Traveling with a 3 Month Old

Updated on July 17, 2007
M.R. asks from Lake Mary, FL
10 answers

As a first time mum, I am very worried about flying with my little one. Aside from giving her a bottle or pacifier to suck during take off and landing to ease the pain of the pressure change, I would love some advice to make the entire journey a little easier for her and the rest of the people on the plane (honestly I feel terrible for the other people having to endure a screaming baby :-/ ) We're traveling from Florida all the way up to Maine, and I just can't stop contemplating all the different situations that could come up. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

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M.A.

answers from Orlando on

Hello! I recommend getting some new toys that she hasn't played with before. Also, try bringing some new snacks. The key is distraction. :)

Good luck!
M.

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E.B.

answers from Washington DC on

Hi M.! When my daughter was 3 and a half months old we flew from Orlando to Boston (then drove to Maine to visit with my sister) and the flight was actually not bad at all! It was a direct flight, around 3 hours. We strolled around the airport with her until boarding, fed her as soon as she started to fuss (right before take off) and then she eventually fell asleep during the flight. She was really good. I had a few different small toys with me (new ones she had never seen) and also requested a seat towards the back of the plane. It's louder back there and most people choose not to sit back there anyway (it wasn't a full flight.) I'd definitely ask the flight attendants if there is an extra seat you can have (for free) to place her in the carseat. We did that on the flight home and she was very comfortable and actually slept most of the way. I will say that both times that she fell asleep on the plane she did fuss and cry a little--but seriously, not more than 5 minutes. So, everyone around us was very understanding. People fully expect a little whining/crying from babies so don't worry about what others think. Also, on the flight home she was asleep during landing--and didn't need a bottle or a pacifier to help with the pressure. So, if she's asleep--keep her asleep and don't worry about the pressure because it didn't even wake my daughter. Enjoy your time in Maine--it's a beautiful state and I love going there!

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J.

answers from Orlando on

Hi M.,
My husband and I travelled with our daughter starting when she was 3 months old too. We had to fly to DC (about a 2 hour flight). Our pediatrician said to take her on the plane tired and hungry. So, we booked an early flight and then didn't let her take her morning nap before we got on. Then as we were taxiing out, I let her start nursing and she was asleep by the time we reached altitude. She slept most of the flight and then nursed on the way back down too. We did this again when she was 5 and 6 months old. When they get a little older you need to take some toys for them in case they don't sleep, but at 3 months, she should be pretty easy. Of course, if you're worried, you could always get a few toys that she hasn't seen before that she could play with if she doesn't fall asleep.
So, besides the bottle/pacifier, I would try to take her on tired. Good luck, and don't worry too much. You'll be fine!

1 mom found this helpful
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B.H.

answers from Lakeland on

I flew to Illinois with my 3 mnth old and my husband. I was worried about the pressure change, but she actually did very well. She didn't even appear to be effected. The only problem we had was on the way home, she was due to eat and it was time for bed. I breastfeed and didn't want to feed her in front of all the passengers around me. I couldn't feed her in the bathroom b/c we were taking off. Then on top of that, she had a messy diaper. It was a disaster. I ended up feeding her in the seat, anyway, and just covered up(the guy next to me was asleep). Then when we got to a safe altitude, I changed her and finished feeding her.
My suggestion to you would be to try and schedule your flight(going and coming) early in the day. This way yours isn't tired and irritable. If you baby is normally a happy baby then they'll do great. Just give them the pacifier for their ears(I did this and, like I said, mine was fine)
Hope this helps.

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J.H.

answers from Fort Myers on

Hi M.,
I just got back from a trip with my 7 month old daughter who's been flying since she was 4 months. I recommend the tylenol as this seems to ease any discomfort the baby may have. My daughter was actually teething, unbeknownst to me, for her first flight and she screamed the whole time. On the way back I gave her tylenol and she slept the whole time. Big difference let me tell you. The best advice I can offer is to be organized. I used a bjorn to carry her around in and a back pack as her diaper bag. I also used a fanny pack to keep my wallet and phone in the front, and 2 diapers and a travel pack of wipes in the larger compartment. That way when I got up to change her I didn't have to drag the whole back pack. Also, get some of those disposable changing pads. They are a lifesaver! I had to change a major blowout in my seat this last trip because the aiplane didn't have changing tables in the lavatories. The changing pads kept everything poop free! Good luck on your trip and don't worry, most passengers are very supportive and understanding.

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K.P.

answers from Fort Myers on

First off try to relax on the plain..and she will too. Most airline will board you early so you get settled. We just returned from a NY flight with our twin 6 month old girls and they did wonderful. Our doc told us to give them a little Baby Tylenol before the flight for any anticipated ear pain and then like you said bottle and paci during take off and landing and she should do just fine.. will probably sleep most of the flight, ours did. And if she is a little fussy or even alot..don't worry about it..people do understand that people and babies do travel and if they don't understand you won't ever see them again anyways.
Best of Luck to you.

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L.M.

answers from Fort Myers on

I always give my daughter a little baby tylonal before a flight. I give 1/4 to half a dose so that the pain will be dulled a bit. Also carry lots of food for yourself and baby just in case.

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B.A.

answers from Tampa on

One word...Earplanes. They are earplugs that keep kids ears from popping. Make sure you get the ones labeled for "kids or people with small ears" as they come in adult size too. These things saved me a lot of headaches on vacation with my little one. They have them at CVS, Walgreens, Target, and a ton of places online (just do a search). They aren't very expensive either. Outside of that, there really isn't much you can do about a baby that age except hope for the best.

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E.M.

answers from Fort Myers on

Hi M.,
I have 2 kids and I fly all the time my family is in New Hampshire. My oldest son is 2 he has been flying since he was 7 months and my 3 month old son has been flying since he was 1 week old. The bottle and pacifier is wonderful. Keep with that. Your daughter can have tylonal. I would give it to her before you get on the plane. I have never had a problem on a plane but every baby is different. From my experience my kids sleep :)
Have a safe trip. I love Maine.

Good luck :)

Take Care,
Emma

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S.B.

answers from Fort Myers on

http://www.mamasource.com/request/6867003178584375297

I just asked this question for my 6 month old. Here is my link.
I think your little one will sleep the entire time...Unless she is in pain.

Our flight was great. She didnt wake up for the end of the 1st flight, so I did not wake her up to nurse on landing. She was fine. I gave her her bink when she was sleeping and when there was turbulance. We played with 2 toys only. And I changed her once. They have a changing staion in the plane bathrooms. We were on a jet express(tiny plane) and they still had the changing area.
Also, make sure you pack a few extra diapers....our flight was delayed 3 hours. So just be prepared in case.
I brought tylonal but we never had to use it...Thank goodness.
Good Luck! This is the easy times to fly! Next year will be totally different!
S.
Congrats on your new little one!

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