10 Tips on keeping your newborn safe on a flight
From personal experience, this post will give you tips on how to keep your baby safe no matter where you fly to.
Alína-Dior is 8 weeks old and we just took her on her first trip outside of the state, and as a first time mom, I needed tips on what to expect when traveling with a newborn.
We went to Las Vegas Nevada, a pretty interesting first vacation for a newborn, I know, but before you judge me, know that this was a work trip that neither myself or husband could get out of.
Traveling while Covid-19 is still a thing has a way of giving any mother anxiety. So how do you do travel and still keep your baby safe? This blog post we will talk about practical ways to travel safely with your baby. Here is part one, where we look at how to safely fly with a newborn.
“There is no way I’m leaving the house with Alína let alone flying anywhere!”
Alína didn’t leave the house until she was 6 weeks old, and when she did leave, that was for a hospital visit or some sort of appointment she had. I was always so nervous to take her around people, let alone travel with her, but when business was calling for me and my husband, I was left with no choice but to figure it out.
After a week in Las Vegas, I am now home, all of us are healthy and well, and I had to share a few tips with you that helped make our family trip, fun, safe and newborn friendly.
Traveling with a newborn via plane: Bring disinfectant wipes.
I sanitized and disinfected everything everywhere I went. It may have seemed like overkill but it was very important that everything that myself my husband or our nanny touched would be clean.
Now obviously you can’t go through the airport disinfecting everything, but you can wipe down particular areas like chairs, arm rests and tables.
There are multiple disinfectant wipes that you can use to clean surfaces on while in the airport and at your destination. Personally I like to use natural cleaning products that don’t have a bunch of chemicals, but whatever you feel can get the job done, use it.
We stayed in a penthouse at the Westgate resort and even though it was pretty clean, I still went through and did a wipe down of all the surfaces.
If your looking for a great multi-surface cleaner that is also very light, check our Mrs Meyer’s Clean Day.
It smells great and has no harsh chemicals. I found it to be perfect for at home use and while traveling.
Traveling with a newborn via plane: Keep your baby covered.
Newborns don’t have luxury of wearing a mask to stay safe, so I did the extra work. I wrapped Alína in a blanket while keep her attached to me at all times, apart from when we was taking off and landing.
As I went through the airport I made sure that Alína was completely covered and was extremely close to my body.
Harnesses are a great way of ensuring your baby is close to you at all times, and although a stroller can also do the trick ( if covered) I personally felt a lot more comfortable having Alína on my body than in her stroller.
How I Traveled with Alína
We only took Alína out once during our trip and that was to the Hoover Dam. We was happy that we could rent a car and go on an outdoor excursion with our little one.
Traveling with a newborn via plane: Bring Hand sanitizer.
It can get frustrating but I made sure we sanitized after every interaction with any surface including our passport and boarding pass. I strapped my hand sanitizer to my baby bag to make sure that I had direct quick access to it.
I tried my best to make sure I was consistently using it and staying on top of handing some to my hubby and our nanny whenever they would touch anything, extra? Maybe, but a mommas gotta do what a mommas got to do, to keep her baby safe.
Traveling with your newborn via plane: Carry your own changing mat.
I was lucky to have a baby bag that came with a changing mat. If you haven’t already got a baby bag, try your best to get one that comes with a changing mat.
It saves money and it is so handy!
If you’ve already got a baby bag but maybe no changing mat it is definitely worth jumping onto Amazon and grabbing a one or two.
This is my favorite changing mat. It has all the cool pockets you need and it is durable, while still being affordable and compact!
5. Traveling with a newborn via plane: Stay alert of people.
Babies always attract a few people who want a closer look, they usually mean no harm but staying safe and keeping your baby from all harmful viruses and germs is your priority not someone’s feelings.
I felt so bad when people would ask me how old she was and if I could uncover her so they could see her, but I always politely said no and kindly explained that because she was so small I didn’t want to risk her getting sick. Some people would be understanding, while others would walk away upset. So Mommy’s be prepared for all types of responses, but remember, your doing the right thing to keep your baby safe!
6. Traveling with a newborn via plane: Make sure your baby has all their shots before you travel.
This was a very big one for me. I made sure that before we would get on the plane, Alína needed to be fully vaccinated.
I wanted to make sure that the big bad germs couldn’t get to her, and that meant her having some of the essential vaccinations that help prevent that.
Our situation was alittle annoying. We scheduled to have Alína’s shots a week prior to us leaving so she could get over the potential fever and fussiness while we were home. But sadly, our appointment was rescheduled to the day before our flight.
Needless to say I was super anxious but, it wasn’t as bad (still bad but just not as bad) as I thought it would be,
She slept the entire flight due to the shots, and woke up an hour after we landed ( a total of 6 hours). When she woke up, she was irritable but seemed more in need of cuddles more than anything.
Day two was definitely the worst! She was running a temperature, and was extremely fussy. It was really hard to help keep her calm, but luckily we had a free day that day and was able to give Alína the attention she needed.
I say all of this to say, if possible, fight tooth and nail to get your baby’s shots at least a week before traveling! This ideally gives your baby’s body the time it needs to accept and recognize how to function after the vaccine, while giving you time to give your baby the TLC he/she needs before your trip.
7. Traveling with a newborn via plane: Feed your baby during take off or landing
This was a strange but beautiful discovery for me.
While I was in the airport I gave Alína a bottle while covered in a far corner at our gate. Although we were safe because of the distance we were from people, my mind couldn’t help but race while trying to figure out how I could feed her on such a small plane and keep her safe from someone coughing or sneezing while she is uncovered.
Well, I realized very quickly, take off and landing was my best friends.
Everyone had their mask on during take off and landing because there was no food or drink being served. This was when I fed Alína, not only was it safe because everyone had their mask on but it also helped unblock her ears as the pressure changed on the flight.
8. Traveling with a newborn via plane: Priority boarding security and customs, use them!
We probably should have discussed this one first but every airline allows passengers with small children to board early and there is always a possibility of special exemption during security and customs. Use this as another opportunity to keep your little one protected against the big crowds, and before your flight it also gives you time to get situated with bottles, changing mats and toys you may need on the flight.
9.Traveling with a newborn via plane: Request an empty seat
With priority boarding, you have the option to still call dibs on empty seats. Holding a little one on a flight while squished in the middle or to the corner of a plane, isn’t fun. Not only can you avoid some germs with more space but you can enjoy a more comfortable flight.
Lastly, don’t forget to double check the option of an empty seat so you can have a more comfortable flight with the option to have all your baby’s essentials next to you.
10.Traveling with a newborn via plane: Pay the extra for a direct flight.
If possible spend the money for a direct flight. Not only do you avoid being in an airport for extended times, you also avoid the possibility of a fussy baby because of an extended day of travel.
If you’re in the mood to splurge and the cost difference makes sense want get a first class flight. If your flight is a long haul one, or intentional, you’re spaced out a lot more than you would be in economy.
Not only that sis, but you’ve just had a whole baby, don’t feel anyway about spending an extra few coins to have an extra luxury experience for you and your little one. #YallDeserveIt!
Part Two June 19
Flights aren’t for every family, and when you have a big one, the price can quickly stack up. In part two we will talk about the benefits of long haul drives and how to get through one with a newborn.
