Travel advice needed

[crisvow8]

Hi! hoping for some advice/reassurance....my daughter was born on 12/2. she is EBF and I am planning not to vax. My mother has advanced cancer and the chemo is not working. my sister & I want to take a trip with her & my father from 2/25-3/2...my daughter will be 12 weeks old. We would have to fly from NJ to FL. I am a little worried about bringing her on an airplane that young....not afraid of how she will act, just about the germs and what she may catch. I asked my pediatrician and he told me he normally does not recommend flying until babies are 6 months or older but understands my extenuating circumstance and he did say that people fly with babies all the time it is just his recommendation.

should I be worried or just go for it? The first time I flew with my son was when he was 7 months old. Like I said, I am not afraid of flying with her, just what she may catch along the way and I am not planning on vaccinating, but she is EBF. Thanks for reading

[mamazee]

Vaccines are unlikely to help on a plane anyway. You're unlikely to sit next to someone with mealses. It's more likely you'd catch a cold, and less likely she would as she's BF. I wouldn't worry about it, and I think the recommendation of 6 months is beyond silly. We are such germaphobes in this country.

[Linda on the move]

I'm very sorry about your mother.

I'd just take the trip. The plan really isn't more risky than taking her to a resturant or store. There are people with germs EVERYWHERE.

[plunky]

I don't think I'd have been cool with DD being on a plane that young. Not because of the germs, but just on GP. But I'm not in your situation, and you'll make the right choice for you.

I don't think the vaxed or not status of your daughter is very relevant to this, though. My daughter is fully vaxed and she wouldn't have had MMR even at six months. So your doctor is saying that partially vaxed kids can fly (at six months). MMR was at a year for my DD.

[~Katie~]

I'm so sorry to hear about your mom

My DD was 3 months old when she took her first plan ride, we are non-vaxers. My DS has probably flown over ten times and has only come down with something once, and it's possible we caught it at our destination and not while flying. I would just recommend doing things to boost your immune system before you go if you're concerned about colds and flu. Her being EBF is a plus because it decreases the likelihood that she'll catch something. Under your circumstances I absolutely understand the need to go and I wouldn't let that deter you.

[TiredX2]

I would also have no problem with taking a 3 month old in a plane. I'm assuming it would be a commercial flight. For us, the only concern would be the cabin pressurization (which would not be a problem on a commercial flight).

I'm really sorry you're having to deal with this. I'm sure your mom will be thrilled to meet your baby, though.

[MamaJenese]

I would boost your own immune system, wear her in a sling and fly to see your mom. I lost my mother when my daughter was 4 weeks old. I didn't have to fly to see her but I did have to haul my just c-sectioned self out of the house and 3 hours away with two kids under 2 (one being a few weeks old.) I can't imagine not going. As PP said I would be more worried about the comon cold then anything they vax for. EBF will help with that. I am sorry about your Mom...

[Kirsten]

I would definitely go.

My mom took each of her babies on planes to meet/visit her family when we were each approximately a month old.

So sorry your mom's chemo isn't effective.

[anj_rn]

My DS had his own frequent flyer number by 6 months. Take the baby, wear her in a sling through the airport, nurse her during takeoff & landing, everything will be OK. Spend the time with your mom & take lots of pics.

So sorry you are going through this.

[Down2Earth]

I took my DD on a plane when she was 6 weeks old. She was not vaxxed and EBF. She was almost a year old before she got her first cold. You should go and worry about more important things.

[ollyoxenfree]

So sorry to hear about your mother.

Another voice encouraging you to take your baby to see her. Lots of people fly with babies that young. NJ to FL is a fairly short flight. As others have said, cabin pressurization is probably a bigger problem, and there are ways of dealing with that.

Best wishes.

[elmh23]

I wouldn't worry about it.

Go and enjoy your time with your mom.

[Girlprof]

My best friend's mom died about 10 days before her baby was born. She flew with her newborn (2 weeks) to the memorial service. Of course she was worried, but it was also fine.

I'm so sorry about your mom. By all means, go on the trip. You are so lucky that your mom and your baby will have the time together. Treasure it.

[myfairbabies]

I flew with my dd when she was 7 weeks, 9 weeks, 4 months, and 4 1/2 months. She's unvaxxed and ebf. She never caught anything from the planes but did get a cold from being around all her cousins. I wouldn't worry about it.

[mamatoablessing]

So sorry to hear about your mom.

Please go see her and take your baby with you. With my first, we flew when she was 5 weeks old. I see young babies flying all of the time. I think you guys will be just fine.

Good luck!

[crisvow8]

thank you all so much! you made me feel better!

[mamadebug]

I flew to Mexico with my unvaxed EBF son when he was almost 4 months. He was totally fine. The breast feeding will give him a lot of protection! Sorry to hear about your mom. I hope the trip is a special time for your family.