Baby Bjorn Infant

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September 6th, 2010 admin Leave a comment Go to comments

Baby Bjorn Infant

When traveling with an infant, is it better to board the plane first or last?

Pre-boarding sound like a great idea, but wouldn't it be better to wait out all the chaos and stay at the gate for as long as possible? I'll have my baby in the baby bjorn, and if she's awake, she will not be happy if I'm sitting. However, if I wait, I'm afraid I won't have room to stow my bag in the overhead compartment.
Anybody's experience with pre-boarding or waiting to be the last one?
Thanks!

I'm a former Flight Attendant and I fly a lot with my kids.

I'm usually alone so I take advantage of early boarding. If you are travelling with another adult, you can send them on first, with the car seat and carry-on's and get settled and then you can scamper on last. If you do this though, make sure you have the diaper bag in case the baby needs a last minute diaper change and you aren't boarding with Mr. Blowout...

Don't risk finding out that there is a seating problem or seat duplication last minute. You could cause a delay. Get on and make sure everything's okay.

Be aware that many companies no longer offer preboarding for families. To get on early, just be in the front and look ready. One time another passenger actually called out to the ground staff "Hey, you forgot this lady and her three kids!" so they had to take us with the unaccompanied minors and handicapped passengers. Some airlines have online check-in which will get you on early.

The Bjorn is a very awkward carrier. If you have enough time before your trip, be sure to get something more useful and comfortable. I used to fly with a sling but a pouch or wrap is good too. Unlike the Bjorns, you can breastfeed and sit down in them. Once I had a sling, the Bjorn was never used again!

Here are some useful sites on babywearing, with multiple company products;

http://peppermint.com

http://kangarookorner.com

But for take-off and landing, your child should be firmly strapped into her car seat. If you're saving money by putting her on your lap, then she needs to be LOOSE in your lap and not attached to you in any form, no double seatbelts, no baby carriers. She'll be much safer this way (although the car seat is ideal).

Be aware that babies often cry anyway during boarding. It has nothing to do with their ears. I think it's more to do with the temperature change and being jostled around. It's also a myth that babies should drink on take-off and landing. If her ears are clear and infection-free, she should do fine with the pressurization changes. Please just let her sleep so there's one less crying baby in the cabin!

For more information, nine years ago I wrote an article on this subject. It's based on both my personal and professional experience of flying with children. It's totally non-commercial and other parents from around the world have contributed;

http://flyingwithchildren1.blogspot.com

Have a good trip!