How do you fly with a Newborn??

[84zsazsa]

:wave: Hi everyone,

As the title states.....

Feels like a silly question but i would love to know how others have gone with this or even just hear from those that know the info.

Basically once bub is born in Sep/Oct hubby and I would love to take him down to Tasmania to meet his family (yes his parents are heading up for the birth but others like Gran cant travel that far). We are in the top end of QLD so i think we will need to jump planes in Sydney aswell.

I would like to do it just before Xmas so bub will be about 2mths. Is this do-able??

:detective: Will the airlines let you fly when bub is that small, has anyone got experiance doing this, does bub cost anything to fly at that age??

Any help would be great.

Thanx, Danni

[tootsy]

im not sure about details but i can imagine flying with a newborn would be much easier than flying with a 1year old or older, so i think you will cope just fine!

whats the worst that could happen? scream all the way? :p

older kids get bored, hypo, overtired, scream louder etc...

trust me... newborn would be peice of cake but thats just from my experiacne:thumbsup:

[Kittylou]

I flew from Brisbane to Adelaide with my DS when he was 8 weeks old (and back again two weeks later). I then went again when he was just over 3 months old. Both times it was just the two of us.

It was actually my first time on a plane :o so I was really nervous but there's nothing to worry about. There is no problem from the airlines with flying with young bubs and, in my experience, they try to seat you with a spare seat on one side so that you have a bit of extra room. You don't have to pay for babies (I think under two is free) as they are not allocated a seat - just sit on your lap. It can be a bit of a challenge when they bring drinks/snacks around - I just chose not to eat as it was too difficult (apart from one time when a really lovely older couple offered to hold DS for me for a couple of minutes).

Just remember to have something for your bub to suck (breast, bottle, dummy) for take off and landing - and don't make the mistake I did first time and give it too early!!

And don't get stressed and worry about your little one annoying anyone if they do cry. There's nothing you can do about it.

[kirstenriley]

dont stress its not too hard and as kittylou said, feed on take off and landing. Also if your baby does cry - remember how loud it actually is on an airplane and most people have their earphones on. We flew a bit from Perth to Melb and back and on a few flights were lucky enough to get a bassinett (so ask for one when you book and when checking in and if its a bigger plane they usually will give you one for a baby)

I should say too i only flew Qantas so not sure if this is the case on other airlines?????

[Londonmum]

Lots of good advice from Kittylou.

Babies are easy to travel with, they are less likely to get the pressure build up in the ears like we do or older kids.
Check with the airline re age of travel as some do have restrictions but I think at 2 months old you'll be fine. Also some flights offer bassonettes so check if they have that to offer (small flights might not have this, but if you go on a bigger plane they will).
I found the flight staff really good ( I flew Singapore air) and they are only too happy to hold bubs for you whilst you eat so again make sure you check with them about eating earlier or later then rest of flight so there is someone to hold bubs for you. If your travelling with your DH then they flight crew can stagger your meals so you can take turns.

As Kittylou said sometimes, if flight not too full, they will give you a spare seat so you can take your baby capsule on with you.

[kady1978]

I flew by myself from Perth to Brissy and back the next week with a 5 week old. It was pretty easy I think, as she was still light and could easily be held. They qantas staff were so helpful and would take her when I needed to go to the toilet etc. If bub is taking a dummy/bottle try to give it to him/her during take off and landing, as you feel your ears pop I guess. Mine was a breastfed bub, and you can't breastfeed during those times as they need to be sitting forward on your lap, with a belt around them (which is attached to your belt) and she would not take a bottle or dummy, so I would put my finger in her mouth and she would suck it. She slept most of the way and back. If you can (if the plane type has them) get a bassinet seat, you have to ring up and request it after booking your ticket. You won't necessarily get one though. My bub hated the bassinet anyway, it was too constricting for her, but the extra space for me always came in handy - as I'm 6 '!

Also they give you extra baggage allowance to check on a pram! So use it if you need to.

We also flew Perth - Singapore and back a week later by ourselves when she was 10 weeks old. Same thing, the qantas staff were amazingly helpful again, especially when trying to juggle bub and passports and bags etc. International flights I'd do when they are a bit older though, as they give you a stroller to take to and from the plane.

[meggs]

hey Danni
Im sure you will be fine:) Im not sure if it is jetstar or virgin but one flies direct from here to melb if that makes it easier for you?

Hope to meet you soon!!!:yes:

[diesal444]

Travelling with a newborn is super easy.
I flew with just me and bubs from Melb to Newcastle when DD was 6 weeks old and it was perfect.
She slept the whole way and the staff were terrific!!
Newborns arent fazed by much really ( or mine wasnt ).
A sling would be terrific too to keep hands free!
From memory most Domestic airlines will allow travel from 1 week old.:)

[84zsazsa]

:wave:Aursome ladies,

Thanx so much for all the replies. I got hubby coming with me so it should be a breeze by the sounds of it. I figgred earlier the better. He is so close to his Gran that i would love her to see him when he first has become a daddy so to me the trip is important to do early on. Great to hear it can be done.

MEGGS - added little note.....Hi, im still around just waiting for things at home to settle so i can get out and meets you gals. I so wana have a hold of your gorgous little bubba. Your avaitar always makes me smile!!

Danni