Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

To take a 4 month old baby on an 8 hour flight?

64 replies

Honey2018 · 07/09/2018 13:06

First time posting in AIBU so please be nice...

We are planning a trip to visit some family members in a couple of months time who live outside of the UK. My daughter will be 4 months old by then and can sometimes be a bit unsettled.

So, do I just go for it? I obviously don’t want to be the one with a screaming baby disrupting a flight but it’s been a difficult year and we would really like to go away.

Any tips on travelling with a little one?

OP posts:

Shutupanddance1 · 07/09/2018 16:28

Yep, have travelled multiple times (8 hour flights) with my now 2 year old.

I always have spare clothes with a nappy change in separate big size sandwich bags.

Also note, there will always be people who aren’t happy to see babies on flights. One guy tried to move within 2 minutes of being sat next to me and my DD. He went on to stay where he was as there was no other seats and complimented me on my DD behaviour. So my advice, try and relax, make the most of it and definitely have a spare pair of clothes for yourselves!

Original poster

Honey2018 · 07/09/2018 16:33

shutupanddance he really asked to move in front of you? That seems so rude/ awkward! I understand flying is stressful and I admit we have been the childless couple who weren’t exactly baby friendly... but I don’t think we would have ever done that!

Glad it ended well anyways.

OP posts:

HerpDeDerp · 07/09/2018 16:38

Depends, does she travel well in general? If she does then sure, if not I wouldn't. My little one doesn't travel well by car so I wouldn't risk making everyone miserable going on a plane.

SpeedbirdFoxtrot · 07/09/2018 16:45

I used to work for Virgin Atlantic and then British Airways. It’s absolutely fine. Most don’t cry for the duration (I honestly think the plane makes them sleep better!). Just do the whole feeding on ascending and descending thing and request a seat with the drop down tables that can hold bassinets. Virgin also used to encourage us to offer extra bottles of water to mums who were breastfeeding. Not sure if that’s still the practice. They’ll probably heat food etc in the galley as well (on request, standing it in hot water...nothing fancy). I used to find it quite funny seeing other crew members doing the mad rush for bassinets after being released from their seats!

I only had people make odd comments a handful of times over a few years. Most are too fixated on watching a movie etc, so they don’t even notice any crying. The majority respond well to it. I did a lot of flights in and out of Orlando, so it often felt/sounded like we were in the middle of an airborne crèche anyway

chocatoo · 07/09/2018 16:47

I just feel soo sorry for the people sitting around you if the baby screams...probably feel sorry for you too if that's the case. I'm afraid that my heart always sinks when I see a baby/toddler sitting within earshot but as others have said, baby is probably preferable to toddler...I took DD on a plane when she was 4 and her ears really hurt when taking off or landing - it was stressful.
I suppose that my other concern is that everyone who has a bug/virus has shared it with everyone else by the time you get off the plane so I would want to be sure that my baby was in tip top condition for the flight so as not to be ill for the whole holiday.

Shutupanddance1 · 07/09/2018 16:56

Honey2018 yep, my DD was 1 at the time so basically watched her cartoon on my phone, had her snacks and then slept. It was probably the best she’s ever behaved on a flight

whoareyou123 · 07/09/2018 17:38

he really asked to move in front of you? That seems so rude/ awkward

Surely you'd want the person next to you to move if they could? Then you'd have an empty seat next to you which would give you more room.

hospbear · 07/09/2018 17:40

I took dd to Australia aged 4 months - was a doddle compared to taking her a year later

NadiaLeon · 07/09/2018 17:43

Do it and don't worry what others think I if child cries. Fcuk em

EmmaGrundyForPM · 07/09/2018 17:43

My sister flew from Australia to the UK when her daughter was 4 months old. She was no.problem.bit her older sister (2.9 at the time).was more difficult to keep amused for 24 hours.....

SometimesMaybe · 07/09/2018 17:52

Way easier than a toddler. In my experience no one minds a child (of any age) who is struggling during a flight as long as the parents are doing something about noise/upset.

