Originally Posted by
rbaral77
This is fantastic, thank you so much for the advice, especially about the travel with baby vs. toddler.
May I ask how old you waited for them to get bf you took them with you? Is there a service (or strategy) for sitters in other cities that you liked the best?
His first trip was when he was four months old. He still fitted in the bassinet that fits to the bulkhead. On the advice of his doctor, I always placed a blanket (not a blanket provided by the airline) over the bassinet so he did not have the recirculated air blowing directly on him. You have to hold them for take off and landing as the bassinet is only allowed during the flight. You also need to hold them during the flight any time the seat belt sign comes on.
Once he no longer fitted in the bassinet I would lie him on the floor (again on blankets that I brought with me) in the bulkhead area and block with toys so people would not walk on him (never understand why people think it is fine to walk through the bulkhead area when someone is sitting in the seat.
It was very easy if I was in business/first class, as then I would lie him down on the seat I would purchase for him, although this was not until he was about 18 months old (required to buy a seat at 2 years old).
I nursed him for take off and landing, AND gave him baby Tylenol 20 mins before take off and landing. I am not big on medicines but it ensured he had no pain in his ears - only time I ever gave him any kind of pain relief. The main reason babies cry on planes is due to the pressure in their ears. Again, this was on the advice of his doctor and the doctor understood my aversion to medications but letting them suffer with the ear pain would be worse and babies cannot easily regulate the pressure.
In regard to babysitters, it depended upon the city I was in. Sometimes I would ask my colleagues if any of the employees had a teenage daughter who may like to babysit. Otherwise I would ask the hotel for recommendations and I would always have the babysitting occur at the hotel. Most business meetings would only for a couple of hours and most people are fairly understanding about young babies and the need to fit with their schedule. I would also always take my pump for emergencies and so the sitter had an emergency supply to feed the baby.
It is all very manageable, with planning.
Good luck rbaral77!
(Remember to get a FF# for the baby when you book the first paid flight for them.)