https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 04 May 2026 23:19:23 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-a-4mo-old-who-dislikes-being-wornheld#post-2516793 Wed, 06 Apr 2016 08:17:16 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 2516793@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My DD started rejecting being worn at 4 months. Now at almost 6 months she's big enough to sit in the stroller facing out. She loves it. She and I are planning to fly (without DH) in June. I'm going to push her in the stroller through the airport and then nurse her to sleep on the plane. She's pretty content to stand in my lap and jump, so if she isn't tired that might keep her happy. I hope that works.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-a-4mo-old-who-dislikes-being-wornheld#post-2516765 Wed, 06 Apr 2016 07:52:50 +0000 looch 2516765@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DesertDreams88: A plane is like a giant white noise machine/bouncer in one. I've had my fair share of flights with a turbulence lately, so there's that to consider.</p> <p>The only thing I would add is that don't count on being able to walk around on the flight...I've noticed that the flight attendants are more strict about being in your seat when the fasten seatbelt sign is on, which seems to be more on than off in my recent experiences.</p> <p>I didn't fly until my son was 6 months old, so I have no idea what he would have done at 4 months, but looking back, 4 months was much better than 2, that's for sure. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-a-4mo-old-who-dislikes-being-wornheld#post-2516750 Wed, 06 Apr 2016 07:37:35 +0000 madger 2516750@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My daughter sounded a lot like your little one at 2 months, and she flew for the first time at around 4 months and slept the entire flight. She rarely ever slept in my arms, so there is definitely something magical about the plane! I brought her zippy that she was used to napping in, nursed her on the way up, and she zonked out. If you can do your best to move things around so the flight will happen during a nap time, that's your best bet! They really do change SO much during that time! The time on the plane was always what I was most stressed about, because the time in the airport I could walk around more and in the car we are only bothering ourselves if she cried the whole time! Those early trips were by far the easiest, so take advantage and good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-a-4mo-old-who-dislikes-being-wornheld#post-2516692 Wed, 06 Apr 2016 06:14:26 +0000 Pumuckl 2516692@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would totally plan on going. Honestly if I were your MIL I would be really sad/pissed if a visit was promised but then didn't happen. </p> <p>That said my kids both tolerated being worn fairly well and especially once they were older did they love being a part of everything and look around etc. I/we have flown with both my kids multiple times and we never had issues except for hunger or tiredness. Both were easily combated. I found that at that age they usually just slept right through the flight (the plane is a vibrating white noise machine). Also mine were always lap children but we often got lucky that we had a non-fully booked flight and could bring our bucket seat aboard. I don't know whether your son falls asleep in the car (even though he doesn't like the carseat), mine did and usually I would keep the kids on my lap until the plane pushed back from the airport and then put them in their carseat. They both nearly 100% of the time fell asleep at take-off at the latest. Since both used pacis we didn't have to worry about earpressure.</p> <p>Good luck! I hope all will be well! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-a-4mo-old-who-dislikes-being-wornheld#post-2516597 Tue, 05 Apr 2016 22:01:30 +0000 Truth Bombs 2516597@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ditto everything @catomd00: said. I would tell your in laws that for now you are still planning on coming but ask them not to plan a sip n see so you have the freedom to cancel if you decided baby won't tolerate the trip. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-a-4mo-old-who-dislikes-being-wornheld#post-2516594 Tue, 05 Apr 2016 21:57:05 +0000 mrbee 2516594@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: I think on JetBlue, we had to pay an extra $80 to get the bulkhead seats! But then the kids had a lot more room, and it made the cross-country flight a lot more bearable.</p> <p>Pretty sure we got the bulkheads for free on a Korean Air international flight or two, but only when the kids were very young... when they got older, those seats went to infants instead! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-a-4mo-old-who-dislikes-being-wornheld#post-2516588 Tue, 05 Apr 2016 21:50:51 +0000 MrsSRS 2516588@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd be willing to bet he will he a whole different baby by summer. That's a long time in baby terms. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-a-4mo-old-who-dislikes-being-wornheld#post-2516587 Tue, 05 Apr 2016 21:50:02 +0000 gingerbebe 2516587@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son was the exact same way and we flew when he was 3 months old. We had a 2.5 hour flight, a 3 hour layover, then another 2.5 hour flight. I wore him in the Ergo through security while wearing a black shawl to black him out if he slept. He screamed a lot but eventually passed out after he had a fit - my key was to bounce him in the Ergo and let him scream in the plane bathroom until he fell asleep. The changing bathrooms in SW planes are in the front, so sit as close as you can to it. I unapologetically hogged that bathroom for 20 minutes at a time while DS screamed and came out once he passed out in exhaustion. No one said a word to me about it. Between that and nursing, he slept a decent amount on the plane because he was so tired and out of it. Pack a blanket and a few toys and let him play as much as he wants and get the wiggles out during your layover - we still do this now with our 18 month old but pack a picnic blanket. Also planes cause blowouts at that age for some reason - pack extra clothes for everyone in the carryon and tuck a cloth diaper up the back of the disposable to catch the poop. We learned this the hard way. Twice. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-a-4mo-old-who-dislikes-being-wornheld#post-2516577 Tue, 05 Apr 2016 21:40:56 +0000 Foodnerd81 2516577@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: @DesertDreams88: I've only flown with a LO a few times but I've never seen those bulkhead infant bassinet things on a domestic (U.S.) flight nor heard of someone getting the bulkhead row for free since they have an infant. Airlines will just charge whatever someone is willing to pay. :( I did see the bassinet once in a red eye to Europe. