Travelling W/ My 4 Month Old Son - First Time

one other idea...request a 'cot' so you have a place to change him and lay him down. They are like changing tables that fold out of the wall in the first row of seats.
Or a bulkhead seat so you have more room. Good luck!

R.,

Yes...you are correct! God is good and He is big enough to get you through this first flight! I have flown countless hours with my two children. We are a Marine Corps family and have lived in Japan. Yes...his ears may hurt or they may just have some discomfort but he will be fine. You seem to have all of the proper things in place. Feedings, paci etc...I would suggest just praying through this trip. Asking God's hand over your son and you. Ask Him to bless your little one with comfort and ease.

As for the fear...1 John 4:18 says...Perfect Love Casts Out Fear. This may be an opportunity for the Lord to help you not only to believe that truth but to live like you believe it! This is a great opportunity for growth.

I will be praying for your safe travels.

PS~ I am also afraid of flying and the prayer has made such a difference. I think by settling my heart and giving me peace it influenced my children as well. For as much as we have travelled I still have to pray through the flights.

Hi R..
My name is L. and I'm the mother of a 10 1/2 month old little boy. I flew with my little guy from Virginia to California when he was only 4 months old...and he did great. I was really nervous about it too beforehand, but everything went super smooth. The airline staff was really great and super attentive. I was fortunate to sit next to some great passengers as well (one just happened to be a family practice doctor so it was great to pick his brain a bit). If I can pass on a little advice, it would be to try to make the things in your diaper bag as accessible and as easy to reach as possible. It is a bit of a challenge holding a 4 month old and trying to make a bottle at the same time. As far as the pressure in the baby's ears with the take off and landing, I didn't notice any discomfort with my son and he wasn't feeding or sucking on a paci at the time. Anyway, don't worry too much. I'm sure everything will go just fine. Hopefully he will sleep most of the journey. Good luck to you :)

I think the best thing to do is take your time and not worry about everyone else around you. My son was 7 months when I fist took him on a plane. I was so nervous. I think the baby can sense something's not right if you're freaking out. He cried for an hour after we got on the plane and then fell asleep. On our way back, my husband told me to chill out and it made such a huge difference. I was calm and didn't try to hurry through anything or worry about people who were trying to hurry behind us. No crying and we had fun!

You can't bring bottled water (even if it's unopened) or any lotion bottles etc... that are over 4 oz. Dulles airport is strict and will take all your regular sized items. Pack them in your checked-in luggage. Buy water and whatever else you need from the stores after security check point. Good luck and have fun!

I flew with my son when he was 5 months old, and although I was nervous, he did great, especially for a 5 hour flight. I carried him in a hip hammock, and nursed him on take off and landing, so that his ears weren't affected by the change in pressure. He had a great time making faces at the other passengers, and slept for two hours of the flight. I had toys ready for him to play with, one or two favs, and pacifiers, of course. He'll just be happy to be with Mom, and won't care really about the flight. Good luck!

Your son will be fine. You are right to have the pacifier ready and to try to feed him on take-off and landing. My son flew with me at 2 months, 4 months, 8 months, and continues to do so. He always had ear infections and he was fine. He did get a little fussy with the change in pressure but as soon as I gave him something to suck on he was fine again. Security is pretty cool when you are traveling with babies. I had the powder formula with me and filled them up when I got through security. You are allowed to take whatever supplies you will need for the flight but it will take just a bit longer so prepare for that. Good luck and have a safe flight.

I've flown 3 times so far with my dd who will be 21 months soon. The first time she was 3 weeks old. As long as you offer the drink or paci during landing and take off he'll be fine. Mine refused it on occasion but she didn't cry from the pressure.

Be sure to take a few extra diapers, something absorbant to change him on and a change of clothes for him and at least a change of shirt for you. The time you don't have it will be the time you need it.

He's on formula right? Make sure to bring premeasured small amounts just in case you all are stuck someplace. You can always get bottled water but maybe not the formula he takes.

Good luck and calm down! I bet you'll have an easy time of it.

Oh one more thing, if you have a trave; system gate check it especially if you dind't buy a seat for bebe and his carseat. If there's space they will allow you to bring the seat on. He'll be safer that way and your arms will have a bit of freedom for a little while. I'd gate check that system anyway. Then you'll have iot when you walk thru the airport. Plus they tend to be nicer to gate checked items.

