I am taking DD with me next week on a trip interstate and wondering what "pearls of wisdom" some other mummies have for flying with a 5mo.
Anything to do with packing, to actual tips during the flight (inc take off and landing), would be GREATLY appreciated.
I have planned to take DD's porta-cot, I had bought a stroller version of my pram so it's smaller, lighter and just in case the airline damages it (better than damaging my big pram), I was planning to take the Easy Carrier (harness thing) with me so DD can ride along in that and I'll have my hands free..
I am a little worried about how her ears will go with take off and landing. DD had an ear infection for almost 3 weeks so worried she might get some pain with it.
Also been told that the airlines do not have microwaves so warming a bottle on the flight is out of the question. DD will not drink cold milk so anyone have a suggestion?? My only idea was to take a thermos of boiling water and tip some into the bottle before i give it to her to warm it up.
I've organised a rear facing car seat in our rental car so that should be ok but I'm thinking I may get to the airport and they will want me to hook it up to avoid any liability.
On the plane they should be able to give you a thing of hot water to heat up the bottle. Or you could put 1/3 of the water into the bottle (bpiling hot) and when you need it, just add the rest out of a purchased bottle of water (you can buy these on the plane if need be or pack one to take) and then add the powder. But the thermos works jsut as well
For take off and landing, let her suck something whether it be your finger, bottle, breast, dummy. That should help her ears. If you're worried about pain, perhaps give her some panadol 30 min before you're due to fly.
On the plane, make sure you have a spare set of clothes and a few nappies for bub and a spare shirt for you. A friend of mine travelled from Melb to QLD and her DS did a mammoth poo... all over her nice white dress!!!!!
Be prepared for her sleep pattern to be out of whack for the first night or two.
If you're staying with family (or near) or have access to a laundromat, don't take too much clothing as you can always wash it - saves on room and luggage allowance
Don't forget to pack a couple of tried and tested toys for whilst you're away.
Try to stick to her routine as much as possible - esp the night one!
I have travelled a lot with DS from when he was 9 weeks and I must say it is never as bad as you imagine it may be...
here are some tips for when they are young:
1. they will heat bottles for you, they dont have micrawaves but they do heat them in hot water... ask them to do this as soon as you get on that way you have it as soon as you need it (I was bfeeding then but i did that once DS was weaned)
2. change nappy just before you board - goves max time before you have to do it again, the toilets are small and awkward to chg in
3. tie a few toys on a ribbon, that way if baby drops it you can easily pick it up - she will be on your lap and so it is hard to bend down to get things from the floor
4. use a carrier to get on and off plane, baby will have to come out for takeoff and landing but it helps a lot with transition
5. eat something yourself beforehand. hard to eat on the plane if you are alone with a small baby
6. i never found ear probs with DS in takeoff or landing but i heard sucking is good for that - bottle, dummy, breast, your finger etc
7. if you are struggling with hand luggage and baby, the staff will usually bring your bag on for you - ask them when you are giving in your boarding pass
8. car rental companies in my exp always fit the seat for you - i usually call on the morning to make sure it is set up as i need it - ie rear/front facing, straps through the right hole etc - you dont want to be waiting around for ages at the end of the flight
9. i often feed ds when we get off the plane and chg nappy etc, so he is more comfy when we get to the car
10. agree with above re washing, it helps if you can minimise the amount of stuff you need to take (also if you can borrow/rent a portacot i find that helps too)
have a great trip - i promise the anticipation is worse than the reality!!!
Some great suggestions so far. I'll be watching with interest to see if there are any more, as I'm thinking of taking our bub to England when he's about 5 months old....quite possibly without DH (crazy!?).
Hopefully it will go smoothly but because we are going QLD they are not on DST and so everything will be out of whack by 1 hr. I'll still try as best as possible to keep her on home time. Luckily it's only for 2 nights so will mean not too much stuff to pack but knowing me I'll over pack, "just in case"..
Biggest thing will be having to take the steriliser and porta-cot. Not an option to borrow or rent. We are staying in a hotel so i'm a bit "iffy" about using their kettle also as I've done my fair share of staying in hotels for work and the kettle isn't always top priority on the "cleaning" list for some places, and unfortunately not usually something you can tell before hand. Contemplating if I buy a cheap one and take it with me or what.
Luckily I have my Mum coming with me so she'll be able to help out and be a spare pair of hands and we can do "swap" half way through the flight.
I was thinking of taking a normal backpack instead of DD's nappy bag (kapoochi and not a small one) and my Mum is going to take a "wheelie" suitcase as hand luggage so I can jam in as much as I can in there and just have change of clothes, bottle, few toys and nappies in the backpack.
I know I've gotten cool on flights before so do you think I should dress DD in a short sleeve jumpsuit but take a blankie with me in case she gets cold??? I don't really have a jacket which would fit her at the moment.. I could probably grab one before we go and take a jacket and some long pants in case. Would prob be easier and smaller than carrying a little blankie. DD does tend to get cold hands/feet easily.
Flying/Travelling with a 5mo
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