Flying with babies... How young?
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Topic: Flying with babies... How young?
Posted By: Snuggly
Subject: Flying with babies... How young?
Date Posted: 19 March 2009 at 3:31pm
| I've just found out my sister's pregnant, which is absolutely delightful. However, she's due 2 and a half weeks before my wedding, and she lives a 3 hour flight away in Sydney. She's still planning to come to the wedding, bubs in tow. Does anyone have any idea if this is ok? I'm so worried she won't be able to make it, but of course I wouldn't want to put her or her baby's health at risk. |
Replies:
Posted By: BugTeeny
Date Posted: 19 March 2009 at 3:46pm
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AKAIK it's safe for babies that small to fly.
I think it's up to Mum how she feels toting a newborn while dealing with the packing, long check-in times, sleep deprivation etc 
There are things she can do to ease the "stress" it can put on babies (cabin pressure changing can cause wee ears to be quite sore), such as feeding on take off and landing etc. Good luck for your wedding 
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Posted By: Daizy
Date Posted: 19 March 2009 at 4:13pm
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Fingers crossed she doesnt go overdue! ------------- 
 
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Posted By: fire_engine
Date Posted: 19 March 2009 at 4:17pm
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They may need signoff from a doctor. I flew with Daniel at 5 weeks and had no problems, but she should check with the airline. ------------- Mum to two wee boys |
Posted By: WRXnKids
Date Posted: 19 March 2009 at 4:20pm
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Josh's first flight was at 3 or 4 weeks old and he slept the whole flight (was only Invercargill to Chch which is an hour) The most stressful part was packing cos first time mum and all i thought i needed everything!!! I think the hardest part will be getting the passport that soon tho for an international flight -------------   
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Posted By: Lou1972
Date Posted: 19 March 2009 at 4:25pm
| Most airlines wont let them fly if they're under 2 weeks because of the damage it can do to their eardrums.Also it might be very hard to get a passport in such a short time. |
Posted By: Snuggly
Date Posted: 19 March 2009 at 4:26pm
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Thanks for everyone's advice! What a helpful forum - if I was anywhere near TTC I think I'd be here every day She won't go far overdue because she's already signed up for a fancy private hospital that doesn't let you go too far overdue. I do agree that a passport will be difficult, though - she'll need to know the birth date before applying for one!
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Posted By: busyissy
Date Posted: 19 March 2009 at 6:29pm
| I'm pretty sure that four weeks is the youngest they can fly and six weeks is recommended, their little ear canals are too small before then. |
Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 19 March 2009 at 8:27pm
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International I think it is 3 months is the earliest they can fly (but it is different with different airlines). I would have a look at the different airlines and see what theysay. I flew at 7 days old in 1981 from OZ to NZ, but that was back in the day when I could fly on my mum's passport. ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: Hayzie
Date Posted: 19 March 2009 at 9:38pm
I have seen airlines that won't let you fly if bubs is younger than 2 weeks. Logan and I flew to Singapore when he was 5 weeks with no problems. It was easier than it is now!  ------------- 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: runningmum
Date Posted: 19 March 2009 at 9:39pm
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Elise had her first flight at 6days old, from Christchurch to Auckland & my MW told me to lie about her age as they don't like babies under 2wks flying. But may be different for international. Agree with others, contact the airlines directly & ask how old a baby has to be before they can fly ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">   
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Posted By: kriss
Date Posted: 19 March 2009 at 10:49pm
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We recently flew to Perth, baby was 9wks. No questions were asked, I was a bit worried about germs through air con & other passengers etc but we didn't have any problems at all
ETA DH did get a virus shortly afterwards, might or might not have been related, just a risk that you take being so close to other people for a time I guess ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
 Little Angel, April 10
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Posted By: my4beauties
Date Posted: 20 March 2009 at 9:14am
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We flew to Oz when Rico was just 4 weeks and only cos of DH's dying grandfather. I asked my MW and she didn't blink an eyelid - said it would be fine. So Rico's first passport photo was of him at 3 weeks old! Being that we were flying out so quickly the passport was done in just a day or two. ------------- My babies: R (9),G (7), J (5) http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: busyissy
Date Posted: 20 March 2009 at 1:30pm
| The air is scrubbed and is very clean it is personal contact with people that makes you sick after a flight. |