How early can babies fly and is it a good idea?

[beth2440]

Has anyone taken a baby abroad before? How young have you taken them and did you feel guilty. Myself and my husband were talking aout taking a 3 month old abroad on a 2 hour flight but ae very concerned that it is way too young also what about ear popping is it cruel?

They advise feeding when taking off and landing to stop the ears popping. I haven't done it with a baby but would do. I know people who have and have had no problems (many of them on long haul flights)

We took DS1 abroad (4 hour flight to Turkey) when he was just over 3 months old.

Didn't experience any problems with ears, I think some airlines won't let babies fly under 6 weeks old, but don't quote me on it

HTH

We flew to Dublin (so not a long flight) when our ds was about 8 weeks old, for a wedding. I fed him on take off and landing and he was absolutely fine.

Wow I never thought of that this is my first baby, I have much to learn. I shall relay to my husband and hoping to book as I need some sun :)

I flew home (lived overseas) with dd1 when she was six weeks.

Bear in mind you will need to get a passport etc sorted when they arrive!

I wouldn't set yourself up for flying too soon (I was going 'home' to my parents and support netork) give yourself time to get into some routines and just used to the baby. There is sun somewhere anytime of the year!

A friend of mine has just joined BA and done training. He said after that he wouldn't take a baby on anything longer than a 3 hour flight as there is no research into in flight pressure on a forming brain... He's no scientist but they obviously covered it as a topic and he made his own conclusions and let me know. Not trying to scare monger, just thought it was relevant as I asked him recently.

I was born in April and flew to the Channel Islands in June - but that was the 70s! I've read 8-12 weeks is the earliest advised (because of little ears) but I can't remember where. It'd take that long to sort out routines/passport really, I guess.