Help!! Flying with 7 Month Old and VERY Nervous!

Updated on February 20, 2008
H.T. asks from Farmington, MI
29 answers

So, I am about to book a flight that leaves on Monday to visit my best friend in New Mexico. I found a great rate that I really can't pass up, and she has been bugging me for YEARS to come see her new house and then I got pregnant, had had my son and I really need to do this. I am not so much nervous about flying as I am about flying with a baby. So...I need advice on everything I should know such as what to pack, how to pack, what to do to keep him occupied, will his ears bother him and if so what do I do about this, etc. I have no idea how to do this...so any help is GREATLY appreciated! Thanks so much!

H.

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So What Happened?

I DID IT!! Thank you everyone for your invaluable advice, I could not have done it without you all! We just got home yesterday and we both did excellent! The only part that was very disappointing was the LACK of help I recieved from the airline and airport personnel. The passengers on the plane were great and very helpful which was a blessing. It was very hard...not sure when I will be doing it again, but we had a great time. Now we are trying to get back on our schedule which is always fun! Thanks again!

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K.B.

answers from Detroit on

I have flown with both my children since they were 4 months old. My daughter, now 4, has never had a problem. She falls asleep as soon as the engines start! On the rare occation that she stays awake we color or play cards. My son, who is 2, has gotten an ear infection 3 days after every flight. However, he never cries on the flight. I keep a bottle and pacifier handy and a few of his favorite small toys. We just got back from Florida and I did bring a small tv with us. That was a great help. Good luck

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K.V.

answers from Detroit on

Pack some extra money and hire a porter. This is an airline person, who will carry stuff for you to the check in and other places. If you are traveling with your spouse, this may be unnecessary. If not, it will be invaluable.

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J.C.

answers from Detroit on

H.- We've flown with all three of our children when they were also quite young. None of our children were typically on a pacifier- but we found it really helped to give them a pacifier to suck on right before take off and right before landing. A couple times they would not take the pacifiers- so we brought along diluted apple juice to drink as well. We also made a big deal about take off- raising our children's arms and saying "Wee", as soon as we saw that they might be looking a bit frightened or not sure of the experience. Also- we've always bought seats for our children and put them in their car seat on the airplane- along with a favorite blanket to tuck them in. Our kids are now, 5, 4, and 2 1/2 and we are leaving for an airplane trip in a week. Now that they are older they each have a little back-pack with snacks, a book, small game and change of clothes that we keep with us.

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L.G.

answers from Kalamazoo on

I have 2 kids- 6yrs and 2 yrs.. i have flown countless times with them as early as 2 months old. The first time I flew with my boys, I told my Dr about it.. He actually told me to give him a small amount of benedril.. The childrens kind.. I gave him the recommended dose for his weight at the gate at it was enough to make him sleepy and he slept the whole trip. I know some might be bothered by this but it was refered to me by my Dr and it works wonderfully.. As far as the packing thing, anything thats quiet that he really likes.. Eating/nursing/bottle will help his ears.. You can also massage behind them in the plane too.. Dont make any bottle ahead of time. They wont let any liquid thru security(unless in a quart ziplock bag and 3oz or smaller bottles in it)..even water or formula :( Bring a diaperbag/backpack on the plane with you.. and have everything w/in reach to you. Also extra change of clothes too.. You can bring your stroller right to the gate and they will take it from there so you can use it to transport your child & bags thru the airport. Also most planes are cash-less now so you have to use a CC/debitcard to buy snacks/drinks too. Dont forget a pacifier if he uses one.. Good luck.. I'm sure everything will all work out :)

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K.F.

answers from Saginaw on

H., first, Is your child congested at all? If so he needs a decongestant a couple of days in advance. Second don't worry, If he takes a bottle or paci on take off and landing he should be fine, if not, he needs something to suck on to keep his ears pressureized.If he nurses, plan on nursing him on the ups and downs.If he starts to get upset make silly faces, make him LAUGH! pull on your ears, pull on his, keep the pressure from building up. play the game now see what happens. Do you have a small cassette or cd player with headphones? he may not wear them but that way you can play music and not bother others, do your best to make him sleepy, also have a flashing or toy that lights up to keep him focussed, have a bag of small toys, teethers. you can do it. My little ones have flown many times and it always worked for me

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D.K.

answers from Huntington on

Hello! My name is D.,

As for packing your friend my be able to borrow a few big items for you.

