Flying long-haul with baby first time

[FlyingWithBabyLongHaul]

Hello everyone. My husband and I will soon be taking our baby on her first ever flight.

She will be 8 months old. It's a long-haul flight (12 or 13 hours) from Heathrow to East Asia, to visit family.

We are flying in economy and have booked a bulkhead seat and will be using the airline's baby bassinet/seat at bulkhead position.

Do you have any top tips for flying long-haul with a baby please? Any products you recommend for travelling etc? Thank you.

Bump!

A sling (preferable over a soft structured carrier, which is the sort with buckles) as you can wear her and move around the plane easily.

A few new toys wrapped up in wrapping paper to unwrap play with (nothing that makes noise or flashes or will otherwise annoy your neighbours)

Lots of clothing changes for everyone.

Think about how you will feed her - if bf, easy, if ff, then the ready-made cartons which you can collect on the other side of security from Boots/similar.

Bring easy snacks/solid food - also give some consideration for what food you will bring with you. Obviously, you will have access to supermarkets and presumably a kitchen, even if with family, to cook for her while you're there, but I would bring some familiar foods/snacks from home. And give some consideration to food safety. Things you eat while you're there may be okay for you, but may be more likely to lead to GI issues as her immune system is not so robust. It might just mean a bit of planning to make it as simple as possible to feed her while you're there. If ff, plan for formula while there and also the flight back.

Otherwise, it's actually probably easier to fly with a baby than with a toddler. My first flight with my eldest was right in the middle of potty training, and I wouldn't recommend the experience.

I found that age honestly the most difficult because they just wanted to crawl on the floor which was a) gross and b) not safe or practical, no toy held their attention span for long, it’s too young for the ipad and they didn’t sleep all that much because even at home it was only a short morning nap then a longer one after lunch. They didn’t fit in the bassinet either. For some reason air sickness seems to be really common at that age too. So yeah mentally prepare yourself, except it to be shit, but it’s 1 day of your life (well 2 including the return) and I’m sure you’ve had bad days before and survived, this time will be no different. Or you never know you might be pleasantly surprised!! I would say dummy or feed for ears during take off/landing, pack all the snacks and baby food pouches. Also make sure enough of everything (nappies, wipes, formula, baby food) in case of delays so I’d do 2 days worth. Pack several changes of clothes for everyone too. Delays, sickness, nappy blow out, spills - you’ll need them!

A controversial suggestion, and only for a day flight, but we used to quite like booking our seats for the adults at opposite ends of the cabin and to do shifts. So 2 hours looking after them solo, then swap so you get 2 hours of peace to watch a movie, have a nap or just eat something in peace. I know it sounds like a really weird thing to do but mentally it was easier than both being ‘on duty’ the whole time especially as it doesn’t take 2 adults to look after 1 baby or toddler!

Thanks so much @mindutopia! Really helpful tips. Will be keeping an eye out for new toys that we can easily bring onto the plane!

Thank you @TropicalTrama
Think you're absolutely right, I'll travel with a mindset of 'it will be tricky', and hopefully we come out the other side okay!

With the airline we are on (British Airways), they have two types of bassinet. One is a flat bed for under 6 months, then a more seat-like/recliner for 6 months+. Hopefully our baby will like it... fingers crossed!

Just need to get into my mind that the long flight will be worth it once baby gets to meet all her family who live abroad!

I used to fly with my young dc a lot. These are my top tips

A sling for walking through the airport.

One handluggage packed full of things for dc. More changes of clothes (sleepsuits) than you think youll need. Way more nappies than you think you'll need. A whole pack of wetwipes. At least 2 changes of clothes (i used maxi dresses) for yourself - that way if theres a nappy/vomit explosion or a spilt cup of water or whatever you can be clean and dry. A pashmina to use as a blanket/pillow/breastfeeding shawl/whatever.

Over the ear headphones for your dc. Download some of their favourite shows/games. Even if it just keeps them quiet for 30 minutes.

Snacks. Little things like raisins take ages to eat.

Go to the poundshop for cheap in flight toys. Teething rings, sticker books, cheap doll, whatever. Pull out a new one whenever boredom sets in.

Try and book night time flights, in the hope you'll all sleep for some of it.

I always overpack my medicine/first aid box. So in the ear thermometer, calpol, rehydration sachets, bite relief cream, hand gel, wound spray. But I'd rather overpack than underpack. Travel insurance, is a must have.

Breast (or bottle) feed on take off and landing, it helps relieve the ear pressure.

Top tip: night flight! If you've booked a night flight then they will hopefully sleep for most of the flight. Personally I don't like the bassinet seats. I prefer to sit further back where it is quieter and darker. We have a fly tot for our toddler which is great and could be used for a baby if you're lucky enough to have a spare seat next to you.

Pack the snacks that she likes and if there's any toy that keeps her entertained bring that too. 8 months old is a bit young for toys though. She'll probably spend most of the time that she's awake looking around, playing with the seats etc.

