How soon would you take a baby on an international flight?

DH has to go to London on business, normally I always go with him, DD will have just turned 5 months when he has to go...I think it's too young to fly that long with her..What do you think??? Plus I'm terrified of the time difference and how its going to screw up her sleeping...

Message edited 3/25/2009 5:32:36 PM.

Re: How soon would you take a baby on an international fligh?

I'd be afraid of taking a child that young to another country. Vaccinations would be a huge concern of mine......

Re: How soon would you take a baby on an international fligh?

We are taking DD to Mexico at 7 months...I "think" my magic # would be 6 months for us ...Our flight is much shorter though...

Re: How soon would you take a baby on an international fligh?

I think at 5 months she'll be fine. My SIL lived in London and came back and forth to the states when her DS was 12wks, and then again when my son was born and her DS was about 16 wks.

Re: How soon would you take a baby on an international fligh?

OK, so do I go and leave DD with parents I don't know if I'm capable of doing that yet....

Re: How soon would you take a baby on an international fligh?

We took my son to Italy when he was a year old - and just got the MMR shot. I don't know that I would be comfortable taking a baby before then due to the vaccinations!

Re: How soon would you take a baby on an international fligh?

because it's london, and she will (presumably) have had at least the first shot of all her vaccinations by then, i would go.

Re: How soon would you take a baby on an international flight?

I travelled from my home in the UK to my parents on LI when my son was barely 4 months old. Its super easy at that age. London is hardly a place where you need to worry about anything like vaccinations, and its a really child friendly place to be. Lots of changing rooms in department stores, and lovely little parks. I say go ahead, take the kid! Enjoy!

Re: How soon would you take a baby on an international flight?

Definitely go! The baby will be fine. Try to get the seat with the bassinet to let DD sleep for the flight and you to have your hands free. The flight is only a few hours. Kids adjust easily and flying shouldn't be an issue.

Re: How soon would you take a baby on an international flight?

Message edited 3/25/2009 5:41:38 PM.

Re: How soon would you take a baby on an international flight?

I would also recommend taking the BA 9AM - 9PM flight, if you're worried about the time difference screwing her up - it could help.

Re: How soon would you take a baby on an international flight?

I would take her at 5 months.

Re: How soon would you take a baby on an international flight?

Posted by pickles16

Posted by racheeeee

I travelled from my home in the UK to my parents on LI when my son was barely 4 months old. Its super easy at that age. London is hardly a place where you need to worry about anything like vaccinations, and its a really child friendly place to be. Lots of changing rooms in department stores, and lovely little parks. I say go ahead, take the kid! Enjoy!

Yah vaccinations wasn't something I was worried about, I'm not going somewhere where she would be succeptible to something, I'm more worried about the flight and the change in time honestly....

Re: How soon would you take a baby on an international flight?

If you are only worried about her schedule then I would go....babies change all the time when they are that young - it won't throw her off and she will adjust just fine I'm sure

Re: How soon would you take a baby on an international flight?

At 5 months going to London, I would do it... its not that bad of a flight, any further into Europe then London, I would wait till at least 6 months.

Re: How soon would you take a baby on an international flight?

Go, take her.

DD went to Spain at a little over a year and was fine. I did have to get Hep-A for her though. Just check with your pediatrician beforehand.

They adapt so well to time changes at that age IMO. We took DD at 5 months to Arizona and she was fine both flights and with the time difference.

Re: How soon would you take a baby on an international flight?

Re: How soon would you take a baby on an international flight?

I'd take her. Its London not a third world country!!

DS went to Mexico when he was 8 months old.

Re: How soon would you take a baby on an international flight?

I took my DD to Ireland at 5mths and again at 10 mths and she did great on both trips. I would totally do it.

Re: How soon would you take a baby on an international flight?

Re: How soon would you take a baby on an international flight?

I dunno.... We usually travel a lot too... but this year's conference (only to chicago... not over the pond this year!) I think I'll have to skip I simply cannot see him enduring even a short flight, and then a lot of people and unusual sounds and sights without having major fits...

He'll have to adjust for next years conference... I know it will be somewhere in europe, and I'm not missing the meeting for 2 years straight!

Re: How soon would you take a baby on an international flight?

We did at 7mos. We tried it out with a short flight domestically when he was 6mos before we booked but both were fine. I'd go!

Re: How soon would you take a baby on an international flight?

I don't think I would take DD out of the country till she's at least a year old. I'd be worried that the flight is too long and stressful for the baby.

Do what you and your DH are comfortable with

Re: How soon would you take a baby on an international flight?

Re: How soon would you take a baby on an international flight?

DD turned 1 year old in Barcelona That is probably the earliest, based on vaccines, that I would take a child to Europe.

I will tell you that I ran it past my pediatrician first and he said Spain was fine. My aunt lives in London and he cautioned us on going there before the MMR b/c there have been measles outbreaks in the UK. Based on his recommendation we opted not to go there prior to the MMR....and now that DS is coming in May, we won't be getting back over there until after he gets his MMR.