Flying with 9 Month Old

For safety and sanity's sake, he should be riding in his own airline seat, in an FAA approved car seat.

i copied a post below that i wrote for another mom who has a child a little bit older - but some of it will apply to you as well. when oliver was 9 months i would nurse him on take-off and landing (if he was awake) to help with cabin pressure. he wouldn't take a bottle or pacifier - but if yours does - just have them ready. we always bought him his own seat and brought the carseat. we just felt safer and could take a break from holding him. our flights were usually much longer than 3 hours. we also brought the stroller for ease - you can gate check it right as you get on the plane - it really helps! and if you have a sling - wear it as that can help too!
safe travels to you!
J.

we have traveled a lot domestically and internationally and here are some suggestions i have...

i am an over packer - but i've never regretted it!! :-) and if we have to sit on the runway for hours - i am ready!! i have 2 large zip top ll bean bags that i put everything in - food, change of clothes, diapers, wipes, my pocketbook, books, toys, camera, etc. i always bring food - all kinds including yogurt, jarred baby food, crackers, sandwich, fruit, graham crackers, etc. and i also bring snacks for me - i am not happy when hungry and neither is oliver. i also fill his backpack with playdough (small containers), books, cars, animals, stickers, those special magic markers that only work on certain paper, aqua doodle cards, matchbox cars, finger puppets, his stuffed monkey, etc. i also wrap most things (some new and some old) in tissue paper. i know it's not environmentally great - but it is a great time waster and he gets so excited to open everything up - doesn't even matter that it is something he already has - it's still exciting!!

i have also just started bringing a dvd player (he is almost 4 years old). we never did before - as we didn't really watch tv until later - but on some of the long flights we take - it is a last resort option.

i am always completely exhausted when i fly with oliver. i think it is b/c i worry before the trip that i am packing everything we will need - and then on the flight i am on high alert to his needs so that he doesn't have a complete meltdown. knock on wood it hasn't happened yet - but it takes me a few days to recover :-) for me - being prepared for every instance is really helpful and makes a tiring time - a little better.

the things that keep his attention most - are playdough, stickers, aqua doodle cards and books. he will sit and be read to for hours!!!

i have NEVER medicated my son - nor would i and would never suggest that to anyone. make sure you are prepared - know that you will be exhausted - but it is never a good idea to 'medicate' just to make life easier. safe travels and let me know if you have any other questions.
J.

Hi J.,
I flew with my 8 month old to Florida from Boston, and I have to agree with the previous responds. Be prepared. Even thou the flight is only three hours, pack and plan for a days travel. Bring food, a bottle, extra diapers, wipes, a pacifier if your baby takes one. It will help on take off and landing if he has something to suck on. I also gate checked my stroller. I helped a lot to have it with me the whole time in the airport. A diaper change right before you board the plane would be a great idea. My husband and I did not buy a seat for our daughter, but brought our seat to the gate, and the flight wasn't full so we were able to have her in her own seat. That helped. New toys are a good idea. Something he hasn't played with before, not the same old toy that he might loose interest in. Good Luck, and have fun. Don't let it be a stressful day. If you are prepared it should go smooth.

Oh I envy you the trip! The weather there is georgous right now! As for flying, I held off bottles until take off and landing - while babies tended to fuss about it in the terminal, it made take off easier because the sucking relieves air pressure in the ears. I'm not sure on policies with formula and breastmilk through security these days - check with your airline on what they do and don't allow. I also requested seats closest to the engines - drowns out some of baby's noise and lulls them to sleep. If you can, get a seat for baby. If you haven't bought a seat, you can always ask if there are extras when you get to the gate - it helps! Car seats, assuming you're bringing one, can only go in the window seat - so others wouldn't have to climb over it in an emergency and all car seats, infant or other wise, have to face forward. Take advantage of all preboarding options! I brought extra little toys for my girls and took them out one at a time as fussiness came about. We loved the seat back televisions! Lastly, gate check your stroller. Having the wheels all the way up to the gate is a lifesaver and the stroller will be there at the door of the plane when you get off. Try to change baby right before getting on - those bathrooms are a little tight but I hear that they do have changers now.

