Conference moira::parenting_v3

    At 3 months it's a piece of cake!  Just wait until the baby reaches
    crawling age - traveling gets much more difficult at that point and
    goes downhill (so to speak) from there.  Anyway, there was at least one
    note with lots of travel advice in the previous PARENTING (I don't have
    the note number(s) ).

    Giving the baby something to suck on (nursing, bottle of juice, pacifier)
    helps with the ears, but he may not need anything.  Airplane air tends to
    be very dry, so it's a good idea to give the baby some fluids (but in a
    5-hour time period, you'll certainly be feeding a 3-month-old anyway,
    unless it's a late-night flight).  Try and get your relatives to borrow
    (or rent?) a lot of the equipment you need.  When we visit my mother in
    Chicago, she always borrows a car seat and stroller, she still has the crib
    that we all slept in, a bathinette, and a baby tenda (place to feed the
    baby), she gets diaper service for us during the time we're there, and she
    buys supplies that we expect to use during the first day or 2 so that we
    don't have to immediately do shopping (we then always fight about whether
    she will let us reimburse her for these things, but that's a different
    topic).  Try and minimize the amount of stuff you take with you - lugging
    it all through airports is a big pain.

    Enjoy your trip!  It'll probably go very smoothly.

						cheryl

 See the following notes in Parenting_V2.  

	364
	714
       1148,

and related note 1988.

See note 7.11 if you need help getting in to Parenting_V2.

My own suggestion is to try Benadryl before the trip, if you intend to use it. 
Antihistamines, like Benadryl don't affect everyone the same way.  For most 
people, they induce drowsiness, but make my daughter hyper.  And for me, they 
make me somewhat drowsy, but I sleep very restlessly.  So the affect on your 
baby may not be what you want, and if it isn't, you certainly don't want to 
find out on the plane.

Clay

    
    We took our son, Jason, on a plane trip (total about 4 hours with
    layover in Detroit) when he was 9 weeks old.  Since he was a 
    colicky baby, we were very nervous about the trip.   He was
    extremely good both ways, all things considered.  I think that 
    the hustle-bustle of on-board activities kept him amused.  He
    experienced no pain (i.e. no crying) due to the pressure changes.
    I nursed him during takeoff on the way out and he slept through
    the landing.    
    
    One word of caution: pack more in your carry-on bag then you 
    ever think you'll need.   Coming back, we boarded the plane
    in Detroit, left the gate and then sat on the runway for three
    and a half hours!!   I was so glad that I was still nursing 
    part-time because I was not prepared for that big of a delay!
    
    I agree with .1...it shouldn't be relatively easy at 3 months;
    but 9 months might be a different story!
    
    Good luck,
    Carol

I flew when I was 6 weeks old.  My mother told me the only time I cried was
when we landed and the engines were shutdown.  When they started the engines
for the next leg of the trip, I quickly went back to sleep.

Bob

    Does anyone know if the airline regulations have changed re: carrying
    infants?  I heard some talk about requiring an infant to have a seat
    instead of being a lap child.  Has this taken effect?  
    
    (We're flying to Pittsburgh this T'giving -- Elizabeth (3) and Laura (6
    mos.)
    
    LZP
    

re: .5

See Parenting_v2, note 1988 for a general discussion.  However the last reply 
was May 29, 1990, so if someone knows of any recent changes, perhaps you'll 
share them with .5

REGARDLESS of what the current U.S. FAA regulations are, I strongly suggest 
that you call the airline.  The airlines have considerable leeway in how they 
can interpret and implement FAA regulations.  They're not necessarily 
consistent with each other, or how YOU would interpret the regulation, and 
you certainly don't want to find out when you're checking in at the airport.

Clay

I took Kati on *at least* 10 trips the first year of her life, the first one
at 4 weeks old.  I nursed her, but was not comfortable nursing in public at
first, so it was a bit awkward.  If you're not comfortable nursing in public
take a bottle for juice (which they have on the plane, and you can mix with
1/2 water).  Also, if you sit in the bulk head for more room, it is difficult
to nurse or change diapers because the arm rests do not raise up - so consider
the trade-offs.

If you plan on dragging around your car seat, you might want to consider renting
one.  I usually rent from Avis for $3 per day.  Also, you can only use it if
the seat next to you happens to be empty (the regulations requiring children
to be in car seats have not been passed).

Kati never had ear problems, but I always put a pacifier in her mouth during
landing.  I think it's pretty easy to travel with a little one!

