Can someone tell me about flying with an 18 mth old and/or a newborn?

Apparently, the opportunity has arisen for us to fly to NY for MIL surprise 60th in July.

Can anyone let me know about how tough a 2 1/2 hr flight would be and what I'd need on the plane (carseat vs lap, etc).

Re: Can someone tell me about flying with an 18 mth old and/or a newborn?

just a word of advice if your baby gets sick and has a fever before 1 month of age your advised to take them to an emergency room. your DS will not have his 3 month shots and I would be wiery of taking a newborn on a plane. JMO

Re: Can someone tell me about flying with an 18 mth old and/or a newborn?

The baby will be a breeze...

Aly might be a little hard- try to get a flight around her nap time or bed time... Bring lots of snacks (I bribe with candy-lol) crayons, toys, etc...

I made it through a 5+hr flight with a 14 month old-

And have since traveled by plan to and from GA when RJ was 18 months old...

Def. wasnt the worst thing~

Re: Can someone tell me about flying with an 18 mth old and/or a newborn?

I did it when Gillian was 4 weeks. The above poster is correct that if the baby has fever you have to go to the ER but she was fine. I brought her car seat on bc there were open seats but you may not have that luxury in july. (I went in January). I covered the front of the carrier with a blanket and the plane noise put her right to sleep. it was so easy. Your other child...I dont know what that would be like. I am taken Gillian on a plane ride at 7 months (next month) and I am a little afraid

Re: Can someone tell me about flying with an 18 mth old and/or a newborn?

I have been traveling with Olivia every month since she was 6 months old. What i do is bring snacks, books, toys, and plan the trip around her nap time. if she sleeps 10-12 i took a 930 flight. the motion helps and olivia 9 out of 10 times slept the whole time. i also brought a banana and dry cereal for food just in case she didnt like what they were serving or was being picky. also recently i started to travel with ear plugs for her since alot of kids are on the plane. last time i put my ipod ear phones in to drown out the noise. bring a blanket the plane can be cold and for a 16 month old bring a carseat. if its a paid seat your allowed to bring it on the plane. i was never able to put olivia on my lap as she doesnt sit still.

Re: Can someone tell me about flying with an 18 mth old and/or a newborn?

We just went away and I bought Crayola Color Wonder coloring books, they are so great because the color only comes out on the pages, and she loves to draw.. I also brought stickers for her to put in the books.. Lots of snacks, and lots of patience She slept half-way there and the whole way home..

Re: Can someone tell me about flying with an 18 mth old and/or a newborn?

Re: Can someone tell me about flying with an 18 mth old and/or a newborn?

The newborn will be fine to fly with. My main concern would be taking him so young, not so much the flight itself. That said, my cousin flew with her 3 week old and while her pediatrician was none too thrilled, the baby did fine.

For Aly, take some tylenol and pray.

I'm kidding. Mostly. I flew with Jake at 17 mos. On the way there, it was a pretty much a nightmare. On the way back, he was a joy. So, I guess it's hit or miss at that age. But I can tell you this, if and when I have another, I will NOT be flying at that age.

Also - if you are buying her a seat, your trip just got 10x better.


Good luck!

Re: Can someone tell me about flying with an 18 mth old and/or a newborn?

we flew with my DD at two months(just after her shots) and four months. She was perfect at two months- slept both ways the whole time. At four months, she was up most of the first flight and crying a bit. The return flight was better.

Both times she was on the lap.

Re: Can someone tell me about flying with an 18 mth old and/or a newborn?

For both children be sure to have something for them to suck on or eat during both take-off and landing to reduce ear popping. When my son was a baby I had no problem flying with him. We never purchased him a seat, but we made sure that we purchased an aisle and a window with one seat in the middle. We always asked at the desk if they would try to keep that seat empty. It was always empty. But you have to figure is someone was sitting there they would be happy to move out of the middle. We used to just bring some small toys and snacks along. However, after DS could walk I had a really bad experiencee. He is now three so we purchase his seat, use a car seat and bring a portable dvd player. There is one on sale at Best Buy for $70. We fly alot.

Good luck! Enjoy

Re: Can someone tell me about flying with an 18 mth old and/or a newborn?

Re: Can someone tell me about flying with an 18 mth old and/or a newborn?

I have been flying with Carlie since she was 5 months old. I would bring LOTS of toys and dried snacks . It is really hit or miss if she is good on the plane. I always try to get a flight around her naptime. It was mich eaiser when she was younger, so the baby should be fine. Now she wants to move and walk around alot so it is much harder.

Good Luck!

Re: Can someone tell me about flying with an 18 mth old and/or a newborn?

I don't know much about traveling with a newborn but we first took Kevin on an airplane at about 18/19 months and it was much easier than I thought it would be. We didn't buy him a seat but when we booked our tickets we booked the aisle and window seat and luckily no one booked the seat in between so he had a seat to play on. He only slept a little bit which stunk but for the most part - we brought lots of little toys and treats to keep him busy - books, coloring books, stickers, cars, m&M, lollipops, goldfish, crackers, etc. We also brought a portable DVD player which helped some too although he isn't a huge tv kid so it only lasts maybe 30 minutes for us. He was a good boy!! We didn't bring a car seat since we didn't buy him a seat - we rented a car with a car seat when we reached our destination.

Message edited 5/29/2007 8:53:38 AM.

Re: Can someone tell me about flying with an 18 mth old and/or a newborn?

thank you all for your responses! We are still considering the decision...mainly because we don't know whne this baby is coming....

also, the good thing is my uncle is a Pediatrician and the ofc is open 7 days a week AND they live around the corner from my parents should anything happen....PLUS stony brook hospital is literally, right there.

Re: Can someone tell me about flying with an 18 mth old and/or a newborn?

We actually flew this weekend with the boys. We had to come to NY for a funeral. BC it was such short notice and the tickets were expensive, we didn't have the money to purchase a seat for Nate.

We made sure we packed light. We had one big suitcase with all of our clothes. I packed the diaper bag with enough formula, diapers and snacks for 12 hours. Also change of clothes for both and toys for Nate.

We checked in Nate's carseat when we checked our bags. We only had the diaper bag, double stroller w/infant carrier, and DH's backpack when we went to gate.

Luckily both kids slept through the entire ride. Even though we didn't have to purchase a seat for Nate, getting one for him would have been easier. Then DH and I could have sat in the same row.

Message edited 5/29/2007 1:32:09 PM.