Please help me survive a 9hr flight with my 4mo!

[CaptainCabinets]

4mo DS and I are flying long-haul next week and panic is setting in. We already have lots of the stuff we need at our destination as flying to see family so can afford to travel fairly light. It’s a daytime flight and DS isn’t a great napper so he will probably be awake for most of the flight. Practical stuff I’ve already got:

• Very detailed, trip-specific letter from DP agreeing to our travel plans as DS has both surnames
• Bassinet seat chosen

Please can you share your tips for flying alone with a small baby? He loves nursery rhymes and just me chatting to him, but I can’t imagine our neighbours would enjoy listening to me sing/waffle on for 9 hours. He’s BF so at least feeding is covered, but economy seats aren’t the roomiest. He is hit and miss with a dummy (only uses for about 5 mins when he’s falling asleep) but will pack a couple in case he wants it.

What sort of things can I do to occupy him that aren’t too noisy/don’t encroach on other people’s space and peace? Would a member of cabin crew hold him for a couple of mins if I need a wee (whilst I’d happily hold a stranger’s baby, I wouldn’t want to ask a neighbour in case they felt pressured!)

I’m a fairly seasoned long-haul traveller, but this is my first time doing it with a little one in tow!

Thank you all for the suggestions! The sandwich bags of clothes and nappies is genius. I’m glad I asked as that would never have occurred to me

We have a selection of lightweight sensory toys that we already play with every day (flash cards, ribbons, organza scarves etc) so they should be easy enough to stuff in the bag! We’re not into real noisy toy territory yet, thankfully

I regularly solo traveled 12 hour flights to UK with babies from 10 weeks old - best tip I can give is to prepare a “handy pack”. Basically a zip lock with a small pack of wipes, pamper, onesie and change mat (and whatever else you’d need for a quick change), and keep it in easy reach in your bag. Then you can head to change the baby without dragging whole bag with you.
I eventually got a pacapod when DS1 was about 5 months and just used one of the detachable compartments as my emergency pod.

Thankfully my babies slept well from birth so I would just leave them sleeping whilst I used the bathroom, but when they were awake I had plenty of help from air stewards and other passengers, all happy to coo and entertain the baby while I ate, napped etc.

You’ll be fine don’t worry!!

Hah just seen someone else has also suggested the ziplock bag! Great minds. Been 10 years since I’ve had tiny babies but honestly this was one thing that saved me flying as often as I did.

As an aside, recommend wrapping a muslin around their body/butt if you’re nursing for take off/landing. Air pressure made DS1 have a mass blow out on his second flight and I didn’t think ahead to protect myself. Had to change into emergency leggings. Oh… and remember to pack emergency leggings/tshirt for you in case you get covered in shit like I did.

Make sure you have a specific pocket for your passport, money and boarding pass that zips and only ever put them in there..mislaying something important is likely and horrific, so be very vigilant about that

Excellent point. There is also the depressing fact that thieves often target harried parents of small children. They know that you are distracted with your baby, that you may glance away from your valuables, and that you don't have enough hands to manage everything easily.

Set expectations low.

You really need a good, structured baby carrier (ergo baby or baby bjorn type) as you'll find you won't have enough hands and you need to be able to put it on and off quickly. A soft fabric wrap one doesn't do the job. I also recommend a nursing cover.

My breastfed baby was really freaked out by the sensation of the plane or something and refused to breastfeed for 7 hours. Screamed and screamed. The only thing that worked was putting him in the baby carrier, with nursing cover on top to block out light/people and walking up and down the aisle. For hours

Just assume the flight will be a nightmare and hopefully you'll be pleasantly surprised 😂

My top tip is this. You know it's going to be hard work, so get YOURSELF as well rested as possible before you set off. Dealing with a tired baby on a long flight is far easier if you are fresh.

Be super prepared so you aren't doing the usual last-minute things late at night before your departure. Is there anyone who would help out with the baby the previous afternoon while you get a nap in, or at least get on top of those last-minute tasks so you'll be able to get to bed at your usual time?

Just got back from a 9 hour flight with a restless 4 month old, was much, much easier than I expected.

bring a sling so you can be hands free when needed, they might not take to the bassinet

mine spent the entire time being very curious - staring at everything and catching everyone’s eye, most people found him entertaining and would have happily held him if needed

The bassinet area usually has extra legroom so you can get up and move around if baby gets restless

BF on take off and landing to avoid ear pressure (mine didn’t seem to notice or care at all, in fact slept through it)

group your stuff in different small bags inside one big one so you can just grab (like nappies, wipes etc in one bag, toys in another) as it can get quite chaotic having everything jumbled up

It's fine. I had to fly back to post with an 8 week old. He was fine.

OP cabin staff will probably be really nice to you, always have been to me. You might get lucky and find it's an environment baby sleeps really well in, some do! (not mine, but was BF so he just did that for hours.)

I'm sure it won't be too bad OP. Hurts your arms at times but it's much easier than flying with a 2 year old. Honestly the BF deals with popping ears, boredom, and pretty much everything as I'm sure you know. My older DS was not a good napper at all but was very happy on a flight being breastfed constantly. Younger one likes his quiet and sleeps a bit more and was less settled but it was still okay.

