Flying with 3 month old infant
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 1
Flying with 3 month old infant
Hello,
I'm going to be flying from Newark to TLV in June with my 3-month old baby. I reserved a bulkhead seat with a bassinet for him to sleep in. I would like to know what the rules are for using the bassinet (do I really need to take him out every time the fasten seat belts sign goes on)? I would also like to know what other people's experiences flying with an infant are? Do you recommend breastfeeding during takeoff and landing? Do I just hold the baby in my lap when he's not in the bassinet? At what age should I bring a car seat for him for the plane? Any info/advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!
I'm going to be flying from Newark to TLV in June with my 3-month old baby. I reserved a bulkhead seat with a bassinet for him to sleep in. I would like to know what the rules are for using the bassinet (do I really need to take him out every time the fasten seat belts sign goes on)? I would also like to know what other people's experiences flying with an infant are? Do you recommend breastfeeding during takeoff and landing? Do I just hold the baby in my lap when he's not in the bassinet? At what age should I bring a car seat for him for the plane? Any info/advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!
#2
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Back to Florida...... bye London
Programs: Hilton, AA,, Delta
Posts: 5,149
You will get different opinions about the car seat.
You will have to hold your baby during take off, landings and anytime the fasten the seat belt light is on. So if it is a turbulent flight you will be holding your baby most of the time. The bassinet does not provide any type of protection to the baby. It is simply a convenience.
The easiest place for any child is in a car seat. They are comfortable and safe for the child so you can get some rest/eat/move without worrying about the baby.
You will have to hold your baby during take off, landings and anytime the fasten the seat belt light is on. So if it is a turbulent flight you will be holding your baby most of the time. The bassinet does not provide any type of protection to the baby. It is simply a convenience.
The easiest place for any child is in a car seat. They are comfortable and safe for the child so you can get some rest/eat/move without worrying about the baby.
#3
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: OH
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat, Marriot Lifetime Gold
Posts: 9,538
As for breast/bottle feeding. There is no reason to wake him up to feed him during take-off or landing. If he is awake and fussy, then go ahead and feed him. My daughter was a great traveller at that age and I did not feed her during take-off or landing on any of the 3 roundtrips we took during that time frame.
#4
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: IAD
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold, Global Entry, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 707
I'm guessing there won't be turbulence all the way from Newark to Tel Aviv!
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Portland
Posts: 11,571
Yes, but how annoying to get the baby to sleep and then have to wake him or her up because of a five minute period of turbulence. Buying a seat may be more expensive, but it is quite a bit more convenient than the bassinet.
#6
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Back to Florida...... bye London
Programs: Hilton, AA,, Delta
Posts: 5,149
"Full price" makes it sound like you have to pay an extra fee for the car seat. You can simply buy the cheapest fare available. I believe all the airlines charge a fee for a lap child on international flights. Sometimes the 10% lap child fare may not be that cheap and you can get a discounted seat for not much more.
#7
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: IAD
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold, Global Entry, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 707
"Full price" makes it sound like you have to pay an extra fee for the car seat. You can simply buy the cheapest fare available. I believe all the airlines charge a fee for a lap child on international flights. Sometimes the 10% lap child fare may not be that cheap and you can get a discounted seat for not much more.
To another poster, the OP is talking about a flight EWR-TLV. That's a very, very long flight. If there is any turbulence, there will be many uninterrupted hours where the baby will sleep (assuming it doesn't spend hours crying as 3 month olds can do, being held by an adult anyway).
#8
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: France
Programs: United Plus
Posts: 1,761
Yes, you have to remove the baby from the bassinet in turbulence when the seat belt sign goes on. If the baby is sleeping in a car seat, you can just let him sleep undisturbed.
How full is the flight? Perhaps you can nab an extra seat to use your car seat in. Ask at check-in but it's not guaranteed. Please don't complain that there were empty seats and you weren't given one. The airlines won't move passengers around.
