In a few weeks we are going to NZ and I am stressed about the flight. We are flying with Jetstar and I have heard of but don't know about the baby seatbelt, what I should do during take off, landing - what I will do if she cries the entire flight etc etc etc. Has anyone flown internationally with a baby? I know the flight isn't really long or anything, it's just the logistics of it all. We will check the stroller and carry the ergo I think.
We did the Melbourne-Brisbane flight when DS was about 4.5 months and he was fine on the first trip but pretty grumpy on the return leg. He was overtired, and there wasn't much we could do about it because we couldn't walk up and down the aisle (they were serving dinner at the time).
I fed him whilst we taxied but by the time we took off, he'd finished his feed but the change in air pressure didn't seem to bother him anyway. I've heard that babies with ear/nose/throat issues can be uncomfortable but healthy babies are generally fine. If she's got a cold at the time of flying she might find the change in air pressure uncomfortable.
DS and I are flying to Perth in 4 weeks and I'm a bit nervous about that. My sister will be flying with us so there'll be an extra set of hands, but I just have to that DS is settled enough. We've booked for aisle seat to give me a bit of extra room, because DS is too long to lie comfortably in my arms. I'm planning on holding him, with the armrest raised, and his legs will probably lie across my sister's lap.
Tips for flying: - Don't bother ordering a hot drink, it's a logistical nightmare trying to drink it whilst holding the baby. Be prepared to have difficulty eating your meals! Take enough toys to distract/entertain bub when needed - we have the Wiggles on my iPhone which is a great tool for distracting DS when he's unsettled.
The hostesses are pretty helpful if you need them. We didn't have the bassinet but we've only travelled domestic. The seatbelt thingy just wraps from your seatbelt around bub, it's pretty unobtrusive.
I flew to UK on my own with DD when she was 5 months and flew back with DH and DD when she was 6 months. Had no issues at all - ok it wasn't a piece of cake but it wasn't that bad either - I think once they are over 1 year is more difficult. I fed every take off and land in (well shoved my boob in her mouth at least) and she seemed to have no issues with her ears at all. The seatbelt thing really does nothing for safety at all but you have to use just for take off and landing but as long as is done up is cool so bub can be lying down with it on even. I checked in the stroller and carried in Ergo which was perfect (both hands free so in the airport you can even go to the loo when on your own with baby in Ergo!). We had bassinet but as you have to take out for take off landing and any sign of turbulence then she spent quite a lot on my lap.
My big tip is to take your own pillow - ones on planes are small, and makes it more comfortable for bub to lie on you on the pillow. We took a few little toys for distraction, and she liked looking at the in flight map and generally all the people around her. Also don't stress about it, she will be how she will be and so often little ones pick up on your stress and act up accordingly.
My worst incident really was rushing down to the loos to change a number 2 nappy and not realizing I hadn't put my boob away properly after a feed - I think DD was covering it but am not sure - alot of people were smiling at me but hopefully they were just smiling at DD's smiley face!
Ohh the change table in the loos on all the planes I went on was very hard and flat, so a fold up change mat with a slight amount of padding is quite good - or something for under bubs head. Get out however many nappies, wipes etc you think you will need (plus extras) and stuff them in the pocket on back of seat in front of you, so can grab what you need to go down to loos, there isn't much room in them for a nappy bag.
I've flown a reasonable number of times with my two, and I actually think the younger they are the easier they are to fly with. By this, I mean that if you don't have a walker, you should be fine : )
At the age your DD is, she's unlikely to be wanting to get down on the floor and move about (I assume she's not walking yet). Providing you have a smooth flight, you can unclip her belt and let her stand on your legs etc so that she's not sitting/laying in front of you all the time. Take her for a walk up the aisle if you feel like it, and I would think the flight attendants would assist - I fly Virgin and generally find they'll take bub and disappear for a while!! Fine by me if bub is happy - the break is always nice.
When I've flown on my own with one or both boys, I find I don't get time to read or eat/drink, but I do take the headphones and pay for the TV. When my kid/kids sleep is when I can zone out for a bit and watch tv.
Otherwise, try not to worry to much. There's a thread going at the moment about flying with a 27 month old and my advice then was that "imagining" what's in store on the flight is far worse than the reality of travelling. Unless bub has an ear infection, she should be a happy flyer. And if she does get sniffly before the flight (mine have flown comfortably with colds) then take some Nurafen/Panadol, and baby Fess onboard with you and make sure they have a dummy, boob or bottle on the descent, cos the descent is far worse on their ears than the take-off.
My tip - try to take one bag on board with you that can fit under the seat in front of you easily (makes for easier reaching). And my other tip - don't be afraid to ask for help. On my last flight with just DS2, the bloke sitting next to me offered to hold DS2 while I got clipped in and again mid-flight when I struggled to find something in the nappy bag. Turned out he had three small kids of his own and knew just what to do. He even played a few little games with DS2 along the way. How lucky was that!!
Good luck and don't worry - you'll both get on just fine.
We took DD to the UK when she was 6.5 months old. She was a superstar. We fed during take off and landings and she was fine. The change in pressure didn't bother her at all.
I was SOOOOO anxious about the flights and it turned out I had worried needlessly.
Flying with 8 month old - first flight
Reply With Quotebut the change in air pressure didn't seem to bother him anyway. I've heard that babies with ear/nose/throat issues can be uncomfortable but healthy babies are generally fine. If she's got a cold at the time of flying she might find the change in air pressure uncomfortable.
that DS is settled enough. We've booked for aisle seat to give me a bit of extra room, because DS is too long to lie comfortably in my arms. I'm planning on holding him, with the armrest raised, and his legs will probably lie across my sister's lap.
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