Guest Author - Karen Ledbetter
I posted the request on the Adoption Forum and a couple adoption lists and thought this would be a good time to share those responses with other readers.
Get a direct flight if possible. A late night flight may be quieter than a daytime flight. Inform the airline that in advance, as well as the agents at check in and at the gate, that you´re traveling with a newborn. Remind the staff on the plane as you board. Ask for "wheelchair" assistance or a courtesy shuttle if you have to travel through a large airport.
Some airlines require medical clearance before allowing newborn passengers to fly. This information can be obtained from either the hospital or the pediatrician. Your adoption agency, facilitator, or attorney should be able to obtain this information for you. Not having the information if the airline requests it could result in missing your flight.
Make sure Baby is sucking on a bottle or pacifier during the take-off and landing. This will help prevent painful ear pressure. Since airplane cabins are being pressurized before take-off, a pacifier or bottle should help with any ear pain baby experiences during this time as well.
The flight attendant should be happy to keep extra bottles in the plane´s refrigerator for you, as well as warm bottles as Baby needs them.
Babies spit up, and diapers sometimes leak. Consider having at least one change of clothes for Mom, Dad, and Baby in the diaper bag, depending on the length of your flight.
If the plane isn´t crowded, it may be possible for Baby to sit in his/her carseat, belted into the airplane seat. If this isn´t possible, a safe way to secure Baby is by carrying him/her in a sling or Snugli. This will also be comforting to Baby and keep your hands fairly free during the flight.
Even though we adopted from another state, we chose to drive instead of fly. We had a luncheon scheduled with Baby´s birth mother a few days after placement, so we remained in the agency´s town until after our visit. Then we drove to within a few miles of the state line, headed home. Once we received Interstate Compact clearance to return home, our trip was several hours shorter. We prepared ahead of time by purchasing a bottle warmer that plugged into the cigarette lighter. We made several "ba-ba" stops along the way so we could safely remove Baby from the carseat for feedings.
No matter how you travel with your new baby, if you have a light-hearted attitude about your trip, as well as all the necessary items in Baby´s diaper bag, everyone should enjoy Baby´s first trip home.
