I've read that flying with a 3 month old is safe but I was wondering if anyone has flown with their 3 month old or younger on long flights? We actually plan on taking four different flights --- do you think this would be too much for him? We have the round trip (5-6 hour flight) to and from Hawaii & Los Angeles. But we also plan to fly to and from Los Angels & Sacramento...all within 2 weeks. It will be just me and DS so any advice would be great! Do you think I should definitely get him his own seat or do you think lap seating would be Ok for the long flights? Thanks! :)

I think he will be fine. Just have a bottle, pacifier, or nurse him during landing and take-off to reduce the pressure in his ears. Just have him on your lap. That is where is going to want to be anyway. No sense in paying for another seat. Take some new things that he hasn't seen before to keep him occupied. Have a great trip!:-D

I'm taking my first flight and also bringing my 6 month old- *nervous teeth chattering* I have no experience advice. I read stuff that scared the crap out of me as far as hitting bad turbulance with babies not in their own seat restraints. I guess that when it's bad you're trying to brace yourself and it can be hard to hold on to babies during that time, I read that some airlines have bassinettes that can hook to the wall by your seat for babies under 20 pounds (that won't work for my little porker). You have to reserve them in advance as they are limited and not all flights will have them and your seat may need to be changed to a place that can accomidate the bassinette. Check your airline home page for imfo. For infants there are only three options- their own seat with an ffa approved seat (the ones I've seen are quite expensive which would be worth it if you travel that way alot), bassinette, or holding them. I've desided to hold ds as my flight is just under 2 hours and I'm hoping that we won't hit too many snags. I may purchase a front infant carrier (like: a snuggly or bjorn) so that once we're up in the air he's strapped to me just in case. Anyhoo, hope that helps and prayers for you if you pray for me=) -ren

We took Nathaniel on a plane at 3 months to texas to visit my ailing grandfather.

He did great. I held him and nursed him during the flight and everything went just fine. He slept most of the flight both ways. I brought my ergo to haul him around the airport with and he mostly slept in that, too.

Now my toddler on the other hand, she was a whole different story!! LOL

Anyhow I flew with him on my lap but, I don't know how that would work if it is just you because I had DH with me and we could pass the babies around and katherine could sit in a seat if she had to. But I don't know how i'd manage using things like the bathroom etc without at least a sling... you could manage, but, it'd be awkward. Those airplane bathrooms are too small!!

We took ds to Hawaii from Calgary when he was 6mths. (with one stopover....I don't remember where) It was the easiest flight I have ever had with my kids!! (And we have flown with them several times since!) Definitely nurse or give him a bottle during take offs and landings. I did that and ds had no problems. He actually surprised me by sleeping most of the flights! We just had a stroller for in between flights, but I have since been converted to sling use with kidlets that young. If you have one, I would definitely recommend using it. Personally, I would be fine with lap sitting - particularly with a sling as it will help give your arms a break. (I had dh with me and we traded off occasionally.)

As for flying on your own with him, I have done that several times with both my kids. I can't say that every airline will be as helpful (I generally fly Westjet - they rock!!) but I was never without help. They helped me carry our things on the plane and get the kids settled. I would always wait and deplane last, so that I wasn't fighting crowds and the flight attendants helped me with everything then too. As for using the bathroom in flight, with a sling you could bring ds with you. Without one it would be tricky. I have had flight attendants offer to sit with one of my kids when I have to do a diaper change on the other, but they were considerably older than your babe, so it depends how you feel about that.

Can't think of anything else right now, but I am sure you and ds will do just fine!

I have flown with both our ds's as infants. We have also done international flights with them. We flew from Calif. to Ireland several times :) But they were both around 11 months when they first did those those flights!!
When our oldest boy was 4 mths we flew from Sac. to Utah to Dallas to New Orleans!! It was exhausting, but he did great! I think if you nurse him upon dep and arrival it will help a lot. I would ask for a seat that you can get up and down easily if you need to walk with him, probably an ailse seat is better. I would suggest a light weight stroller for change over and getting to and from gates in the different airports or if you have a snuggli take it with you too!
I remember ds having problems with gas, so I had those little mylicon drops and gave him some and it worked a treat! I also took baby tylenol too for sore ears.
Cabin pressure fluctuates a lot, so layers are great and a change of clothing too for both of you!
I know they let moms and children board first, but we found it worked out better to wait until the end as you didn't have to sit so long in the airplane and you could walk with them a little until you got on there.
I THINK YOU CAN TAKE A CAR SEAT WITH HOPES OF THEIR BEING AN EXTRA SEAT, BUT OTHERWISE YOU WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR HIM IF YOU TAKE YOUR CARSEAT AND OCCUPY A SEAT! ( SORRY FOr caps, ds is pulling on me)

I think he will do great :) Feel free to pm me if you have any more questions!

Oh yes! Good point Jayne....definitely travel with meds, just in case. I have rarely needed them, but you don't want to need them and have them be stuck in your checked luggage!

As for the stroller/carseat situation, check with your airline. Some airlines you can gate check a stroller/carseat combo. You know, the travel systems. That way you have the car seat right there at the gate if you can get an 'extra' seat, or it is already tagged to gate check if not. :D

Just a thought on car seat! If you are taking it on board to use for the child to fly in you have to make sure it is airline certified!

I flew with ds when he was 4 months from CA to UT to NM. I had some heavy lay overs too. I totally agree with pp with nursing, ect, DEFINATLY bring a sling, ergo ect. I didn't find lap sitting bad at all and Josh was SO good and only cried once total. I had one fligh attendent tell us to take Josh out of the ergo because it "wasn't certified la la la" One thing that worked WONDERS was to plastic baggy all your teethers/toys since your diaper bag will most likly get searched. That way they don't get all nasty from being dumped out, same with meds. we had a bag for our car seat which was nice and we just carried on/checked it (you know carry it on but check it right before you board that way you KNOW it got on the plane....it would stink for that to get lost)

All this info was very helpful...
Please pray for me for the anxiety is creeping up!
Thanks gals!