It's easier to travel with an infant, right?

[Quartercentury]

Just supposing I am knocked up by Christmas... we're toying with the idea of telling our families by inviting them to stay with us for next Christmas, their first as grandparents/aunts/etc. But because of the way Christmases tend to work when you live far away from your family, they'd expect us to visit them the Christmas after that. But that would mean 10+ hours (one way) of plane travel with a 13-15 month old. It'd be easier to make this trip with a 1-3 month old, right?

Given the choice, would you rather make 10 hour plane journey with a tiny baby or with a young toddler? I know neither would be easy, but if you had to choose...

[jeggink]

I would choose young baby hands down. My 14 months is very difficult to travel with now!

[newyorkgirl]

Absolutely. I would rather sling a young baby through the airport and nurse him/her during takeoff/landing than try and corral a toddler.

[LILRTL]

Just a thought, though. If your baby is only 3 months old, you would be taking him/her through the airport...during the cold and flu season. We just did Thanksgiving travel with our 4 month old, and I managed to pick something up - hoping I don't pass it on to him! :eek:

[ce_Kathleen]

I was thinking along the same lines as LILRTL. It is much easier to travel with a small infant. I took DS on his first trip when he was 4 months and the plane ride was a breeze as all he did was sleep in the sling.

However, it would be the height of cold/flu season so I would be very hesitant about traveling with such a small baby. You don't want them to get the flu or RSV or anything like that.

My DS is 15 months now and has just gotten sick for the first time in his life and he is miserable (its just a cold but we had to get antibiotics b/c his throat was getting infected) I couldn't imagine having to deal with an infant who is sick!

[prudies]

Oh hell yes, traveling with an infant is easier! Traveling with a toddler is hell.

As far as flu season goes, well, that's a toughie but I think if you keep the baby in a sling most of the time and be careful about washing your hands, you should be ok. Also, breastfeeding keeps that immunity really high!

[jki]

I agree with the comments about cold/flu season. Honestly, I think it depends on the temperment of your baby. It's difficult to predict. If your child is colicky, it wouldn't necessarily be easier.

[SiValleySteph]

I travelled last Christmas with my 3mo old and this Christmas will be having all the family come to my house. :D

I also did a LONG trip when he was 3-1/2 mo to visit other family members (15 hour flight, and that's direct!) and I can't imagine doing that now that he is 14 months. Although we did just take 2 5 hour flights last week and that went OK.

I do think it's easier to travel with an infant. My son didn't get any illnesses from our travel (3 round trip plane trips from 2 months to 4 months from November to January), but it really wasn't at the top of my worries. I know other people worry about this kind of thing more.

[Abby'sMom]

Infant, by FAR. Oh my, I can't imagine flying with my 13 month old now! Iish, the horror!

FWIW, we flew with DD last Christmas when she was 7 weeks old, and she didn't catch any nasties. We just kept her physically close and that deterred itchy hands.

[Sarah]

tiny baby, hands down. you can pop it in a sling or wrap and never even hear a peep. nurse it all through the flight and it should sleep plenty.

OTOH, I think 1-2 years is the absolute hardest age for any sort or transport.

[cr8zyforaf]

INFANT...I put my 4 weeek old in a car for 8 hours and only had to stop twice for feedings...I don't think a toddler would have been that easy.

[Jen1098]

I flew with ds when he was 2 months, 7 months and 9 months. We will be flying again when he's 18 months. Can I just tell you how much I am dreading this. Thank God it's only a 2.5 flight but still. Thank God for portable DVD players, if he has to watch 2 hours of elmo's world then so be it.:D

[linda_loo]

tiny baby, hands down.

ita. and, go now when you only have 1 kid, because if you have more than one, it just seems to get exponentially more difficult.

[Cali_Katy]

I've flown with my baby on four trips. He's almost 7 months now, but the first was at 2.5 months, and that was so easy. He slept the entire four-hour flight both legs.

[LexyLou]

Infant for sure. My baby is colicy and a handful and I just flew to the Bay Area from San Diego (short flight) and she was an angel. I nursed her at take off and landing and wore her in the Bjorn for the remainder. She was perfect.

[Mrs. M.]

Infant, any time. We have traveled so much, and right between 3 and 6 months is the best time, IMO.

[Quartercentury]

Thanks for all of your input!! :D

And Linda, your girls are so big!!!