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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Taking a 6 months' old baby on a long haul flight

29 replies

flawless29 · 27/09/2023 10:19

I'm considering taking my 6-month-old on a long flight (about 10 hours) in late October, I am worried that he will be crying constantly and both myself and the fellow passengers wouldn't have any sleep.

Anyone had similar experiences which they could share? It would also be good to know what can be done to make the journey a stressed-free one.

OP posts:
Valeriekat · 27/09/2023 18:59

Are you breastfeeding? That would help.

Stopandlook · 27/09/2023 19:02

Yes, it was actually fine at that age. Breast feeding for comfort, white noise and an interesting environment for baby. Calpol for sore ears during landing maybe helps.

batsandeggs · 27/09/2023 19:04

Probably one of the better ages for it. As soon as they start wanting to move about independently it all goes to shit on flights!

ohpoowhatnow · 27/09/2023 19:04

I've done two connecting journeys which probably totalled just under that. It was absolutely fine, I took some new toys she hadn't seen before, she slept a few times and most importantly she breastfed whenever she felt like it.

arethereanyleftatall · 27/09/2023 19:05

A long haul flight was the first night my 4 month old slept all the way through. In a bassinet so flat, and basically rocked all night by the motion of the plane.
And echo other posters, it's probably easier if you're breastfeeding.

Colourfulponderings · 27/09/2023 19:05

I did it when DD was 6 months. It was fine, we were lucky. Going out she had a seat as it wasn’t full, coming back she didn’t and it made it much less straightforward.

Pack more nappies than you need - I took 10 and went through 9! I was panicking a bit at the end.

GnusSitOnCanoes · 27/09/2023 19:06

It will be fine. This age is far easier than toddlers. If you’re breastfeeding, that also helps, particularly with their ears on takeoff and landing. It may be unlikely you’ll sleep as lots of babies aren’t fans of the bassinets on planes (they sleep on you, but not in them) but it’s manageable!

resipsa · 27/09/2023 19:07

Went to Australia twice with babies under 9 months. The anticipation is far worse than the reality! It'll be fine.

gogomoto · 27/09/2023 19:14

Mine travelled every 4 months or so that distance. It was fine

TheClitterati · 27/09/2023 19:18

It's an excellent age to travel with a baby esp if you are BF.

MrsHsGirl · 27/09/2023 19:22

Absolutely yes. Get away as much as possible before they can move and you can still stick them on the boob!

watchingsmurfs · 27/09/2023 19:25

Absolutely fine at that age, even more so when breastfeeding.
I did London to Australia with both of mine between 5-6 months without issue.

trader21c · 27/09/2023 19:26

Make sure you book a Sky cot! We regularly flew long haul with DD when she was a young baby x

Shopper727 · 27/09/2023 19:27

I took my 5 month old to Australia on my own and it was fine he fed and slept and was so good hopefully yours will be the same. We went again in the April when he was 8/9 months and he was great then too
he’s now 22 though so a few years ago bow

Whataretheodds · 27/09/2023 19:28

Following with interest! When does this blessed window of opportunity end, do you think (expecting my first, keen to visit family in Oz!)

TakeMe2Insanity · 27/09/2023 19:28

Honestly it’s easier at that age. We travelled so much before 1. Easier if bf for take off and landing. Definitely take a sling so you can fall asleep without holding them ( some babies hate the bassinets on plane), spare clothes for baby AND you!

SoSad44 · 27/09/2023 19:30

It’s a good age, he will sleep a lot and can’t run about or run away. Book a seat with a cot bassinet and take plenty of milk (unless breastfeeding), a sling and dummies.

DawnInAutumn · 27/09/2023 19:31

batsandeggs · 27/09/2023 19:04

Probably one of the better ages for it. As soon as they start wanting to move about independently it all goes to shit on flights!

yes- Iagree. I took a 3 months old and a 9 month old (same child tho!) to Australia from London. Make sure you get a seat with a bassinet so you can pop them in to sleep.

At this age its not that much fun, but doable. Once they start walking (and before they understand clear instructions in English) its a bleeding fucking disaster.

SoSad44 · 27/09/2023 19:32

Whataretheodds · 27/09/2023 19:28

Following with interest! When does this blessed window of opportunity end, do you think (expecting my first, keen to visit family in Oz!)

When they start moving/walking/crawling about. Did 14 hours with a 10 and 11 month old (not together!), wasn’t a problem.

SimplyDiana · 27/09/2023 19:32

I used to work for a long haul airline and we usually had anywhere between two and 18 (some routes had more than others) babies onboard per flight. It was unusual that they would cry throughout. As a few PPs have said, your little one is at quite a nice age for flying.

It isn’t guaranteed that the airline will honour your request, but try and book a bassinet in advance.

Sexnotgender · 27/09/2023 19:34

I took DS to South Africa at 7 months. He was absolutely fine, slept loads. We specifically booked overnight flights. I’d much rather take a 6 month old than a 2 year old.

Whataretheodds · 27/09/2023 19:35

SoSad44 · 27/09/2023 19:32

When they start moving/walking/crawling about. Did 14 hours with a 10 and 11 month old (not together!), wasn’t a problem.

Show quote history

Ooh, so a risky little game to try to guess!

InTheRainOnATrain · 27/09/2023 19:36

DO IT - it’s crawling/walking stage until you get to the can watch a movie stage that’s awful. So approx 8-20 months. 6 months was always blissful.

FoxtrotSkarloey · 27/09/2023 19:42

Perfect age, before they start moving and are still small enough to fit in bassinets.

Do you use a dummy?

Feeding helps, a selection of small but it rattle toys, and a carrier so you can walk them up and down when they're awake. We did a lot of circuits of the plane and the people watching seemed to keep DS quiet!

Pack a some blankets for the bassinet as it can feel chilly. Also some muslins and this giant subbed clips in case you need to stop any direct light getting on DC's face (being mindful of air flow)

FoxtrotSkarloey · 27/09/2023 19:43

*NOT rattle