Hi Sasa,

I travelled to the UK (and back) with my 7 month old by myself. And I’m sorry if this puts you off but for me it was much worse than giving birth (I had a great birth though). Going there was just OK but coming home DS got sick before we left and then I got sick on the plane and it was just a living hell. Are you going with your DH?

Anyway, here are the Rachel and Angus top tips for flying alone with a baby.

- It's really hard but you can do it, you will (both) survive! The 15 hour flights are easy-peasy, it's when you have to back up for another 8 hours after a 3 hour wait that's the worst. But even that can be done.

- When you book and when you check in make sure you specify that you need a bassinet.

- When you check in ask if they can block out the seat next to you. Sometimes they will, sometimes they look at you like you’re from another planet, but it’s worth a try.

- For carry on luggage I had a backpack + small nappy bag + small handbag + Angus. I carried Angus in a baby-bjorn in front and with the backpack and other stuff it was too much. I would have preferred a small wheelie suitcase + handbag + Angus. The baby-bjorn was brilliant for hands free.

- Make sure you take your pram to the gate if you can (most airlines will let you). You won't get it in transit though, only at your final destination. I also cable tied my pram together so it wouldn't unfold (dodgy cheap clip). I could just imagine it unfolding and getting all mangled. I put a pair of scissors in a non-cable tied part of my checked baggage so I could easily cut them off at the other end. Some prams have proper travel covers though which would probably be good.

- I liked to swap with the person next to me if I'd been allocated a window seat so I could sit on the isle and get up and down like a yo-yo as I pleased. No one ever objected to swapping.

- Angus had no problems with take off and landing, I breast fed him while this was happening so that probably helped. Don't start to feed until you are actually about to take off because you can sit on the tarmac for ages.

- Drink plenty of water, just ask for a big bottle and keep it with you.

- Of course you will bring a change of clothes for your DD but don't forget a change for you too, at least a top.

- Take 8 or so small toys and offer them to her one or two at a time, then take them away and swap them for new ones.

- Just let her crawl up and down the isles, don't worry about what other people think and most will love it.

- For a blocked nose (both of us) I put a gob of Vicks vapor rub in a tissue and held it near our noses during take off and landing. This helps clear the sinuses making it easier for the pressure to equalize.

- For conjunctivitis (hopefully you and DD won't get it) Vaseline on the eyelids helped enormously. It stopped the gunk sticking to the lids and sticking them together. It was a lifesaver.

- Don't worry about what other people think, you're doing your best and that's the best you can do.

Good luck. Hope that helps.