Hi everyone, I'm fixing to head back home to the UK in a couple of days. On my way to the states the flight was long, uncomfortable and horrible w/ my 5 month old baby screaming for the whole flight. My 3 year old was actually good. On the way back I want to avoid all of that and have a decent 10 1/2 hr flight back. What can I give him (he's 7 months now) that will make him drousy and sleep for most of the flight. I know we will be flying throughout the night getting there in the morning and he usually sleeps 10 hrs a night anyway. Anyone had some luck w/ flying w/ infants?
1 second ago - 3 days left to answer.
Report It I'm so sorry to hear about your trip to the States. I've flown with a baby and a 3 year old, also those ages plus an older child. I usually fly alone with my three kids between Europe and California a couple of times a year so it's 11 1/2 and 10 1/2 hours back.
I'm also a former Flight Attendant who worked mostly transatlantics and *usually* 5 month olds were very good and my 4 month olds flew very well. I suspect she might have had something wrong, like an ear infection or slight cold that didn't bother her too much on the ground but hit her once in the air. It happens...
Take your little ones to a doctor a few days before flying. My son was good at getting symptomless ear infections. Make sure neither of yours' doesn't have one of those! The doctor will look in their ears and make sure they're clear and infection-free. Healthy ears can handle pressurization changes.
It's actually a myth that children need to suck on something for take-off and landing. I rarely saw it in my 13 years as a Flight Attendant and my third child, 3 1/2, just finished her 6th round-trip transatlantic flight. That's not counting all the flights I've made with her older brother and sister before. I have never, ever done anything special with them for take-offs and landings.
ENT specialists simply recommend that the child is awake for landing;
http://www.entcda.com/AAOHNSF/earsandalt...
The delicate time is not during take-off or landing/touchdown but at the *top of descent*. This is usually 40 minutes to an hour before landing and everyone's ears have to reverse the pressurization. I can confirm that when I worked, if any passengers had ear problems, this was the time. Not just children either! They actualy felt *better* as we got closer to landing.
You need to discuss the meds with the doctor. As a Flight Attendant, I saw parents do this many, many times. Usually it worked but twice it went terribly wrong and the child had the *opposite* reaction. They went completely wired onboard
Remember that all meds are stronger at altitude. You know how that glass of wine goes to your head a bit faster when you're flying? Most medical emergencies I saw were because of this.
Do NOT give it before take-off in case of an emergency, as unlikely as that is.
Obviously you want to try it at home first but just because your baby didn't get a reaction the first time doesn't guarentee that it wont happen.
Weigh up the risks yourself but there are other options.
I do recommend that she has her own seat. This is the only way to fly safely with an infant.
First, check that your carseat is FAA approved;
http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_childr...
Most carseats in the U.S. are but check. If you purchase a seat for your baby and you have an approved carseat, it's your right to use it.
Disregard this statement if you are not flying on a U.S. company. Check with your airline and/or Aviation authority (i.e. the C.A.A. in the U.K.) Search with the name of the airline followed by "children" to get to the right page.
Also get out your owner's manual and see what they have to say about airplane use. Some recommend not using the base.
If you didn't purchase a seat, request that they "block" a seat next to you if the flight isn't full. Usually they try to comply since it makes the trip more comfortable for the parents, the child and the people around them.
Up to two years old, they can sit on your lap but they aren't protected if anything goes wrong. Having said that, there is very little chance on a commercial flight of anything happening. If you do travel with her in your lap, be sure the baby is completely loose and not attached to you in any way, no seatbelts, carriers, etc. Belly belts used by some foreign companies are banned by the FAA.
