newborns/babies and airplanes

[ATD_Mom]

I'm here to observe! We'll be flying (four 1.5-hour flights) when DS is 9 weeks.

I think the advice I've seen is to have them nurse both on the take-off and the landing. But you're right ... what if they're not hungry? Hopefully we will be enlightened.

[beemama]

take off & landing. it don't think it will do damage if they don't want to nurse, but it may hurt when their ears pop.. in which case they're likely to nurse for comfort.

[danaalex]

try to get the babe to suck during take off and landing if you can. the pressure will hurt their ears and they should want to suck for comfort anyway. but no, no damage if they DON"T suck during pressure changes

flying with a new baby is actually pretty easy IMO! we are flying in nov. with our babe and our 2.5 yr old and then again in jan. MUCH easier to fly with little babes than toddlers or even one year olds LOL.

[IntuitiveJamie]

My first son has flown like 21 times or something. Starting at 6 weeks. He's been fine everytime. He usually will nurse on takeoff and landing, but sometimes hasn't. He's been totally fine either way. I don't think their eardrums will burst, but the pressure might make them uncomfortable. I'm sure y'all travelling soon will be just fine!
Have fun!

[HeatherB]

Great advice. Just remember to take carseats with you and USE IT on the plane! Take off and landing are the most dangerous parts of the flight. When you are buckled in, make sure baby is, too! (And remember they recommend we ALL stay buckled even during cruising.)

(Just a PSA from your friendly child passenger safety advocate! )

[HeatherB]

Glad you got there without too much trouble! Sounds like he did great!

[IntuitiveJamie]

Glad everything went well! I'm no longer nervous about flying with one, we've done it so many times and mostly it was just me and babe. But now we have two!! Two babes, two carseats, double diapes and all that. We will experience this for the first time at Christmas. Luckily I will have my dh to help.
Speaking of dh's..how did yours manage the drive? Did he also make it in one piece; with your stuff?

[danaalex]

glad it went well we're flying on friday with our youngest two. last fall at thanksgiving we flew to FL with all three of the kids. it actually wasn't too too bad. there were two of us and three of them, but we did it.

on the way back we upgraded to first class which was much easier and nicer than coach. the girls had more room to spread out and they were offered more food and snacks and drinks too.