Air Travel With Baby
How Did We Get Here?
Consumer air travel was once considered an adventure and a luxury. Commercial airlines were able to package the experience from booking to departure on through flight and arrival. Beginning in the 1970′s this started to change in a dramatic way. The no frill airlines with cut rate fares entered the market. The absence of security gave way to more intense check-in procedures. Increased traffic volume resulted in delays in the terminals, on the tarmac and in the air. Terrorism has created the need for rigid security measures. Economic realities and Wall Street driven performance pressures have combined to make this once exciting experience to one often accompanied by a sense of fear, dread and concern. With this backdrop, how does on learn or relearn to enjoy airline travel?
Have Fun
Not everything that has happened in this industry and with the experience itself is bad. The online travel sites have opened up new choices for many. The competitiveness of tour companies and travel agencies has created opportunities for all types of travels and throughout the world. One can readily pull together so many options at various levels of luxury and affordability. It does take research. This research in itself can be fun, especially when it pays off in a trip that begins with airline travel that may be in business or first class at a reasonable cost.
When one arrives at the airport, be prepared for the security. Once through the processes of security, modern airports throughout the world today offer a great mix of opportunity for fun. There are indoor play areas for the children. There are beautiful lounges for adults with high definition entertainment. Shopping of all types of goods and services is available. A terrific restaurant of local cuisine, a quick bite or even a retrospective 1950′s diner can make for a nice experience. Also, one can get a massage of various kinds. One can play video games or play slot machines. One can simply find a quiet place to unwind, read, or watch the jets take-off and land.
On the plane itself, the entertainment options can be very fanciful even in the most mundane coach sections. Video games, movies, interactive phones are just some of the choices available. On international flights the food is most often of a very high quality especially in the business and first class sections, where one would actually gain weight from those appetizers, main courses and desserts not to mention wine and beer choices. In domestic coach, bring along some healthy snacks to help you enjoy the time.
Relax on the Flight
Make a conscious effort to enjoy this down time. Do some yoga like breathing exercises and if the situation permits, simply take a stroll down the aisle every ninety minutes, or so. Say hello to the person sitting next to you. Do the crossword you never seem to be able to find the time to do. Read that book you have had on your list or reread that novel that you so much enjoyed years ago. Reconnect with your children and grandchildren who may be traveling with you. Play one of those old fashioned travel games that you can buy for a few dollars (at one of those stores at the airport). Whether and how you enjoy your time in the air is up to you. While you should be alert and prepared for the unlikely bad events that could occur, you should take the time that accompanies the airline ticket to enjoy life while up in those clouds.
Watch the video related to airline travel
John Capurulo – Air Travel- from www.comedycentral.com- And the show takes place right from my hometown of Cleveland Ohio!!
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We just did with with our son at the same age. We went to Hawaii and it was a 5 hour flight. The key is to talk to your doctor and find out how much Benedryl you should give your daughter. It is suppose to help them to get drowsy. That helped him relax. Another key was to have him suck on a sippy cup during take off and landing. A couple of times he tugged on his ear, but once he had something to suck on he was good. Bring lots of toys that are easy to hang on to. We lost a few things under the seats. I brought one toy that tied to the seat belt and it worked great. Good luck!
I'm a flight attendant for a major US carrier and although I am not a parent as of yet, I thought I would give you a few tips on what i've seen while at work from parents that have young children:
-Some aircraft are not equipped with changing tables, be prepared for that!
-Some babies are sensitive to the decent portion of the flight and ears may clog. Since they don't know to yawn like you and I to open up clogged ears, I always recommend giving a bottle to the baby. Also if the baby cries, let the baby cry because (unfortunatley) that also helps.
-I get parents that want hot water to mix formula with and the only hot water onboard the aircraft that we can provide is potable water. It is not in anyway purified and I don't recomend it. The only purified water we have is the bottled water and that is about room tempurature.
-Maybe request and aisle seat so you can have easy access to get up and move about the cabin as necessary or retrieve items from the overhead bin.
