To think flying with a baby will be a breeze?

[NotAllIndividuals]

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.

Get on plane last, not first.

Best piece of advice on the whole thread.

Get on plane last, not first.

For long haul flights, sure. Give the kids the extra time to burn off a bit more energy. But for me, I fly short haul and travel light (with just a cabin bag) so if I got on last I'd probably have nowhere to put my case!

I always go for boarding first to ensure the carry on suitcase and DD’s YoYo pushchair will get in the overhead locker. Even on a long flight it barely makes any difference, what’s another 15 minutes on top of 10 hours!

That age is fine, I travelled with twins and hardest but was waiting on buggy without pram. Just be prepared with the usual stuff and take all the offers of help. Enjoy your trip

Could go either way if im honest. But I would definitely take calpol if its worst case and baby does not settle! If your baby is cranky for nearly the entire flight you will thank your lucky stars that you took some calpol!

@almost I find if you get on last on short haul flights the attendants are very keen to ‘help’ find room for your case as they need to get everyone strapped in! I actually just have a small rucksack plus one useful bag of nappies / toys / food or milk / iPad and they both get stowed by my feet.

Watching thread with interest as, all being well, I’ll be taking a 4 month old short haul soon.

Some great advice here which I’ve bookmarked, so thanks folks!

This, however:
“Give the baby to the luggage handlers to hold while you fold pram.”

That’s simply not their job! You can’t seriously think that’s a reasonable request and why on earth would you want a stranger holding your baby?

I flew long haul (30+ hrs) on my own with my DS when he was 5 months and 10 months. Second time round was harder because he could crawl and didn't fit in the bassinet any more but overall he was pretty good.
My tips would be:

• if you can, use a baby carrier to get through the airport so your hands are free for bags, getting through customs etc
• have ziploc grab bags for nappy changes instead of a whole nappy bag - there's not a lot of room in the airplane toilets for changing
• if they're eating solids, take snacks to distract them as well as a few little toys/books they haven't seen before. If you get desperate, mine found the paper cups and plastic cutlery on the flight deeply fascinating
• don't be shy in asking for help, people are generally more than happy to lend a hand
• sucking on a dummy or bottle (or a feed if you BF) during takeoff and landing helps with the ears popping etc.

Good luck!

Ear defenders? I thought babies loved white noise.

It is fairly easy to take babies on flights - for a 6 month old yeah, even easier. You can order formula to the airport Boots for pick up and collect it after security - doing the same for the little Calpol capsules can be a good shout too as paracetamol is expensive out of the UK. A sling is very useful as standing about waiting for passport control or luggage is a right pain in the neck.

@frau I tell you, after trying to fold your buggy and getting in knots, watching you nearly drop baby whilst kicking up the levers and holding the bags, most luggage handlers would be glad of holding the baby instead! They are other human beings who are usually very nice. Listen these are all just tips, obviously no one is going to be forced to hold a baby, it’s an instinctual thing, it feels fine and often safer all round to do this, but if anyone is uncomfortable then you have to do what feels right.

“I always go for boarding first to ensure the carry on suitcase and DD’s YoYo pushchair will get in the overhead locker.”

In general I agree, but if travelling in the bulkhead seats (for the bassinet), I put my carry-on suitcase on the floor in front of me so I can put my feet up.

We always board last with the DC. The less time crammed on to the plane the better. We don’t take a carry on suitcase though, our suitcases go in the hold and our hand luggage is small enough to fit under the seat.

If you are contemplating long haul OP for the love of God do it before your baby gets mobile. Then not again til they're 5 3+

My friend flew out to Australia with a non-walking baby and came back 2 months later with a walking one. She's only just out of therapy and he's 11.

It just depends if their ears hurt or the smell makes them sick. If none of that happens it's easy. If they're in pain or feeling sick they may puke and or scream the entire flight and it'll be a nightmare.

I flew with both my boys at this age and they slept the whole flight - milk on take off and was still asleep at landing!

“It just depends if their ears hurt or the smell makes them sick.”

The smell of what?

I know that some —hypocritical— people find the smell of their fellow humans on aeroplanes objectionable, but I really think that babies are immune to that sort of thing.