As for the ears if you give him a pacifer or a bottle at those times that will hep with the ears.

D.

Stay at home Mom of two with a few daycare kids.

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M.C.

answers from Kalamazoo on

Don't be nervous. Make sure you check with the airlines on what you can bring on the plane. How long of a flight? Is it direct? Take a fold up umbrella stoller with you on the plane. Have a couple of bottles ready for him to suck on when you land and take off. Also have some of his favorite snacks. Hopefully he will sleep on the plane. Take several of his special toys. Ask if you can have the first seats in your section. There is more room. Both of my girls have been flying since they were 6 weeks old. Now 16 and 19. I am not sure if you need a car seat, but check on that. I think you do if you bought him a seat. A front pack carrier, like a Snugli worked well and it also kept your hands free. Hope you can use some of these suggestions.

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A.C.

answers from Detroit on

The toughest time on their ears is during ascent and descent. Wait until the plane first takes off to start a bottle; and then keep an eye on the time to do another bottle 40 minutes before landing. Their little ears will sense the sescent befor we do and before an announce ment is made, and if you wait too long the child will start wailing and will get frustrated about taking a bottle. I don't mean to scare you about that, just prepare you. I was always complimented by fellow passengers, and we travelled quite a bit. Also, I always had to bring one-two clothes changes because it seemed it was when we were flyng that she'd get messy diapers that would soil her clothes as well.

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C.R.

answers from Detroit on

Here is a link, kinda helpful!

http://www.flyingwithkids.com/

Good luck!

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C.M.

answers from Detroit on

Traveling with an infant can be full of surprises. Certainly, babies do not know what that new sensation is in their ears when taking off and landing. I think it is not so much painful as it is a sensation they don't know what to do with. I would suggest, if you are nursing or bottle feeding, "plug him in" as the plane is cleared for take off and do the same when the plane is decending. The sucking and swallowing will help with that annoying ear "popping" we as adults know how to clear. Make sure he has a dry , clean diaper before boarding. Take his favorite toys and books, PLENTY of diapers as you never know what kind of delay might happen. Most of all, relax, or your baby will feel your stress. What a treat to go see your friend. I hope you have a wonderful visit!

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W.M.

answers from Detroit on

Hi H.,
Hopefully this will help. My son was 3.5 months old the first time we flew and I believe turned 7 months the second time we flew. I made sure I had plenty of bottles packed and gave him one during take off and again at landing. I figured that it would help with his little ears, and it did. He never did start crying.I figured changing extra diapers was worth it. Pack his favorite toys, if on baby food maybe pack the yummy stuff he really likes as well. Babies can pick up on feelings, if your stressed or scared he will be too. Try to remain relaxed and happy. Hope this helps.
God Bless and safe journey.
W.

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L.H.

answers from Detroit on

I have 3 year old twin boys who have flown every 3 months to the west coast since they were 3 months old - they have done great at every age. Everyone has great advice, so listen to them and I am just going to repeat what someone else said... Don't be nervous - they picked up on it. You know your baby. Prepare the best you can, and don't let anything that happens get you stressed out. Deal with it calmly like you would at home and it will all be fine. Good luck, you'll be fine.

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A.S.

answers from Detroit on

My advice is... dont be nervous! You know your baby picks up on your anxiety, so it will stress him out to feel your stress. I have a 2.5 year old and I've flown with her several times now since she was about 3 months old. It's easiest when they are small because they are content to sit in your lap & take a nap. I was worried about her ears, but they havent been affected yet (fingers crossed for you!). My daughter didnt start getting hard to fly with until she turned 2 & was so antsy.

