Travel and security for newborn babies: looking for advice

[MamanFlo]

Hello mums !

does anyone know a good resource for security advice on travelling with babies less than 6 months? ie. how long can my baby stay in a car seat ? how to handle a baby on a plane ? ...etc...

thanks for your help !

Flo

[Kelly1978]

2 hours is recomended max in a car seat, that's all I know tho!

[Kelly1978]

2 hours is recomended max in a car seat, that's all I know tho!

[Kelly1978]

2 hours is recomended max in a car seat, that's all I know tho!

[Kelly1978]

Sorry I dont know how that happened!

[bobbybob]

Where are you off to MamanFlo?

[MamanFlo]

I am going to Nice by plane to stay a few days, then Paris for a couple of weeks, then back to London. After I have to go in the south west of france.

Most of my travel will be by plane, but I will also drive and use the train at some points.


IBizarrely I can't find a real good source of information about travelling and babies and I am still unsure of how to travel the lightest way possible.

[LIZS]

Don't know of a site (other than this one !!) but could you do it with a carrier such as a Baby Bjorn and a car seat. If you are lucky you may even be able to use the car seat on a spare seat on the plane - does vary from airline to airline and how full the flight is. Baby should be fine in either for a few hours.

[Chandra]

ABout security... not really, I have found a lot of the info in the travel topic very useful. Taking the car seat with you seems like the best idea (but ensure it is suitable to be used in an aircraft). I always take medicines with me -the ones he may be likely to use, eventhough at such young age probably even Calpol is still out of the question), a thermometer, red book, your GP details, etc.

[MamanFlo]

the thing I am really wondering about is how long can a 2 month old stay in a baby carrier and a car seat ? Apparently a baby should lie flat if it is more than 2 hours...which would require to take the carrycot on my travel...

[Newbarnsleygirl]

I had dd in a car seat for 5 hours when we travelled to Scotland. She was 3 months at the time.

I feel a bit guilty now.

[mamadadawahwah]

What? 2 hours in a car seat for babies at six months.

I have never heard that. Had baby in car seat for five hours on a road trip and he slept most of the way (8 weeks). Baby slept in car seat at home cause of reflux for 8 hours stretch and no problem.

In terms of a long haul flight, you of course will be lifting a small baby out of the car seat periodically to nurse and play, walk up the aisles, etc. I wouldnt worry too much. Take baby in your arms to nurse to sleep.

[Chandra]

About the time... well, I don't know but my friend's DS developed a very bad cold when he was a few weeks old and the GP asked them to let him sleep in the car seat overnight to improve his breathing, so I supose it shouldn't be that bad as long as the car seat is a well padded one. I have also seen a carseat that transforms into a carry cot, not sure if it can be used on a car n its carry cot form but definitively would be OK for the train.

[mamadadawahwah]

Yes, i agree, if baby has cold, particularly in the nose, having the head upright a little will help with drainage of nasal passages. As soon as my ds is laid flat with a cold, he stuffs up. Also, if child is in baby seat for extended period then pad the seat with a blanky or towel especially around the head area so their little head dosent get "dented".

[ionesmum]

There is a website, think it's called travellingwithkids.co.uk (or try children if not). They are basically a commercial company but also have loads of advice on flying etc. I think they sell a special lap harness for flying. Also contact your airline for their advice, and for cars seats your local council should have a safety officer of some kind - ours has one who will actually check that your car seat is fitted properly as well as giving loads of other advice. Also your hv might have some leaflets etc.

Best of luck, I hate travelling so take my hat off to you!

[MamanFlo]

thanks ionesmum, this website (www.travellingwithchildren.co.uk) seems to fit the bill...I will read that tomorrow.

Travelling is necessary : the whole family is in France ! but obsessing about this at the moment distracts me from the birth (due in 4 weeks now !)...and that's best for me I guess !

[Chandra]

Maman Flo, when I had my newborn I would have considered you brave, now I have a 2 yr old I think that you are very intelligent , I regret so much not travelling more when DS was a small baby, is far easier than when they grow up

[ionesmum]

Glad the website was what you were after. Good luck with the birth!