Very Nervous Mother

M.,

I've flown several times with both my boys as babies and actually took my two year old and 1 month old on a flight to Iowa by myself. The 1 month old did no have a seat. If you're nursing that's probably the easiest way to travel. The key is to make sure you are nursing the baby when you take off and when you land. If she won't nurse then make sure she's sucking on something i.e. pacifier. This helps them keep their ears cleared. Other than that make sure you have an extra change of clothes, diapers, wipes and you'll be good. I wouldn't take your car seat with you. What I would do is ask if there is a row with an open seat or ask for the bulkhead. Some planes that are smaller will only allow lap babies in certain rows and they will tell you that.

Just relax and enjoy your trip. The baby will be fine. The flight attendants are usually really helpful and you will find that other passengers are quite gracious in offering assistance when they see the situation you are in.

Good luck!

If you are not bringing your carseat along, do you have a carseat available at your destination for her to use? Or where you just planning on checking it if there is no space on the flight? If you were planning on bringing it anyway and just checking it, I would say it wouldn't hurt to ask if there is space to use it. You just carry it with you up to the plane door and then they put a tag on it and check it last so it will be the first thing to come off the plane, same goes for the stroller if you are bringing one.

If you end up carrying her on her lap, I have heard that some airlines have a special little baby seat belt that hooks to your own seatbelt so they are safe. I think you can buy them yourself too, but I am not sure where.

Hi M.!
I agree with the previous posts in that you are flying at a great time. Just breastfeed on takeoff and landing and any other time during the flight. Airlines in my experience have been great at trying to accomodate babies, so just check at the gate if there are any extra seats and they can usually try to give it to you.

Try to travel as light as possible. I always took my sling/bjorn on the flight rather than the car seat, and tried to take my smallest stroller. You can take your stroller all the way to the gate too, and then they just load it on the plane when you board. People are SO helpful. Just ask for help and they are more than happy to oblige.

Changing diapers can be tricky, but there will always be one bathroom that has a change table, but if it's full and you need to change the diaper ASAP, just ask the flight attendants if you can use their bench seat.

I spent the good portion of one flight hanging out in the back with a crying baby. The flight attendants were really good about letting me hang out at the back of the plane and no one commented on my loud baby, which was really nice :)

I am sure it will go really well! Enjoy your trip, and remember the flight is really such a small part of it all.

A.

I flew with my 3-month old twins internationally and they did just fine. At that age I feel that babies fly pretty well. Both of mine were breastfed as well so I understand. Since she'll be a lap baby there shouldn't be too many issues except for where they have you sit. Babies aren't allowed in certain seats due to safety reasons. Just make sure you bring extra diapers, clothes, wipes, etc. Also maybe a toy or too, something to distract her. Remember to either nurse her or give her a pacifer/finger when you land or take off. Mine had pacifers but it didn't seem to affect them at all. And in regards to being able to bring her carseat on, I'd ask. There's no harm in asking.

Baby carrier! When my first was 3 mo. I carried her in a Snugli. It was nice to have free hands, but baby can't be in it while going through security; you'll have to carry her in your arms. The Snugli had to go through the x-ray machine. I don't know if they would make you put a wrap through. One flight attendant said I couldn't use it during take-off and landing, but the duration of the flight I had her in it and she slept really well and I could fall asleep without worrying I would drop her. I just felt safer knowing if anything happened she was attached to me. I also breastfed during take-off and landing. It will be a challenge, but you'll do okay. Try not to stress. :)

Hi M.!
From experience, my daughter was comforted by sitting with me and breastfeeding during the flight. She has never cried on a plane and she's been flying with me here and there since she was three months--she's now 17 months. On some airlines, they allow you to bring the car seat with you to the gate and from there, you can ask them if there's room. OR when checking in you can ask the person at the desk if there is enough room for you to bring on the car seat. As you know, our ears pop constantly during flight but we can adjust accordingly...for your baby girl, breastfeeding is probably your best option to keep her happy and comfortable. Hope this helps! Good Luck!