Advice for traveling long flight with baby

dawnemjh
dawnemjh Posts: 1,465 Member
in Chit-Chat
Help!

I am traveling from Mass to hawaii (12+ hour flight all combined) with my 8 yr old and 10 month old. My 8 yr old will do fine, but I am anxious about such a long flight with the baby.
Half the flight from Boston to San Diego he will be on my lap, then for the next leg, to hawaii another 6 hours, he will have his own seat.

Any seasoned travelers have any tips or advice??

Thanks!

Replies

  • surfinbird_1981
    surfinbird_1981 Posts: 946 Member
    Gin on the dummy :drinker:
  • Sinisterly
    Sinisterly Posts: 10,913 Member
    As difficult as this sounds... I suggest that you get your little one tired out the day before (really tired out), so that he sleeps the whole way there.
  • FatOldManMN
    FatOldManMN Posts: 1,116 Member
    Don't do it. Your fellow passengers will thank you.
  • siport
    siport Posts: 7,429 Member
    i found that travelling with my baby boy ( 6 months old) was ok, only did a 5 hour flight though. just made sure he was always happy and could be fed and changed and amused.

    not had any other experiences with is so hope someone else can help
  • surfinbird_1981
    surfinbird_1981 Posts: 946 Member
    Don't do it. Your fellow passengers will thank you.

    :laugh: I was waiting for someone to tell it like it is...
  • Galatea_Stone
    Galatea_Stone Posts: 2,037 Member
    The part on your lap is going to suck. Even if he sleeps, he will get really heavy. If you can squeeze him in next to the older child and clip them in together for part of the flight, then do so.

    I've flown 12+ hour flights with my kids (anywhere from 11 weeks old to 7 years old at any given flight and 90% of the time without my spouse), and you just do the best you can and plan for the first day of vacation to be a slow day by the pool. Also, check with your pediatrician about giving melatonin to encourage night sleep to counter the jet lag.
  • RawIndian
    RawIndian Posts: 90 Member
    We traveled with our 14 month old to India (2 flights, one 16 hours and the other 4 hours) plus another 5 hour road trip to reach our destination.

    The tip is to plan, plan & plan. Plan each meal carefully. In our case we did not give anything from inflight food and baby just had liquid food all the way (Enfamil toddler formula). It helps since you are dealing with time change.

    Have small toys to keep them entertained. If the flight has in seat entertainment even more better.
  • summer8it
    summer8it Posts: 433 Member
    The hardest parts are take-offs and landings, because of the ear pain from the change in air pressure. Swallowing is the best way to counteract this, so plan to nurse your baby or give him a bottle as you go up and down.

    If you are nursing, make sure you stay SUPER hydrated. The combination of nursing a lot and dry cabin air can be a killer.
  • SapiensPisces
    SapiensPisces Posts: 992 Member
    Pony up the cash and buy an extra seat for the 10 month old to use (with the carseat of course) Seriously. It will save your sanity. I did a 3 hour flight with a 9 month old in my lap, and it was rough. I can't imagine doing it with an 8 year old also in tow.

    Also, keep a pacifier or bottle nearby or nurse during takeoff and landing. The suckling will help with ear pressure pain.
  • lisaabenjamin
    lisaabenjamin Posts: 665 Member
    I don't have kids, so this is second-hand advice, but a friend of mine regularly travels from the UK to her family in South Africa (9 hour flight I think) with a baby, and she advises to feed the baby during take off and landing. I think this is to help with the ear problems caused by changing pressure.
  • reneebornemann
    reneebornemann Posts: 1
    Take lots of snacks for each child and make sure to have some sort of liquid for the 10 months old on your descent. That's when their ears will really bother them (not so much on takeoff). I would also suggest traveling with your car seats if you can. I understand you can't keep them in there the entire time but they're used to being in the seats and will associate it with being in the car and not up and running around.
  • Kidsonic
    Kidsonic Posts: 18 Member
    I've traveled with my almost 3 year old quite a bit, beginning when he was 5 months old. I usually try to really tire him out during layovers. This will depend on how mobile your son is (and if he's crawling, if you can find a place that's not grossly dirty!). If you can, try to let his get as many of his wiggles out as possible in the airport. Do some research ahead of time too -- some airports have jungle gyms or other play equipment on some of the concourses.

    I also always have snacks that I know my kid takes a long time to eat. For him, that's berries, seeds and cheerios. Bonus if you can put them in a container that is kind of hard for them to get the snacks out of. I also put toys in containers with lids. Kind of like those dog toys where the dogs have to really work at getting the treats out - ;)
  • JensRiot
    JensRiot Posts: 24 Member
    I second getting a bunch of snacks for both kids. Also set up easy to grab baggies of necessities. It is so hard to reach your bag under the seat with a baby in your arms. Set up a small easy to grab diaper changing pack so you wont be fumbling around trying to reach the diaper bag while holding baby. I personally set up zip lock baggies I could just grab and take, rather than carting the whole bag to the bathroom (there's never enough room anyway). I also set up a baggie I could quickly pop into the seat back pocket with lip balm, tissues, a few wipes, backup pacifier (if used), etc - any little stuff I may need while baby is sleeping in my lap. Pop a credit card in your back pocket to buy that drink quickly when the flight attendant comes by. ;)

    Another idea is to go to the dollar store or the dollar spot at Target and grab a few things for the kids. The toys or whatever will be new and interesting and if they get lost on the plane, no biggie.
  • Deb_622
    Deb_622 Posts: 694
    I did Hawaii to Boston when I moved back home with a 3 and 5 year old by myself...I made sure to have a small carry-on bag with lots of snacks, books and 2 changes of clothes, just in case...I tried the "Benadryl thing", but it kind of back-fired and made my daughter a bit hyper and she didn't fall asleep for almost 2 hours (was a 9 PM flight :ohwell: ) she wasn't disturbing anyone else, but I was tired :yawn:

    I would suggest looking at the airport where you are connecting and see if they have a play area...I connected in Chicago and there was a small play area where the kids could climb and run around for a few minutes (kind of like the areas you see in some malls) this was key since they needed to move around...

