Taking a 5 1/2 Month Old on an Airplane

We took our son on his first plane ride when he was 4 months. We premeasured the bottles with formula and brought water when we got there to fill the bottles. Although I'm sure if you are breast feeding you can get clearance from the airline or you can just bring a cover and feed him at will (lol). We gave Eli some tylenol so that he could rest. Maybe and hour before we got on the plane and he fell right to sleep. Otherwise if you're against medicine then I would just play with him until he cannot stand being up anymore and he will just pass out as soon as you get on the plane. Hope that helps :)

People told us that we were crazy, at the time, to take our 5 1/2 month old son and 3 1/2 year old daughter to Disney. The flight was fine. Don't be a nervous wreck. You can't predict if it will be challenging or not - I've had good flights and bad flights with my kids. My kids are 13 years old and 10 years old and they really are good travelers now. The best thing for ear popping/pain is breast -feeding your child at take -off and landing or offering a bottle. Also, Airplane security have changed their rules on carrying breast milk and are putting this in the same classification as carrying liquid medications... see attachment-this is a good thing! Airlines will make you have a car seat for him, too, so that he can have his own secure seat - you will be able to take him out of the seat for most of the flight. You will be able to bring your stroller up to the airplane door and they can give it to you after the flight. Arrive in plenty of time to become situated, allowing enough time to check in and go through security, or...if you are flying Southwest, you will be able to obtain your boarding pass, exactly, 24 hours in advance, online (and I do mean to the minute!) This is just another line that you won't have to stand in.

I'm just guessing that you may be going out of Midway. It's pretty easy to maneuver around that airport. If there is ANYWAY anyone can just drop you off at the departure gate, your life will be so much easier. You will just have a lot of baby baggage. We used to leave our car at a relatives home in Berwyn and take a taxi from there - $15 one way and was cheaper than parking.

Stay as calm and unstressed as you can...(easy for me to say!) your baby will sense your tension. You really can't worry about all the people around you...you can ONLY do the best that you can for your family. Don't fret the others. Best of luck! Enjoy your trip with your husband.

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/formula.shtm

Don't worry, just nurse him through the take off and landings. I did that with my son and he was a real trooper! I would try to avoid bottles by having your husband sit on the outside and using a cover-up while nursing- only because you don't want to try to pump in an airport- I have done that many times and it is not pretty! Good luck!

I've flown alone with my son several times a year since he was about 3 months old. To start, know that at security, you'll have to take him out of the stroller, out of his shoes and coat, etc. I was so surprised when I had to take my son out of the Bjorn and get the darn contraption off myself! I definately recommend an umbrella stroller, or small stroller. You'll go down the jetway and leave it at the door of the plane. When you get off the plane you'll wait there to pick it up. Easy. There ARE changing tables in airplane bathrooms, but they are TINY and usually fold into the wall above the toilet. Although a bit dorky to some, I recommend a small hip pack for your license, credit cards, money, cell, etc so you don't have to root around in a diaper bag. Bring lots of pacifiers. These help with the ear popping, although I have to say my little guy never had a problem with it. Maybe you'll luck out! And of course bring extra clothes and lots of wipes. Planes are so dirty these days. Yuck. Portable DVD players are pretty cheap now. I use one when we travel. He used to watch Baby Einstein and it kept him quite occupied in flight. As far as nursing goes, I would think you could on the plane. Maybe see if the attendant can seat you next to an empty seat so you'll have more privacy. Take FULL advantage of boarding first too, even if they don't announce it. Good luck!

I would nurse him through the takeoffs and landings. To be honest with you, I would have nursed my babies in the middle of the airport topless if it would have pacified them LOL! (I didn't fly with mine until this past March, when they were 5 and 7.)

My personal opinion about breastfeeding is that if someone has a problem with a woman breastfeeding, THEY have the problem. (Unless the BF mom does actually do a peepshow.) I read somewhere "It's not a mom's right to breastfeed, it's a baby's right to eat."

And honestly, everyone around a baby on a plane would much rather have a breastfeeding mom than an uncomfortable baby!

Good luck and have fun!!!

When my son was about 9 months old, I flew with him from Chicago to Los Angeles. He had flown several times before, but I was by myself with him this time. Like the previous mom said, try to relax as they will pick up on that. At the time, from Midway, I was able to take his milk through only. Not juice. I did have jars of baby food in his diaper bag and they counted as liquids so they had to be in the plastic bag also. I did have to nurse him once on a plane and I just had my own blanket to cover up some. The airline blankets are too heavy and hot, and probably dirty so I just used my own.

Also, if you fly Southwest and can pick your own seats, just try to sit with others with kids. Sometimes they entertain themselves! We always take a portable DVD player and that has worked great once when we were stuck at the gate on the plane for 2 hours!!

I always buy (or borrow) a small amount of new toys that he's never seen before and gradually get those out if he fusses on the plane. I take snacks, too. We've always had really good luck with Southwest and them helping with kids. Once the flight attendant even walked him up and down the aisle for me to keep him entertained for a few minutes.

I know you are nervous, but I'm sure it will be fine. Most people understand in general if a baby fusses and if you are trying to pacify them, that's all you can do. When I fly with my son, and am nervous about the stress of traveling on a plane, I just tell myself it would be much worse traveling in a car with him for 15 hours to Boston:-)

Your baby might even sleep on the way. I've been lucky that way a few times.

Enjoy your trip--it sounds like you are one busy gal!!

Just a few months back we took a plane to Canada with our five children, youngest was 3 months. Most airlines will allow breastmilk for infants in a bottle, however to help his ears upon take off and landing, try nursing during those times. You can most certainly nurse your son anytime during the flight! A pacifier will also help his ears. Also - just an FYI, the cabin noise is like that "white" noise that will probably put him to sleep for most of the trip. I do suggest changing diapers before getting on and after getting off, as the lavatories are very tiny, and usually don't have baby station in them, as well aren't very clean. Hope it goes well, babies generally travel better than we expect!