Best advice of all (that I got), don't worry about making any "scenes"... you're probably never going to run into these people again anyway! :)

Some things that helped our 7 month old when we flew for Christmas, 2 flights, 2 1/2 hours and 1 hour:
Save any bottles for takeoff and landings. Make sure they drink then or the pressure will be hard on them. Or if they take a pacifier its a good idea. Pack some new and exciting toys that will entertain for a period of time (shoot for 15 minutes). If they are into movies, take a portable DVD player. You are not caving! Desperate times call for desperate measures, and if it works its worth it. Good luck!

Ok some advise medicating, some don't. It's your choice. What I DO recommend is if you think you might want to medicate, try it BEFORE - like a week before - you leave. As mentioned already, some kids sleep, some get hyper. You own't know until you give your kid some of the medication. So don't wait until the day of to try it to find out what kind of response your child will have.

Also, personally, I hate the rows near the back and above the wings. The noise did not help him sleep. It only made it impossible for him to hear his DVD player.

I also don't recommend pre-boarding. Why get him into a seat before he has to? My son is very busy so I know the flight time is long enough for him to sit. We are always the last ones on the plane!

Hi J., I took my kids from Boston to L.A three times. The last time my kids were 20 months, 4 years and 6 years. My boys are easy to please with games, and markers. For my daughter I had a list of activities. A new activity for every 15 minutes because i figured thats about how long her attention span was. A few new toys mixed in with old favorites. Little animals, people, Puppets, a little magna doodle (your son may be too young but they don't make a mess), board books, they have really small aqua doodles (it is basicly coloring with water). Introduce small snacks every once and while. Maybe cups of cereal he hasn't had before would be interesting. Babies his age could be entertained for hours with a cup and lid filled with a snack or your favorite bracelet! He may even sleep the whole way! A bit of advice someone gave me was..Don't get stressed when the children cry on the plane, everyone goes through it and you will never see any of these people again!! Good luck!

If you give him a bottle while taking off it will help with the pressure in his ears. As far as the flight goes I don't know how you feel about TV but mabye you could bring a video for him to watch to keep him entertained if he gets fussy. It always works with my daughter :)

Hi there ...
My only advice is that if he's still nursing or taking a bottle, to save it for him until just after the plane lifts off (and then, again, when it starts to come down) to help with the pressure on his eardrums.
GOOD LUCK!
B.

Hi J.-
I would hold off on the benadryl-why medicate if you don't need to? I flew with my son at 10 months old-and it was a pleasant surprise-he did wonderful. i would just try to keep his mouth active, especially at take off and landing, with either a bottle, food or a pacifier if he takes one-to prevent any popping, etc. in his ears. you will probably be surprised as we were when he had no issues with it at all. Just bring along his lovey, if he has one, and some books and favorite toys. i remember my son slept for a good portion of the flight (from Boston to Oregon). Good luck! I am sure it will be 100 times better than what you may be thinking.

Anything goes when traveling with young kids. I lived in LA and flew to Boston twice a year with my young (from 1 month - 3 years) -then I moved back to Boston. I must tell you that I have had good experiences and bad experiences. My first suggestion make sure they are well rested before you get on the plane. Do not expect him to sleep on the plane -if he does that is a bonus. During take off and landing have him drinking a bottle (as this will help with his ears not hurting. If he does start pulling on his ears - ask for hot paper towels stuffed into paper cups to put over his ears - it really does help. Bring lots of snacks and his favorite toys, if you have a portable DVD player bring some of his favorite dvd's. (i didn't have that option because it wasn't invented yet - we brought a cassette player) Even after doing all this you still may end up with a crying baby - and people will give you dirty looks. Just ignore them - I know that it will be hard;but if you let it get to you your baby will feel the stress and everything will go down hill from there. I have been so stressed out that I have wanted to parachute out of the plane. My last suggestion to have your seat in the very back of the plane - this way you can get up and stand back were the flight attendant are and they are very helpful. Also close to bathroom - one more thing change diaper before you get on plane - because changing a diaper on a plane is very hard. Like I said you may have a wonderful flight - but just incase you are best to take every precaution - and i know this from lots and lots of flying experience with young kids.

