Traveling with an infant

[TXHookem]

Who has some good tips for traveling with an infant that will be 6-7 months old... on a transatlantic trip!?

 

[Macanudo]

We never did a transatlantic with either of ours but we did have some long flights. I flew from LAX to Anchorage with our oldest when she was about 8 months old. That was a 7 hour flight (I think.)

1. Be friendly with the flight attendants as soon as you get on the plane. They will make your trip much easier if your friendly with them. This is an obvious traveler thing but with little kids, it's a must. On my solo trip, I had a flight attendant who walked Baby M around for about 15 minutes while I went to the bathroom, stretched and ate my lunch. If you're flying with your wife, it's still great to get a little bit of extra assistance.
2. Some airlines will sell you a seat at half price for the kid (and their car seat.) Buy it. You can not imagine how nice it is to have that extra room. They will require the car seat to be in the window seat. It will give you a place to either put the kiddo when he's eating/sleeping/whatever.
3. Pre-board when they call for those needing extra assistance or time. Do it. Take advantage of the fact that you now have a 10 pound bowling ball plus all of it's gear traveling with you.
4. Over pack on diapers, food and entertainment for the baby. Far, far better to have too much formula (if ya'll are doing that) than not enough. You will need more diapers than you think plus, in the event that your luggage doesn't arrive, you're not frantically trying to find a place with diapers at your destination. Especially if you're arrival time is late at night. If you're using pacifiers, pack about 5 more than you think you'll need. They'll fall on the floor, get lost and just generally disappear.
5. Take a handful of earplugs. In the even that your kiddo is fussing, offer them to people around you. I've found that most people are remarkably tolerant of babies crying on planes. Especially if the parents are attempting to sooth and comfort it. But the offer of earplugs will make a lot of people aware that you know this is a hassled and your sorry.
6. Get up and walk around as much as possible when the baby is awake. I know some people think that walking with one is dangerous (turbulence) but if the flight is stable, the walk does you good and will stimulate the child. Then, maybe a nap will be easier to make happen.
7. I can't offer any solutions on the time changes. My flights have almost always been within one or two time zones. I honestly don't know if a transatlantic flight would be better overnight or all day.

Good luck.

 

[Used2btexaslover]

Is your wife nursing? If so, that's a lifesaver for putting to sleep purposes, pressure changes, pacifying, etc.

All of Mac's ideas were good. But as you know, most transatlanic over to Europe are all night, so that's even easier. Coming back could be a bit more challenging.

By 6-7 months old they are ususally out of that colicy stage (2-5ish months) and are generally pretty happy.

Traveling with them that young is actually really easy. We've done international with an infant at least twice that I can think of off the top of my head. So much easier to do it before they get mobile and fiesty (done that too.)

 

[bigbad66]

we've done multiple trans-atlantics w/ our kids - let me say this, I'd rather do it with a 6 month old than a 18 month old - and it's not even close

yes, get a seat for the little one if at all possible - it's not "immoral" to give them a small dose of benadryl (or some other antihistamine) to make them a little drowsy - but, only use the kids version, and make sure they've used it before as it makes a small minority of kids more awake, not less

the flight over to europe will be easier as they most likely will be sleeping, coming back a bit more tiring, but you've got "home" waiting for you on the way back - crack a beer once they fall asleep!

 

[austintexas]

all good suggestions. I'll just add to feed the baby a bottle during takeoff and when descending.

 

[Used2btexaslover]

Or nurse.

 

[Lat22]

This is news to me!

 

[EJC+1]

One time, while we we flying out to Hawaii, a 3 year old was sitting directly behind me. He must've continuously kick my seat for 5 out of the 8 hours of the flight.

I just kindly held my tongue as I knew God was getting back at me for all the evil I had done in my life.

 

[TXHookem]

I've heard that about feeding during takeoff and landing. Good call.

Looks like we'll hit Amsterdam for 3 days before heading to Italy for the rest of the time.

 

[Texclerk]

The trip there should be very easy. We took our kids to Europe at age 5, 5 and 4 months, 6 and 10 months, 6 and 18 months, and 7 and 2. Never had a hard time with them. The trip there was always very easy; the trip back not much worse since we were up so early and everyone was tired. A seat for your child will really help. Also request the bulk head. These seats are often reserved for families with small children becuase a bed can be attached to the bulk head for the baby. Also, show up prepared. Whatever you would need for a long car trip should be in your carry on. Try the discussion boards atThe Link for numerous discussions on transatlantic flights with kids.

 

[TXHookem]

Thanks... the more I read these messages, the more comfortable I feel about the trip (not that it would've changed my mind, though). Anyway, once we get there, we think we're going to rent an apartment in Amsterdam (picked AMS over Paris since it's a more walkable city) and then my cousin is hooking us up in Rome at one of the city's best hotels at a heavily discounted rates - maybe the concierges can make our stay easier.

Granted, we could stay with relatives in Italy... no shortage of places to stay but we really need a break from staying with relatives.

 

[Texclerk]

Sounds like so much fun, although I would not say that Paris is less walkable. We were there for some portion of each of the trips I outlined and had no problems with anyone or getting to anything. So many wonderful sites are located in the very middle of the city. A great place for kids.

Now Rome, a city that cannot be compared to but a few others on Earth, is going to be a little tougher in my opinion. The public transportation is not as kid friendly, and things are more spread out. I type this more for future users who may seach for this information.

You are going to have a blast