Flying with Kids

I was always told from Doctor's just make sure that they are sucking on something. Whether it be a pacifier, bottle, or something.

Entertainment wise, I just made sure, depending on the time of the take-off, that she was ready for a nap by the time the plane took off. I did not let her eat until we were going up and then she slept through almost a 2 hour flight. Then she ate some more coming back down.

Try to get your baby to drink something when you are taking off and landing. That way he is swallowing and it will help with the air pressure. Don't worry too much about it, I'm sure he'll be fine. I've flown w/ my son when he was that age, no big deal.

The change in pressure during the take off and landing is what leads to the pain in the ears. The way to help reduce this is by swallowing, that relives the pressure in the ears. Adults can easily do that, but obviously babies don't know to do that. What I have done in the past is to make sure that I am either breastfeeding or giving my daughter a bottle during take off and landing. This will obviously cause the swallowing needed to relieve the pressure. Good Luck!

Hi!
I have traveled with my children a lot! I also work for JetBlue. By the time my daughter was four, she had been on 36 different airplanes. It can be very hard, but I think it is an experience that will make you stronger.
The take-offs and landings always hurt their ears. They still even hurt my ears sometimes. You should give the baby tylenol about a half an hour before the flight takes off. This will alleviate some of the pain. If the baby is awake, you should have him drinking a bottle or sucking on a pacifier during take-offs and landings as well. This helps with the pressure in the ears.
I don't know what airline you are flying on, but security is the same for everyone. When going through security, the adults and older children are not allowed to have any liquid. Each person is allowed one quart-size baggie to put your liquids, gels, or pastes in and each container cannot be larger than 3.4 oz. The baby, on the other hand, is allowed whatever you need for him, and it does not have to be in a baggie. I would suggest having a couple of bottles pre-made so that you don't have to worry about mixing anything. You can also take baby food, diaper ointment, wipes, etc. Anything necessary for the baby is ok.
One last thing that I highly recommend:
Take a change of clothes for the baby and yourself ON the plane. I had an incident once of an explosive diaper after we got to the gate and my luggage was already under the plane. It was the stinkiest, most miserable 5 1/2 hour flight of my life!! Good luck!
If you have any more questions, you should call the airline. With Jet Blue, if you are taking the baby as a lap child, the baby is allowed a car seat, a stroller, and a diaper bag on top of all the luggage that you are allowed. You might want to call and find out if this is the case for you, so that you don't have to worry about cramming everything into fewer suitcases so that you have allowances for the necessities.

Cori

I can help. We have traveled with my little one since he was 6 months. Here are some tips:
• Have a pacifier and a bottle handy for take off and landing. When he drinks or he sucks his pacifier, his/her ears adjust to the preasure.
• You can put your diaper bag on the lower compartment in front of your feet. That way you won't need to stand up every time your baby needs something.
• If you have the budget, car seat/strollers are awesome when traveling. If there are not many people on the plane, you might be able to put your baby in the seat. If not, ask for one of those huge plastic bags so you can prevent your carseat from getting dirty. Most of the time, when they don't let you carry the seat with you, they'll pick it up before you board and give it back to you when you get off the plane (ask where to pick it up).
• Have some of his favorite toys and books handy so you can entretain. Even his/her favorite food helps!
• Don't forget his/her blanky or teddy bear so you encourage your baby to sleep.
• Before you get on the plane, have your baby jump on your legs or move around, so he/she has his/her share of playtime before you board.
• Plane restrooms have a changing station, but it's not always so obvious. Have the flight attendant help you find it.
• Take wipes for his/her little hands because babies love to touch everything (not to mention drop everything).
• Worst case scenario, lock yourself with the baby in the bathroom for a while; although let me tell you; this has never happened to me.
Good luck.

P.S. If you're going to a hotel, and they provide cribs, be sure to take your little one's sheet and blankets, since they don't seem to have baby sheets for the cribs (Oh! and if you use music to rock your baby, take it with you too, so he/she can have a similar situation when it's time for him/her to go to sleep.

Hi -
I flew with my then 13 month old to Hawaii and to Florida - long trips both! We called our doctor, who said it would be safe to give her a small amount of benadryl - asked a pharmacist for the dosage - just be very careful. Not all kids react well to benadryl. We found that a very tiny amount of Dramamine (again asked my pharmacist for the amount) worked better - has very similar ingredients as the benadryl.
I gave her Infants Sudafed (got amount from pharmacist & dr) which really helps with pressure from the plane - and gave her some cookies/milk and the pressure didn't bother her at all.
Mostly it was just hard keeping her entertained for 6 hours!
Hope this helps!

I have been flying with my kiddos since they were 6 mths old to now the oldest being 10. We have done 2 hour flights to 6 hour flights and no matter what age my girls are there ears hurt. For my oldest gum is the only thing that helps her and for my youngest I let her use marshmallows to eat. Anything you can let your child have that would require chewing will help, if still on the bottle then you will be fine if not try to get any type of container in the airport shops that requires a sucking motion to drink the juice/water, etc.

I just flew with my boys 8,6 and 3 months earlier this week
(my husband is a pilot). I fed the baby during take off and he didn't seem to be bothered at all. (you can also try a pacifier, because its sucking motion that relierves the pressure in the ears) I also gave the older gum for take off and landing too.

Hello,

When I flew with my little girl I was advised during take off and landing to feed them with a bottle. It will help them, that has worked for me as she feel asleep.