Take more diapers than you think you will need, and extra clothes for him (plus maybe an extra shirt for you in case of spit-ups). Ditto with any formula, even if you can just bring the powdered form. I say this in case your flight is delayed or cancelled, because this happened to us and we spent an extra four hours in the airport...so by the time we finally arrived at our destination we were on our last diaper! My daughter was 1 1/2 and eating solid foods when I flew with her, so we gave her a small treat (Pez candy)to suck on for the ears...a bottle should be fine, too, for a little baby. But don't start the bottle too soon...I gave her her Pez treat when we taxied onto the runway, and then we had to sit there another ten minutes, so by the time we actually got to lift-off, she'd been through several candies (more than I'd intended)...you wouldn't want him to suck down the whole bottle before the ear-popping stage even begins! But, rest assured...total strangers and of course the airline people love babies and will help you carry stuff or make it easier on you, just ask for help when you need it.

I just returned from traveling with our infant daughter for the first time. She is 3 months old. My tips are to make sure you reconfirm that you have an infant traveling with you when you check in. We had our daughter on our reservation as a lap child and we checked in through the sky cap. The sky cap agent didn't get our daughter checked in and we ended up bumped from our flight because of the mishap. I am not sure why we got bumped when she was just sitting on our lap but it all ended up okay because we got rerouted to a new airline and ended up getting home earlier. Both airlines that we flew placed us on a row with an empty seat so we were able to place our daughter on the seat to sleep. We fed her during takeoff and landing (as close as I could time it anyway) and she didn't have any problems with crying. Some airlines have changing tables in all of the plane bathrooms (like JetBlue) but some only have them in one (like Delta) so you have to ask the flight attendants. Oh and the changing table is tiny so just have everything ready to go. Security wasn't too big of a deal. Some airports even have expedited screening for parents with young children so look for that, but don't expect it. Plan to put the car seat, stroller and all bags through x-ray. You'll carry your son through the metal detector with you. I hope this all helps!

Have a great trip!

Hi R.,

I traveled with my 4month old son (now 22) and I had the same concerns. He will be fine. What you have been told is true. Just make sure you have him feeding from is bottle or taking his pacifer and he will be fine. Just like grown people chew gum, babies suck their bottle or pacifer.

R.,
I flew with my daughter when she was 4mos old (to California). Here is a tip I was given: sit over the wings (the white noise will drown out and cries and hum of the engines lull the baby!)It worked wonders. The flight attendant said she forgot that my daughter and I were there. She slept most of the trip. As far as the bottles go, you just have to let security know that you have milk and they will just look in your diaper bag. Nothing too major. Also take your stroller to the gate, they will load it last and it keeps your hands free. Good luck!

I just flew with my 3 year old for the first time earlier this month. I was very worried about is ears & he never once complained about them. I had myself so worried about the plane ride & my son did so well. Try not to worry about it too much. Have fun on your trip

Hi R.,
Believe it or not this is a great age for travel! We flew a number of times and it is really not that bad. The pacifier and bottles pretty much take care of the ear thing and are your best friend. My daughter only fussed on the landings for a bit. Most airlines you can stroll him right up to the plane and gate check the stroller. Also, incase the airliine didn't tell you, when you get your ticket/seat assignment ask if there are open seats. My husband and I asked for a window and an isle b/c the last seats to be filled are the middle. If the flight is not full they will let you bring the car seat on which is great!!!
Hope you have a great trip!

I flew several times with my daughter in her first couple year and never had a problem, except once when she was a year old, the one time I decided not to bring a change of clothes, she threw up all over her clothes!

Sometimes I purchased a few new toys/books to entertain her during the flights. I actually enjoyed traveling with my daughter.

Hello R.,

The reason you were told to feed him on takeoff and landing is to relieve the pressure in his ears--the sucking does that, just like adults chewing gum for the same reason. I had to fly with an infant and two toddlers when we moved from Washington state to Virginia. Make sure they give you a bulkhead seat, that's the first row where they can hook up a bassinet for the baby right to the bulkhead. If you keep him awake until you board and you feed him on takeoff, he should be fine and probably will sleep most of the way. Abuela

I did something very similar to this when my son was 3 months old. I was traveling alone to take the baby to see his great grandma who is almost house bound.

Even though you don't like to fly, try not to be anxious as your baby will pick up on it. You are probably safer in an airplane than in the car in MD getting to the airport, when you consider the number of accidents around here. Remember to focus on why/where you are flying. I suspect that reason is a good and motivating one or you wouldn't be trying this. Think about showing the baby off to the family or friends you will see.

