Thoughts on flying with an 8 week old please!!

[first1]

My baby is due on 17th May and have been invited to my cousin's wedding in Malta which is on 17th July. So depending on when baby arrives, she could be anything from 6 - 10 weeks old. The flight is only 3 hours. I'd love to go and see all my family out there and introduce them to Little Legs but I know there are a few practicalities to contend with so advice much welcome!!

Firstly, I obviously can't book our flights until she's born and I know her DOB, or can I? Obviously it'll also take several weeks to get her a passport.

We'd probably just go for a long weekend and we'd be staying at my auntie's house, so a lot less stressful than a hotel. But then it'll also be about 35 degrees and the poor baby will not like contending with mozzies all day long.

(DH also wants us to fly to 12 hours to Cape Town in December to see his parents, but that's another matter!)

Thoughts please!!

[birdofthenorth]

I don't really have the answers to your specific Qs I'm afraid but I'll watch this post with interest as I'm also thinking of flying with an 8 week old. I'm due in late Aug and hoping to go to Cyprus in my stepson's Oct half-term to compensate for not being able to take him away in the summer hols when I'm too big to fly.

All I know is my brother and SIL in Australia just flew from Sydney to Perth and back for a weekend with their 6 week old twins and both babies were fine throughout both flights, no distress, mostly slept, which was encouraging!

[AnnieAlcoholLeft]

It was nearly five years ago now, but I flew to Ireland when DS was only 8 weeks old. Only an hour flight I know! I think I breastfed for take-off and landing and he was grand. As soon as she is born and you have registered her (so you get your official birth certificate) then you can send off for the passport. But you can book the flights (I imagine) before you receive the passport.

As for the mozzies - you can use a natural repellent, such as eucalypus oil spray (google it), and burn those candle things.

[napa]

i'm due in may and am off to florida in july. we have booked our flights already, and the airline said to call back once the baby is born to add them to the booking. the baby doesn't get its own seat, just sits on your lap but you may need to pay for them anyway (we have to pay £95 for the baby when we add it).
it will be very hot when we are there but planning to stay inside in air conditioned room during hottest part of the day and have a mozzie net for the pushchair.
don't see your trip as a prob, have fun

[izzybiz]

We flew to Spain when Dd was 8 weeks old, I was bottle feeding so packed Steri bottles and cartons in my hand luggage (you would need to buy them once you have gone through into departures now)
The only problem we had was we were delayed for 15 hours, luggage had been checked in and Dd soiled her clothes, she flew to Spain wearing just a vest and her 2 year old cousins cardi. Also had Dh running from the hotel back into the airport for more bottles and milk (obviously wont be a problem if you BF!)

I took a Shade a babe sun cover for her buggy and a battrey operated clip on fan to keep her cool!

I had the easiest time nieces were 2 and 10 months at the time, my Dd slept for a lot of the holiday! Have a great time!

[dairymoo]

I flew with 12 week old twins (who were 5 weeks early and so only 8lb at the time) to the States and it was an absolute doddle. I just BF continuosly and got to watch all the films - twas great! Have been 3 times since and each flight has got progresssively worse so go go go when the LO is as young as poss is my advice!

Not sure about booking flights though, and we didn't have to contend with that heat but passports are fairly easy to get - just make sure you have all the forms ready and filled out (apart from the DOB, name, etc) and send of as soon as LO is born. Think you can pay or an expedited service?

[trixymalixy]

I flew to Rome with an 8 week old, she slept all the way. It's much easier when they're that age than when they are sitting up or crawling.

[Tryharder]

Flew with DS1 when he was about that age. It's easier if you're breastfeeding then you have less paraphanalia. Agree with dairymoo and trixy, I would much rather fly with an 8 week old than a toddler.

[rachelfruitloop]

I flew with my DS at 12 weeks to Los Angeles (11 hour flight), and it was just fine. I agree with the others, breastfeeding makes for less paraphernalia, but to feed during take off and landing is particularly good as the swallowing keeps their ears from going funny. We make this journey about once a year (my family all live in L.A.) and I also agree with dairymoo, trixy and Tryharder - I'd much rather fly with a little baby than a toddler!

[ib]

I did a 15 hour flight with ds at 7 weeks. It was great. The only time in his first 5 months he had such a long stretch without screaming (he had bad reflux). The combination of white noise, motion and continuous bf was magic.

It also helped my milk supply!

I booked dh and my ticket well before the birth. He was on an infant ticket (no seat) so I just added him when he was born iirc.

