Flying with a 4 Month Old

One bit of advice, if you use formula, it must be mixed already. It is hit or miss at O'Hare whether they let through powder and bottled water, and no other airport I've been in allows it unmixed. Since it's such a short flight, I'd feed her before you get on the plane and not have to deal with it on the flight. My daughter must have super ears because she isn't bothered by the take-off or landing without eating.

Actually, MOST planes I've been on do indeed have a changing table that folds down over the toilet in the lavatory. Not every one, but usually. They might not be well marked, but ask a flight attendant which bathroom has one.

As for getting through screening, you'll want to have out quart-size ziplocs for your liquids and gels (toothpaste, lip balm, Purel, etc), and they need to be in small sizes, under 3 ounces I think. You can bring milk or formula for the baby, but take them out of the diaper bag and put them separately in the bins. I think juice is fine too, but the last time I flew they emptied out the sippy cups of water I had (argh).

You'll be fine -- I've traveled a ton alone with 2 kids, and you'd be surprised how many people do actually want to help. Allow plenty of time and enjoy all the new sights and sounds for your little one (ooh, a moving walkway!!!). Good luck!

Actually driving 5 hours is not as bad as it sounds. Granted a 5 hour drive might take you 7 hours if your stopping to brest feed, but still not bad. We have flown and drove with our 5 month old son since he was born. The drive to the in-laws in 9 hours w/o baby, 12 hours with (I'm breastfeeding). We drove at 8 weeks old and other than the stops to eat, he slept the entire time, and still slept 4-5 more hours once we got there (it was nighttime).
We also have flown twice. I prefered it until this last time. We went for the Christmas holiday. They lost ALL of out luggage for 3 days. Including the car seat and ALL of his stuff. They had to loan us a car seat and they might reimburse us for 50% of the cost on the items we had to by, but it was a total inconvience. We survived, but my son was being baptized and we had an anniversary party to go to and none of the clothes for them. It was still the best Christmas ever though.
Hope this helps.

Hi D.-

I have flown with my daughter (8 1/2 mos now) three times in the past several months. Two shorter trips and Ireland for Christmas. We've also done the 7 hr car ride to my parent's house four times. She's done well in the car, but the plane is so much easier. She's been a great little traveler.

I traveled on my own with my daughter the first two times and it was fairly easy with the exception of the X-ray where you have to put the stroller, your coat/shoes, diaper bag and all through the X-ray. It's a bit hard while holding the baby but once you're through, it's a breeze and you get to board first with a baby. I found that she went to sleep almost immediately on all flights.

The only thing that I found difficult was changing diapers on the flight. Even on the international flight, there is no where to do it. The bathroom is way to small and in the seat isn't much easier.

Good luck!
D.

I've flown from Chicago to Omaha and DC with my son several times at age 6 weeks, 2 months, 4 months, 7 months, and 9 months (he is well versed in air travel) - I agree that sitting in the middle or back of the plane is best for 'white noise' which never fails to put my guy to sleep (all 3 hours to DC!).

Also, when he was small I kept him in a Bjorn - so cuddling with me as well as the noise help him sleep. The other thing I've done was to pick flight times that either co-inside or are close to nap and sleep time - so when we take off I give him a bit of bottle (to help with air pressure) and then he sleeps without getting to far off his schedule.

Good luck and Happy Travels.

It is a bit difficult by yourself but as one person said it is pretty easy after you get through screening. I found that my little one didn't like the front of the plane which I like. He was fine when we took off and then out of the blue he starting crying and nothing would sooth him til I decided to move to the back of the plane, I believe its something with the noise (hum)from the engines and the vibration but he was the happiest camper and was great for the rest of the flight. I now swear perfer back of the plane when traveling, if the babies happy, your happy and everyone around you are happy. And with your flight being 45 minutes that is a piece of cake flight, relax, you don't want your daughter to play off of you nerviousness.

Have a great trip....

