Tips For Travelling With A 7mth Old

Hello :)

We are taking our DD on her first plane trip next week,over to Melbourne.It will be a four hour flight and Im starting to get abit anxious about how to keep her happy for four hours!:lol:
I'm planning on BF on the way up and down to help with her ears etc. And I'll take some food for her too(any suggestions on that would be greatly appriciated too :)) I'll also take some toys but not really sure what ones would be best-dont want anything to noisy for the other passengers.She's not a very good sleeper so Im worried she'll scream the plane down for 5-10mins before she crashes but dont know what I can do to help that...

Any ideas??

I haven't travelled with Oscar on a plane but I think your ideas sound great.

Does Stella have a special blanket that she sleeps with that you could take with you? Might help her feel more "at home". Or even a fave teddy?

Could you Bf to sleep? Books with moving parts are fun, little clear bottles of water with things floating in them (not sure if they'd let you have it on the plane though), interesting things threaded on a strong cord, I wouldn't worry too much about a little noise - I'm sure everyone would prefer that to a crying, upset baby! Can you ask for a seat near an exit so there's room on the floor for her to play a little? Good luck!

We are just back from a trip to Europe with a 6 month old; I just BF as soon as he started to get too upset and fed him to sleep. I figured it would be a lot easier to get him out of the habit again when we were back home than trying to settle him in other ways in a relatively stressfull situation on the plane. But don't worry too much. Our DS loved looking at other people on the plane, so sitting near a toilet helped a lot as people keep walking past or standing nearby while waiting.

Get a back row seat, near the toilets. Just in case you need to change your daughter. I found it more relaxing knowing the toilets were just there.

Try to get an isle seat, makes it easier for getting in & out, also if bubs is a mover & wriggler it gives you more room. Fresh nappy before taking off & hope there is no number as the change tables in the toilets are so tiny & not much fun. I took toys that could be attached to my nappy bag, that way they didn't fall on the floor etc. Don't worry about noise, you need to be comfortable so do what ever you need. How is your DD in the car?? the motion usually puts them to sleep the same. I found each time I've flown Charlie has slept & we've flown 12 times in 16months!! Try for snacks that wont require too much stress or mess, biscuits, rusks etc. I always make sure I have what I need handy, dummy, special wrap etc & if DD is still able to be some sort of carrier I would use that also.

DS was fine on take-off and landing, so I had no need to bf him either time to help his ears - he didn't seem to even notice.
We sat up the back which was good as we could stand up with him without getting in too many peoples' way. He got bored staring at the seat in front for so long - he loved being able to look around from the aisle.
I found the hardest part was check-in at Melbourne - 1 whole hour standing in a queue with DS terribly upset and screaming the place down, and we weren't allowed to skip ahead.
Do you have a HAB or similar? Essential to keep your hands free while doing check in or collecting bags etc.

Have fun - i'm sure it will all be fine!

ness, we flew to malaysia when Lakshman was 4mths and flew back when he was 6mths. it was an 8 hr flight. we also had a return to singapre while we were there, a 45 min flight.
we booked a bassinet, so we didnt have to have him on our laps the whole time and we could go to the loo, walk etc.
i bf-ed him on take off and landing. but the problem i found with that was he was starting to get really hungry and had to hold him off. and he got restless.
on the flight back to syd, i tried to bf him, but he wasnt interested, so i let him suck my finger, then he sucked his toy too.
they all help. it doesnt just have to be a feed. as long as they are sucking something it helps.

the toys he had were his rings and also those pram toys. i could clip these to the bassinet.
as for food, he wasnt on solids yet. but since it's a four hour flight, maybe you could give him something at the airport, then milk on the plane?
i know it's really hard to stick to your routine being at the airport and boarding. cos they get delayed etc.

if you get a bassinet, it will be right in front, next to the toilets, as esme said they will look at the ppl passing by. it will be ok. i was very very nervous flying. the crew were great. and there's so much for them to see. at the end of the 8hrs he was getting restless so we walked up and down. some ppl will stare daggers and others will smile at bub.

are you taking a stroller? that will help at the airport.

hope this helps...

Thank you,thank you,thank you for all your replies!! I am feeling calmer already!Some great advice ladies :)
Stella wont feed to sleep but loves a nap in the car so hopefully that will be the same on the plane.I am planning on taking my baby bjorn to help with keeping my hands free and she (usually) loves being carted around in it.We also just bought a stroller for the trip so that will help at the airport. Just hope there's no long delays...
Clipping the toys is a great idea,thanks and I'm hoping to book a bassinett but I think they only let you have them up to 6mths but I will ask.
Thanks again for all your help and advice xx

Also had another quick question...

We werent going to take our car seat with us 'cos we will only be travelling by car(taxi) to and from the airport.My sister lives in central Melbourne and is right across from the tram line.The taxi service said they have anchors in the cabs but dont suply any car seats,we can however travel with our DD on our lap (eek!).
So just wondering if anyone's done this or what your ideas/opinions are or do you think I should just pay the excess baggage and take the car seat with us??

oh ness, i think there's a huge fine for letting dd sit on the lap with you and the taxi driver prob wont allow it as he will get fined.
we took an airport shuttle when we were travelled, and we booked a car seat. i guess you will need one in perth and melbourne getting to the airport.

As weird as it sounds with how important a seat belt is, especially with your baby...a taxi does NOT have to have a child restraint & you can hold them on your lap. You should be able to ring ahead & book a taxi requesting a seat....but I found that they don't have many & find it a hassle to send you a taxi with a seat, so they'll send what ever they have or tell you one is not available. So I hate to say it but it may not be possible or you may have to wait ages...it's up to you if you want bubs on your lap or not. If you don't feel comfortable then don't do it...but I suppose you don't put them in a seat on a bus or tram do you.