[MrsBadger]

yes do it, easy peasy

def bf

get a sling so you can check the pram in as hold luggage

pack spare clothes for baby and you in hand lugagge as they will poo / vom everywhere at inopportune moments.

you can pay an extra charge and get a passport in 2 days if you make an appt and go in person to the passport office (did this with dd at 6wks, flew to Morocco at 7wks)

dab mossie repellent on muslin and dangle near baby

and go to SA earlier than Dec - on flights the smaller they are the better

[MrsBadger]

yes do it, easy peasy

def bf

get a sling so you can check the pram in as hold luggage

pack spare clothes for baby and you in hand lugagge as they will poo / vom everywhere at inopportune moments.

you can pay an extra charge and get a passport in 2 days if you make an appt and go in person to the passport office (did this with dd at 6wks, flew to Morocco at 7wks)

dab mossie repellent on muslin and dangle near baby

and go to SA earlier than Dec - on flights the smaller they are the better

[trixymalixy]

I second the sling, bfing on take-off and extra clothes for both of you!!

[randomimposter]

just to echo
So SO SO much easier with an 8 week old than a toddler. BF or bottle on take off and landing - only thing I would say is that the crew were very militant with me about ensuring DS had a belt on, hence gave him a bottle of expressed rather than BF....
good luck and enjoy

[MrsBadger]

oh yes - position as if to feed then belt up else you get stuck

[crumpet]

flew to Australia with dd 10 weeks, back when she was 14 weeks - fine both times.
Watch your carry on stuff though, I was like a mule with a buggy for airport changes, possibly even had a car seat but can't remember, enough nappies and changes of clothes to sink a battle ship, the list went on!

[MumNWLondon]

I think it will be fine, esp as you are staying with family - although much easier if breastfeeding - also best not to go on budget airline as they don't provide bassinets...

another tip is to have a sling in your handluggage as sometimes buggy doesn't come off until carousel and good to be hands free.

[Elizap]

I flew with my dd for the first time when she was 9 weeks and was fine. Echo feeding on takeoff and landing as can hurt their ears. My dd uses a dummy so I always had a stash of clean sterilised ones at the ready and tbh she slept most of the time. Not sure if will be poss on the airline you fly but I would always carry my DD onto the plane in her maxi cosi car seat and if I was lucky to get a spare seat next to me I would strap the car seat into the plane seat and put her in it for the flight, not for take off and landing of course. Was great as I always flew alone with her and needed my hands at times! As for the heat dont worry. My DD was born in Portugal and was really hot all the time. Just leave them with very little clothes on and stay indoors when really hot, between 11 and 3 and give them water to drink, boiled of course.

[NotQuiteCockney]

Flying is easiest either before they are mobile (so, before 6 months), or when they're old enough to stare, transfixed, at inflight entertainment (so, from 2 or 3). Bewteen those ages, it's a bit of a nightmare, complete with tantrums, and spending entire flights walking up and down the aisle after a feral weirdo.

[mummyoftwosoon]

I think they have to be a month old to fly so you should be okay in that respect.
I would also take a day to go to the passport office to ensure you get it on time!
and hey you could save money on last minute flight deals?
I wouldn't book it beforehand, anything could happen.
And have fun I'm jealous :p

[first1]

Thank you all for your replies! Sounds like it's the optimum time to fly with a baby so think we'll grab the chance for a holiday! Thank you all for the tips, I'll def feed during take off and landing and will have DH to be the donkey and carry all the millions of nappies and spare clothes!

[ninedragons]

Yep, under 6 months is best time for DC to fly until they're old enough to go as unaccompanied minors.

Just remember to book a bulkhead bassinet REALLY early, confirm with the airline the day before and turn up in plenty of time to check in - it's first come, first served.

[fairimum]

Not yet flown with a baby, BUT we have booked flights in August to Portugal and DS isn't due for another 6 weeks - they were very happy to take the booking and he is just down as 'unknown Tyler' and we were asked to call and update with his name and date of birth once he is born!

[sleeplessinseatle]

Hi, not advice on the flight, but for the mozzies the little life arc travel cot seals up fully like a tent and includes a mozzie guard. Its also nice and lightweight. hth

[tanmu82]

I flew to Caribbean with DD when she was 7 weeks. Was a much welcome break, helped us all relax and BF finally clicked (prob cause we all relaxed so much)
Was VERY hot and DD stuck to me as I bf! keep baby in the shade and possibly top up with cool boiled water from a teaspoon if it is really hot.
As another poster said, it is much easier to travel with such a young baby than a toddler. If you can, request bulk head seats in advance and they can fit a skycot to give you a rest from holding baby.

[porcamiseria]

I want to fly with DC2 too. newborns are so easy to fly with honestly

main thing is to get ball rolling with the passport, some things you can do in advance are

get the fast-track application form
identify who you will get to verify the baby is who you say (I usaed my boss as he is company director)
Find a shop that will take the baby passport photos
get the birth cert done as soon as you can

good luck