What to pack... Everything you would for a trip to the sitter, then extra snacks & toys. Take your stroller, they will store it under for you when you get to the plane. DONT take one of those baby back packs (cant think of the name... Snugli??). I used one of those my first flight and I held up the line at every security point because they make you take the baby out of it and run it through the scanner. Does she have a car seat for you to use on the way home from the airport? If not, take yours, but make sure everything is secured because straps, etc can become ripped/broken/disappear entirely very easily. OH! And if you're traveling with your spouse, invest in one of those airport carts! We had a 12 hour delay one time and they just make life so much easier!

Good luck & most of all... HAVE FUN!

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J.L.

answers from Grand Rapids on

H.! Please make sure that you get a bottle to him while you are taking off and landing. If you don't he might have problems with ear pressure! The sucking on the bottle will help with that. As adults, we can chew gum and stuff like that to help but little ones don't have that option. I flew with my son when he was a little older than that and I remeber specifically asking the flight attendant to warm a bottle for me for take-off. 30 minutes into the flight she finally brought the bottle to me...I was angry becasue I now had a very fussy baby on my hands and the person sitting next to me didn't like kids. If the airline attendant had brought the bottle before take off ( like happened on the return flight) I would have had no problem! You'll be alright!

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D.S.

answers from Saginaw on

1st, pack lightly, try to have all of your carry on in the diaper bag. it's helpful if you choose a bad that can fit onto the stroller between the handle bars.
2nd, use an umbrella stroller. it might seem like a hassle, but after you carry baby for a mile, it gets tiresome.
3rd, does your baby do a binkie? he will need it on takeoff and landing. if not, feed him during these times as the cabin pressure changes, he will need to pop his ears.
4th, activities, i always flew the red eye with mine, even when i didn't she still slept. hopefully you get a window or isle seat, much easier for 'in and out' trips for diapers. it's also better so you can put baby in one arm, without accidently hitting your neighbor. take a spare bag or 2 for poopy diapers. bring a teething toy and another fav toy of his. my daughter loved it when i brought her 'snuggles' blanky. also snacks. graham crackers etc. you can take milk, but not water, they make you dump it out at security if it's water.
ALSO, do not put shoes on baby for flight, security makes them take em off. you should wear slip ons and no belt, otherwise you will be juggling. you will have to take him out of the stroller and sent it through the xray machine. both of your coats come off as well, so make them loose.
it's really easy, and most people love seeing babies, mine wasn't a cryer, hopefully yours isn't. good luck! let me know if this helped

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L.S.

answers from Detroit on

You both will be fine. Make sure you have a bink so his ears will be okay, when they suck it helps with the pressure. Don't pack diper cream or lotion in your carry on, they will throw it out. We travled with our daughter when she was 11 months and she slept the whole time. Bring toys, snacks, books. Don't forget the stroller or a sling to put him in, its great to have them straped in when your waiting for everything. Have fun and don't worry.
L.

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E.W.

answers from Detroit on

I just flew from Michigan to Louisiana with a 3 year old and 12 month old. You'll be fine. Get some infant benidryll and give it to him prior to flight. It will help him sleep through the take off when his ears would most bother him and it will decrease the pain of altitude adjustment. Make sure to bring a couple of toys with a string or something so when he throws them, you can just pull them back up. Also, pack extra snacks--mine likes pretzels--that will keep him busy chewing something. Don't forget that it's okay to call the flight attendant if you need water for a bottle or if you have to potty and need them to hold him. This was my first flight with both kids by myself and I was freaking out--it turned out just fine. My boy is quite the mover and shaker, but we all survived. Good luck!!

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S.S.

answers from Saginaw on

H. you will be just fine. Every one has given you great advice. Just make to pack enough dippers for the flight. You sure don't want to over pack with all the checks they do now. When my daughter was 12 months old my hubby got stationed in Okinawa Japan. Let me tell you the stroller was a god sin. At the time I also had a 6 year old boy and a 4 year old son as well. As I know I was moving there for at lest 3 years I took that had to check it when getting on but they had it ready for me as soon as I got off the plane. the flight staff was great. When we came home tough they were just as good but we had lots more checks due to us being on a one way ticket back to the states. They were good about letting my daughter then 3 1/2 so they did let her did on my lap when they did that scans on up but still had to take off coats and shoes good luck and have fun with your friend.