I see children of all ages from newborn all the way up to 60 years old (because as you know adults can act like children as well!) and there is usually no problem with age. But consult with your doctor to see if your baby is healthy enough to endure traveling on an aircraft.
Hope this helps!
THIS guy is HILARIOUS!
3:36-3:43
What a generous aunt you are and how lucky she is to have such great support.
I'm a former Flight Attendant and I had many very young mothers on my flights.
Legally, she is a minor but airlines don't require anything special usually from ages 12 -15, depending on the airline. By 16, she should be fine flying on her own. Look up the policies of whichever airline. This is just an example from American Airlines;
http://www.aa.com/aa/pubcontent/en_US/travelInformation/specialAssistance/childrenTraveling.jsp#Age%20Ranges%20For%20Travel
By contrast, she'll have her baby's birth certificate. She might also want whatever documentation that she is the sole parent, perhaps not necessary for the flight but it might be needed later on and it might be trickier with the distance.
As far as how soon, that also depends on the airline. American, as you can see on the link above, is 2 days but seven is recommended. How she feels will be more an issue than the age of the baby. If she has a difficult delivery or even a small problem with the baby (weight loss, feeding problems) could make the flight difficult for her.
A doctor's note might be a good idea, since the baby will be seen soon after birth anyway.
It is safer if the baby has his or her own seat. Children under age two are allowed on laps for commercial reasons and because air travel is so safe. It's unlikely anything will go wrong but if it does, these babies are not protected.
About 8 years ago, I wrote an article on flying with children for an expat newsletter. I later put it on a blog so that parents had access to non-commercial information from someone with both practical and professional experience on the web. Over the years I've expanded it, adding tips from parents around the world.
The sections are labelled so while it's long, there are many parts that wont be relevant for a newborn.
http://flyingwithchildren.blogspot.com
Good luck to all three of you!
avoid risk for your baby i suggest you better consult her pediatrician.
okay let me tell u what i was told, my best friend was comming for a visit to Egypt from the US and her baby boy was just 3 months old, the Dr. told her that the baby will not be harmed in the landing and the take offs of a plain no ear enjuries would occur but the thing is that the plain doesn't have any ventilation and his amunity system is not bulit well yet, so the only risk is that ur baby might catch a desease (a flu)or something like that from other passengers… nothing crucial though.
I'm not sure what immunizations the baby will need to get into the U.S. but I do know that it is safe to travel. I waited until my son was 2 weeks old. Went to the 2 week check up then went to the airport. The doctor said just to use a pacifier during take off that's when it's supposed to hurt the ears the most.
this is great! and so true. i have been a flight attendant for 25 years, and this guy hit the nail on the head. i wish we could show this on the plane, and throughout the airports!
there are no flight restrictions on newborns but doctors generally advise you wait at least two weeks before taking your child out into public. Compound that with the fact that an airplane cabin is a confined space and germs are easily spread (think: RSV).
Precautions would be: nursing during takeoff and landing to prevent ear pain.
from 5:36 to the end is the funnyist thing i ever heard
I would definitely book a seat for the baby, 22 hours is a long time and there is such limited space anyway. Not only do you want to be comfortable for this flight but so will your baby.
If you need any tips on coping with your baby during such a long flight try the link I've added. Register and go to the discussion forums, there will be lots of mums that have been through the same thing that can advise you.
Hope you have a good flight. x
brian regan rocks!
I have travelled with our kids when they were under 2 and they have sat in my lap without a problem. Normally the flights were 6 hours or less. If it is going to be longer than that then I would definitely buy a seat for the child. It is best if you bring the car seat for the child to sit in during this time as it is easier for the both of you. You can get up and walk around a bit with the child and it does help. Also bring a few toys & even a portable DVD player and it shouldn't be the problem. If it is possible you may want to travel at night, I found this easier as well, then you can both sleep.
hey we r gettin’ covered by a tarp
LMAO…its all true…and guess which flight attendant i am lol *rolls eyes*….i cant wait to use the tunnel vision thing
LOL i was laughing my head off! XD
Brian regan is the funniest guy i have ever heard!!!!!