I found using a good baby carrier to be *the* secret to flying a with children. If mine would fuss, I only had to put them in and walk around and they would quiet down. Often it was easier to chuck the bags on the stroller and put the baby in the carrier. Forget highly commercialized "front packs" like the Bjorn and get something comfortable and useful and one you can sit down with. I had a sling but a Mei Tai, wrap or pouch would work well too (less expensive and can be used for longer too). Make sure you're confident with its use before leaving as there is sometimes a learning curve. Believe me, it's well worth learning! It made Life With An Infant easier too. Many moms would ask me where I got mine, when they saw how helpful it was.
Bring 1/3 more diapers than you think you need and at least one change of clothes. For this age, I went ahead and dressed them in sleepsuits. No one blinks and I saw it a lot working.
If she's breastfed, you're set. It'll be that much easier since she's just at the age to start solids (messy on the airplane!) Put this off if you can. If you bottlefeed, get the type of bottles that have the disposable liners (Avent, Playtex, perhaps other brands). I would premix the powder and roll them up in a ziplock bag, pop them in the bottle, fill with water and throw out the liners as I used them. There are no "real" sinks on an airplane so washing bottles is a bit tricky. With these kinds of bottles, you only have to wash the ring and the nipple. Much, much easier!
Also, since there is no health-advantage to warming bottles, get her used to a room-temperature one before leaving. Sure, I warmed many a bottle in my career but there are no F/A's to help with this task in the check-in line, the waiting area, customs, etc
Just some other odd tips;
-Try to sit in the "bulkhead" seats, those with a wall in front, even if you can't use the bassinet, if there is one.
-Bring about 1/3 more diapers than you think you'll need...at least! Put them in plastic bags, make at least two "packages" and wrap them with rubber bands to pack them more easily.
-Learn to change the older one standing up. Practice before leaving. This will make it easier and faster. Toddlers hate to lie down in strange places and I use the handicapped lavs instead.
-Bring a change of clothes for both, at least one and at least a T-shirt for you. Do the same trick with the plastic bags and rubber bands to save space in your bag.
-Bring a lot of snacks. Don't worry about security. If it's not allowed, they simply take it from you. I've never had this happen.
-Bring empty sippy cups to use onboard for the bigger one.
-Consider ordering special meals. Kids usually hate the standard fare.
-Bring brand new toys to surprise him with onboard. These keep them occupied for ages. Coloring stuff and stickers are good too.
- Talk to your older child about security, even though he went through it already on the way over. Remind him that he has to put all his things on the belt and might have to remove his shoes (perhaps pick footwear with this in mind on the day). My kids are fine with flying but security can be intimitating for any child. This is an American site but you might still find it helpful;
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/c...
I will say that usually children are quieter on the way to Europe. At night, the lights are dimmed and people are quieter. The children pick up on this and nod off themselves. The way over is tougher but this is behind you.
If you would like more information on flying with children, about 8 years ago I wrote an article which I later put on a blog to share with other parents. Since I have both the experience of working long-haul flights and flying as a mom myself on them, this is non-commercial information simply there to make your trip easier.
Feel free to visit;
http://flyingwithchildren.blogspot.com
Good luck! I fly United a lot and I'm almost sure they don't have bassinets. My girlfriend who is a F/A with them told me they did come out with one right before 9/11 that showed up on a few aircraft but never were widely installed. They use these boxes on the floor which aren't too useful. Report It
First of all sweetheart do not give a little baby something to make them sleepy..Being in the(height) air is bad enough, you know it makes their ears ring from the pressure and if you feed him before the flight he could get sick..so try not to feed him until 40 mins. into the flight in the air make sure his bottle is warm a little bit more than warm that should make him sleepy feed him and take plenty of crackers and PRAY..and after you get home STOP spoiling him because he will do this all the time. then again I do not know you so maybe the crying , just might be from flying ONLY.. Take along a couple of toys and or a small DVD player and put on a little movie or/and cartoon to keep his attention if that's possible. They have so many new rules and rejections on what you can take on a plane.So I wish you well.. Consult a pediatric, normally they will give Phenargan which works to be good for the child.
Please consult doctor who will be the best to advise you.* |
