[caitie_pie]

does anyone know how soon is too soon to fly or travel far with a new born?

[KMH]

I don't think airlines will let babies under 2 weeks old fly, but I know babies that have flown in private planes when they were <3 days old.

[hiskid1324]

If you're nursing, I wouldn't before 4 weeks, bottle feeding I would probably wait until at least 8 weeks. The air in an airplane is entirely recycled, so anything airborne and contagious is going to go into that baby's lungs, and newborns are extremely susceptible to illness. Nursing means you would be exposed to anything in the air and provide the baby with antibodies to it. Bottle feeding makes them a little more vulnerable to illnesses, hence I would wait until a little later.

[caitie_pie]

hm, this is difficult.
It's a two thousand mile drive to WA where my husband is stationed. I don't exactly know when he is getting home from Iraq, but soon after baby is born.

I wanted to be there to see him off the plane. I'm so scared I'm not going to get to

I have been told flying closer to 6-8 weeks. Maybe check with the airlines to see.

[hiskid1324]

Check with the military family services, sometimes they can arrange flights for special circumstances such as that. My dad is a chaplain in the military and he will occasionally pull strings to make that sort of thing possible for families.

[Voodoo Lady]

The airlines say 2 weeks - beyond that it's up to you personally. Different books and doctors have different recommendations based on germs/immune system etc. but you are allowed to fly by the airlines with a baby at 2 weeks. It's entirely up to you when/if to fly after that. I'd ask the airline if they need any sort of "proof" of baby's age before you fly.

We'll be flying to Europe when the baby is about 6 weeks old. He's going to Spain!

[Gaby&Emmy'sMama]

it's really up to you, but I wouldn't do it any less than 2 weeks

[caitie_pie]

I really don't want to go on an airplane ever again in my life but I will feel horrible if I don't get to see my husband off his plane when he comes home after a year tour.

Thanks ladies for all your in put, it really helps.

[Kaija]

I would call the airline you are planning on using and ask.. They also might be able to make exceptions with a doctors note.. Whatever the outcome is, I hope you are able to see your hubby come home.. it should be a special time for both of you!

[mum74]

Just dropping in from April DDC. You could check with the airlines but medically I think airlines will not allow a baby to fly before ...it's around 10 days to 2 weeks old... something to do with it's ears. (Sorry I know that's very vague information but I watched it on a tv show a couple of years ago ).

My son flew at six weeks old, and all they wanted was a health certificate from his pediatrician saying he was okay to fly. And that was something they required until 8 weeks. We actually didn't have one, so we just said he was 8 weeks.

I will ditto the other ladies and say the airlines generally have a two weeks rule, and after that it's up to you.

[caitie_pie]

Well I'm definitely going to call an airline... kinda worried about the ear thing now o_O

Do you ladies think a two day drive would also be too much for an infant? I mean it could also be a three day drive depending on how many times we would have to stop... >.<

[RJsmama]

I probably would not fly with a newborn until 2-3 months. Just my personal feelings, but babies ears are so sensitive, it would worry me. Also, there are so many germs on airplanes, and the air is re-circulated. That is just my personal comfort level.

Personally I would drive. Newborns sleep a lot. So you will have to stop a lot to feed her, but other than that I would think it would be OK.

Originally Posted by Keskes

My son flew at six weeks old, and all they wanted was a health certificate from his pediatrician saying he was okay to fly. And that was something they required until 8 weeks. We actually didn't have one, so we just said he was 8 weeks.

I will ditto the other ladies and say the airlines generally have a two weeks rule, and after that it's up to you.

Maybe that is where we are getting the 6-8 weeks from. I checked into when we were seeing the military drs and they were not going to induce before DH left for school so I was thinking of flying home to have the baby but then decided since I would have to wait so long to come back here that it wouldnt be fair for DH not to be able to see his daughter all that time (dont have to worry about that now though). My mom was also telling me even back when I was born - she did fly with me at 2 weeks old - but the airlines told her in order to get on the plane with me she had to have a note from the dr saying I was at least 6 weeks old and OK to fly - so the dr lied and said I was 6 weeks old becasue he felt my ears could handle the pressure changes.

Driving would be fine - but honestly with a newborn and a toddler I would def take someone with me driving that far. there are too many weirdos out now a days to travel that far alone with two small children - kwim??

[Mom.to.PinknBlue]

I honestly would drive darlin'. With all the germs and such on the airplane, you don't want to risk her getting sick.

Either way I hope you can get to see your hubby!

[PredonioussMom]

I know my Good friend, flew 7 days after her baby was born, to see her spouse graduate from the military ( i flew with her!! to help make it easier!!!) but that was on a canadian flight within canada, dont know the rules in the states!!!! Call a few airlines would be my suggestion!!!

[::MummyToThree::]

I personally would fly rather than drive.

[caitie_pie]

I wouldn't be driving by myself. I wouldn't go out there at all if I had to go alone. Whether flying or driving.
My FIL and step-MIL are going. I just have to go! I miss him way too much not to be there!!! I know there are lots of germs on a plane, that I'm not so much concerned about because I will be breastfeeding her. I mean I'm concerned but it's not my biggest fear.
I'm kind of a "I don't think germs are as bad as everyone makes them out to be" kinda person though... I do believe that the younger the babies are and depending on their health in the first place there is room for concern.

[Leanne78]

Caitie - We are also looking to fly out to WA of all places when our little one is born too. We've talked about driving, but it would be a coast to coast drive for us. I don't know what we are going to do about it. We want to go and see family, but it's such a big trip. Good luck with whatever you decide. I think it would be pretty cool though for you and baby to be there to see him when he gets off that plane!