worth every penny. It's basically a car seat that the wheels and handle fold away. It's great for travelling b/c you don't have to lug a separate car seat and stroller and it can be used in cabs etc. I'm not sure if stores have them. You can order them online but it's probably too late to get one by tomorrow unless you try overnight shipping. Good luck on your flight.

I have traveled with my daughter 6 times on a plane already, and she is about to turn one. Her first trip was when she was 3 months old. We flew Southwest, and it was a 1 hour trip. She traveled great! I breastfed her when we were taking off, and then she slept the rest of the trip. The key thing is to have your child sucking on something to pop their ears - ie, pacifier. Now that she is almost 1, the last trip was a bit more challenging because she wanted to get up and look around. We had turbulence, so I couldn't walk the aisles with her. At her age now, I bring lots of little toys and books, and those finger puffs for her to eat. Southwest is great... if the flight is not booked, you can bring your car seat on the plane with you and they don't charge for another seat. My daughter likes it better if she can sit on my lap during the flight, but the car seat is there if she falls asleep or if bad turbulence. Good luck!

Hi, Please don't worry! Your child is so small that he/she will probably sleep to whole time-- planes are like magical sleep machines. Plus, it is a very short flight. (When my son was 4 months old, he had already been to NJ, Boston, Ireland, California and Florida and we never had any issues-- it is way easier to travel with an infant than with a toddler!). I did not buy seats for him on any of the flights-- we always lucked out and scored an extra seat for free. (The airlines will let you bring your little car seat on and strap it into an empty seat if there is one.) That said, the airlines are much more cost-conscious now and seem to sell every possible seat, so you might buy one for the car seat just to be sure you get one. I also tried to nurse or give a bottle during take-off and landing to avoid any ear issues. But sometimes my son was sleeping and everything was just fine. Good luck!

Hi C.,

We took my son Vaughn on a plane at 3 months. It was much easier than I expected. He was great 3 of the 4 flights.

You have to feed your baby at take off and landing for the ear pressure. I breastfeed and it was no big deal. The flight attendants are very helpful too.

You can bring your car seat and if they have an open seat you can have it for your child. Just make sure you tell them at the gate so they can make arrangements. They will check to see if it is airplane safe. Most are...just check the warning label. If they don't have space for the car seat, you can check it at the gate.

Or you can buy a seat to make sure you have it. It is good if you should go through rough turbulents. We didn't buy the seat, but got an open seat on 3 of the 4 flights.

Good luck to you! And have an enjoyable trip. C.

Our son went to NY with us which is about 2 hours. Our pediatrician recommended Benadryl. Now, the problem is that in some cases, the Benadryl will stimulate a child, however our son responded by falling asleep. We had him suck his bottle during take off so he wouldn't be uncomfortable (ear pressure).

Good luck on your travels. Also, my condolences to your family.

I'm a flight attendant and have traveled a bunch of times wiht my kid. Try to make it so that your child is tired so that maybe they will sleep during the flight. If you are breast feeding or bottle try and feed the baby on take off and landing. That is when pressure changes on the plane and causes the baby ear discomfort. If possible make sure your baby is wearing soft cotton clothing. As close to pajamas as you can get so they will feel relxed. Also for your own benefit make sure you have small garbage bags for dirty diapers to throw into the garbage. Any smell on an airplane is twice as bad than on the ground. Make sure before boarding that all of your seats are together and dont forget to ask if you can board a little early so you can get your baby seat situated. That can take some time. Good Luck.

Hi C.,

I have travelled with my son quite a bit and he's only 2 1/2. My family is in Canada but we're living here in the US so we fly quite a bit. I found it much easier when he was smaller. Just make sure they either have a binkie in their mouth or you have a bottle handy to feed during the takeoff and landing to help with the pressure and their ears popping. That's the only thing I can suggest for when they are so young. I hope this helps and I'm sorry to hear of your loss.

Good luck,

N.

Please try not to worry. I think this is the easiest age baby to take on a plane. Just carry him/her on board in the carrier and they will be fine. You might want to plan to feed the baby as well as you can during/after take off to alleviate any ear discomfort. If it's easy for you to purchase the seat between you and your mother, great. Otherwise, it's not vital for a two hour flight. My children always napped on my chest during flights.

Good luck.

Relax. It's pretty easy traveling with babies that are that young. He should sleep most of the time. I wouldn't purchase the extra seat because he'll be on your lap the whole time and it's not worth the extra money. A tip that I got was to feed the baby during take-off and landing because that's when his ears may pop and cause him to be fussy. The sucking of feeding opens the eardrums. Don't worry about the nasty looks people give you on the plane when they see a baby...they probably don't have children and there will be as many people that are kind and supportive. Good luck!

Well as a mother of a daughter now 7yrs old and she has been flying since two weeks old, dad works for Southwest Airlines. You need to make sure that you have a couple of bottles for your child and something for the baby to chew/gum on while going up and down in the air. Make sure that you do those things and I have to say that I have never had a problem with that stuff. Make sure to pick up your child and hold them while in the air and just rock a little bit with the baby. Hope all goes well and sorry about your loss.

