[futureself]

We're flying on the weekend to Melbourne from Brisbane so only a short flight. But I get really anxious in unfamiliar situations so I'm fretting that I don't know what will happen with DS on the plane.
Can someone talk me through the infant belts - where do they go on him?
He'll be in the carrier in the airport - I then have to take that off for take-off AND landing yes?
I keep reading to breastfeed him to help with pressure in the ears - can I do that with the infant belt?

Thanks for easing my anxiety - if I know what to expect I'll feel ok!

[KRT]

It will be fine. The infant belt slips over yours, and then goes around the baby's middle, like your belt goes around you. It's very easy to lie the baby down to feed while the belt is on.

You do have to take them out of the carrier for takeoff and landing, which is annoying.

I've found the flight attendants to be very helpful, always willing to provide food early/keep it warm, and hold the baby if needed.

[libbylu]

The infant belt is just an extra loop with it's own buckle (which you can pull tight). It attaches to your seat belt and is easy to work out. If you have it pulled tight around the baby's lap it would be difficult to breastfeed at the same time. You can try for a feed just before take off when you are seated if feeds make him sleepy, and the inertia at take off will often make them fall asleep. Or loosen the belt a little to feed more if he gets fussy when you are half way up.

[witchesforest]

i did this exact flight on sunday with our 3 month old DS and it was fine, don't worry!

you need to take the carrier off for airport security too. take a dummy or be prepared to feed baby for take off and landing so his little ears don't hurt. other than that, it will be a breeze. AND you get to hop on the plane first too!

[Wyn99]

I have flown when my babies were 3 months and it's a good age to travel. As PP said the hostess will give you a infant belt when you board (or when seated) and ask if you have used it before, if not, will show you what to do. Try to hold off feeding until take off, then you can sort of twist bub a little to feed while still in the seat belt. Remember to wear loose, accessible clothing and ask for a small pillow if it helps. If you sit near the window then you won't need a cover wrap if you're worried about flashing when feeding.

[futureself]

Thank you all very much, I will have a collection of dummies as well so if I can't twist him around to feed as you suggest, I can use them to soothe on take-off/landing.

you need to take the carrier off for airport security too.

That I didn't know, thank you!

[Jersey Caramel]

My top tip for travelling on a plane with a BF young baby is to avoid poo-splosions by covering the disposable nappy with a cloth nappy cover/pilchers if you have them! Mine always seemed to time massive poos for the moment when you push out from the terminal (and have a good 20-30 minutes of seatbelt sign being on before you can get up to change them!).

Flight attendants are usually really helpful and will show you how to use the infant belt and give you a pillow for feeding.

Good luck

[Escapin]

My tip is an extra outfit for you AND your baby. Something about the change in air pressure seems to cause poo-plosions.

Agree with PPs re seatbelt being easy

Good luck, you'll be a pro in not time.

[l-m-n-o-p]

Hi futureself

The infant belts look like this:


So your seatbelt goes through the loop. The flight attendants will walk your through it.

The tip about feeding when taking off and landing is a good one. I did quite a lot of flying when my eldest was little and we never had any problems with her ears. There is something about the vibration/white noise of the plane that put my baby to sleep. If your baby is asleep I wouldn't wake them up to do this (just be ready in case they do wake up and are uncomfortable).

Good luck - this is probably the easiest age to travel with

This post has been edited by l-m-n-o-p: 19/12/2012, 03:54 PM

[sakura73]

Definitely ask for a window seat and a pillow, preferably the window on the side you intend to breast feed on so his little head is protected.

I always change him last thing before we get on the plane so his nappy is as fresh as possible.

The belt is loose enough that you can have him cuddled towards you for feeding. Breastfeeding always worked for me on take off and landing: now he is 16 months we just use a dummy and he has never had ear problems.

I have found that I often get an empty seat next to me when I travel with DS. And the attendants are usually very lovely.