Ears: My son did fine sucking on his thumb or my clean finger on the take-off landing times. (He didn't like to suck on pacifier.) A understand bottle works well too! The important part is that your baby intermittently swallows during decent (every 5 minutes or so) which the sucking or drinking encourages. It is good to know it doesn't need to be continuous. In adults we often chew gum on planes which helps the ears pop by increasing saliva and therefore swallowing.

Unexpected Help: I found that people on the plane are often sympathetic to a mom traveling with a baby. When I traveled with Delta, they gate checked my stroller and didn't count it as one of my luggage pieces!!! Having that with me made a HUGE difference in the airport! I could hang diaper bags and such on it and my carry-on rode in the seat for a bit when he wanted to be held. The flight attendants on the plane volunteered to help. I did end up needing them (since I was alone) and one of them held him so I could go pee! Soooo nice!

Toys/entertainment: If you have time to plan ahead. A week or so before the flight, pack up a few small toys that he seems especially fond of and put them away. Then pull them out one at a time in the airport or plane. It will be like they are brand new and much more entertaining. It is also fun with all the encouragement to put the baby down for naps to avoid spoiling them, to just hold them during a nap period.

Other: Also, consider being sure that you carry a spare plastic bag in your diaper bag. I had forgotten mine and my son had a blow-out in the airport. You may want to find out ahead if you can do laundry where you are going, especially if it a long trip. It will help you need to pack less baby clothing. I wanted to take 2 outfits a day for the whole week, plus pj stuff. :-/ That makes for a very full suitcase. Also, remember you aren't going to the middle of no-where and there will be grocery stores where you can buy more diapers or formula. If you are running out of room in the suit case... just pack enough for 2 days and buy more at your destination.

Good luck! :-D

R. if you are nervous your son will pick up on it.Relax.Be calm in voice and treat it as an adventure. Even at 4 mos travelling can be fun. Keep a spare pacifier in your pocket in case the one he is using gets lost.I used to pin my in. Take an extra diaper just in case you are delayed some where.Take an extra outfit to change him into if meeting someone special at the other end. Take a healthy snack for yourself-like grapes...it sure beats airplane food.Take a colourful magazine with pictures-you'll enjoy and your son will like the colors. Enjoy your trip!

Hi! The best thing about traveling with a little one is that for some reason I wasn't so worried about being nervous. (I don't really like flying either) I traveled with my now 4 year old by ourselves when he was 7 months from London to Kansas City. The flight was great, they actually gave him his own seat for the overseas flight.(the flight wasn't full) I nursed him during take off and landing and the pressure didn't seem to bother him during the 2nd flight. Bring a favorite toy, and lovey. Hopefully they will have a TV, mine loved to play with it. The one down thing about the US is that they let mommas with babies sit in line with every one else, unlike Europe they see a stroller and let you in the front of the line. Most of the time though when they see a mother and baby by themselves they will be helpful.
Also, see if your airline does a "1st flight" certificate where the pilot can sign it! We got a picture with the Pilot in the cockpit the 1st time my oldest flew! Lots of fun!
Good Luck and have fun!

i flew many times with my son this past year (he's now 10 months) and never had a problem. he rarely takes a paci but i made sure he sucked on it like the other moms said and that did help. i'm not sure how you feel about medicine but my dr. suggested giving him infant motrin an hour before the flight to prevent any pain. and the good thing with motrin unlike tylenol is that it lasts up to 12 hours so you only have to give it to your baby once. the other thing i did the couple times he did get fussy and it seemed like he was a bit uncomfortable is i rubbed his ears. i'm not sure it did anything medical but it seemed to soothe him. and it is true, at 4 months your baby will probably sleep most of the time on the plane. i do suggest taking a stoller though. your arms and back are gonna get real tired holding him. and a stroller is no big deal, you just check it at the gate and it's there for you when you get off. have fun!

Hey R.!
My children are 10, 7 and 3. They have been flying several times a year since infancy. The security is stricter today, although most seem to be lenient about baby needs. The suggestions of dry formula are good. It is the liquid that usually gets taken. Check with the airport and airline if wondering about specific security measures (usually all posted on line). When mine were babies, I nursed them on take off and landing and/or used a pacifier. Sometimes they do sleep through take off and landing though. Sometimes you have helpful/understanding fellow passengers and flight crew and sometimes you don't. Be confident and try to remain calm. Your son will most definitely feel your nerves. Don't worry about everyone else, just do the best you can. You will never see any of them again! Finally, only once in 10 years has one of mine truly screamed with true ear pain. A flight attendant brought 2 plastic dixie cups that she had placed a warm wet paper towel at the bottom. I cupped these over the ears and the crying ceased. I kept the cups for the connecting flight, had no warm towels, but they still seemed to work. I usually gave the babies Motrin before flight in case the ears started. Most of the time it goes just fine! Take care, ENJOY!

