Flying With Newborn- Freaking Out! Also- postpartum depression and baby slings?

[name_f]My[/name_f] sweet little boy is almost two weeks old. Unfortunately my ‘baby blues’ turned for the worse and I’ve been struggling with some postpartum depression. [name_f]My[/name_f] mom was here the week after he was born and after she left things sort of spiraled down. [name_f]My[/name_f] husband was able to take another week of family medical leave and my mom is having the three of us come down to see her for the week and help out until I can get back to feeling a little more in control and normal. It is only about an hour and a half plane ride, but I am petrified of my little guy getting sick. His pediatrician gave us the go ahead but one of the nurses said something about how if he got a fever it could be life threatening. With the postpartum I am already worrying over every little thing and freaking out that I will screw up this perfect little baby somehow. I know i need my mins extra support and going is for my own good. I need to get better and be in a good place in order to care for my sweet boy. But this is really making me feel like a horrible mom! Does anyone have any suggestions to make it easier? We leave tomorrow but I’m going to buy a baby sling to wear him in to keep him close and covered as much as possible. I hope he likes it. I was thinking the balboa baby sling. Anyone use this one with a newborn? Or do you like a different one better? I’m also gonna get some antibacterial wipes to wipe down our area with. I’m hoping He will sleep and I won’t need to nurse or touch his face too much.

I guess I am just looking for some advice! Thanks!

Firstly, I am sorry to hear you are struggling with postpartum depression, but I’m happy to hear you have a great support network who picked it up and can help you through it. Please let your obstetrician know in addition to your baby’s pediatrician. Often a short course of antidepressant medication is in order. This is VERY common and you should not feel like a freak, or alone, or more importantly like an inferior mother. You can’t control the effect your hormones have on your most delicate brain chemistry.

Secondly, most airlines require a baby to be at least two weeks old to fly.

Thirdly, flying with a newborn is a piece of cake! They sleep most of the time. They love being snuggled and a carrier is easy to manage even in coach class’ small seats. Bring a blanket or proper nursing shield for privacy if you are breastfeeding and need to feed him. If you’re bottle feeding, bring formula powder onto the flight-- that way you don’t have to make it in advance and worry about it ‘expiring.’ You can get bottled water in the airport or on the flight from the attendants.

Lastly: fevers over 100 F merit immediate evaluation in a newborn under 1 month of age. But there is absolutely no reason to think that your son will develop such a fever during the 90 minutes you’ll be airborne. If he contracts anything, it would be a minor cold (and even in newborns, a cold is a cold- it can’t cause the kinds of problems such a fever would indicate). You’re right in that you should take him outside the home as infrequently as possible and minimize his exposures, but this is for your own mental health and it absolutely trumps any theoretical concerns about contagious illnesses.

Sorry, I have no advice, but if it makes you feel better, when I was 2 weeks old I took a 3 hour airplane ride and I was ok and didn’t get sick. I think if your doctor says it’s fine, it’s fine. If he seems at all sick once you are with your mom, take him to a doctor. [name_f]Remember[/name_f], babies may seem super fragile, but they’re human like the rest of us; they’re meant to survive. I’m sure your little one will be ok and it will all be worth it once you’re with your mother.

Sorry you are having a tough time at the moment. We flew with our six week old daughter for two hours every month until she was one and it was just fine, nurse during take off and landing if you can. He stands no more chance of catching a bug on a plane than any other public space and they have doctors near your mother’s house I’m sure. I hope it goes well and some time at home helps. Go easy on yourself.

Thanks everyone!

@blade- We have to pick up a note from the pediatrician tomorrow morning saying that its ok to take him on the plane. [name_m]Just[/name_m] the fact that we need a note makes me feel like a bad mom! I feel like I am putting him in harms way for my own sake but I try to keep reminding myself that I need to be ok for him to be ok, so it’s necessary. Also, my dr prescribed a 10mg dose of Prozac. I’m a little concerned about it bc I’ve heard lots of scary stories about people takin Prozac and having awful outcomes. But the OB reassured me that it is what he prescribes to most of her postpartum patients and in such a low dose it should be fine.

I’m not so concerned about him getting sick ON the plane. [name_m]Just[/name_m] about him getting sick from being on the plane in general, with the nasty recirculated air and close confines. I’m breastfeeding so I hope those antibodies do him good! I am hoping I can nurse right before we get on the plane and he will sleep most of the time!

@babylove14, sorry you are struggling. It’s always very, very hard to have a newborn. Please do not be hard on yourself, especially because you are absolutely doing the right thing by reaching out and getting the needed support from your family!
Please know that your baby will be okay. [name_m]Will[/name_m] be thinking of you and hoping for a safe and uneventful trip; be kind to yourself and don’t feel badly about any of this.

Take care,
[name_f]Laura[/name_f]

Thanks everyone! We got here safe. The sling worked fabulously. The little lovely seems to be fine so far so hopefully it will stay that way! It is warm and sunny and beautiful here and it’s so nice to have my mom around. I’m hoping by the end of the week ill be feeling somewhat normal again!

Wonderful news. Relax and sit in the sun. Hand [name_u]Jem[/name_u] off and let yourself be pampered. Shower and eat. Take your pills. Soon you will feel much, much better.

I flew with my daughter at 6 weeks old, before she had any shots. I got the sling unfortunately right when we got back from our trip, but from 7 weeks til about 4 months I used it every day, my daughter LOVED it.

Are you breastfeeding? If so, that will help prevent colds or anything. Infants have stronger immune systems than people think. As long as you keep the baby close, well fed/hydrated, and getting enough sleep, you shouldn’t have much to worry about.

I’m sorry about your ppd struggles.