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-a-4mo-old-who-dislikes-being-wornheld#post-2516569 Tue, 05 Apr 2016 21:29:14 +0000 avivoca 2516569@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think H was about 4 months old before she really liked being worn. By then, she was big enough to be comfortable in the Ergo and I could nurse her in it. What kind of carrier do you have? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-a-4mo-old-who-dislikes-being-wornheld#post-2516545 Tue, 05 Apr 2016 20:50:55 +0000 SweetiePie 2516545@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Agree with everything @catomd00: said. It seems like "only" 2 months but it really makes a huge difference when they're that little. </p> <p>FWIW my son was very similar to yours (and in many ways still is at 18 months) and we flew when he was 4 months. It really wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. The plane tends to get him to sleep better in my arms than when at home. The movement and white noise help a lot! I wasn't nursing then but the bottle also helped more than it did at home. </p> <p>All this to say, it might not be as bad as you are imagining it. And if it is causing you a lot of anxiety, tell them it will have to be postponed. I felt that 6 months was a huge turning point for him. 4 months is still so young! I get that a promise was made, but you aren't breaking it for selfish reasons. And you made the promise before you realized what that would entail (i.e. Before the baby was born - it's hard to know how it will be until he's here!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-a-4mo-old-who-dislikes-being-wornheld#post-2516544 Tue, 05 Apr 2016 20:41:16 +0000 rattles 2516544@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If he doesn't mind his car seat, I would get him his own seat and bring that with your stroller. I do think there's room for his preferences to change, but I also don't think I'd let the flight (even if not awesome) stop me from making the trip. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-a-4mo-old-who-dislikes-being-wornheld#post-2516542 Tue, 05 Apr 2016 20:36:53 +0000 catomd00 2516542@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's still a while away and so much can change. I wouldn't worry about it yet. But, honestly at the end of the day you need to do what's best for you and your baby. If that means you have to postpone your trip until it will be better tolerated, so be it. It's not going to be enjoyable for anyone if you have a miserable baby while traveling. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-a-4mo-old-who-dislikes-being-wornheld#post-2516539 Tue, 05 Apr 2016 20:35:26 +0000 DesertDreams88 2516539@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: Thanks for the idea! I was considering paying more for the front seats, but we usually fly Southwest, so it's hit or miss. But maybe something to be looked into more...</p> <p>@Mrs. Champagne: good ideas! We will definitely be doing a lot of passing :) It's a 1hr commute to airport, 2hrs in airport, 3hrs in plane, 1hr in airport/car after=7 total hours. Not horrible.</p> <p>@simplyfelicity: @Foodnerd81: @lulu mom: Hopefully! fingers crossed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-a-4mo-old-who-dislikes-being-wornheld#post-2516533 Tue, 05 Apr 2016 20:30:06 +0000 LuLu Mom 2516533@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh gosh so much can/will change. The first couple months are rough but around 3-4 months babies usually mellow out so much. I think you will be fine! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-a-4mo-old-who-dislikes-being-wornheld#post-2516513 Tue, 05 Apr 2016 20:08:39 +0000 Foodnerd81 2516513@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Maybe he will like facing out in the beco by then? But really so so much can change between now and then. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-a-4mo-old-who-dislikes-being-wornheld#post-2516508 Tue, 05 Apr 2016 20:00:55 +0000 simplyfelicity 2516508@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So much can change in two months! He could seem like a completely different baby by then. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-a-4mo-old-who-dislikes-being-wornheld#post-2516503 Tue, 05 Apr 2016 19:54:16 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 2516503@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My baby preferred to chill by himself too!</p> <p>We didn't travel, but I can see why you're a bit worried!! I think bringing toys and passing I m back and forth, letting him "stand" and looking around at people will help. Hopefully a nap will occur as well. How long is the flight? </p> <p>I think by 4 months ds enjoyed being held more and checking out his surroundings. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-a-4mo-old-who-dislikes-being-wornheld#post-2516502 Tue, 05 Apr 2016 19:51:31 +0000 mrbee 2516502@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DesertDreams88: If you have an infant, sometimes airlines will give you access to the bulkhead + bassinet for free! Or you can pay more for it... might be worth asking about? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-a-4mo-old-who-dislikes-being-wornheld#post-2516476 Tue, 05 Apr 2016 19:13:38 +0000 DesertDreams88 2516476@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO will be 4mo in June and we have a longstanding agreement to fly from PHX to WI at least once a year to visit DH's family. When MIL wanted to fly me out at 6mo pregnant to throw me my 4th baby shower, I declined and deffered to our traditional June visit and they plan to host a sip-n-see type party then. They checked in again about this promised June trip when he was 8 wks old, and we said yes, of course we would be coming. </p> <p>Now I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place because I'm realizing more and more that LO doesn't like to be held or worn very much at all, which is pretty much the basis of all traveling-with-an-infant advice. He'll tolerate it for 20 min or so, but then he starts crying and beating his arms. With uninterrupted walking or bouncing he will usually calm down, and maybe fall asleep for some time, though I have to have the white noise app on my phone turned up loud and tucked into the carrier. He nurses for about 30 min every 2-3 hours, and sometimes falls asleep doing so, but he does not comfort nurse nor can I reliably sooth by nursing, if he is overtired. Some of this may change, but we've only got 2 months. Oh, also, he really dislikes his infant car seat, so that's not an option, and he'll be a lap infant (that's not up for debate). </p> <p>He loves his activity mat and bouncer. That's like, his favorite thing in the world. I'd honestly even think of packing the activity mat in our carry-on to use it in the airport. Can't pack a bouncer, but DH would be willing to walk &amp; bounce him. </p> <p>Anyways, I don't think we can back out. Anyone ever do plane travel with an infant who disliked being worn/held? What did you do? Was it as horrible as I think it will be?</p> <p>ETA: we have a Ktan, Beco Gemini, and an ergo. </p>