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L.O.

answers from Detroit on

take your umbrella stroller.. keep it with you nad gate check it. carry on a change of clohtes for the baby and yourself.. In case he pukes on you. carry on twice as much food and formula as you will need.. just in case of delays. carry on twice as many diapers as you need.
bring a couple of books toys that will keep him ocupied.

try to nursehim or give him a paci during take off and landing.

bring a nice cozy blanket for the plane.

he is a good age to fly with. not too mobile yet.

your formula must be in a clear ziploc baggie when you carry it on.

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D.K.

answers from Detroit on

Hi H.,
I am a flight attendant and have a few suggestions. First of all, did you book an extra seat for the baby or are you planning on holding him in your lap? Hopefully you booked a seat and can take a car seat onboard for him. Make sure the car seat is airline approved. There will be a sticker on it with red lettering stating it is aircraft approved if it is. Make sure and take extra diapers and formula/milk/food, etc, as you never know if there will be a delay or not. Many airlines, such as the one I work for, don't have refrigeration so don't plan on them being able to refrigerate anything for you or having milk. Having something the baby can suck on during take-off and decent will help his ears. This can be a bottle or pacifier.
My experience has been that this age is usually pretty good when it comes to flying...it's the toddlers who can't sit still that have the hardest time. They do alittle better if they are in their car seats. Also, it seems that a mother with 3 kids usually handles it much better than a lone father with just one!
Relax and have fun. I'm sure everything will be just fine.

D.

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D.N.

answers from Detroit on

i would recommend feeding him a bottle or breast at take-off and possibly at landing (to help with pressure change in ears). bring lots of different food snacks and small toys to rotate. if you can, have him take a nap during flight....good luck!
-D.

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N.L.

answers from Detroit on

One of the things I remember doing is feeding the baby a bottle during takeoff and landing. Same concept as chewing gum so the ears won't pop. I also strapped my daughter into her car seat; but that required me to purchase another seat, which you might not be willing to do. It was nice because she was used to being in the car and it probably seemed to be the same for her. Good luck!

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P.N.

answers from Detroit on

We took our son to Lithuania (to visit family) when he was 10 months old... YOU CAN DO IT!!! bottle or nurse on the take offs and landing. My son slept through them. Bring a non noisy toy or book to read. The flight attendants are great. Bring an umbrella stroller. they will take it from you when boarding and don't forget it when you leave the plane. We didn't take a car seat, because there was one waiting for us in Lithuania. Bring a little snack and some juice (if he's drinking that), because you can't guarantee what the plane will have.

Don't forget the extra diapers and a set of clean clothes. My son caught something on the last day and it was good that I brought these on the way home, because he had diarhea (sp?) all the way home (20 hrs). make sure he has enough rest the day you get home. Keep him up from a nap, if possible, so he'll sleep on the plane.
P.

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S.L.

answers from Lansing on

Ask your friend to rent a car seat on her end, or buy a used one. Most car rental places have them for rent. Use an umbrella stroller. You can buy diapers and such when you arrive, I only packed what I needed to get there and a couple extra. Alway a bottle of water, paci or teething toy they can suck on to help with the ears. Snacks, soft quiet toys are good.

I am a single Mom with 2 kids. I traveled a lot when they were little, cross country twice with an 8 month old and 4 trips to Florida with a 4 month old and a 22 month old alone. YOU CAN DO IT....relax and your baby will too. Good luck and have a GREAT trip!!
S.

