Too Young to Fly?

[Swoon]

Is a newborn at 8 weeks old too young to fly? I'm planning to fly from Hong Kong to Vancouver which is a 12-hour flight and can't decide whether to go or not because I'm concerned about the air pressure harming baby's ear canal and dehydration.

I am planning to carry baby in a Baby Bjorn as he usually likes it and sleeps in it when I do so. I'm not sure he will like being in the airplane cot as much.

I'd like to know other mother's opinions on this. Has anyone out there travelled with a newly born on a long flight? If so, I'd really appreciate hearing your experience on it.

[rani]

Bzee,

8 weeks is a great time to fly. Your little one will probably just eat and sleep for most of the flight. To ease inner ear pressure best to nurse or bottle feed during take offs and landings.

Definitely take the Baby Bjorn. If you take Cathay their bassinets are quite nice and you can try transferring your little guy once he falls asleep in the B. Bjorn.

We've added a few links to the resources directory on Traveling with kids. Do have a look:

http://www.geobaby.com/resources/Glo...ing/index.html

[Stella]

I asked a similar question as we had a family holiday booked at the time when my son would be 7 weeks old. My midwife (Nicki Taylor - Annerley) advised we could travel safely once the baby was 6 weeks past his due date.
I agree that a Baby Bjorn is a great idea, particularly for take-off and landing. Also not a bad way for the baby to sleep thorughout the flight because once the seatbelt signs come on, Cathay enforce a rule whereby you must put a seatbelt around the baby again as per take-off landing. Quite frustrating if you've just got the baby off to sleep.
Aromababy offer a travel kit with some tips to travelling with a baby. One of the products is a cream which they recommend you use to massage baby with. We massaged our son and we found it helpful to relax him as he didn't settle well.
Have a great holiday girlfriend!

[tinkerbelle]

My opinion is that you should definitely go. It's so much easier to travel when they are little and can't run around like crazy!

Just to add to what's been said above... my son always slept fitfully in the bassinets. It can get very cold during the flight so maybe that was the reason. I always think newborns sleep better bundled up against you so the BabyBjorn would be great.

Remember to bring all your necessities with you. Cathay do provide nappies etc but they often run out or you can't get a hold of an attendant. You will end up looking a bit like a pack horse but this should be good practice for later when he or she is a toddler and you need to bring not only necessities but toys, toys and more toys. Enjoy this lovely stage when all they seem to do is eat, sleep and look like angels!



Oops - just realised you posted this question a while back! Hopefully you had a good time!

[scr]

I didnt' want to start another thread....any tips and suggestions on travelling with an 18 mth old ? I'm flying by cathay...will my son be too big for the bassinet ? I'm guessing yes. Anyway it's an afternoon flight lasting 8 hours..so I don't think he's going to sleep much.
Thanks

[babyblue]

Hi

I just wanted to say that if you are flying with a baby or toddler, you should take your stroller and then check it in outside the airplane. Most of the airlines allow you to check in the stroller up to the plane. I've seen a few families where they've checked in their stroller with their baggage. You have to be prepared for any unexpected delays such as the recent typhoon. You may be stuck in the airport for hours with no pram (if you have checked it in) and carrying a 6+kg baby in your baby bjorn for 5+ hours is a heavy burden.

[tinkerbelle]

To 'SCR' - my son is the same age. My sympathies - this is a really difficult age to fly with!

I take lots of little toys, biscuits, balloons (distraction!), drinks, nappies, and clothes. I also prefer to sit in a non-bulkhead seat. ie. the seats withOUT the bassinets. 18month olds will not fit in the bassinet and they are also masters of wriggling out of them and jumping out (very dangerous) so it's best to not sit near them. If you sit in a non-bulkhead seat then you can flip up the armrests and lie the child down on your laps.

My son spends almost the entire flight running up and down the plane annoying people. There's nothing much you can do to stop this but it helps if your flying with your spouse... or a flight attendant helps out (which Cathay attendants often do - the girls particularly like my son!).

My son quite likes listening to music - this will get him to sit still for at least 30minutes. You could try that.

Jellybeans are also a hit. Only cos he never gets them at other times and also because they help him unblock his ears on take-off.

Good luck!