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Original poster

How early can babies fly?

20 replies

ohgoonthen · 12/05/2010 13:50

Hi all,

Just realised how weird that title sounds but I do mean by plane!!

My first baby is due end of September and will be born in Cyprus. Hoping to take her to the UK for Christmas to meet all the family etc and just wondering if it will be allowed. Will be a long-ish flight (5 hours). Any useful tips on coping with a v.young baby on a plane also very greatfully recieved!

Thanks

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ProfessorLaytonIsMyLoveSlave · 12/05/2010 14:03

There's no official limit (although some airlines will have their own policies). There are some statistics suggesting a very small possible correlation between longhaul air travel before 6 weeks and a slightly increased incidence of SIDS, but by Christmas and just a 5 hour flight you should be absolutely fine.

Small babies are easier on planes than bigger ones, as they do a lot of eating and sleeping. Changing nappies in the confined space of a aeroplane toilet is an acquired skill, though...

pinkycheesy · 13/05/2010 12:15

My DS1 flew at 5 weeks on a weekend away with us. It was a piece of cake! And I have NEVER changed little baby nappies in the toilet, always on my lap/seat, using the waterproof changing mat in my bag. Cabin Crew always very supportive.

Dont forget baby will need a passport...!

Original poster
ohgoonthen · 13/05/2010 13:02

Brilliant, thanks ladies!
Hopefully there will be no problems then.
Professor, I have never been in an airplane toilet Standing up on a flight makes me queezy so I always just sit and cross my legs for the duration! If there is any confined nappy changing to be done, DH will have to do it!
Pinky - I think I have the passpost thing sussed, should take about 2 weeks to get it after baby is born and I have DH and Mum her to do the running around with paperwork! Changing on my lap sounds much better and as I always insist on the window set for the lovely view, I shouldn't disturb anyone too much!

Thanks again

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SoupDragon · 13/05/2010 13:04

"I think I have the passpost thing sussed, should take about 2 weeks to get it after baby is born "

First you need to get the baby registered and get a birth certificate. Not sure how that works in Cyprus.

SoupDragon · 13/05/2010 13:05

Oh, and get a sling. Invaluable.

Themasterandmargaritas · 13/05/2010 13:10

Mine were 10 days old and two weeks old and we had no problems (tho dh did an amazing job getting passports in a day!)

KerryMumbles · 13/05/2010 13:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

oopsandbabycoconut · 13/05/2010 13:22

We wanted to fly with DD but found that most airlines refused to let us fly before DD was 2 weeks.

Original poster
ohgoonthen · 13/05/2010 14:39

soupdragon yeah I think the passport thing is a bit different here but I've have a good ask around. You get a certificate from the Doc when baby is born, have to take it to local council, fill in paperwork then off to the court, fill in paperwork then back to council! Unlike the UK, you don't have to make any appointments so all can be done in a day. This gets you the birth certificate.
Then..Get pics of baby, easily done, print forms off from british embassy, fill in and post all for passport. It usually comes back within a week but I'm allowing 2! I will have at least 2 months anway so not too worried!
I haven't bought a sling as I don't think I will use it day to day but for the plane, and airport, it just might be great! Thanks!
oops - I'm not sure I would want to take a 2 week old on a plane with everyone coughing, sneezing and spluttering all over him/her...and then theres unwashed aeroplane toilet hands...ewwww!

Just as an aside, does anyone know if it is possible to book a baby on a plane before it is born? We need to get dates sorted out well in advance as flights are few and far between here at Christmas (alot of expats going back and forward). We all also have to arrange dog minding, time off work etc and I don't want it all to go pear shaped at the last minute as things will be all arranged back in UK (stupidly well organised family )!

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Sonilaa · 13/05/2010 14:53

agree on the sling as you will only get the pushchair back after immigration...

for booking: you have to wait until the baby is born, you need a name and birthdate. but I don*t know if you can add the baby later (will not have an own seat anyway).

IwishIwasmoreorganised · 13/05/2010 14:58

We have booked flights prior to ds2 being born. Where it asked for a name and DOB, I just put TBA and ammended it once he was born.

ProfessorLaytonIsMyLoveSlave · 13/05/2010 15:38

Depends on the ticket type. You can book it as Infant Lastname and then amend later, but some ticket types the airline will charge you for amending the booking and some are completely non-changeable and you can't change the name later. So you need to check carefully when booking.

Nefret · 13/05/2010 21:12

I took my baby on her first flght at 8 weeks. We flew to Turkey and she slept most of the way, the only problem I had was feeling stiff after not moving for 3½ hours!

Small babies are quite easy to manage on planes.

fishym2b · 16/05/2010 12:45

We took DS on his first flight at two weeks, and then again at 6 weeks. He was fine on the plane just slept and fed. Do get a sling as makes getting round airport so much easier. we flew with monarch and easyet both were really helpful and let us take lots of baby crap luggage at no cost.

merryberry · 16/05/2010 12:53

taking the photo for the passport had me in stitches of laughter with ds1. i did it with him lying on bed gurning away at me. it took over 40 shots

good travel tip at that age is to roll up a sheeps fleece, i tied mine with a long belt so I could wear it like an over the shoulder bag. then whenever we need to let a baby lie flat for a while, we could unroll that and plonk them. also helped with keeping warm/cool.

BikeRunSki · 16/05/2010 12:56

LOL at the title of this thread. Thought I had missed out on some new mummy and baby activity!

ib · 16/05/2010 13:05

Ds1 first flew at 7 weeks, ds2 will be flying tomorrow for the first time at 6 weeks.

Do get a sling. And ideally feed on take-off and landing, helps them equalise the pressure in their ears.

sunnydelight · 17/05/2010 06:32

Mine have all flown quite young, youngest at 2 weeks (UK-Ireland though so didn't need a passport). Small babies on planes are a lot easier than older ones!

Kekke · 18/05/2010 17:43

Just wanted to add a point about getting a passport for your baby. I'm not sure if you will be applying for a British passport, but if so be warned that the embassies are no longer issuing them and all applications have to be sent to Germany (if you are applying overseas).

They only changed the rules 2 months ago as I found out to my dismay yesterday when I went into Bucharest (currently living in Romania) to apply for a passport for my newborn daughter. It use to take 5 working days to process, but now as it has to be sent to Germany we've been advised it could take up to 6 weeks! I'm so disappointed as we have tickets booked to the UK in 3 weeks and it looks like we won't be able to go. So my advice is start the application process as soon as your baby arrives.

Original poster
ohgoonthen · 22/05/2010 23:03

Thanks for that Kekke! I had no idea the rules had changed, I have no idea why the process should take so long though!
We will start as early as possible and I'm really sorry you won't be able to make your trip.

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