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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

BF and flying: do i feed on take off and landing from boob or bottle?

25 replies

dan39 · 12/04/2009 11:31

Just that really - flying to Spain with 4 month old and have heard this helps them - will airline let me bf her tho or will they insist on some sort of strapping in?

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sleeplessinstretford · 12/04/2009 11:39

you get a little attachment to put round baby and she'll be on your knee,feed however you feel the most comfortable-both are possible.

LaTrucha · 12/04/2009 11:43

I always bf on taking off and landing. Although DD is 15 months now and might not be so amenable. It was fine, except for the first time when she fed so much she vomited all over me. I had taken spare clothes for her, but not for me.

SazzlesA · 12/04/2009 11:48

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StarlightMcEggzie · 12/04/2009 11:56

BF. Don't take bottle to faff with, such a headache when flying wot with security, boiled water, spillages etc. BF is by far the easier and it is perfectly possible to do it whilst you are both strapped in.

Window seats are quite good for the extra elbow room.

KiwiPanda · 12/04/2009 18:54

I just took DD to Spain and bf her on take off - it's a little tricky twistig them around when the belt extension is on but having said that DD is a bit of a tricksy feeder (position of her body has to be just so ) so probably more for her than for most!

The stewardess did tell us that she was supposed to be sitting upright rather than lying sideways but as soon as she sat down I just changed position ...

Mummy2LZ · 13/04/2009 22:43

It dosn't make a difference to the baby in regards to helping equalise the ears whether you BF or bottle feed but BF is much easier what with all the security stuff and boiled water mentioned before.

I have done both and found breast was so much less hassle.
The Airline we flew with didn't have any lap straps for the baby though!!

Whichever way you choose will help baby be more settled and comfortable though.

Air hostesses/stewards are usually really good and helpful.

Good Luck

dan39 · 14/04/2009 10:05

Ta everyone that makes sense! Now I just need to work out pram logistics... We have a two part pram (stokke) and I am convinced they will wreck or lose it if I put it in the hold. Can I get away with a cheap buggy at 4 months? Or is she too young?

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SazzlesA · 14/04/2009 10:30

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StarlightMcEggzie · 14/04/2009 11:21

Don't expect them to bring it to you when you get off the plane. Expect and plan for a 15min walk and a 30min queue for passport control holding your baby.

UNLESS you sit ON the plane and refuse to move without either assistance or your buggy.

twinmam · 14/04/2009 11:30

Has anyone actually done that? Sit on the plane, I mean, and demand assistance?!! It is quite a struggle with our still not walking (sigh) but q heavy 14 month old DTs and when just DH and I fly with them later this month the LONG walk to collect bags is going to be quite a trial. It wasnt so bad when we flew with them last year and they were teensy but am really quite dreading it this time around. One of us waiting for the buggy to come round on the carousel and the other of us holding both babies not a whole lot of fun either, esp when there are no seats in the arrival hall (Gatwick). Sorry for whingey hijack but just wondering if I dare be so cheeky or if anyone else has done this?! Sorry Dan - def breast rather than bottle to avoid paraphernalia issue and maybe look on ebay for a cheap-ish travelling buggy? We got a really good deal on a double that folds down almost to the size of a single and is quite light. They'll say whether they're suitable from birth or from 6 months but a lot do lie flat.

SazzlesA · 14/04/2009 11:41

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StarlightMcEggzie · 14/04/2009 11:44

Yes I've done it. The staff will be VERY rude to you indeed and quote security reasons (which I have on both occassions - Gatwick and Luton spoken to customs about and been told that it is bollocks).

The will insist you get off the plane and wait at the gate (then you become ground staff problem and they can go home or turn the plane around), but still do not get off the plane.

The will insist that 18 people require disabled assistance and you will have to wait over an hour to have your turn (bollocks again - they turn planes round in half that time).

You have to be quite brazen and confident and determined.

They will ask you how you normally manage. They will ask you why you can't carry them. They MAY even threaten you with the police (to which you reply 'Thank goodness, yes, do get someone reasonable here. Although why you would want to waste their time when you could simply pass us our buggy I don't know').

They MAY offer someone to carry your bags but this will be a ploy again to get you off the plane.

Eventually they will either get someone to retrieve your buggy from the carousel, or they will bring you a disabled buggy (After other disabled have been taken).

If you, and I and every other mother made the same fuss they would surely change their policies.

Ryan Air, much as I hate them, usually always give you your buggies btw (which just goes to prove it isn't a security thing).

twinmam · 14/04/2009 11:59

Ooh - will see if I can pluck up my courage!!! Tho will prob bend to the pressure as I am a complete wuss but hippychick seat thing good idea! Thanks!

StarlightMcEggzie · 14/04/2009 12:11

The key is to stand your ground and refuse to get into a discussion.