Your dr is right.You're 4 month old will be okay.The eustachian tube is too short to be affected by cabin pressure.You on the other hand,should calm down and try to relax because babies are sensative to their mom's tumoil and your nervousness can transmit itself to your child.You'll be okay.Just stay positive and enjoy your baby during the trip.

I flew with my children when my youngest son was about the same age as your son is now. I had little problems. He slept through the entire flight. I gave him a pacifier so that he did not have any problems with his ears popping. Now, our flight was short, only about 1.5 hours. I am not sure if your flight is longer or not, but flight attendants are used to having children on board. Did you pay for a seat for your baby? That helps because then you can strap him into his car seat and he feels safer and more at home. We were lucky that we did not pay for a seat, but there were enough empty seats on our flight that we were able to strap ours down.
Good luck

I have found that the earplugs work well with my daughter. If you buy them @ the airport, they're a bit on the expensive side--- but still worth it to me. Check Target or Walmart in the travel section to see if you can get them cheaper.

My daughter used to scream from the pain so I couldn't get her to suck the pacifier. She didn't understand I was trying to help alleviate the pain. The earplugs were easier because I could put & hold them in her ears.

Your son will notice the pressure, that's why you feed him during take-off and landing, it will "pop" his ears just like sallowing or chewing gum would help you. The paci will help with it too, but there isn't any danger in that. If possible, bring powdered formula in an empty bottle in the carry on too and then just add bottled water you can get once inside security in case you run out, accident, etc. It sounds like you're all srt. Have a fun, safe trip!!

Hi R.,

I've traveled several times with my daughter (who is now 9 months) and here's what worked for us. I took her boppy pillow with me for nursing and so she could lay across it on my lap to sleep (she didn't have her own seat the first time we flew when she was 5 mos). I had to supplement her with formula, so I had that too. I packed her diaper bag with a few bottles & ready-made formula. Then I had an additional carry on that I put a couple of extra bottles, formula, diapers, chg. of clothes, etc. in - just in case we got stuck somewhere. Going through security was not a problem I just told them there was formula in the bag and they sent it on through.

If you have a baby carrier like a Snugli, Baby Bejourn, Ergo or some such carrier, I've found it works really well to have your baby in it while going through security. That way, when you're putting everything on the belt to go through x-ray you're not juggling your baby too. And take off any jacket you're wearing before you put your baby on you in the baby carrier so you're not struggling to get your coat off while your son is strapped to you. {Yes, I've learned through experience.} ;-)

Have a bottle ready for your son so that you can pop it in his mouth when you're getting ready to take off - or just before if he's getting fussy or you know he's hungry. And then again when you're getting ready to land. My daughter slept most of the time at that age, so maybe your son will too. And, she had no problems with her ears. I hope your trip goes as smoothly.

Feel free to email me with any other questions. Have a great trip!! :-)

N.

I traveled with my daughter when she was six weeks old. She was fine on the plane. I brought several bottles with the dry formula already measured. You can buy bottled water in the airport to take on the plane or ask the flight assistant for water to prepare the bottles. We traveled again almost three months ago when my daughter was 17 months, I bought juice and water inside the airport and used those on the plane. I hope this helps you.

Hi R.,
I took a 6 hour flight with my 9 month old in December (talk about nerves!). I have 2 pieces of wisdom to pass on. The first is that Kyle's ears didn't have any problem at all.... in fact he slept through some of the take off's and decents. (We took a total of 3 flights that week.) I was shocked because I had been nervous about his ears like you. The stewardess told me a lot of babies do better than adults, she thought it was something about their ears being newer and clearer. The other thing I did was hand out little pieces of candy with a note thanking people for the patience around me. It was a great way to make friends/break the ice, and everyone was really sweet about how nervous I was about Kyle's behavior. Best of luck... don't be too worried. I was and it didn't end up being bad at all!

ps- Every airport has different rules about formula / milk. Be sure to call yours. I took powdered formula on the plane and they gave me water... I wasn't allowed to have liquids.

