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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To take a 4 month old baby on an 8 hour flight?

64 replies

Honey2018 · 07/09/2018 13:06

First time posting in AIBU so please be nice...

We are planning a trip to visit some family members in a couple of months time who live outside of the UK. My daughter will be 4 months old by then and can sometimes be a bit unsettled.

So, do I just go for it? I obviously don’t want to be the one with a screaming baby disrupting a flight but it’s been a difficult year and we would really like to go away.

Any tips on travelling with a little one? Smile

OP posts:
JustJoinedRightNow · 07/09/2018 13:09

We flew around the world from Australia when our DS was 6 mo.
I was breastfeeding him so he basically just fed and slept on me the whole time, with some short stints on dad. Most of it is a blur to be perfectly honest. He didn’t cry much and when he did he just fed and that made him settle down.

I’ve been on loads of flights with babies, both before and after having my own DC. I’ve never worried about them to be honest.
You’ll be fine OP. Will your partner be traveling with you too?

MariaAms · 07/09/2018 13:21

I'd say 4 months old is about the perfect time to do a long-hall flight, old enough so you know what you are doing and how to comfort them and young enough that they still sleep loads. We did a 9.5 hour night flight with our 4 month old and although I was worried it couldn't have gone better, she slept for about 7 hours of it- the background/engine noise calmed her I think. I'd recommend trying to get a bulk head seat with a sky cot so you can put them down. Also try and be the last person to get on the plane (you don't want to be on it any longer than you have to!) if you are travelling with someone get them to take your hand luggage on earlier and then just board with the baby at the last minute, ideally in a carrier so you have your hands free. Good luck Smile

MariaAms · 07/09/2018 13:24

Also, the engine noise cancels out a lot of the noise of a crying baby, only the people directly near you are likely to hear it and most of them will just be relieved that the baby isn't theirs to deal with Wink try not to worry!

EmMcK · 07/09/2018 13:28

Perfect time to fly, go for it .

JagerPlease · 07/09/2018 13:29

Definitely go for it, perfect age! Took DS on a 7 hour flight at 3 months and 10 hours at 8 months and he was no problem at all.

Took him on a 4 hour flight at 14 months and it was the longest 4 hours of my life!

aperolspritzplease · 07/09/2018 13:31

Do it - way easier than from 6 months on!

WineIsMyMainVice · 07/09/2018 13:32

No problem at all. I flew with DD at around same age. My tips are

Get ready to feed when on the runway, but leave it until they actually start accelerating. As the baby will be swallowing during take off they won’t get problems with ears.

Some airlines have basket type things you can put the baby in if you get in the front row. You have to be lucky but it’s worth speaking to them to see if you can.

You want to avoid taking your whole change bag into the loos for changes, as it’s so cramped. Also don’t want to put your bag on the floor as it’s not always dry! So make up separate clear plastic bags with one nappy, packet of wipes, cream or whatever you need. Just take that in with you.

Depending on whether your BF or Bottle - if you have any milk made up, be prepared to drink some at customs!! Yuk.

Enjoy your trip.

BlueTyger · 07/09/2018 13:36

The last two times I flew I had crying babies next to me each time. It was pretty stressful for everyone.

BlueTyger · 07/09/2018 13:38

And I think 4 months is too young anyway.

LaurieMarlow · 07/09/2018 13:41

Lol, it better be ok as I'm off to New Zealand with a 5 month old and a 4 year old in November Blush

SuperDuperJezebel · 07/09/2018 13:43

We flew to NZ when my DD was 4mo old and it was pretty much okay. We took a foldaway play arch that clipped on to the bassinet for her to play with which was super handy, I think it was tiny love. The best advice I got, and it really helped was: phone them as soon as you book, to indicate you'd like a bassinet cot. They may charge you to move your seats to the appropriate place. Remind them again when you check in, to be sure. Even in doing this, we only got one 75% of the time, but we got a chair type thing for her on that leg which she slept in okay. All the airlines have different policies on whether they can stay in the bassinet during turbulence as well, so it's worth noting that. Nothing worse than finally getting them to sleep and having to get them up again!

KittyWindbag · 07/09/2018 13:44

It’ll be the easiest flight you have with her probably! Good luck and don’t worry too much. I have to fly with my baby as I live abroad. It can be tough but you get used to it and what else can you do? She has a right to be there like everyone else.

Gorbie · 07/09/2018 13:45

I took my 8 week old on a 8 hour flight! Pre booked holiday to Disney Florida not realising I was early pregnancy! Was really easy, wouldn't take her now at 3 as she'd be a nightmare!

NCPuffin · 07/09/2018 13:45

DSIL and DBIL flew over from New York for our wedding when DNephew was just under 5 months old. They said it was fine and have since said it was a lot easier than flying with him as a toddler he is slightly nuts though

Ghanagirl · 07/09/2018 13:49

@BlueTyger
So when do you suggest baby/toddler should travel?

arethereanyleftatall · 07/09/2018 13:53

It's the easiest time to take them. A long haul overnight flight when dd was 3 months old was the first time she slept through.

Echobelly · 07/09/2018 13:58

Yes, 4 months is fine to travel - when they can sleep in a cot and generally can't yell as loudly as toddlers. Just make sure you book the bassinet cot when you travel.

3girlmama · 07/09/2018 14:02

We've just come back from a holiday in Crete
Only 4hr flight each way but dd (16 weeks) slept the entire journey there and back
We had night flights which helped I think

Topsyloulou · 07/09/2018 14:10

We flew 11 hours to South Africa when DS was 5 months. He had a bassinet & slept the whole way. He slept the whole way back to once we could eventually put him in the bassinet. There was bad turbulence after take off & he couldn't go in it if the fasten seat belt sign was on. Unfortunately he'd had a huge poonami as soon as we'd started taxiing down the runway. During the hour wait to change him it seemed through his clothes, a folded up muslin & onto my jeans. I had spare clothes for everyone except me so make sure you take a change of spare clothes for you too.

We did a 6 hour flight when he was 1.5 & it was a nightmare as he didn't want to be sat on our laps or even sat still for that matter. Younger us definitely easier. We're not taking Dd to South Africa until she's at least 2.5 as we couldn't go when she was little.

DitchingTheDye · 07/09/2018 14:12

It's the best time to travel with them! Before they get mobile.

SlartiAardvark · 07/09/2018 14:12

the engine noise cancels out a lot of the noise of a crying baby, only the people directly near you are likely to hear it and most of them will just be relieved that the baby isn't theirs to deal with

Not on any flight I've been on. 8 hours of some squawking baby would have the Pope swearing....

Can't you put the sprog in the hold with the Lapdogs?

Penyu · 07/09/2018 14:45

If your baby is healthy and no other concerns then go for it. I took dd across the world when she was 3months on my own, she loved the white noise in the plane and slept really well!

Original poster
Honey2018 · 07/09/2018 15:38

Thanks everyone! Some good tips. I’m going to go ahead and book. I will make sure I ask about a bassinet. I’ll have my husband with me and I’ll be breastfeeding so between us I’m sure it will be fine.

I think if we book a night flight that should help as she is usually able to sleep through. She has had problems with colic/ reflux but it seems to be settling down now so fingers crossed.

OP posts:
serbska · 07/09/2018 16:07

Perfect time.

Feed you baby on the assent and descent to help with the ears.

ForalltheSaints · 07/09/2018 16:15

If it might be the best or only time that some of the family get to see your child, then yes.