What are your thoughts on taking an 8 month old on a plane?

Dh and I are planning our first "family of 3" vacation for the holidays. I want to go down to the Caribbean, so I casually mentioned it to my mom and she was mortified! She said that she thinks that DS is still too young to fly. She suggested that I waited "unti he gets all of his shots- at least the MMR."

What are your thoughts on this? Is she right, or just being her over-protective (with good heart) self?

Re: What are your thoughts on taking an 8 month old on a plane?

We just took DS on a plane to Key West for my BIL's wedding at 4.5 months old. Is she also against you taking him out anywhere in public without his shots, or just concerned about a plane?

Re: What are your thoughts on taking an 8 month old on a plane?

Like Julz said, it is pretty much the same as him going out in public. I would say go for it!

Re: What are your thoughts on taking an 8 month old on a plane?

She was concerned about shopping malls and other public places when he was like 0-3 months old, but now she's just worried about the air circulation/pressure in an airplane. I mean, DH and I make our own decisions, but DS is my first child, so I take her advice when she has a point, I'm just not sure this time... Does anyone agree with her?

Message edited 11/10/2008 9:07:54 PM.

Re: What are your thoughts on taking an 8 month old on a plane?

DD has flown to florida twice, to Madrid, from San Sebastian to Barcelona, Barcelona to Madrid, and Madrid home. The first two flights to FL were long before she was 8 months.

Re: What are your thoughts on taking an 8 month old on a plane?

Yeah, I flew with DS at 3 months old, 8 months old and 15 months old.

There are no issues with, as the PPs have said, it is just like going out in public with DC.

Re: What are your thoughts on taking an 8 month old on a plane?

DD is 2 years and 9mths. She took her first international flight at 5mths, then again at 10 1/2 mths then 1 year and a half and 2 1/2. She also took two domestic flights in between.

Best flight ever were the ones when she was younger so I say go for it.

Re: What are your thoughts on taking an 8 month old on a plane?

DD flew at 8 weeks old (3 hour flight) and at 7 months (5 hour flight). She was great during both!

Re: What are your thoughts on taking an 8 month old on a plane?

We just went to florida...Rylan is 7 months.

Re: What are your thoughts on taking an 8 month old on a plane?

No offense to your mother but it's an over reaction. 2 kids later and both are seasoned travelers. DD#1 started at 4mths. and have about 20+ flights under her belt. My 8mth. old started at 5mths. and has 5 flights under her belt. Both are completely healthy and never got a disease or sick from a plane ride. Go! Enjoy!

Re: What are your thoughts on taking an 8 month old on a plane?

I took my son on a plane when he was 8 months old.

Re: What are your thoughts on taking an 8 month old on a plane?

Is she more concerned about health conditions in the area you are going to?

DD has flown 3 times so far (she is 14 months) I would have no problem taking and 8 month old on a plane and I would go to the Caribbean with them as well. I find it's actually easier to travel with them before they start walking and crawling.

Re: What are your thoughts on taking an 8 month old on a plane?

Posted by CrankyPants

Is she more concerned about health conditions in the area you are going to?

She said that the air is "recycled" and with so many people in one confined cabin, he could catch anything. She isn't worried about any resorts that we'd stay at.

I'm looking up flights right now, so we're going, but I was just curious if any other parents are as paranoid as she is!

Re: What are your thoughts on taking an 8 month old on a plane?

It's easier to travel with them before they learn to crawl or walk. DS went on a plane at 7 months, and he was fine. I did ask his ped. and she had no reservations about it.

If your doctor agrees with you, I would share that with your mother. Honestly, you could catch measles in a mall or on the LIRR too, so you can't avoid it completely.

Re: What are your thoughts on taking an 8 month old on a plane?

I took my son on a transatlantic flight at barely 4 months, I wouldn't worry about it. Kids might not finish their vaccination schedule until they are nearly 3, why stay home?

Re: What are your thoughts on taking an 8 month old on a plane?

We flew to Turks and Caicos when DD was 8 months old.

No issues for us!

Re: What are your thoughts on taking an 8 month old on a plane?

I dont think its a big deal!!!!

Re: What are your thoughts on taking an 8 month old on a plane?

Our ped said once DS got his 8 week shots, he could fly. At exactly 8 weeks old, he got his shots and the next day we were on the plane.

Re: What are your thoughts on taking an 8 month old on a plane?

My son was 10 weeks old when we took him on a flight to San Francisco. Just use common sense while taking care of the baby and it will all be ok!

Re: What are your thoughts on taking an 8 month old on a plane?

We are flying to South America next month and DS will be 9 months old. I'm more worried about the flight than about him getting sick. You'll be fine.

Message edited 11/11/2008 3:58:34 PM.

Re: What are your thoughts on taking an 8 month old on a plane?

I took DD to Atlanta (on a plane) when she was 2 months old.