Hi R.! I traveled quite a bit with my first daughter when she was 4 weeks on up because my husband traveled frequently for work and wanted us to come with him. If you are nursing I wouldn't bring but maybe one bottle and nurse when you take off, meaning the plane is beginning to accelerate down the runway, so his gulps are big, that should keep his ears clear and same when you are landing. Cotton isn't going to help because the discomfort comes from pressure inside the ear drum. If you are bottle feeding same thing or use a passy. You just want to make sure he's gulping and swallowing that helps the pressure pop. He should be fine. Pray about it, Phillipians 4:6-7, and be calm for your little guy!

Hope this helps! Good Luck!!

S.

I just traveled across the county with my 7 m/o son and was very anxious. He did wonderful! I had no problem bringing food on for him. Arrive a little earlier than normal, it will take you longer to get through security with your little one. Bring a new toy, teething ring (or baby food if he's old enough) so if he doesn't sleep you have entertainment. Don't stress- it's one day of travel and worse case you can get up and walk around with him. Most likely the excitment will keep him entertained. Good luck and have fun!!

i traveled with my son a bunch. the first time on a plane he was 4 weeks. i got great advice - take extra clothes for both you and him - just in case - the pressure sometimes affects their bowels. if your son is sleeping upon takeoff or landing, do not wake him - the pressure may not affect him...just have a bottle, breast or pacifier ready. Take more diapers than you need. take his infant carseat to the gate and see if there might be an open seat available for you take it on with you. if not, gate check the carseat. relax and enjoy...babies are so portable at this age.

From your question paragraph, it seems like you've gotten good advice already. Bring his pacifier so he can suck on it during take off and/or landing, descent. Or feed him during that time. Just like with adults chewing gum or sucking on hard candy, the child needs to be swallowing to help clear his ears.

R.,

If you're nursing him, nurse him whenever he wants on the plane. It is especially important to nurse him or offer a bottle as the plane descends, even if you have to wake him or stir him from sleep a little to do so. This is when the ears can get into a bad place if there's any fluid in them.

He'll be fine, and you'll be fine. Another thing I've done is to bring along the numbing ear drops if my baby has any possibility of ear infection of fluid-- they're available only by Rx, though. Then, if my baby has begun to fuss and seems to be in pain, I have those available. They won't be necessary under most circumstances, though. There's a good chance everything will go just fine. The more relaxed you can become yourself, the more normal it will all seem to the baby. And if he does end up fussing, it will still be okay. We've all heard babies cry on planes, and most of us understand that the parents are doing whatever they can to help their little one.

Good luck. HAVE FUN on your trip, if it's a fun trip you're going on!!

I lived in Hawaii when my first was born, but my family is in NY so I flew with my daughter at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, etc. If the baby is sucking on take off and landing, it will clear his ears. I nursed, so I don't know about milk to bring, but remember that the risk of long delays o board are ever present and you don't want to run out - maybe some extra powdered formula just in case. My biggest suggestion is to bring lots of extra clothes for the baby AND and an extra outfit for yourself because - maybe it is the air pressure - but the babies ALWAYS seem to wet-through on flights. Good luck!

I think your diaper bag counts as a carry-one bag. Be sure to check with your airline. I would buy the ready-made formula in the 3oz bottles. They are sealed until you use them, and security shouldn't have a problem with them. I would pack your bag like normal. Not only do you need it during the flight, but you have to be ready for any delays.
Having him use the paci during take off/decent should be fine cuz he'll be sucking.

Good luck.
M.

I took my baby boy on his first flight at 4 months, also. All of worries and nerves wound up being for nothing.... he was so good! The pacifier definitely helps on take-off and landing, and he did sleep for most of the flight. But even when he was awake, there are so many new things to look at that it kept him occupied. The best advice I can give you is that if you're traveling alone-1) pack everything you possibly can in the checked bags so you only have to worry about carrying on what you need for your baby; and 2) use a stroller and check it at the gate. That way, you can wheel him around the airport as much as you need before your flight, and will have it the moment you get off the airplane as well.
Hope this helps, and good luck!

Hi! Most important thing is to "wear" him in a "snuggly" or some kind of baby carrier on you body - he will be happier and will sleep easily! Definitely nurse on the way up and down. Remember - don't worry about what anyone else thinks about what you are doing - trust your own instincts and don't apologize if he cries, etc. Everyone was 4 months old at one time!!!
Every time you nurse in public you are helping to make it more normal and you are giving people permission who would otherwise be more timid. Have a great time!!
blessings, N.