Kristen

    I flew with my 6 week old daugther last year from Boston to Barbados...
    also a 4 hour flight except I had a layover in between. Yes, I was
    quite
    worried about her ears. However, she slept during the entire flight
    but on take offs and landings I gave her a pacifier. I heard somewhere
    that also helps. I carried her in a baby carrier. We were scheduled
    to sit in regular seats. After the flight took off it was determined
    it wasn't full so they offered to move us to the seats behind the
    movie area where you have plenty of room. It was wonderful and I
    could lay her across two seats as a bed. If you need anymore info
    offline send me a note.
    
    -clotelle

    I forgot to mention if you're traveling alone as I was you may want to
    keep your hand luggge light. It's incredibly cumbersome trying to
    handle baby.. not enough hands for everything. Therefore we sent on
    most things and I simnply carried my handbag and a diaper bag.
    It really was an easy trip since she was young. My next trip will be
    quite different.
    
    -clotelle

    I'd vote for a backpack or snuggli sack to tote the little one around
    in. You will have your hands free. 
    
    Definitely sucking during take off (until you reach your flying
    altitude) and landing (as soon as you start to feel a slight descent).
    
    If you want "comfort" for the baby, request the bulkhead seat (the one
    staring at the wall) and they usually have a crib that attaches to the
    wall. The baby can sleep and you don't have a load on your lap all the
    time. This is especially helpful to change diapers!!! These must be
    requested in advance and are not available on all flights. Do ask!!!
    Definitely let the airline know you are flying with an infant - many
    will block out the seat next to you and only fill it if they really
    have to. Call a couple times before to confirm yourself and stress the
    fact that you are flying with an infant. You will usually hit a nice
    customer service rep who will help you out sooner or later. I've even
    done this when requesting a seat while flying during the first few
    months of pregnancy (amidst the nausea stage) and they blocked out the
    ROW for me. I told them I needed plenty of room and would like an isle
    seat in case I had to make a mad dash.I got to sleep comfortably. 
    
    Definitely try the Benedryl before hand as another note suggested and
    pay attention to how long it takes to take affect. If it takes 30
    minutes giving it to a screaming child mid-flight will do you little
    good. We have had good luck with just giving a dose of tylenol to help
    settle nerves (they can sense it especially if you are nervous) and a
    good stiff drink for yourself!!! 
    
    Infants are a million times easier than babies or toddlers!! 
    
    Have a good trip!
    
    Andrea
                                                                     

    
    There has also already been plenty of discussion of this topic here in
    V-3 as well, particularly 224.* and 132.*
    
    			- Bruce
    
    p.s. Moderators:  keyword traveling_with_kids needs to be added to 410.

Also see the Holdiay_Travel notes, I think in V1.

It REALLY is easy with an infant.  Now a 1.5-year-old... that is something
to worry about!

    
    Some basic rules:
    
    1.  Try to arrange for teh first row behind the bulkhead.  Most
        airlines will accomodate you.   DON'T go for the last row - that's
        where everyone passes to get to the restrooms.
    
    2.  Try to time meals (especially if you nurse) at takeoffs & landings.
        If you nurse, this is a good time for an "extra" meal.  The
        comfort as well as the sucking help eliminate ear problems.
    
    3.  A healthy baby might not sleep all the way.  Make sure YOU are
        rested, because your infant might want to wiggle the whole way,
    	or he might be so uncomfortable that he cries a lot.  And make 
    	sure that someone will be there to babysit for awhile while you
    	take a nap at the other end.
    	
    
    4.  Relax - the trip should be fun.
    
    
    -m

re: .5

I just called TWA yesterday because I am going to be travelling with my 3.5 
month old and they still say you can take a baby under 2 years old on your lap 
free.  They said they have a children's rate available on some flights so for 
the fun of it I asked how much the adult and children's rate round-trip from 
Indy to L.A. would be -- it is $373 adult and $343 child.  Gee, what a great 
savings, all of thirty dollars.

Kyra

    Our 2 month old has traveled twice and we have:
    o requested the bulkhead seats
    o reserved seats with an empty between us (this permits us to belt the
      car seat/kid in the freebie seat).  A person with that seat
      assignment will probably look for another seat.
    o brought plenty of baby gear for delays
    
    Don't forget to mention to the flight attendants that this is baby's
    1st flight.  Delta presented us with a 1st flight certificate signed by 
    the pilot.
    
    Happy Flying !