Traveling on a plane w/ a Newborn

I'll probably post this on the Parenting thread too, but before I start my question...this is actually a question from my DH. When I didn't have an answer he said "well you NEED to post about this STAT!" He's so cute.

Are any of you planning to take a plane trip w/ your newborn shortly after s/he is born? My DH goes to an annual conference in Chicago, and I would love to go with him (with our DD of course) since a lot of our close friends will be there. DD will be 3.5 months, so I am just wondering if this is even feasible. We are registered for a snap and go for the first few months, but I don't think you can take that on a plane since it doesn't fold up, right? We are also getting a city mini--which would be perfect--but won't she be too young to be in that? Any ideas/experience would be very helpful!

ETA: I know the snap and go frame folds up, but can it fold up with the actual car seat in it?

Message edited 10/23/2010 8:10:35 PM.

Re: Traveling on a plane w/ a Newborn

I think it's fine as the baby already would have had their first set of shots by then.

The snap and go does fold up! But you can always gate check it too.

Re: Traveling on a plane w/ a Newborn

i think its fine, my cousins live in austrailia, and flew all the way to ny with their 3 month old this past summer

Re: Traveling on a plane w/ a Newborn

The Snap N Go folds up - you can gate check it with the infant seat.

We flew with DS at 10 weeks and it was perfect. He slept the whole way. We flew again around 5 months and it was the same thing.

Re: Traveling on a plane w/ a Newborn

We're going to my step sister's wedding in Chicago at the end of May (when is your conference? maybe we can meet up! lol) -- she'll be somewhere between 4 & 5 months then, and everyone has said it'll be fine. As long as the baby has her shots, she should be ok to travel by then. You can also ask the pediatrician his/her advice when you do your ped interviews in the next month or two.

Re: Traveling on a plane w/ a Newborn

So interested to hear the responses you get. I have to travel alone with the baby the 2nd week in August. The baby will be about 4 months and I get panicky just thinking about it.

Re: Traveling on a plane w/ a Newborn

My sister traveled with my niece from Vegas to NY and she was 4 mos. old...she slept the whole time. Just make sure you have all your things handy.

Re: Traveling on a plane w/ a Newborn

I traveled with my Ds to Texas when he was 2.5 months it was so easy he just slept! go for it it will be fine! when they are older it gets much harder!

Re: Traveling on a plane w/ a Newborn

I traveled to Ireland with DD when she was 3 months old. It was actually super easy because she just slept the whole time.

Re: Traveling on a plane w/ a Newborn

I am trying to convince my DH to go to Croatia in July when the baby is around 2.5 months old. I know it will be the easiest time we will EVER travel as a family of 5.

I really don't see it as it as a problem. Plus it is such a sort flight.

Re: Traveling on a plane w/ a Newborn

Re: Traveling on a plane w/ a Newborn

We flew when DS was 6 months to Florida. We used the Snap N Go and infant carrier and just gate checked it. It is just a pain to get through security because you have to take the infant carrier off the frame and let it go through separately.

I would also bring either a sling or a baby bjorn to walk through security/airport. Easier than putting her in and out of the infant carrier/stroller.

Make sure you bring either a bottle or nurse during both take off and landing. This will help them not have pressure in their ear.

I think it is very doable as long as you plan accordingly! Let me know if you have any other questions.

Re: Traveling on a plane w/ a Newborn

Thanks everyone! This sounds totally doable!

Re: Traveling on a plane w/ a Newborn

Re: Traveling on a plane w/ a Newborn

Go for it! We are traveling to Florida to see father in law when baby is around 3 months.

We are also driving to Maine when baby is 2 months old to see my sister and brother in law, and I have a feeling the plane trip will be easier than the car ride

Re: Traveling on a plane w/ a Newborn

They only real *precautions* I took were I upped their probiotics, and I used a nipple on the bottle that was one size down from what DS2 needed. The extra sucking motion helped to prevent his ears from popping during take off & landing. Like a PP said, DS2 slept the whole time. He was 7 mos & we flew to England from NY.

Re: Traveling on a plane w/ a Newborn

Re: Traveling on a plane w/ a Newborn

With my older son, he was 2.5 months the first time he was on a plane. With my new son, he was 1 month old It is definitely doable. Just make sure you prepare early, wipe down EVERYTHING with antibacterial wipes, keep the baby shielded with a blanket so that people walking past don't cough on the baby and you will be fine. We had a family wedding and couldn't avoid travel or I never would have tried it but it can be done.

Re: Traveling on a plane w/ a Newborn

I don't have any advice on traveling but you can buy the car seat adapter for the City Mini.

Re: Traveling on a plane w/ a Newborn

Re: Traveling on a plane w/ a Newborn

we traveled with ds at just shy of 3 months on a plate to pittsburgh - it was very easy - we gate checked the infant seat and the snap and go - the fold easily - no extra charges to gate check strollers

we held him on our lap - i nursed on the way up and he nursed on the way down or used his pacifier - easiest trip was at that age

Re: Traveling on a plane w/ a Newborn

I traveled with DD when she was 6 weeks old to Florida. The plane was great. I fed her for the take off and landing and she slept the whole way. The noise on the plane is like white noise and helped keep her sleeping.

We flew Jet Blue. DD was considered a "Lap Infant", she was allowed a diaper bag, stroller and car seat. The stroller and car seat were gate checked without a problem.

It was probably the easiest trip we are ever going to have with children!
Have fun!

Re: Traveling on a plane w/ a Newborn

Re: Traveling on a plane w/ a Newborn

TY so much for this thread! DH and I are weighing our options now - stick to the original trip when I am almost 34 weeks or waiting until the baby is 4 months old. It is so hard to decide, we are torn and can see the pros and cons to both. I am aiming for taking the kid - I'm gonna show him this thread and see what he thinks :)

The ear on the plane and changing a diaper on the plane are two of the things holding back

Edit: We are going to Woodloch via car when the baby is 2 months old, and I am waaaay more concerned about that than I ma flying across country at 4 months!

Message edited 10/25/2010 10:39:24 PM.

Re: Traveling on a plane w/ a Newborn

I was just thinking about this kinda thing today actually. But my question was how much the baby is CHARGED to go on an airplane. I want to visit my family OOS next Christmas (when DD will be around 9-10 months old). But I just cannot imagine spending $300+ on her ticket on top of me & Dh's. She's a baby, kwim? It would just be too much and we would have to just drive the 3 day trip instead (ugh). I don't mean to 'crash' this thread, but does anybody happen to know that? If babies or kids are charged the same as adults???