I've done London to Malaysia loads of times and 8 months isn't too bad. As in, flying with kids is always bad but 8 months is easier than 18 months imo.

I flew alone on transatlantic flights many times when babies were small, and the best thing to be is over prepared with things you know you'll need.

Whilst I had my diaper bag, I also kept a separate ziplock with wipes, pampers, bags and a sleep suit handy, so when my babies inevitably had an explosive shit (which they did EVERY TIME) on flights, I could grab one handy bag quickly and go and sort them out.
I also kept a spare pair of leggings/tshirt for me being in the line of fire for barf/shit.

Other than that, I used to lay the airplane blanket down on the floor and put a bunch of toys there for them to play with.

I also used to let any other willing passengers and airline crew carry them/entertain them if they offered, which kept them happy.

If your baby can sleep well with ambient noise around then you'll be fine and any gentle turbulence tends to help them as well.

Also recommend a sling for easy maneuvers through the airports.

You'll be fine, enjoy the trip!

Take more nappies than you need for unexpected multiple diahorrea caused by cabin pressure.

I've not flown but done long distance trains with this age.

Some things I'd recommend:

1. Think about the airport, waiting and security - walk through it in your mind and make sure you've worked out how to carry baby etc through all of these small phases. Sling will help a lot here if you use one.

1. Consider how you'd handle contingencies. I'd at least have a vague plan for dealing with a long delay on the ground, for your night flight becoming a day flight or vice versa, and what happens if the airline screws up and you can't have a bulkhead seat or you and DH can't sit together. (BOTH of you should carry nappies toys and a change of adult clothing in case baby is sitting with DH away from you or vice versa)

1. Do NOT neglect your own comfort. If you haven't worked out how both of you are going to get half a chance to eat, drink and attempt sleep during the flight then make a plan.

i would try not to take a pram/stroller. Buy a cheap one when you arrive… or be prepared for your one to absolutely trashed if it goes in the hold.

i did a lot of long haul solo when DC were small and found airports to be so so helpful. Opening queues for me, helping me with luggage. Accept all offers of help gracefully. And have some just in case sachet of calpol on hand.

Oh also don't forget mini first aid kit with Calpol, plasters, rehydration sachets, nose unblocker sucker thingy.

For adults carry painkillers and diarrhoea meds (obv baby can't have these) because you need to be able to carry on till you get there.

So many great tips here, thank you all so much!
Will make sure I over-pack everything!
It's a night flight so hoping she will be able to sleep🙏🏼

Erm we did it with 3 little ones under 1 and didn't have any problems. I just took what I usually do for long car trips and taugh them to sit more a couple of weeks before flight so they were used to it

I did this many years ago, on my own, eek.
It was actually fine. I took a few toys and books for her, some snacks, but the airline were great, really couldn't do enough for us, even taking her for a wander up and down the plane.
They made a fuss of me too and plied me with food, even in Economy.
I found on that trip that airlines love babies!

I think 8 months is a good age for a flight. My tips are:

• keep them tired for the flight. Whether they have a shorter nap, less night time sleep or a nighttime flight.

• any objects your little one likes at home, keep it hidden and save it. I brought with me a shoe lace and an Amazon remote. Keep a variety of toys and books with you and things your little one has never seen before.

• bring snacks, and keep your little one a bit hungry for the flight. Feed them slowly and let them feed themselves over some time. I have little bite sized food that I can bring. Make it a challenge, put it in a tub, let them open the tub ect

• pray you have nice passengers on the flight. Even if someone chats to your baby for 15 mins it makes a huge difference. Walk about in the flight, talk to people who are approachable.

• bring Calpol onto the flight and give it to them before.

Oh good it’s BA! They’re the worst in pretty much everything but that baby bouncer seat is the best. Good luck! Remember it’s just a day and no matter how bad this too shall pass. But you never know it might be fine, night flights I never found were too bad actually, it’s the day ones that are tough going.

I’ve got one more tip. I always buy a bag of candy/chocolate in duty free for the cabin crew. When they help me get situated with the DC & all the associated bags I hand it to them and say thanks so much for the help and that I appreciate them. I feel like it goes a long way to say thank you in advance.

Take spate clothes for you as well as the baby. I spent a 12 hour flight covered in vomit after my 8 month old projectile vomited over me soon after take-off. Unpleasant for me and for those sitting next to me!

Thanks @TropicalTrama, I was definitely worried as I don't think British Airways are the best, but I'm glad to hear the baby seat on BA is good!

@Yazz1212 Brilliant tips, thanks! Good reminder about the Calpol too. I'll buy those ready-to-use sachets!

@Accismus Poundland for toys is a great idea, and I won't worry if they get lost or break! Thanks!

@deplorabelle Great ideas - a delay is my biggest worry so will make sure to have backup plans!

Thanks so much for everyone's replies - really useful and great ideas!

Flew ba with mine and the bassinet is good. Books were good, toys, favourite snacks, spare clothes and don't be afraid to let fellow passengers walk them up and down too - I usually was alone with mine!