Need Tips for Flying with an Infant

If your airline offers it get a bassinet seat! Best thing I have ever done when flying to Europe with my daughter. Give your airline a call and ask! I flew Lufthansa and SAS with my baby when she was little and they were VERY accommodating.
If you have not booked yet, DO NOT fly on United (not even part of the way in codeshare). Virtually every time I had them as a codeshare on a single leg of my trip they did not have changing tables in their coach bathrooms and would not let me use the one in first. Terrible service!
Good luck!

You might consider calling the airline and asking about discounted tickets for infants. I can't recall which airline I was flying, but they offered an "infant seat" for significantly less then a normal ticket price. It's pretty helpful to have somewhere to lay the baby down when the flight is that long.

If that doesn't work out, talk to a stewardess as you arrive.. see if there are any open seats on the flight and if there is could they move people around so you could have a seat to lay your baby down? I've had success with that several times.

Beyond nursing/giving a bottle at take off and landing.. does your 5 month old chew on biter biscuits yet? I would also bring some homeopathic teething tablets, and tylenol or ibuprofen for teething pain. Lots of wipes, diapers, several changes of clothes (because accidents happen at the worst times), favorite blanket, pacifier if one is used. If you have a toy he likes that lights up, has buttons, etc. I would bring something like that. I generally use one of my carry-ons as a child bag - with diapers, changes of clothes, and several forms of entertainment.

Also, during your layover I would let him get lots of floor time. To "stretch" and get some time out of your lap. Maybe do some baby exercises with him to move his little limbs, wear him out, and help avoid him getting cranky and restless.

Good luck! You guys will make it :)

I have traveled a lot internationally with an infant and it is pretty easy because they sleep so much, are easy to entertain and don't move around much. If you can request a bulkhead seat as their is more room. If you are not taking a stroller get a good carrier or sling to have him in when you are moving around the airport. This way you also have your hands free to carry your bags. I suggest you use a pacifier and not nurse him during take off or landing as he could get scared and bite down (ouch!). Bring something familiar to snuggle with like a blanket or stuffed animal and then also bring something new to help keep him entertained. Good luck!

I know just how you feel, we took our first flight when my son was 4.5 mos. I got to nurse on one flight for take-off but on another one the stewardess insisted he sit upright on my lap w/ his seatbelt extender on properly. I was a little perturbed but he did just fine actually. I took along some "little noses" decongestant just in case, I asked his ped since the age on the bottle said 2yrs old but he recommended it for the pressure. Most likely he will sleep most of the time, so that will be a bonus. Some airlines have bulkhead seats that have a bassinet type deal they can set up so you can relax while he is sitting or sleeping in there too. be sure to ask when you board if you already bought tickets, usually they are compassionate for Mommies and will move you if need be. If you haven't booked yet, try to have takeoff be around the baby's normal bed or nap time, that will ensure he gets a few hours of snooze time to avoid him getting too bored. Don't be too stressed, the more relaxed you are the more calm your baby will be... I'm sure it will go more smoothly than you expect. Good luck and have fun! Oh and if you are worried about trying to use the bathroom with baby, the changing table folds down right above your head, so put him on it with your hand on him while you squat, take care of business one handed and you should be good!!! Our flight was from the UK to WA state, so it was about a 19hr travel day.

I haven't done the international, but flew a lot with my son when he was really young.

My biggest tip is the Ergo carrier. It lets you go through security without taking him off, and you have your hands free for the diaper bag (if you can go with just the diaper bag as carry on, that is ideal). Plus, with the Ergo, you can just sit, and undo the straps and he is cradled in your lap, you don't even have to undo the waist strap. If he falls asleep, just slip it back on, and you don't have to worry about waking him to get on and off the flight, or you can just do it for support so that you can sleep without worrying about him. Also, roll up all the straps as short as possible, and you can go to the bathroom without having to worry about what to do with him.

My son slept during most flights, I think that the sound was kind of soothing to him, but I would go to Walmart/Lowes and stock up on a big bottle of earplugs and put them in a ziplock. This way, if he isn't too happy, you can try to help your neighbors a bit - they will appreciate it. A hooter hider is also great, because if he snoozes while feeding, you can just keep him under there to avoid light in his eyes and there is still some air circulating. A bella band or Blush topless shirt helps keep you modest too, if that is a concern.

Last thing is to know that the magazines are "complementary". My son loved reading/ripping those and it kept him entertained while he was awake. Good luck!

I haven't flown internationally with my son yet, but we had a 5 hour flight (I know, it doesn't come close to yours!) when he was only 5 weeks old. I have never heard that the baby has to be upright during takeoff/landing, but different airlines have different regulations. I nursed my son whenever he needed it and especially during takeoff/landing. He slept most of the time. Since your son probably isn't super active yet (not walking anyway) he'll hopefully just be happy he gets to snuggle on your lap for so long! If he uses a pacifier that will work during takeoff/landing, too. Have plenty of interactive toys and books to look at with him. Make sure you have a blanket because the planes can be chilly! Try not to have too much carry on baggage because you'll have to figure out how to manuever it all during your layover. The saline drops are also a good idea...they can help clear the pressure in his ears if it's too bothersome. You may want to take some infant Tylenol on with you. OTC meds, breast milk, ice packs for breast, etc are all allowed to be carried on in larger quantities. Good luck!

I just flew with my 7 month old daughter and my 3 year old son--by myself. I thought it was going to be very hard, but it wasn't. I checked my stroller and infant carrier at the gate, and they were there waiting for me when we got off the plane. Mine was a full flight, without any extra seats, but check with the staff at the gate when you get there to see if there are any extra seats. You might be able to get a seat for your baby and bring the infant carrier with you on the plane. That way, you can at least put them down for a little while. I nursed on take off and had no problem with her ears hurting, she actually fell right asleep and stayed asleep under the blanket for at least an hour. You could try giving your baby "puffs" also. Feeding should take up some time. And don't forget to visit the flight attendants. They were very willing to hold my baby if I needed to have both my hands free. (I wish I wold have figured that out before I had all 3 of us in the bathroom on the plane, trying to wipe my 3 year old's butt.) All in all it wasn't as bad of an experience as I thought it was going to be. Good luck!

Bring wet wipes, 2 or 3 changes of baby cloths, and plenty of diapers. Having him on your lap is not a problem at this age, and more than likely he will sleep on your chest for most of the flight. If you are lucky a seat will be open and you can actually lay him down in the spare seat. It seems scarier than it actually is, and ignore any looks you get from others getting on :). My boys where both born in the UK, so I have done a lot of international flying with babies, and it is never as bad as you think it is going to be! When you check in for your flight make sure you let them know you have a lap baby and ask for a bulk head seat. These are the seats at the front of the rows, and they give you a ton more room, something you need when you have an infant on your lap!! Some airlines will even let you call 24 hours in advance to reserve the bulk head seat.