Oh, my absolute top tip is make sure you take some calpol and or nasal spray just in case. I got stuck on a v long flight with a snotty baby with a sore throat who wouldn't BF. He was FINE when we set off so I had no medicine. Will never ever travel without sachets of it again.

I took 4 month old and 4 year old to Thailand last year - baby was bliss have to say - no bother at all! We flew at night so both kids were wrecked

got zero sleep myself ! But it was fine

i found I didn’t even need much for the baby he was happy enough just looking around and me doing funny faces at him

at one point he was down with the crew while I went for a wee and they were all doting on him and playing with him for ages.

do bring lots of wipes and nappies and clothes - I went thought them fast! And I needed to change my own T-shirt as well at one point

In my experience babies are quite calm on flights, something about the background noise of the aircraft being soothing. The bassinet seats are very handy and it’s easy to entertain them when they’re sitting in it. They also have a lot to look at with people walking past. My daughter was able to reach the dinner tray that unfolded at the foot of her bassinet and grab herself a mini bun.

I reckon Calpol would make a fortune with sealed sterile single use syringes with a single dose you could leave in your bag.

I have a similar aged baby and also fly for a longhaul airline. You’ll be absolutely fine OP. The sound and motion of the aircraft does help settle them.
don’t be afraid to pop to the galley to stretch your legs. We love babies and are always up for a cuddle if you need a break. There’s usually a little space back there by the doors where you can try and settle the baby if you’re worried about disturbing other passengers if he/she gets unsettled.
packing cubes are your friend to keep organised.

Not sure if you are aware/this is your first time travelling...try to breastfeed as you are ascending and descending to help with popping ears. My DC always slept amazingly on planes (though if you are on your own the challenge is having to stay there with them asleep on you for the flight - though the bassinet does help). Would say enjoy the cuddles :) I would also suggest taking a new toy/sensory book.

I actually think flying with small babies is so much easier than flying with toddlers who you have to occupy. You will be fine. Pack lots of nappies and outfit changes, lots of dummies because wouldn't fancy using any that are dropped on the plane. Feed when taking off and landing if possible and I'm sure it will all be fine. Oh pack calpol as well in case if any ear pain.

We survived!

Flight out wasn’t too bad, I fed him a LOT and he was grinning away at everyone near us, had a couple of naps in the bassinet.

Flight home was horrendous; we had booked a bulkhead with bassinet, got on the flight and they had overbooked the bulkhead and couldn’t provide an alternative, so I had to sit in a normal window seat, on a night flight, with him in the sling on my chest 😫 getting out to the toilet was awful, I didn’t eat or drink the entire flight as I couldn’t use my tray table. I’ve complained!

@CaptainCabinets we had booked a bulkhead with bassinet, got on the flight and they had overbooked the bulkhead and couldn’t provide an alternative

I thought if you booked and pay for a specific seat that this wouldn't happen? Does the bassinet block someone else's seat/foot room when it's erected - i.e. does it sit in front of someone else's fee as well as yours, if you see what I mean?

If you are flying economy, there won’t be enough floor space for a blanket nest and baby, surely? There is barely enough room for your feet and if the person is front reclines their seat, you’d hardly be able to see your child at all.

I did long haul at 2m and several short haul since now 9m. Just keep him on the boob and baby wear to and from the toilet, and on boarding on and off. Only tricky bit can be folding stroller up or down at gate check with hand luggage and in the way other passengers so it's best to have him on you in prep for this.

Staff are helpful but I wouldn't count on it and fellow passengers are fine. One sat next to me looked understandably concerned but that stopped as DS fell asleep in my arms.

Consider a breastfeeding pillow, I found it very comfortable and easily tucked into sides of seats. And which seat you pick. I like an aisle as less clambering with a babe in as but window can give more privacy and somewhere to lean

That doesn't make sense Damn sight easier taking a non mobile 4 month old than a 7/8 month crawler/ walker.

My DD has a 4 month old. He's quite capable of grabbing anything within reach and shoving in mouth so sterilised toys seem a bit pointless

@ExpressCheckout I have to fly long haul quite a bit and this does happen, often. What usually happens is that there are several families with infants who automatically get priority to book those seats but they don't actually have capacity for more than x number of bassinets. So some families will miss out.

I flew BA with my 6 month old (13 hour flight..) and BA told us upfront the bassinet was not guaranteed. We did get it but then BA staff were so shit they didn't set it up for the first EIGHT HOURS of the flight.

Edited to say 8 hours, not 7, my DH just reminded me 😂

I'm wondering if the numerous sources of white noise, air conditioning, jet engines might not soothe him and help him drop off, at least for a bit.

I just had a response to my complaint, they acknowledged that I had booked and paid for the bulkhead but couldn’t explain why it was then allocated to someone else. The seat I reserved was occupied by a random man without a baby (and he laughed at me when he saw me walk back past him with the flight attendant, in tears because I was so stressed about the situation!)

BA have apologised and offered me a £50 voucher, which may or may not cover the extra I paid for the seat I reserved, but I don’t have the energy to pursue it any further so I’ll just accept it.

£50 is an insult!! How awful of them! It's a shame you can't face telling them so.

Bloke was a wanker!

I'm glad the flight out was good though. Better that way round!