Originally Posted by
Eclipsepearl
I was able to breastfeed decreetly in it (no need for any poncho or cover) and it was magic for calming a crying baby. At least I could walk around and the sling sort of muffled it (she was crying into me and the sling, not broadcasting out to the rest of the cabin). It also served as a baby changer, sun cover and blanket. We could even sleep together in it on the airplane.
I was stopped and asked how to get one when other parents saw how much easier it made travel.
The need for the poncho or cover depends on the mom and the age of the baby. Yes, you can breastfeed with just a sling, but I was not comfortable without a cover. Each person should decide what works for them- hopefully by practicing a couple of times before the flight. This decision was for two reasons 1) using a sling requires some serious planning ahead in terms of the clothing that you are wearing and/or requires that you pull your shirt up, exposing your post pregnancy belly and 2) I was uncomfortable using a sling/moby type carrier at all during flight because of the potential crush hazzard of such devices should there have been significant turbulance. I used a baby b'air instead. I did use the Moby to carry my daughter on and off the aircraft.
Originally Posted by
Eclipsepearl
As a former Flight Attendant, please be aware that the babies-crying-because-of-ears theory is
not really valid. I had a Flight Attendant tell me my child was crying because of her ears
on the ground. In 13 years of transatlantic flying, I rarely saw real ear problems in anyone, let alone children. It was one of those things that when it was bad, it was very, very bad. Blocked and infected ears are absolute torment on a flight and no amount of sucking will relieve the pain.
The AAP recommends that the child
simply be awake at the top of descent. Just being up keeps them swallowing and moving their heads which will help their ears. Please don't force him to drink if he doesn't want to. Most children do wake up because the second service is finishing up and the F/A's are securing the cabin. If your child falls asleep on take-off and landing, let him sleep.
Do NOT deny your child something to drink before you get on the plane. This will only make him cranky and forcing him to drink during take-off is unnecessary. The last thing anyone wants is to start off a flight with an unhappy, dehydrated child whose parents misguidedly wont let them drink. I find boarding one of the trickest part of flying and I really need my kids as calm and cooperative as possible.
Here are a couple of links on the ear issue;
http://www.aap.org/patiented/flyingbaby.htm
http://www.entcda.com/AAOHNSF/earsandaltitude.htm
The only thing is in that second article, it suggest ear plugs. Great tip...if you can get them in a child's ears (perhaps there are very placid children who will tolerate this).
I am confused at why Eclipsepearl states that the ear reason is "not valid?" I think nearly everyone has heard a baby crying on take off and landing and the linked article she cites above on the aap site specifically mention it as a problem and suggests giving fluids to help the baby suck and relieve ear pressure. I also want to clarify that I do not advocate "withholding" liquids- just timing your feedings. Since newborns eat about every two hours, it isn't that hard to ensure that the next feeding is at take-off/landing time. Sometimes holding off just 15 minutes or so can make a real difference, as can offering a feeding early.
Originally Posted by
Eclipsepearl
A common tip is to book flights when the child usually naps. As a F/A, I saw this go wrong soooo many times. One small delay and they sense the tension. Sleep is forgotten, overtiredness sets in, so the poor parents are then dealing with two crises at the same time. Hard to hear delay announcements with a screaming toddler!
This is great advice! I agree, and have learned this the hard way.
Originally Posted by
Eclipsepearl
For real screaming, if the lavs weren't occupied, I'd dive in there until the worst was over. Great sound muffler.
Again, great advice. A trick that I hadn't though of in the past. I'll remember it for future flights.
Originally Posted by
Eclipsepearl
Bring a baby pain reliever if teething is a problem, even if you don't do this a lot at home. I was quicker to tylenol on the plane. You don't fly every day and hopefully aren't in too many situations squished in metal tubes with hundreds of other people...
As Eclipsepearl suggests, I always bring this with me, along with a thermometer and all the other home medical supplies needed for a baby. This is handy not just on the plane, but after you arrive. You don't want to have to find a 24 hour pharmacy in a new city.