Airtravel with Infant

Only you can be the judge of how hectic or difficult it will be with a newborn. I would wait until the baby is born to be your own judge. I know you will be very tired!!!! In addition, your baby will just be getting use to being outside the womb. Babies can often be unpredictable. Also, depending on how your delivery goes you may still be recovering. If it were me I would spend my first Christmas at home with my new baby and hubby. It is one Christmas of many.
Please note this comes from someone who has traveled all over the world. I didn't fly my children anywhere until they were about a year unless it was a short trip.
I wish you the best with your newborn to be.

Dear L.,

The age of two months is perfect for air travel, as long as you breastfeed on take-off and landing to equalize the pressure change, and as often as possible, to keep your precious baby hydrated and fed. Don't let anyone touch the baby. Just looking. My baby now toddler and I have been on the nonstop flight to Boston which American Airlines had (discontinued in Sept. 2008) several times, and it was an easy five hours from San Diego. I started taking my son Alexander to Montana when he was five weeks old, and ever since. By the age of two, he has been to Germany four times, Canada twice, Florida twice, Chicago (La Leche League 50th anniversary in 2007 :-), Montana many times, and he is developing very well according to his two-year-checkup at his pediatrician, who saw nothing wrong with the air travel. He is very well adjusted, very curious with "strangers" (who in my opinion are new friends we have not met yet), loves older and younger children, and has a strong immune system.

If you choose to give all or selective vaccinations, do not give too many at once, and not directly in the few days before a trip, as most babies react with fever (elevated temperature) to vaccines and need to rest after vaccinations.

You will have a wonderful time with your family, and a chance to relax and recover while other people cook for you, change diapers, bathe the baby, and just enjoy the baby!!

I wish you all the best!
C. and Alexander, now 24 months (born 3-Sept-2006)

I have traveled by air with my now 8 month old daughter numerous times. I think 2 months is actually probably the easiest age because she will sleep in your arms and not be too active. The hardest part for me was the stress of packing up before the trip. Once we got there...it was so easy! Just bring your stroller/carseat and check it at the gate, then it is waiting for you when you get off the plane. I do think germs are a factor for that little of a baby, but my DD did catch a few colds that early on and she survived. (your first one is always scary though. I think if you are breastfeeding, she will build up antibodies through you. Also, she is small enough that she won't be touching anything. Just bring wetwipes for you to combat the germs at the airport and on the plane. And keep strangers hands at bay. Make sure to feed her on take off and landing to prevent pressure in her ears. Good luck with the little one...you are in for such a treat.

First off, I'd ask the pediatrician about traveling with a newborn. Mine suggested waiting for air travel until 10 weeks. Also, keep in mind the cabin pressure which can be very painful on the ears. Considering germs is also smart. There are definitely many germs floating around in airplanes that you wouldn't want to expose your newborn to. If you are breastfeeding it will help your baby's immune system tremendously.

I know you must be so excited to show & share your precious-one with family, but if I were you, I'd stay home & let family come to me this year. Better to play it safe!

Congratulations on becommimg a new mommy! It will be life changing in so many possitive ways. I became a mommy at 36, 38 & 40!

If you ever want to chat, email me back & I'll give you my phone number.

My best to you,
M.

Hi there! I'm in Oceanside, so not too far from you.

I wouldn't worry too much about flying with an infant this age as long as you keep your hands clean. At 2 months the baby will be sleeping a lot. If you are going to nurse, that (or sucking on a bottle) will help during take off and landing.

Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy. You are almost there :-)

I agree with the second response, it is much easier to travel with baby's the younger they are, she will most likely sleep the whole time. It shouldn't be hard, pack extra clothes,diapers, wipes,blanket etc. in a carry on and then just put her in a front pack, you should be set.
One good thing I suggest is to get her first shots done before you go on your trip, there are so many people from so many different places, it would just be safer.
Good Luck to you, don't let a new baby slow you down. We took both are kids every where at 2 weeks of age

Personally, I would wait a couple months more. You just don't know how YOU will feel after the birth of your baby. If you have a c-section, you will be off your feet by doctors orders for 6 weeks. Not to mention all the yucky afterbirth stuff. It took me almost 12 weeks for my "afterbirth" to be done with.

If this was your 2nd baby, and you felt you could handle a newborn along with hustle and bustle of holiday travel, I would say go for it. Travel with a non-mobile infant is MUCH easier than with a toddler. But then again, I have travelled with both my kids at different ages, and they are both good travellers. They seem to know that they are on an adventure. They fall asleep easy on planes, do their best to entertain the adults in the aisles, LOVE that they get to eat all kinds of yummy snacks on the plane....we were even potty training our oldest during our last trip. He thought going to the bathroom on the plane was so fun!

But again with your first baby, you should probably get used to being a Mom and let your baby get used to being out of the womb for just a little longer. Plus, you will be sleep deprived like you have never been before, your body will be a little sore (whether you have a c-section or vaginal birth), your hormones will be all out of whack trying to get back to normal again, etc.

And for baby, I would check with your pediatrician on their suggestions for travel with baby. Both of the ones we had recommended that we just stay close to home for the first 4 months, until they get the majority of their first shots and have time for their bodies to immunize after the shots. Grocery store, mall, open areas, travel by car, but they didn't recommend travelling too far. But maybe your ped. will have other advice.

Also, check with your specific airline. Some have age requirements. Check if they have immunization requirements (although since you will be travelling domesically there probably won't be any).