You have gotten a lot of good advice already but I must put in my two cents. I flew with my 3.5 month old. He was great on the plane. The doctor recommended that we feed him on the way up AND the way down...problem was, he cries if he doesn't get a full bottle in one sitting...so instead of having him cry the whole flight, we fed him on the way up and gave him the pacifier on the way down. It works perfectly, he was HAPPY and curious. I recomment a window seat--comfortable to hold her--don't worry about making someone (or two people) get up next to you...you'll only have to do it once or twice, I'm sure. There is a changing table in the bathroom on the plane--but get the stuff you need out and bring only those things back with you--otherwise its tight and things are falling off the tiny counter. We got stuck overnight in Atlanta unexpectedly--luckily I brought extra clothes, diapers, and bottles that stretched through the night...be prepared is all I can say! Ask the people around you for help with your baby's things--everyone at secutiry will help you to keep things moving! Watch out--they freaked on me because I didn't put the baby's liquids in the proper baggie: including diaper rash cream. (Bottles don't need to go in a baggie, obviously. Mine were in a small cooler). 45 mins should be pretty easy--if you have the chance, try to pick a time of day when you know she is generally in a good mood and right around when she will be ready to eat for take off. GOOD LUCK!

I've flown with my now 7-month old son 3 times (round trips) - at 2 months, 4.5 months, and 7 months. Each flight has been easy. Babies at this age want to be held more than anything, so it's actually easier than a long car ride where you can't hold her. Make sure you breastfeed/bottle feed her on the ascent and descent. Basically, if you swallow to pop your ears, make sure she is swallowing too. You should be able to pre-board with her, which makes getting on and off easier.

I recommend bringing a sling to carry her in so that you can have your hand/hands free to carry other stuff. I have changed my son in my lap (put the pad down on your lap first) - he finds it tremendously amusing, although he is so long now that it's hard. Some larger airplanes may have flip-down changing tables in the lavatories, but don't count on it. Better to just board with a fresh diaper. The flight is short. Bring a couple of books and toys and you should be set.

If you buy her a ticket you can take on her carseat. Honestly, for a baby this age I don't think it's worth the trouble, especially when flying alone. Where are you going to put her while you try and install the thing? I would check her carseat instead. Airlines are responsible if they get lost. If for some reason it doesn't show up on that flight's baggage they can give you a loner car seat and take it back once they deliver yours at your destination. (I just learned this a couple weeks ago - I had been prepared to wait in the airport another 5 hours for the next plane to show up!)

Kids at this age travel really well. Good luck!

I fly with my children all of the time on little 50 minute flights. Check your bags at the curbside check in area for your airline. Only take your stroller, diaper bag, and purse in with you. You can check your stroller at the gate. Also, a little benadryl to help your little one to sleep through the entire flight won't hurt and his little ears will fare better.

Hi D.! I flew with my 5 month old son to NYC from Chicago. It was a 2.5 hour flight. The hardest thing was packing light and coordinating holding him while folding and unfolding the stroller on the gate ramp by the airplane. ASK FOR HELP!! I flew connection flights each way -- so I was on and off 4 times total -- only once did a flight attendant offer help. Him sitting on my lap was OKAY -- just organize yourself so anything needed is tucked in the seat's compartment. Was hard to have to juggle him and reach for the bag under the seat in front. Have a couple of bottles ready -- take offs and decents/landings with ears popping can be uncomfortable for baby. So if they are drinking -- helps with that. Hope this helps! S. from Lisle, IL

I've flown and driven with a four month old. I didn't have problems with either. Since you are going to be alone, I would go with flying. The only thing you will have to worry about is going through security. If you bring a stroller, they will make you fold it up, I still don't know why. I haven't flown recently, but just make sure you have everything in Zip lock baggies. You will most likely have to take your shoes off. Doesn't sound that bad until you are doing all of it by yourself with a child.
Don't worry about the flight. Just try to book the flight during a nap time. Good luck and have fun!

I agree with all the other responses. It's really not bad to fly with a baby at all, and the time savings would be great. I'd definitely suggest bringing a carrier, whether you use a Bjorn or a sling or whatever. I found that to be the best thing when I traveled with my daughter when she was 6 mos. Had to take it off for security, but I traveled with her when she was older and therefore in a stroller, and I found that a lot more cumbersome to deal with (and at that point she was standing and walking, making it in theory easier than with an infant).

If you can manage it all, bring your stroller and carseat to the gate with you, even if it's just to push and carry your diaper bag while you're wearing your child. It helps with lugging stuff and also, if there are any extra seats on the plane, you can take advantage of requesting to be seated by one so that you can put your child in her carseat for the flight.

Have a great trip!

Hi!
We flew with my son when he was 4 months old and it was fine. I just made sure he was sucking a bottle or pacifier during take off and landing. This helps with their ears from the pressure. It was also very nice that you can take your stroller all the way to the plane. As you get on at the gate they will take it and store it until you get there and then it will be at the gate when you land. It was great!! A 45 minute flight would be just fine!!
Good luck!