NZ with 3 month and 2 yr old- experiences/advice pls?!

[SaraL77]

we're going to NZ in 4 weeks and doing the longest haul flight possible! 3 flights over about 24 hours or more. Flights are via HK and Auckland then to Wellington. Dreading it. Just wondering if anyone can tell me how their flights went and any advice! Going to visit inlaws- will be great when we get there, just dreading the flight.

I think HK is supposed to be the better route. We flew to NZ via LA and that was not good.

We got a bassinet for our DD (11 mo) which was a godsend. They took our buggy at the gate when we boarded but didn't tell us we wouldn't get it back... we'd packed allowing for a toy-bag to hang from the buggy and suddenly had to carry DD and all the bags on a route-march across the airport. One tip we didn't find out about until the return trip was that if you find a member of staff at the airport you can be marched to the front of the queue at immigration if you have a baby, and nobody moans about it

We were provided with babyfood on the flight and allowed to carry unopened jars from one plane to another.

We took loads of small new (quiet) toys and books, and produced one every 45 mins or so, which kept DD occupied.

When we got on the third plane (Auckland to Wellington) DD screamed blue murder- think she'd had enough.

The jetlag when we got home was ghastly. DD woke at 4am for about a week.

At check in - double check that you have the bassinet/bulkhead seat booked for all the legs of the flight
If they suggest OH/2 year old elsewhere on any leg - make them check each leg of the trip so you can all be together if possible

Take a sling or carrier for the transfers as you won't see your buggy again

If you need babyfood ask for it as soon as the plane is up and the seatbelt sign is off - they only carry limited stock on each flight

FYI for coming home Auckland airport does not sell anything of any use for babies - no food, no milk, no wipes, no nappies - buy it before hand!

Think of the lovely time you will have when you get there and good luck

Thanks for your messages! I won't need any baby food but am not sure what to do about formula- buy ready made cartons? I usually use powder and split it up in little tubs for all the feeds. Do they sterilise bottles on the plane? we have small bags to put the bottles in then they go in the microwave, but not sure what they use on the plane!

regarding the jetlag- that's what i'm most worried about- we'll have a toddler waking at the wrong times and a baby who's routine we've only just got cracked! Oh well I guess they'll adjust eventually!

thanks for the advice re the buggy- we were thinking of taking a sling so that will definitely be handy. Toddler having to walk everywhere during transfers could be a problem as he gets tired- I guess he can sit in a trolley!

also thanks for tips regarding seat allocation and toys!

take powder and either disposable bottles or just wash them up when you get there
cartons are ok but only if you buy them after security - otherwise they may make you open them and you can't close them again

you can order them to collect at Boots

Hi - I just did the same flight in November and wrote a post about it on my blog here:

shoreditchbabies.posterous.com/40909473

Hope this helps :)

PS: I just updated the entry -think i was still a bit jetlagged when I wrote it - I read really badly!

A few other things:
Some airlines (air new zealand do) let you include your buggy and a car seat in your luggage allowance for free. Plus your infant and 3 year old will still be allowed 20kg each I think. Have a good conversation with the airline over the phone about that, plus about what to do with formula etc..

If you have one of those umbrella style maclarens buggies Air NZ will let you take it on the plane - but our bugaboo was too big for this so we put it in the holdall.

RE the jetlag. just go with the flow - when they are tired let them sleep and they will eventually get on to the right time zone. Youll be surprised at how much your baby will sleep at the other end! it will take about a week to adjust.

Think about buying a Trunki for your two year old! They look like great fun!

Our 3yr old & 5yr old both have trunkis and they are great as hand luggage for them for the long walks in the airport - they just ride along and you don't have the agony of having to carry them along with all your stuff.

Am reading your posts with interest as I am flying to Australia with our 6 month old on my own in two weeks so searching for tips on how to manage.....

Your blog was interesting, popAwheelie. I didn't realise the bassinet could be high up. On the flights when I've noticed them before they've been lower down (though this is the flirst longhaul I've done with a child). I'm flying with Emirates and have booked a 'baby meal' for each flight and a bassinet too. They seem like a good airline pre-flight as my seats are already booked for each flight, so I know I have the bassinets (though didn't get to choose aisle vs centre but I was so relieved to get the bassinets I didn't think any further).

I also didn't realise there'd be room to take a baby in the toilet with you as I'm so used to flying budget to France. One thing I wondered though is how do you get on if you need to use the toilet while your baby's asleep? Are the cabin crew happy to keep an eye on them?

Ah I hadn't thought of that - the height of the bassinettes probably do vary from airline to airline. Ours was made for basketballers!

Great that you could pre-book your bassinet! Some families with four month olds missed out on our flight. :(

If my baby was asleep in the bassinette, I felt comfortable popping to the toilet with out him. There were families seated around me, and I usually had made the acquaintance of my neighbour so it felt safe. Im sure the stewards would keep an eye on your baby if you wanted though.

At one point I was changing baby and he peed at close range all over me and his sleep suit! I hadnt bought another sleep suit with me so I pressed the buzzer and the air steward looked after him while I went to my seat and found another one.

Take your baby bjorn just in case - another tool for periods when they are a bit sleepless and you need to walk them around.

thanks for your replies- sorry for the delay- don't get time to go on the internet much! Popawheelie, will look at your blog, thanks!

we will order the formula at boots beforehand- thanks for that tip, and regarding the 'trunkie'- I love them but not sure if I can convince my hubby- he is less keen to let money go so will have to see- I tried to explain that our 2 year old can't carry an adult backpack- despite what he thinks- -even if it is just packed with toys! the benefit of the trunkie would be that we could put heavier stuff in it and just wheel it along- and as you say I'm worried about the long walks in-between flights with no buggy so that could help too if he can sit on it and be wheeled along. We've got a phil and ted double buggy so its definitely too heavy and big to go on board- will be in the hold.

we're flying with Air New Zealand and have booked a bassinet in advance- funny I have no idea what they are like and assumed they were on the floor in front of us- not up high!

anyway- will read the blog and I'm sure I'll have more questions soon! x

Take some string or a bungie to tie up your buggy. They didn't unclip mine properly and just forced it open before giving it back to me. I didn't realise till I came to fold it down again that they had snaped the hold close clip