So how do I take a take a flight with my newborn? I sat across the table from my pediatrician, nervous but naturally curious as to how were going to make this work.
My husband had business out of town to attend to and I had the opportunity for much needed extra hands on the South African coastline.
When I got the go ahead from the pediatrician to fly with my tiny two week old, it‘s time to start planning the big day.
1. Choose a morning flight
Newborns are less fussy in the morning, so aim for the 10am flight. You’ll find it’s not in peak times so you’ll end up saving on the ticket cost and the plane tends to be less crowded.
2. Enquire about your airline’s minimum age rules
Every airline is different, has different tariffs and lugguage allowance, and minimum age of first flight. For us the minimum age was 2 weeks - so we just made the cut. The last thing you want is arriving at the airport and have a dispute with a flight attendant.
also make certified copies of your baby’s birth certificate and take it with you.
3. Splurge on an airport lounge entry
The calm music and relaxing environment will help you and your newborn relax before you board your flight.
Some bank cards offer complimentary entry so feel free to use it.
The comfy couches are less crowded so you’ll have space to stretch out with all the luggage.
Changing your baby in the elite restrooms are also more spacious so you won’t fight for a space to create a changing station.
It also gives you the opportunity to eat something as you’ll find little time for that inbetween boarding and luggage collection.
4. Aim for the window seat
The last thing you want is to be disturbed by a fellow traveler with a nervous bladder halfway through the flight. Especially if you just got your baby to settle down. The idea of squeezing from the middle seat with your baby on your lap seems like a nightmare. You’ll also be aiming to breastfeed so the window seat is more private.
5. Breastfeed during lift-off and landing
This is probably the take home message here. Have baby latched as soon as the aircraft starts moving and don’t stop until the seatbelt signs come off. Same with landing. Your baby’s Eustachian tube is a lot smaller and straighter than yours so it will become blocked much easier.
I had no problem during the flight as a result of strategic breastfeeding. I hope you’ll have the same success.
6. Use your carseat and pram
There are perks to flying with a baby in terms of the extra baggage allowance.
Mobilizing within the airport can be a breeze with your baby seat mounted on your pram.
I hardly leave the house without my Maxi Cosi car seat mounted to our Thule Glide 2 running pram. Check out Maxi Cosi’s range here - https://maxicosisa.co.za/
Use this transport system until you get to the flight doors, then simply fold everything up neatly and carry baby in arms to your seat.
7. Ditch the caffeine
You’re already nervous for the flight - don’t add to the gitters with extra caffeine on board. Your baby can also sense your discomfort and react.
If you have been prescribed something safe in breastfeeding to calm your nerves, you might want to take one of them today.
In Conclusion - taking a flight with a newborn is difficult but not impossible. These are hard-researched, tried-and-tested tricks to make it easier.
If you can recommend any more I’d love to hear about them in the comments.
Disclosure - all opinions are my own - I‘m in no way endorsed by any brand. Opinions are not supposed to replace medical advice given.
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