We often came to a

Them:
'we can't bring your buggy for security reasons so you'll just have to get off the plane'

Me:
'Well I CAN'T carry my baby so what happens now?;'

Them: 'You'll have to get off the plane'

Me: 'How?'

Them: 'You'll have to carry your baby. What do you normally do?'

Me: 'I normally put her in her buggy. I can't carry her'.

Them: 'Well you'll have to because we can't bring the buggy for security reasons. What do you suggest we do?'

Me: 'I have no idea, but I can't carry her'.

repeat over and over and over....

twinmam · 14/04/2009 12:17

You're so brave starlight! Am just not sure if I have the balls! I am actually q worried about carrying a baby down the steps and all the way to the arrivals what with back probs etc (WHEN will these babies start to walk?!!) and also coming back it will be me and MIL so even more difficult. Am going to practise being assertive and self-confident!

StarlightMcEggzie · 14/04/2009 12:45

Just because they can walk doesn't mean it'll be easier. In fact it might be harder. After having to be restrained for a whole flight, after an interupted night sleep, my 2 yr old WILL NOT walk in the direction that I want him to.

It isn't about being brave, - it is about choosing the lesser nightmare scenario.

I prefer to sit on a plane being hated than hurt my back and struggle with a tantrumming 2yr old that's all. Why should he and I suffer just because of the convenience of the airline.

I am planning my next trip. I will use the 'waiting time' to change both nappies, and give my 2yr old a shockingly large piece of chocolate to smear all over the first class seats (where I will choose to sit whilst waiting).

You can be fair. You can tell them when you get on that you will be expecting your buggy so can they ring bagage ahead of arrival to let them know, or if they would like to store the buggies in the cabin. Make sure in advance that they know you will not be getting off on any other terms so they can plan for it, rather than surprise them at the last minute.

Be polite and don't lose it. You don't need to. You are on the plane and they want you off so you are in the stronger position. Thank everyone for their help when/if it is given. Thank people for trying, and thank people for their suggestions even if you refuse to take them up.

'That's very kind of you to offer someone to help carry my bags, but actually I can manage my bags, it is the baby I cannot manage'!

twinmam · 14/04/2009 12:54

Thanks! I know, I know re walking - am just so desperate for them to do it rather than them both have to be carried everywhere (car to house in particular) Think they are just lazy and find crawling a far more convenient mode of transport Ta for good advice and may well just take it. Good for you on standing up for yourself and also for remaining polite whilst doing so!

Mummy2LZ · 14/04/2009 14:40

I usually take a baby carrier with me which you can strap baby onto your front while you are walking around after you have checked in all your luggage.
Especially good if you have to check luggage 2-3 hours before flight.
You can walk around the shops then and check out the duty free
Also it keeps your hands free for and hand luggage.
They are comfy and bub will be safe and sound and warm.

Get a cheap buggy which lies flat to take with you and stick a sheepskin blanket/or similar in it and it will be fine, will keep baby warm/cool and comfy.
Also a lot lighter so easy to carry/manouver.

Good Luck.

StarlightMcEggzie · 14/04/2009 14:51

Forgot to say, - once, when DS was only crawling, - I just let him crawl to passport control.

It took blardy ages, and one of the Spanish buggy drivers came and got us in the end .

SoupDragon · 14/04/2009 15:02

Get a sling. A coorie type is a piece of cake. There's no need to be rude or awkward or cover the plane in chocolate. I've travelled with 3 children (incl a baby) single handedly and managed without a buggy.

A screaming 2 year old gets you fast tracked through customs in Antigua BTW. Well worth pinching them .

SoupDragon · 14/04/2009 15:04

But yes, breastfeed on take off and landing but, as others have said, don't be fooled into starting to feed too early! A coorie type sling is actually good as it covers you up so no one can see what you're doing (if you are the type to worry about that)

dan39 · 14/04/2009 20:18

I have looked at the cheap buggies - but they all seem suitable from 6 not 4 months...I know the Maclaren is from 3 but its also the best part of £100 which defeats the object - I love my Stokke, it was the only thing we spent money on really, and I am loath to buy more!!

I do have a sling and will use it for takeoff/checkin etc if I have to - but I am keen on the buggy sit in idea when she is bigger....Also, when we are there i do want a buggy so that we can for example eat out and she can be with us and if need be sleep in the buggy.

I will continue search for cheap buggy...

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Mummy2LZ · 14/04/2009 21:12

You could try Argos.
We got one from there a couple of years ago now, and it was quite cheap.

Not sure of age restrictions but it does lie completley flat aswell as sitting up.

I dont think it is a specific brand but it is light and easy to use and both my girls seem comfy in it.

Or you could try Ebay they usually have some good deals......!

dan39 · 16/04/2009 09:52

Ebay is the way to go - lots of barganins on there - thanks for tips! Think we have found a really cheat Maclaren XT..

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dan39 · 16/04/2009 09:53

bargains

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