Rose

Hi! I traveled with my son when he was 3 months old and I was also worried. I thought he was going to be crying but I was completely wrong. If you ask me, I would have rather traveled with him when he was 3 months than to do it now that he is 1 year old and extrememly active.
I actually traveled to NY with him by myself when he was 3 months. The flight was 2 hours long. I just gave him lots of fluid before getting on. They say that helps their ears. He was actually happy making noises and looking everywehre the whole way there. And on the way back, he was asleep so it was a smooth ride going and comming back.
I definately would not travel with him now cuz he does not sit still. He wants to be up and about walking and exploring everything.
When they're 3 months old, they can't walk or talk and are not as active. They just like to eat and look around at all the beautiful things.
Don't worry about it. Just make sure you have the diaper bag with you on the plane with diapers, wipes, formula, bottles, extra clothing, and extra cloths in case the baby spits.
Don't even waste money for an extra seat. It's only a 2 hour ride and you'll be fine especially if you'll have help from your mother.
Hope this helps.
Have a safe trip.

C.,
I'm sure you're back from your trip already, but I work for SWA and have seen thousands of young families traveling with infants. Hopefully, your baby did well. The pressurization affects the ears on ascent and descent, so alot of families feed their babies a bottle during that time to keep the ears popping. Preboarding is a must, so arriving early is also key. Buying an extra seat is so muchless stressful, and safer, however, a baby that young could sit on your lap without wiggling too much. Glad you had your Mom for help.
Take care.

You are traveling at the best possible time- EVER! Relax and enjoy the flight. I don not recommend buying them a seat. Most likely your baby will be in your arms, or your moms anyways. It is a short flight, make sure you have a pacifier or bottle or breast to help if needed.
I know it probably seems overwhelming, but It is honestly the BEST age to travel with. Good luck.

We did traveling with our kids at that early age. I do recommend buying a seat, it is the safest way to travel with baby. Plus baby is used to their car seat. Ours mostly slept during travel, but have a bottle ready in case they need it for take off and landing. The hardest part was always security. Baby has to be carried through, so if baby is sleeping in stroller, you still have to take baby out...argh.
Good luck to you!
A.

This may be too late since it is Saturday now but we just got back into town. We first took our son on an airplane at 4 months of age and now again at 9 months. He actually did better at 4 months since he was less mobile. We were lucky on 3 out of the 4 flights that we took that an extra seat was available. THe 4th time, he just sat on our lap. I wouldn't buy an extra seat. 2 hours is really short too on an airplane. Your child will probably sleep from the motion. you will need to nurse, give a bottle or a pacifier as the plane takes off and lands, so his/her ears do not pop. The hardest part is juggling all the stuff to bring with. Good Luck.

condolences on your loss... i also was worried about my son's first plane ride at 4 months, but i freaked out for nothing. they cant move around much and still sleep alot at that age (hopefully). i overloaded on toys, books, etc. which ended up being a total hassle when all he really needed was me :). i would vote no on a carseat. i didnt purchase a seat for him but the return flight was empty and they let me take the carseat which was more work with all the stuff i lugged on as well. just make sure he is sucking on something for take off and landing, bring a blanket and dress him in layers since airplane temps are unpredictable. hopefully all will go as smoothly for you as it did for me. plus you'll have your mom to help out (i was alone) so i'm sure you'll be more than fine. i've done a fair amount of plane traveling with my son who is now 18 months and this will probably be the easiest flight you have. good luck and again am sorry for your loss.

Hi -
I'm planning on taking my 8-week old baby over to Germany this summer (I'm due in 6 weeks) and have been soliciting advice for a while on this. Basically, everything that everyone has said - esp about making sure your child is sucking on something, be it a breast or a pacifier, is what I've been told.

Another useful thing is to ask for a bulkhead seat. I'm told that if you have an infant people are generally pretty accomodating (it makes *everyone* on the plane happier when your baby is happy!) so you should be able to get one. That way you can have some floor space to spread out a blanket etc if you want some extra room.

I'm sorry for your loss, and good luck with the travel - I'm sure it will be fine. Just remember - probably easier to travel with a 3-month old than a 23 month old who wants to run around everywhere!

Hi C.,

I have traveled with my son on short and long flights when he was 1, 4 and 5 months old. Here's what I can tell you:

- make sure he eats during take off and landing. This will make him swallow so the whole thing is easier on his little ears.
- ask for a seat in the front and a bassinet or use your car seat in the extra seat.
- bring a change of clothes
- make sure you have a travel changing mattress or a towel, as changing a baby in an airport on on the plane is not the most hygenic thing you'll ever do, and lots of wipes and diapers, as he will probably do his messiest business when you least need it.
- keep your usual routine, while telling him what's happening

You should be fine, the younger they are, the easier it is.
Have a good flight

L.

Hi C.,

I travelled to London with my 4 month old son alone, and then took 4 shorter flights within Europe so certainly have experience.