We flew with DS at that age and it was fine. Toddlers are fine too just much harder work! Have your hand luggage organised and a couple of spare outfits and wipes and a spare top for you (because no doubt they will be sick on you!). Breastfeeding is very helpful as are dummies (sucking helps with the ear pain).

Over the summer sat next to a two year old ish whose parents had brought no toys, magazines, iPads or food with them and then got arsey when the flight attendant asked them to stop her climbing over the seats during take off and landing. That is the kind of child who fellow passengers hate.

mintich · 07/09/2018 18:00

I did the same, she slept most of the way there and back. The plane is like a massive rocking, white noise machine so I think it's the perfect time to do a long haul trip

imip · 07/09/2018 18:05

I took dd from the U.K. to Melbourne at 13weeks -it was fine. She didn’t sleep much (well, mainly in my arms).everyone is entitled to fly. Adults can be just as annoying as a crying baby! I regularly travel this route to visit my family, my 4 dc now aged between 6 and 11are very good travellers now.

Racecardriver · 07/09/2018 18:06

Littlebabies are very easy to fly with

Dhalandchips · 07/09/2018 18:08

I took 8 week old to Japan 21 years ago. She was a breeze 😀

puzzledlady · 07/09/2018 18:08

It’s fine. We flew 14 hours when my daughter was that age. It’s the best age. Wait till you get to the age that they can walk.... and not talk yet.

Twofishfingers · 07/09/2018 18:16

I promise you, there are babies and toddlers on every single flight and there will be people tutting and complaining about it. You have to grow a thick skin!

I flew with both my boys on many occasions on 8 hour flights. it's not always easy, and their little ears can hurt which is why you should be prepared to feed them at take off and landing, BF or bottle. Otherwise, it's fine. People may complain, just smile. Some people just like complaining.

Howhot · 07/09/2018 18:20

Go for it op. You'll manage. Nobody likes a crying baby but hey, its public transport. Hopefully they'll sleep through most of it

ShalomJackie · 07/09/2018 18:28

Another go for it.

Visited my parents in US when DS qas 4 months. Fed him during take off and landing and he slept all the way due to the white noise.

Definitely try for baulkhead seats so that you can use the bassinet.

Original poster

Honey2018 · 07/09/2018 18:42

Thanks everyone!

I’ll just think of the destination and try not to worry about the flight.

She can do long journeys in the car as long as I’m in the back with her- I must admit I have relied on the baby music/videos on YouTube to get her to calm down sometimes. So will make sure we have that handy.

OP posts:

SleightOfMind · 07/09/2018 19:13

I won’t say it’s easy but it’s the most relaxing LH flight with DC you’ll have for the next two yrs. At 4mnths they are so happy to sit with you for hours on end.
it gets so much harder once they’re mobile .

runsmidgeOMG · 07/09/2018 21:15

Took DD on a 2 hour flight (I'm aware people have done longer !) when she was 6mo. She slept for the whole of it and only woke when we got off. I Bfed her when we took off and honestly it was so strange, if you've ever seen someone fall asleep under anaesthetic it was exactly like that, the take off and engine sounds put her to sleep instantly! Said to DH that was all we needed to get her to sleep (non sleeping baby normally !) you'll be fine

LeighaJ · 07/09/2018 21:48

"Do it and don't worry what others think I if child cries. Fcuk em"

Yeah, fuck all those paying customers who can't escape from the situation.

NadiaLeon · 07/09/2018 22:43

Babies cry. It's what they do. Anyone who gets eggy at a crying baby is an arsehole.

Uncreative · 07/09/2018 22:55

4 months old requires less entertainment. Also, as the baby is less mobile, they are less hassle!

With regards to crying, I have done a lot of flying and the only time I get pissed off about a crying baby is when the parents seem to ignore it or only make a half hearted effort to pacify their child. If you are engaged with your crying child, you will have my sympathy. If not, you will probably get a few dirty looks.

Flip

1 2 3