In any case, never check a car seat as luggage!! They get thrown around just like luggage, no special treatment and they're not really that strong. You're supposed to replace them after even a minor accident so if it's dropped from the truck on to the tarmac, that could damage it just as much.
Take it to the gate and if you can't use it on board, it'll get gate-checked, which is slightly better.
Yes, it's a myth that children have to drink on take-off and landing. I think that was done when cabins weren't pressurized but today, it's a different story. Mine were breastfed and slept in their car seats peacefully for more take-off's and landings than I can count.
How full is the flight? Perhaps you can nab an extra seat to use your car seat in. Ask at check-in but it's not guaranteed. Please don't complain that there were empty seats and you weren't given one. The airlines won't move passengers around.
In any case, never check a car seat as luggage!! They get thrown around just like luggage, no special treatment and they're not really that strong. You're supposed to replace them after even a minor accident so if it's dropped from the truck on to the tarmac, that could damage it just as much.
Take it to the gate and if you can't use it on board, it'll get gate-checked, which is slightly better.
Yes, it's a myth that children have to drink on take-off and landing. I think that was done when cabins weren't pressurized but today, it's a different story. Mine were breastfed and slept in their car seats peacefully for more take-off's and landings than I can count.
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Portland
Posts: 11,571
To another poster, the OP is talking about a flight EWR-TLV. That's a very, very long flight. If there is any turbulence, there will be many uninterrupted hours where the baby will sleep (assuming it doesn't spend hours crying as 3 month olds can do, being held by an adult anyway).
It's certainly possible that the OP will be able to let the child sleep for long blocks of time, but it's also possible that there will be no such lengthy periods of sleep at all. If it's important to the OP, buying a seat will guarantee the ability to let the child sleep even through turbulence.
#10
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 33
Having flown many TATL with little kids from ages 6 weeks to 3 years, I also agree that a car seat is the way to go. In addition to everything that has been said above, I think it gives the kids a feeling of security from being in a cozy familiar environment and being right next to a parent.
#11
Join Date: Sep 2010
Programs: HHonors Diamond; My Mom's Favorite Kid
Posts: 3,929
A car seat is the way to go. It was so easy when we did it a few weeks ago. No need to feed for take off and landing either unless the baby wants some boob.
Baby wearing is great for getting around airports and nursing for long periods of time as it frees up your hands and distributes the weight more evenly. I'd you don't have a baby carrier I highly recommend Lillebaby as it has lumbar support (you need it in a few months).
And use the car seat on the flight. Everyone will be much more comfortable.
Baby wearing is great for getting around airports and nursing for long periods of time as it frees up your hands and distributes the weight more evenly. I'd you don't have a baby carrier I highly recommend Lillebaby as it has lumbar support (you need it in a few months).
And use the car seat on the flight. Everyone will be much more comfortable.
#14
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 312
Voice of dissent here -- I would not buy the seat. My kid screamed his head off in the car seat until he was almost two. It would have been neither comfortable nor convenient. On long flights, he slept on my lap.
If you have the funds/miles for it, I'd recommend an upgrade to business over an extra seat in economy. I know there are plenty of folks here who disagree, though -- so part of this equation is knowing your own kid and how they are likely to react (and assuming the baby in question is somewhere between two and four weeks old right now, that's no easy feat!)
If you have the funds/miles for it, I'd recommend an upgrade to business over an extra seat in economy. I know there are plenty of folks here who disagree, though -- so part of this equation is knowing your own kid and how they are likely to react (and assuming the baby in question is somewhere between two and four weeks old right now, that's no easy feat!)
#15
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: France
Programs: United Plus
Posts: 1,761
My son hated his car seat too. He screamed his head off when we in the car but he was fine on the plane. I think it was because I was right there, leaning over him, paying attention. In the car, I was busy driving. I know now that the light bothered him so that wasn't an issue either.
It's not so much a matter of agreement but it's kind of a shame to use up the upgrade miles when most of your time is spend taking care of the child. No enjoying the choice of movies, drinks, etc.
Good think they aren't so much work forever...