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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think flying with a baby will be a breeze?

92 replies

NotAllIndividuals · 16/07/2018 07:15

Seriously, what can possibly go wrong flying with a 6 month old?

Alright, I want tips and tricks but gussied it up as an AIBU to garner interest and hopefully some worst case stories so I can feel better if we have minor hiccups.

OP posts:
noregretsanynore · 16/07/2018 07:20

Honestly it will be fine. They will be busy watching everything. Maybe try and time theory feed for take off. Flying with a toddler is way harder

sparklewater · 16/07/2018 07:23

Yep, it's easy. (Although I imagine depends on child to a degree)

Feed at take off and landing if you can. Go to the loo before they fall asleep on you. Pack their bag inside your carry on bag so once you're on board you have easy access to all their bits - books, etc. Don't be afraid to sing and play if they're getting grizzly!

MyBreadIsEggy · 16/07/2018 07:26

The younger the baby, the easier it is IMO!

Fizzyhedgehog · 16/07/2018 07:27

We've flown with DS when he was 15 weeks and then again when he was about a year. It was no issue either time. I fed him when we took off and when we were landing and he slept through most of his flights so far.
We did take quiet toys and books for him.
By now, he'd be a lot more wriggly but I've got some videos on my phone, which keep him quiet for a few minutes.

TurquoiseDress · 16/07/2018 07:29

Our LO was 6 months when they first flew, it was totally fine!

Once they become a toddler/are more mobile/have to have their own seat, that's when things get more interesting!

eurochick · 16/07/2018 07:30

It'll be fine. Take a change of clothes for you as well as the baby in hand luggage, in case they puke. Look for the family lane at security. Most decent sized airports have one. I preferred to ditch the pram at the check in desk and use a sling MG, but other people prefer to take it to the door of the plane (the problem with this is that you might have to carry the baby to baggage collection on the other side - not all airports get them back to you as you disembark.

A mobile toddler on the other hand...

HappenedForAReisling · 16/07/2018 07:30

Get bulkhead seats so you can get a bassinet.

BluthsFrozenBananas · 16/07/2018 07:35

Flying with an immobile baby is pretty easy, I always found the hardest part was doing nappy changes in the tiny airplane toilets. Flying with a stroppy toddler who doesn’t understand why they have to wear their seatbelt and can’t just charge up and down the aisles is another matter entirely.....

swimbikerun123 · 16/07/2018 07:35

Dress the baby in a babygro and pack several spares. So much easy for changing, takes up less space and more comfortable for them to wear when in the air.
DD flew every other month from the age of 6 weeks, apart from that first flight, not once did she ever sleep on a flight again as there was so much look at. Pack snacks, a few quiet toys, some cloth books.
Take buggy to gate, use a sling, make sure you have an extra nappy or more!

TistyTosty · 16/07/2018 07:39

How long is the flight? Two hours is very different to long haul.

grasspigeons · 16/07/2018 07:40

The flying bit was fine but negotiating the airport was a pain because they made me check my stroller in. Even though I phoned in advance to ask if i could keep it as it doubled up as a crutch for me yoo. So I had to carry my baby and my hand luggage all round the airport eithout my walking aid.
Take a sling if you have one just in case. (And an actual crutch if you need those) Getting luggage of a carousel whilst holding a baby is bloody difficult. I avoid BA now. Other airlines have been less twattish.

If you bottle feed don't panic as they sell milk just the other side of the area where they take liquids.

TSSDNCOP · 16/07/2018 07:41

Fine. Unless cutting teeth which the cabin pressure will kill.

Much Calpol required.

jetsetter87 · 16/07/2018 07:44

Yeah no issues here we flew when dd was 6mo and then again at 18mo
Will be a bit easier this year she will have her own seat!!

Calpol before flight for ears
Dummies
A blanket because it gets cold in there

Perfect excuse to sit an cuddle for a few hours what's not to love

StorminaBcup · 16/07/2018 07:45

Feed on take off and again on landing if you're not using dummies, helps with ears popping. Definitely take change of clothes for you and dress your baby in layers, I remember ds1 getting really hot so I stripped him down to his bodysuit.

Frazzled2207 · 16/07/2018 07:46

I flew with my first when he was 7m and 13m.

First time fine, he did have a bit of a moment but fell asleep in my arms for most of the journey including all of the landing.

Second time was a complete nightmare as he wanted to crawl/ cruise up and down the aisle the whole time.

Much easier before they're mobile! It then gets easier again once they're 2 and a half and can be bribed to sit and watch a screen.

careerontrack · 16/07/2018 07:49

Mine was 8 months the first time we flew and it was absolutely horrific, he cried the entire 2 hour flight. The other 2 were a breeze so totally depends on the child

GlitterRollerSkate · 16/07/2018 07:51

Best tip someone gave me was to pack little bags with a nappy, poo bags and a change of clothes. If the worse happens (shit explosion) you can literally just grab a bag, changing mat, wipes and skip merrily off to the toilets.

Original poster
NotAllIndividuals · 16/07/2018 07:54

Ah disappointingly reassuring! Smile

Has anyone tried ear defenders to cut out some of the noise/non-stop announcements? Wondering if they're worth a look...

OP posts:
Matutinal · 16/07/2018 07:56

As a pp said, don’t forget a change of clothes for you as well as your baby. I didn’t have one the first time I flew solo with my four month old, and he produced a liquid tsunami of horror that went right up his back to the nape of his neck as we took off. I was able to change him — though, again as a pp said, no fun using the changing tables in a smallish prop plane — but I smelled strongly of fresh dirty nappy for the two hours to our destination. Poor man alongside. Blush

Amanduh · 16/07/2018 07:57

It’s easy! Although I have just taken my very active 18mo and that was a breeze as well, he slept both legs - think we got lucky there!

BrexitWife · 16/07/2018 08:08

Seeing that you arevfater some tips
Take a sling with you to move around the airport!
And make sure they are well rested so they are not particularly grumpy. Not the right time for them to miss a nap etc...
Food and small toys. Cuddly if they have one.
Calpol in case they have issues with their ears (dc1 had really bad issues - still has now as a teen)

JennyBlueWren · 16/07/2018 08:10

I've only done short haul and first was when DS was 10 months and it really was a breeze! Read up on allowances -we could take 2baby items in the hold and you are allowed liquids for baby through security with extra checks.
Give yourself extra time especially if travelling alone. Use a carrier as even if you take buggy to the plane they often put it with the rest of the luggage to the carousel (even if the airline say it won't). Be aware that you have to take carrier off to go through security but I've always found them helpful about holding baby and you can't keep baby in carrier for take off and landing (you have to use a special seatbelt for baby to constantly try to wriggle out of!

I had no bad experiences flying when he was a baby. Last year when he was 2though I found it much harder!

eeanne · 16/07/2018 08:10

Before they can crawl it is very easy. Between maybe 8-24 months it's hard, they don't understand why they're trapped in a box not allowed to crawl or run around, and they're too young to be entertained by videos. DC1 is almost 3 and I've had two good flights with her, first was at 4 months and second was at 2.5 years old. Took 2 long haul and a few short haul flights in between those ages and they were nightmares.

bestbefore · 16/07/2018 08:10

It's easy with pre teens/ teens - headphones and screens on!! Grin - is that helpful??

MerryMarigold · 16/07/2018 08:13

I'd imagine a 6mo would hate ear defenders more than the noise.

It really will be a breeze.

A 2yo not so much.

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