Hellobee Boards

Try to take an aisle and window in the same row. Chances are as long as the flight isn't completely full you'll get the whole row to yourself. No one really wants to sit with a baby so they'll avoid you. Are you nursing? If so you'll probably have a pretty easy time of it with LO being so young. I would always nurse on take off and LO would sleep for the majority of the flight. Your LO probably won't sleep the whole time because of how long to flight is but I bet she'll sleep for a while. If you get an empty seat between you changing LO shouldn't be a problem. If you don't have an empty seat I would honestly try to just avoid changing her unless she poops in which case you'll have to decide in the moment what seems like the easier option.

You can use an overnight diaper, they're a little more absorbent and you can probably get by without a change unless there is a bowel movement, rather than change on the seat.

Is your LO breastfed? We flew with LO at 3.5 months and I nursed her at takeoff and landing. Also anytime she got fussy I just plopped her on the boob, so the flight was easy peasy!

Agree with PP that an overnight diaper would be helpful, too. Good luck!

We just had a long flight and it was all good, we had aisle and middle. On the way back she was teething so I did get up a few times to just move her around a bit (it was a 10 hr flight though so they were pretty understanding about people getting up). I did change her a couple times on the bathroom changing table, just brought a changing pad with me in my carry on.

If you can get her to nap during the flight it should go by quickly hopefully. My most stressful time was when the meal came one time when my 7 month old was very awake and alert and she kept trying to smash all the food on my tray. DH and I took turns eating but next time I might ask if one of us can get our tray after the other one, not sure if they'd do that or not but it would have been helpful.

Hmm, we changed LO in the bathroom... DH insisted on it even though other travelers told him to change him in his seat! (LO made a poopy diaper but the bathroom was constantly occupied, and DH afraid it would stink up the whole plane if he changed in his seat).

Other than that, if you are breastfeeding, I thought the boppy travel pillow was a lifesaver. I would buy one if you are planning on future trips with LO.

you got some great advice!

just wanted to encourage you to say that I've flown with my babies at different ages, and 4 months was the easiest by far! you'll do great and so will baby

have a great trip! p.s. I think the airline bathroom is ok. just try not to touch too much and bring your own change pad

Extra diapers and clothes for LO and you. We took LO on a trip at 5 months and she had blowouts on 3 of the 4 flights and DH needed to change his clothes once. We took our normal boppy and she nursed/slept on it most of the time.

We also took a small stroller that we could gate check and our carrier, so we could switch her back and forth as needed. When we had her in the carrier, we used the stroller to hold the diaper bag and boppy.

We've flown some mega long distance flights with our babies at various ages and 4 months is ideal! I'd go for an aisle and window seat on the plane, unless it is a completely sold out flight, as that middle seat will be the last to fill. You definitely want an aisle seat though, give up the window if need be.

As for changing your baby on the seat - no, just no. Use the bathroom - their change tables are fine for a baby that age (it's trickier with a tall 18 month old!) and you will have what you need there (a bin to dispose of the diaper, sink to wash your hands etc).

Other tips: bring antibacterial wipes and wipe down all the surfaces your baby will come in contact with - the arm rests, tray table, and window area if you do have the window seat. Nurse/feed/pacifier on take off and landing to alleviate the ear pressure. Bring a little mirror as that entertains babies that age for ages and is easy to pack. Have a little medicine bag with you as you never know when baby may spike a fever. And multiple changes of clothes for the baby and at least one for both you and your DH - babies have a knack for having leaky nappies or massive spit ups at the most inconvenient times!

Other than that, it should be fine. That age is ideal to travel as they are so easy at that age and not yet mobile! Also, go in with the mindset that you don't give a toss what others think. If your baby cries, so be it. If she screeches or is noisy, so be it. If you have to walk up and down the aisles the whole time, so be it. Just as long as you're doing what you can to keep your baby happy, and not just sitting back with ear plugs in letting your baby scream, most people are pretty understanding and helpful.

If there are any seats available, they will let you bring the carseat on which is AWESOME. That has always worked the best. You just have to ask as you are boarding. If not, bring a travel boppy for baby to sleep on, on your lap.

@MrsBeluga: We got a travel nursing pillow for the plane, I think the regular boppy would have been too big. I ended up using the travel pillow a lot after the trip, especially as LO got bigger and I just needed a little arm support.