    If you have access to one - get an iPad or tablet...something for the little one (or the 8 year old) to watch videos on or play games..

    Good luck! And enjoy Hawaii!!!
  • dawnemjh
    dawnemjh Posts: 1,465 Member
    Don't do it. Your fellow passengers will thank you.

    Gee thanks for the advice. Real helpful.
  • dawnemjh
    dawnemjh Posts: 1,465 Member
    Thanks for all the advice!

    We have an overnight connection in San diego, so we will stay at hotel overnight which will help somewhat but still have 2 six hour flights each way.

    Thanks again for all the tips!
  • jkowula
    jkowula Posts: 447
    I have done this so many times and dreaded it every time. I used to be one of these guys that every kid irritated me. But it always turned out just fine. This is a means of travel and it is for everyone good or bad. Don't care to start that debate but here is what I did as well. Get a handful of $5 Starbucks cards. If the little one is fussy, when you land hand them out to all the people around you and thank them for being understanding. This will even turn the most grouchy person around as at least you show that you are thinking of other peoples space. my 2 cents....

    I also have found so many awesome people on flights where they see I am stressing out and actually help me. I had one lady next to me want to hold my baby for like an hour.. People can be so kick *kitten*!
  • Platform_Heels
    Platform_Heels Posts: 388 Member
    Don't do it. Your fellow passengers will thank you.

    :laugh:

    Thanks for saying it before me lol!
  • CaitlinW19
    CaitlinW19 Posts: 431 Member
    I'm not a mom, but I was a flight attendant and a trainer for a number of years. In my experience, you can soften the moods of the people around you (and your crew) by bringing some kind of a treat. I once had a new mother bring candy bars for all the people around her and the crew that had a note with a picture of her baby and a message from the baby to them...something like "Hi I'm ______. I'm 3 months old and this is my very first flight! My mom and I want everyone around us to be comfortable and we'll do all we can to have a smooth flight together." It may have also said something about being sorry in advance for any inconvenience. I don't remember exactly. But it was cute and did smooth people over a bit...the baby was actually very good on that flight. Some people just get lucky. But it was great that she prepared for the worst. :-)

    A pair of ear plugs for each person near you along with a candy bar or something might be a nice gesture. Could add that to the card..."here are some ear plugs...just in case".

    Bring things for the baby to suckle on...that helps relieve ear pressure which babies have more trouble with than adults, especially during landing (the last 30 minutes or so).
  • WinoGelato
    WinoGelato Posts: 13,454 Member
    We have an upcoming International flight with my 3 year old and 5.5 year old and I'm trying to figure out all the options as well, so I appreciate this thread! Mine are a little older so I'm looking into lots of distractions like coloring books and new apps for the electronics, but from when my kids were younger I do recommend the nursing/bottle feeding during take off and landing which will help with the ears.

    My brother in law who has 5 kids and travels Southwest a lot for work always stocks up on his free drink coupons and hands them out to passengers around before the flight takes off.

    I've heard melatonin can be a good option for a natural sleep aid - but I have no experience with it so if anyone has any advice there it would be welcome!
  • dawnemjh
    dawnemjh Posts: 1,465 Member
    I'm not a mom, but I was a flight attendant and a trainer for a number of years. In my experience, you can soften the moods of the people around you (and your crew) by bringing some kind of a treat. I once had a new mother bring candy bars for all the people around her and the crew that had a note with a picture of her baby and a message from the baby to them...something like "Hi I'm ______. I'm 3 months old and this is my very first flight! My mom and I want everyone around us to be comfortable and we'll do all we can to have a smooth flight together." It may have also said something about being sorry in advance for any inconvenience. I don't remember exactly. But it was cute and did smooth people over a bit...the baby was actually very good on that flight. Some people just get lucky. But it was great that she prepared for the worst. :-)

    A pair of ear plugs for each person near you along with a candy bar or something might be a nice gesture. Could add that to the card..."here are some ear plugs...just in case".

    Bring things for the baby to suckle on...that helps relieve ear pressure which babies have more trouble with than adults, especially during landing (the last 30 minutes or so).

    This is a great idea! Thanks!
  • CaitlinW19
    CaitlinW19 Posts: 431 Member
    I'm not a mom, but I was a flight attendant and a trainer for a number of years. In my experience, you can soften the moods of the people around you (and your crew) by bringing some kind of a treat. I once had a new mother bring candy bars for all the people around her and the crew that had a note with a picture of her baby and a message from the baby to them...something like "Hi I'm ______. I'm 3 months old and this is my very first flight! My mom and I want everyone around us to be comfortable and we'll do all we can to have a smooth flight together." It may have also said something about being sorry in advance for any inconvenience. I don't remember exactly. But it was cute and did smooth people over a bit...the baby was actually very good on that flight. Some people just get lucky. But it was great that she prepared for the worst. :-)

    A pair of ear plugs for each person near you along with a candy bar or something might be a nice gesture. Could add that to the card..."here are some ear plugs...just in case".

    Bring things for the baby to suckle on...that helps relieve ear pressure which babies have more trouble with than adults, especially during landing (the last 30 minutes or so).

    This is a great idea! Thanks!

    You got it. If the people around you are happier, you and baby will be too. Good luck!

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