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E.W.

answers from Detroit on

Hi H.. My name is E. and I have a 2 1/2yr old who has been on at least 10 flights and a 11 mo old who has been on 4! So I have a bit of experience with your situation. If your little guy is nursing take a blanky to cover yourself up on the take-off and landing as that is when their ears pop. Or give him a bottle. The airlines are good about letting you have baby bottles. If he is on formula take at least 3 extra bottles with formula that you just have to add water to. The attendants are usually very helpful as no one wants to hear a crying baby on the flight. I am not sure how big your 7 mo old is and for sure ask your doctor, but I give my kids benadryl as soon as we sit down so they will hopefully go to sleep for an hour of the flight. Keep extra pacifiers on hand as my kids seem to throw them on the floor and that is sooooo dirty. I always take the sanitizing wipes and wipe down all the hard surfaces (trays) because I don't think the airlines clean. If your son can have those gerber fruit/veggie puffs or crackers pack some snacks. Don't forget his favorite toys and books. Anything he really likes at home (blanky) that will help him transition and feel more comfortable on the flight. MAKE SURE TO PICK YOUR SEATS TODAY!!!! We tend to sit in the back (it's louder(white noise) and close to the lavatory).If its the 3 of you sit on the side with only 2 seats so you aren't dealing with a stranger. Also take your stoller right up to the gate and they will give you a ticket to check it right before you get on the plane. This makes it so easy because you can use the stroller to cart your carry ons and your baby(unless you are taking a small umbrella stroller). Also I would suggest waiting to get on the plane as long as you can so your little guy doesn't have to be confined for that extra time. I think that's it? Hopefully this will help. Good luck!

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S.R.

answers from Lansing on

We are leaving next week for Florida with a 2 year old and a 7 week old. I pack a lot of books (preferably small soft light weight ones) and some toys that he might like. If you have a portable DVD player and some videos that he will watch that would be good too. For his ears, it will be at take off and landing that they will bother him. If you are nursing try to nurse him then or give him a pacifier if he uses one. The sucking- swallowing motion helps with the ears. If he is eating food, bring snacks for him to munch on. We flew with my daughter last year and she was 16 months old and sat in my lap, so wear light clothing if he is sitting in your lap because you will get hot. I would suggest to pack a change of clothes for you and him, or at least another shirt for you, just in case. If he gets too fussy, get up and walk the aisle with him or stand in the back by the bathroom. Good luck and remember the stress over flying is much worse than actually flying.

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A.O.

answers from Kalamazoo on

You are going to want to pack the diaper bag or whatever you are going to take with you on the plane with anything that you would normally pack to go anywhere (diapers, wipes, teething gel, small toys the he really likes to play with, bottles or baby food, and extra change of clothes and pajamas in case he has a accident or they lose you luggage, etc.). If he is awake most of the trip, you can just try to entertain him by haveing a variety of toys for him to play with and just change them every so often so he doesn't get bored.
As for how to pack, besides is diaper bag or carry on that you will have with you, you can most likely fit all of your clothes and his into 1 suitcase. That will save your arms when you are trying to check in or pick up your baggage. I have seen a lot of people that take thier own strollers with them on a flight. That way you won't have to carry your sone through the airport and will have something for him to get around in when you get to New Mexico. You just check the stroller in as you are boarding the plane and they put it in the storage place for you. When you are getting off of the plane, it will be there waiting for you to pick up.
For the ear popping thing, I know that as an adult, it really hurts for me sometimes. and I have heard that if the baby sucks on a pacifier or a bottle at the times when youre ears are likely to pop, that this will help. I haven't tried it though, because my son was 3 the first time that he flew. I hope that this helped and I hope that you have a good trip.

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R.D.

answers from Grand Rapids on

Hi H.,

I took my son when he was 8 months and it was a breeze. I was breastfeeding at the time and my doctor told me to breastfeed him on take off and landing.

R.

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H.B.

answers from Detroit on

You need a very big bag! We had a similar situation.. planned a trip to California for the next summer and I found out I was pregnant the next month. THe good thing is a 7 month old is easier to travel with than a toddler who wants to run around. I found the following to be invaluable: Diapers and extra, a pad for chaning diapers in strange places. Bottles with formula and water, food and extra food (in case you are stuck somewhere), two changes of clothes, a blanket, warm outfit or something like that, a very small bottle of infant tylenol (a sample size if you can). My son took a pacifier and so we had hijm suck on it at take off and landing. Be sure to pack a stroller, sun glasses and a hot for the sunshine. Have fun....you will love traveling with your baby!

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