Tips on flying with a baby

[prama]

Hi!

We'll be flying to Kuala Lumpur next month, and bub will be 4mths old. It's an 8hr flight on Malaysia Airlines. We have a bassinet booked and all.
I was wondering if anyone could offer any tips/advise for flying with a baby, while waiting at the airport, on flight and on arrival. I'm a bit nervous about the waiting and flying bit. Arrival should be pretty straight forward (I hope).
He's on the boob and I'm also topping up with formula with each feed, so that's going to be a bit of a hassle as well. On the plane, we'll have the crew help us with the bottles, but while waiting might be a bit hard, so am going take a few bottles.
Anyway, would appreciate any help!

Thanks!!

[foreva*your*mummy]

Hi there, I have travelled a couple of times with my 2 DS the first time was when my youngest was 2 it was very hard but the second time was ok because I new what to expect,, the thing i would first sugest to you is just go with the flow, Its hard to keep them entertained Hopefully the bottles will be ok and if you need to walk up and down then do so, people dont honestly mind most know what its like to travel with a baby. The second thing is dont get upset if your darling bub wont settle, its ok. My ds screemed and screemed and all he wanted to do was get off, we walked up and down up and down and he talked to the other passengers, i thought they woud all be so angry at me for not being able to make him stop, but when it came to the end of the flight he was asleep, we carried him of and all the people around us said what an angel and they never even noticed him..
I hope that your flight goes well and good luck.

[~Kim~]

Have you got a baby carrier Prama? I always found Darcy was happiest in one while we wandered around.
I always feed on take off/ladnding if I can manage it, otherwise have a dummy ready. They can't pop their ears like we can and the sucking helps - though I know girls whose bubs have puked on takeoff after a feed, so I guess it's a trail and error thing.
...hmm lots of toys and books in the handbag/nappybag. Even though he's little he will get bored and grizzly looking at the same wall for ages at a time.

[Curly]

Definitely feed DS on take-off and landing (or give a dummy or your finger to suck on to help his ears equalise). One tip though - if you feed, don't put him to the breast or give him the bottle until the plane is just about to take off. I made this mistake the first time I flew with my DS. I started breastfeeding as the plane pulled back from the gate, so by the time the plane got to the end of the runway and was revving up to take off, DS had finished breastfeeding!

The descent is definitely worse than take off in terms of ears. If your DS has a runny nose or if you suspect even any minor problem with his ears I would dose him up with some Panadol or Nurofen in preparation just in case. I have had problems with my own ears when descending and I can quite honestly say the pain brings tears to my eyes. No wonder babies scream.

Check and see if you can pre-book the bulkhead seats to get the bassinet. Check in early and make sure you ask the check in person about the bassinet too.

Toys and books to have something interesting to look at.

Dress your DS in comfy clothes in layers so you can take off or add layers depending on how fierce the aircon is. Pack 2 changes of clothes, plenty of wipes and some plastic bags. Just in case! My DS hadn't done a leaky poo in months and of course decided to do one on the plane.

Airports generally have parents rooms, and the cafes at the airport are well used to requests to heat up baby bottles or supplying a cup of hot water if you don't want them to microwave the bottle.

Lastly, don't worry too much. Your DS will probably surprise you. I was nervous too the first time but my DS usually sleeps on the plane and he is an awful sleeper normally.

[prama]

thanks girls for your advice.
kim - am going to take my hug a bub, i thot i might comfort him on the plane.
how are you going hun.. it's been a while, hope all is well w you.

krissy will do the walking so he can look around. also im thinking of taking his playmat so he can lie on it as well, hopefully htere will be space on the floor.

curly - thanks. i was going to feed him as the plane was taxing but will wait as you said. cos there were times ive flown, the plane started taxing and then got delayed.
yup, will take change of clothing and nappies.
i guess the problem with bottles is sterlising them. so will take a few and should be able to get them sterlised on the plane.
ive booked for a bassinet, so i think that will be ok.

thanks so much for your tips, sorry for the rushed response. ds in bed, so going to crawl in.
so much to pack!!!

[Curly]

Perhaps a more experienced bottle feeder can confirm this (I primarily bf'd and only did a bit of FF in the second 6 months for convenience) but I understand that when you sterilise a bottle, you can put the the lid on it and it is sterile for 24 hours.

Just prior to leaving for the airport I would make up the bottles with the appropriate amount of boiled water and take a formula dispenser with pre-measured formula and make up the bottles as and when needed. Get the water heated then add the formula because I note that people often tend to overheat the water.

HTH.