I bought him a seat on the long haul flight which was great but on a shorter one (less than 4 hours) I would probably have him sit on me. The airlines insist that even if you have bought a seat, the infant is on your lap during take-off and landing anyway. My pediatrician told me to nurse at those times, but having sat in the runway for hours, my son was asleep and the flight didn't bother him at all. If you tell the airlines in advance that you are travelling alone with an infant they will try to help you - they can offer you a seat at the front where they can set up a bassinet (free of charge). They may let you board the plane before everyone else too.

Also, carry as little as possible - I had a Snap and Go stroller and my baby's car seat as well as a diaper bag and my personal items (of which I had very few) but getting through security was a nightmare. No-one helped me at all - even when I was trying to collapse the stroller single handedly.

I have no qualms about flying with a baby - as long as you are prepared and are confident you can manage. Also, should your baby cry just remember that you will never see the people on the flight again! Actually, when my son fussed, many people tried to help out. They pulled faces at him and sang. One lady even tok him for a walk up and down the aisles. I wouldn't usually give him to a stranger, but a plane seemed like the one place he would be safe and he really enjoyed it.

Good Luck - if you need any other advice or think of something I forgot to mention, please feel free to e-mail me.

R.

My doctor said to give him Tylenol slightly before boarding and to make sure he is sucking a bottle during the take-off and landing. Our son was 6-months old and it worked out well.
Good luck.

Hi C.,

I had to travel a couple of years ago with my 6 month old son at the time and my sister. I explained to the ticket agent that I would be taveling with an infant and she suggested I not buy a ticket but to notify the clerk at time of check in. The check in clerk assigned my sister and I a window and aisle seat and made sure the middle seat was empty. I carried my son aboard in his carseat and just secured him in the middle seat. It worked out great. It allowed me to carry him at times & or leave him in his seat. I made sure I flew during his nap time so he slept most of the time. Also make sure you have a pacifier & or bottle for him to suck to help with the discomfort of the pressure. Hope this helps. Have a great trip.

I would call your doctor and find out if there is anything you can do to avoid your infant from getting pressure in his or her ears. This may cause discomfort and if the baby starts crying the fluids will make it worse. This may not be a concern, but it would be something I would consider. I have seen babies all the time on air planes most people understand that your child may get cranky, we all do at times.

I'd book a flight for a time when he tends to nap. And nurse, nurse, nurse!! My son was 4 months old, and he slept the whole way. Bring one or two toys, and don't try to keep him up before the flight. I think it's usually easier than everyone imagines, especially when they're so young. Best of luck!

Hi, my daughter was a little less than 3 month old when we were traveling from chicago to LA. (4 hour flight)
i didn't purchase a separate seat for her, cuz it was not busy season.
i was luckily assigned on a seat with an empty seat right next to it. if it's not busy season, don't buy a seat for the baby. since you're traveling with your mom, you could be assigned on 3-seat row, and use the extra seat for your baby. the younger the babies are, the better for you to travel with them. they mostly sleep.
of course, i was worried to death, but i didn't have any hard time at all traveling with my daughter. so don't panic, good luck!

I flew quite a bit when my duaghter was young - and I think, the younger, the easier! I was nursing which REALLY helped. If you're not - just have a bottle ready for the take off and landing. That way the change in pressure won't bother your child's ears. The extra seat will be nice, so you have room for you, baby and your stuff - also a little privacy if you are nursing.

The only difficult thing that happened for me was when my daughter was about 4 months. She went to the bathroom all over herself (through her clothes) - I wasn't sure where to change her - and it was the kind that couldn't wait. So, I got a diaper pad and blanket and changed her in the airplane bathroom. Pretty small apce - I just didn't let her touch anything. Fortunately I had a change of clothes (for her) in my diaper bag.

But really, a two hour plane trip should be easy - babies often fall asleep on planes (like in cars) - so don't worry! The more relaxed you are, the more at ease your baby will be.

I'm sorry for your loss (as you are flying for a funeral).
Take care,
P.

Hi C.,
I would buy him a seat and put him in his car seat. Once you arrive you will have a car seat (that is his) that he can travel in. When I traveled with my kids (3yrs & 11mo) and I did not bring thier car seats and I rented a car w/seats. They were the most disgusting seats. They were dirty and had food on them (spit-up). I would bring his pacifier for when you land/take off. If he does not use that, I would give him his formula so that it helps.

You will be fine. Just relax, they can feel your energy.

Hi C.,

Sorry to hear about your loss. I was terrified to travel with my infant last year too. We bought her a seat and used her normal car seat/infant carier for her on the plane. They should let you board a little early so you can get her situated. They will probably ask you to seat her in the window seat - farthest from the isle for safety reasons. You can wheel the stroller right up to the gate and they'll keep it on board for you if you don't want to check it.

I was still nursing and my daughter didn't really take bottles so I took her tylenol dropper (which she loved) and used it to give her a little water during take off and landing so her ears wouldn't bother her - you probably know the sucking will help releave the pressure. If you're bottle feading just make sure you give a bottle when you feel your ears change pressure.

FYI One Step Ahead carries all kinds of travel gear - things to strap the car seat to your back...stroller bags so you can check them if you want to ect. I know your traveling on short notice, but for future reference that might be helpful.

I hope this helps...I can totally relate to that panicy feeling! People are very understanding when they see you with a little one...

I hope you have a safe trip.

N.