I’ve got 4 kids and we have always travelled. Our first trip with a baby was at 3 months of age. With only one baby, we flew for 2 short hours but the preparation seemed like a marathon. Research was the key in alleviating everyone’s anxieties for the flight. We wanted to make sure it was ok for the baby to fly at this age? Was the baby going to suffer with the altitude pressure? were we all going to survive?, and really important mental stressors along those lines.
We also wanted to check what we could take vs what we felt like we needed? because let’s face it, babies need a lot of stuff! Shall we make a vague packing list; nappies, baby wipes, creams, change mat, baby Panadol, singlets, jumpsuits, socks, hat, formula, sterilising equipment, bottles, teats, sleeping bag, wraps, porta cot, pram, carry sling, monitor, dummy’s, teething rings, toys, books, baby Einstein DVD’s, music, argghhh, the list goes on and on.
This brings me to tip 1-The baby need’s their own super large suitcase. I take everything, I don’t want to get caught out with inferior nappies, I want the ones I know work and I want to know I have plenty, so yes, I take a large bag of nappies and my own favourite wipes. I also want to mention that wipes are fantastic, they can be used for any number or things, not only wiping bottoms, but hands, faces, tables, etc, I even find them the best for spot cleaning dirty carpet.
Tip 2 is to check with the airline on what you can take? How old the baby needs to be to fly? Do I get extra carry on? Extra Luggage? Can I take a car seat? Pram etc. Different airlines will have different rules and allow you to take different things. I like to have my own things where possible as many times we have hired a porta cot or a pram when we have arrived at our destination and found them inferior. Once we got a cot in the room that was so uneven the baby just rolled to one side, we had to build it up with lounge cushions to make it flat. We have also hired a pram that was so disgusting we had to wipe it down with our baby wipes before we could venture off for the day with it’s rickety wheels. Different countries have different standards of safety and cleanliness to us. The cheap umbrella strollers you can buy at places like Kmart, are great if the baby is old enough. We once brought a ridgey didge stroller that folded up into a backpack so we could take it right up to the boarding gate and use it as carry on. This stroller, cost a fair bit of money but the seven step process to put it up and down was a nightmare. The pram was even numbered 1-7 but it was so difficult to manoeuvre back into the small position it rarely got used. It was made redundant after we took it to the beach and the sand really screwed with the folding process even more. Plus, it was so difficult to push when we used it, in principle it sounded great but it certainly was not great practically.
Tip 3, is only take the necessities on board as carry on. Check in as much as you can, so you don’t have to carry all your bits and pieces. We always try and only have one bag. With a baby, this bag is loaded up with nappies, spare clothing in case of a blow out, food, entertainment, a changing mat, baby Panadol, or whatever you need. Even now with 4 kids we still only try and have one bag. We need a hand for each kid and we do not want to have to keep track of all our extra belongings spread all over the airport. It’s easier to have your hands free and limited things to worry about. At this stage a baby sling is also handy but you will have to take it off to go through security so make sure you have that process down pat. They don’t make it easy for you and don’t really ever offer to help either. I’m not saying this rudely, I just don’t think they are allowed.
Tip 4, once you have your flight booked you will get a booking number, if booking through a travel agent, they can do this for you. You will need to secure the best seats. There are bassinets available on long haul flights for babies to use. They are attached to the wall on the first bulk head rows. Get in as early as possible to secure these seats as otherwise the baby is on your lap for the duration of the flight. They are allowed on laps up until they turn 2 and then they will need to get their own seat. You can also advance order meals for babies or children for when you get onboard.
Tip 5, Research indicates that the best way to adjust babies’ ears to the pressure in the aircraft cabin is to feed them going up and the feed them coming back down. The drinking motion helps them to adjust. As they get older they might just need a drink of water or to suck on a lolly pop. This may help calm them and put them off to sleep as well. During take off and landing the airlines will give you a baby seat belt that gets attached to your seat belt, so make sure you have everyone in a comfortable position as if they do fall asleep you may be in that position for some time to come. You should also ask for a pillow when they give you the seat belt.
Tip 6, will they sleep? There are no guarantees. I prefer a day flight for this reason. I would rather not feel terrible through lack of sleep myself and a day flight will help to combat this issue. I always expect the worst and then it is only going to be better than that. Our worst was a flight to Hawaii (10 hours), at night. We had a bassinette and had hoped the baby would sleep but the baby had other ideas. Not only was the baby going through a phase where she felt that doing a high pitched scream at the top of her lungs was so funny because it got her attention, but the baby wanted to play for the whole 10 hours because she was loving everyone talking to her. The high pitched scream when people were just dosing off for their sleep made the cabin jump with fear. I think people thought there was a murder or that the plane was going down. It was embarrassing and unfortunately something we could not control. At that stage we were frequent travellers and had upgraded to business class using our points, so felt even worse given we were up the front of the plane and getting disapproving looks. This is also the last time we flew business as at least in economy there is usually more kids, so your kid is not solely to blame for the whole cabins lack of sleep.
Tip 7 is entertainment, be prepared with options to keep the baby entertained. Whether this is the iPad, a toy or even your keys the baby needs to be kept amused so they don’t crack it. As they get a little older the best tip I have heard is to take a small bag of “crap”. This is basically a number of items that will amuse them from the $2 shop. It could consist of crayons, dolls, cars, anything. The key being that it is cheap and it does not matter if it gets thrown on the floor or lost down the middle of the seats because, this is what will likely happen.
Yay, you did it, you have arrived…The worst thing about arriving into a new country is the customs line. On many occasions we have been given an alternate much shorter line because we have a baby. Or because we must look terrible having just flown with a baby, either way, they have been very kind and rushed us through. We just look at the customs officers with pleading, tired eyes and hope for the best. Thank goodness for small wins.
Tip 8 is we always have a transfer booked at the other end as it is so much easier. Once we collect our belongings the transfer driver will usually assists with our luggage, a car seat will be available if it is the requirement in that country and we will be taken directly to our hotel to rest and recuperate as quickly as possible as our holiday adventure awaits. We have a new country to explore and this makes the possibility of a stressful flight all worth it.
I’m always available if you are thinking of flying with a baby and want some reassurance. I have done it many times and I’m not going to say it’s easy, but it is definitely 100% worth it to be travelling. Visit me at Facebook, Instagram or You Tube, or contact me via email at kylie@kb4travel.com.au. Sign up for our monthly newsletter at http://www.kb4travel.com.au for some regular deals. Happy travelling….
