I recently traveled alone with my 5 month old baby and it perhaps the hardest flight of my life. He cried the entire 2+ hrs whenever he looked around and saw people he didn't recognize. He was so exhausted from crying that he finally just slept on my chest with those heaving breaths. We still have to go back home and I'm dreading the trip. Any advice from other parents who had to deal with stranger anxiety on a plane?
* No toy held his interest long enough (Jacque the Peacock worked for approx. 30 seconds) and he hates nursing covers. Unfortunately on our second leg of the flight, he fell asleep before we took off and while we were on the tarmac, someone laughed really loud and completely woke him up and freaked him out. Then it was just 2 straight hours of crying. I never knew babies could last so long, it was very exhausting for me and I had to take 3 motrin just to ease my shoulder and arm pain (from trying to soothe him and carry him up and down the aisle so the folks around me wouldn't lose it).
After two canceled flights trying to get back home (because of the recent snowstorm), I am happy to say that he did AWESOME on the flight back home. I took everyone's advice and spaced out his feedings and limited them to take off only and paci on the way down. He even slept for two whole hours on the plane and he doesn't even do that at home. Also I pumped some extra milk so that he'd be full with each feeding (I realize he's not a good breastfeeder in public, too much to look at that he hates the nursing cover). After the long nap he even smiled at the gentleman sitting next to me. Amazing! Thanks for all the tips!
could you reduce his field of vision? maybe give him some time under one of those nursing covers that can be adjusted so that he can look up at you..or maybe get him a distracting toy ? Tiny Love makes a cute clip-on mobile that is small and portable. can he stay in his car seat with the sun cover down? best wishes
Giving him the opportunity to suck is probably your best strategy. If you cannot nurse him than pump a bottle to give him during take-off and landing. A pacifier may help but I know our son didn't really take to a pacifier except when he was teething.
Also try to get a window seat so you can greatly reduce the distractions around him. Our son loves looking out the window.
This is the hardest part...remember that your baby "feeds" off of your energy - - - if you are stressed, he will be stressed. If you can find calm-energy to project he will positively feed off of that as well. Easier said than done as in the mmoment it is extremely hard to find your calm place but if the pay-off is a happier baby it will be well worth the effort!!!
Travel with an infant can be insane and doing it on your own even more so. Good luck and don't worry too much about the other passengers they feel bad for you and know that you are doing everything you can to calm your little one.
All the best!
- J. :)
I realize that this is a completely off-the-wall suggestion, but I thought I'd offer it up in case you get desperate ;) My toddlers recently spent most of our cross country flights fighting over my iPod, which I hadn't even intended to share. It just so happened that I had accidentally (my computer did it automatically when I opened up iTunes for the first time) loaded some of their CDs, both music and Dr. Seuss stories, onto it. I realize that these are completely different creatures from a 5 month old, but is there any way for you to load some lullabies on an MP3 and get some headphones that might work for him (rather than the little earbuds)? Some longer flights even have music piped into the armrests, and there is usually a light or jazzy option. I know this is a strange suggestion for a baby, but music has always had a calming effect on my family and this shouldn't take up much extra room in your carry-on. Good luck - you are a brave woman!
It could be more of the pressure change causing problems than people. Babies can't clear their ears like we can. Give him a pacifier or nurse him so he can swallow repeatedly.
Hi, H.:
The air pressure in the cabin can cause the baby to have pain in
the ears. Giving the baby something to suck on will help too.
Just wanted to share. Good luck. D.
