Transatlantic Flight with a 5 Month Old, Help?!

Buy him a seat. That way he is in his car seat which will be more comfortable for him and YOU!

I just went on a five hour flight with my 15 month old. We held her all the way. We were all tortured including all the passengers around us. The extra space will be worth the cost.

Ask the flight attendant to set up the changing table in the bathroom when you need to change him. I did not realize that they could do this. It takes a few extra minutes but the extra counter space is nice.

I nursed my second child when he was 12 months on a flight. It was fine; I just used a nursing cover to provide me privacy.

Sadly enough, you can prepare until you are blue in the face, but if your little darling decides to fuss, well, what you have on had may not be enough. But you will survive and get to your destination.

Good luck!

How I miss having a child I could nurse while flying. It was such a nice comfort, distraction and sleep aid. I'll be honest, there were moments that I had no qualms with using my breasts as a pacify-er to help us out...flying was on of those!

I usually get cold on flights, so I wore a nursing tank, a long sleeved shirt and a cardigan. It made breastfeeding very comfortable and private. My daughter never enjoyed nursing under a blanket or cover, so I just wore clothes that helped make the experience more convenient.

When my daughter was five months old, I never left the ground without a baby carrier (I used an ergo). She took lovely, long naps while curled up in her carrier and I had both hands to eat, read, play cards, etc. We never bothered with extra seats, but last time I flew, got one of the fifty dollar up grades for more leg room. Worth every dollar.

I suggest putting a few of his favorite objects/toys away now, so that they have been missed and hold his attention on the plane. Bring one out, every so often so that they are still fresh.

More than that, you will need rest the night before, liquids (breastfeeding and flying are dehydrating), mama snacks, a good and easy read, mama socks, a good pillow, etc. Get up with him and walk the isles every so often, so that your body doesn't tighten up and so that he gets stimulation and will sit happily in your lap after. If you are happy, he will be happy. Try to talk to your State side friends/family and see if they will take him when you land, so that you can recharge (sleep, stretch, shower) after a long flight. Having a guaranteed break to look forward to always helps me!

I've always found it helpful to bring a blanket for the airport floor. Using airports as a place to let them get their energy out is really helpful. Let him have some time on the ground, encourage him to look around and get stimulated and then, while you're on the plane, he will want to sleep.

When my daughter was very small, it didn't matter when we flew because she slept or was comfortable being held all the time. Later on, I booked red eye flights. She would sleep, I would rest and our fellow passengers were happy.

Good luck and happy travels...you'll be fine!

My son is 17 months now. Since he was a couple months old we have flown. He has been an 6 round trip flights, he also we a exclusive breast fed baby. The pacifier or just nursing would work the same. I always gave him some tylenol before flying just to make sure his ears didn't hurt. I breast fed him a couple times while taking off but it really didn't work to much, because he just wanted to see what was going on. If you would stay relaxed he will be relaxed. The flight will be fine. All by 1 of my round trip flights I was by myself because hubby was working. Good luck and have a safe flight!

For seating on the plane,
www.seatguru.com
Is GREAT to pick your plane seats... we have used it and even travel agents use it and the airlines.
It is great.

Just nurse him, HAVE a nursing apron!

Pumping will be a hassle on a plane. AND if pumping on a plane you have to bring SO much gear, just for that, and how to store the bottles/milk.

Check with www.tsa.gov about international air travel and rules and restrictions....

ALSO, have your baby's shot record with you and any other Doctor's information/insurance etc.

A pacifier will do just fine. You might find that he will nurse a lot for comfort and probably won't care which breast he is offered. I don't recommend pumping on the plane unless you have a manual pump that doesn't make any noise. He's only five months so he will probably spend a lot of the time sleeping, this is a good age to fly as they don't need much to entertain them. Get a seat for him if you can. That way you have your hands and lap free to get toys, diapers etc. I have flown internationally several times with my daughter since she was 4 months old (she's now 2) and the younger they are the easier it is in my opinion. You'll do fine don't worry so much. If you are aggitated the baby will pick up on that.

Our oldest always nursed at take-off and landing. I'd carry a pacifier & bottle just in case. I wouldn't worry too much about pumping - nurse him before and after you get on if you are afraid he'll go on strike - so you don't have to fly in pian. : ) Give him a bottle of water on take-off and landing if you have too.

This really isn't a bad age to fly. He'll probably sleep the whole time.