ONE more thing - do not give your child benadryl unless he has had it before - some kids get put to sleep other get very hyper - mine got hyper as to I went I take anything that has these ingredients in it.

Just flew with my 11 month old and 2 1/2 year old sons from Hartford to Los Angeles. I would recommend flying late at night or a red-eye if possible. On our way there, my 11 month old cried most of the time because it was late afternoon and he wanted to walk, and when he wanted to sleep he couldn't stretch out. Benedryl didn't work either. Pretty miserable for all of us and the other passengers around us. The way back was a breeze being a red-eye. He slept the whole way back, since he was tired to begin with ( and he was sick!) Other than the time issue, our portable DVD player helped pass the time, and lots of snacks!

I flew from NY to Texas with my then 10 month old son. It was challenging at times, but not so bad overall. I made sure to get him his own seat and I put his car seat (FAA approved) in the seat. He was comfortable in his own seat, so he pretty much thought he was in the car for a trip. I got him a bunch of new small toys to play with and some puppets and just played with him and kept him busy. I gave him his bottle when we took off to help with his ears. The worst part was that my husband ended up sitting a few rows ahead of us on one flight so my son kept yelling "da da" for him!

We used prescription ear drops with a head cold 10 mins before take off and our 2 yr. old was fine. Southwest doesn't have milk on board. We got caught after my son was weaned from his bottle. We bring a DVD player and that is our current amusement. Books and magazines work for us as well as a favorite toy of manageable size. It's always tough to sleep with onboard noise/lights but cuddling in Mom's arms after feeding helps. Some airlines give certificates for a child's first flight.

Take a roll of scotch tape! We flew to New Mexico with our then 9 month old daughter and a roll of tape provided endless entertainment...Believe it or not! Good luck, M.

I did that trip many times when my kids were babies. Two pieces of advice. 20 minutes before take off, give your baby some Benyadryl. My pediatritian told me to do this to help my kids clear their ears during take off. If your lucky, he may even nap, although my kids didn't. Also, during take off an landing, give your son a bottle. The sucking will help to clear his ears as the altitude changes.
Good luck! P.s. I'll be flying too, maybe I'll see you!

Hi J. we flew the first time to florida when my son was 10 months old. It really was not a problem. Bring books, toys snacks and something to suck on for lift off and landing. to help with his ears. Make sure he is succking all the way up and down! this helps and kids can get an ear infection from this sometimes. we did once. at 3 so now we always chew gum or drink. Have fun and the airlines are good they will help you board early and take the stroller on to the end of the ramp then they fold it and take it! and it is waiting for you when you get off. Have fun

We flew several times when my son was this age and m suggestions are the same or similar to what was already said. I never had to medicate my son except wen he had a head cold then the doctor told me it was very important to give my son a decongestant so the flight pressure wasn't to painful. Your son would probably be too young for meds but check with your doctor if he is stuffy before the flight.

For the flight, make sure you have something for him to drink. I was still nursing but also brought a drink in a bottle. This is really important for departure and landing. This was easier to do before the no liquid regulations but it can be done now too. Leave yourself plenty of time to find what you need after security and bring an empty bottle and/or breast milk/formula. I had a couple new small and quiet toys as well as some favorites that I put away several days before the trip. That way my son was excited to see them again. Pack lots of changes of clothes (my son had reflux so this was really important for us) and diapers. You never know when you might be delayed so pack extra!

I found getting around with all the baby stuff most challenging. When my son was under one we always kept him on our lap for the flight. This allowed us to check the car seat which was one less thing to carry. I know others have mentioned that having a seat for your child was important but it wasn't for us. He did just great on our laps (my husband and I would trade off) I highly recommend using a front carrier or backpack for your son. Check the stroller or leave it at the gate. We had this cool chair that attaches to a suitcase that was really helpful (onestepahead.com I think). I don't remember what age we started using it. It might have been not until he was one.

You will be fine just think ahead and simplify. Everything is more complicated so the small things like wearing slip on shoes, dressing in layers, having a comfortable diaper bag etc. all become much more important.

Have fun! I too have found that traveling with my son was fun. He has always loved flying or slept through it entirely. Enjoy!