Essentials for long Flights and keeping my boy comfortable

[HackDad]

SO my wife and our six-month-old little man are going on a trip to Japan and I want to make sure they have everything they need to stay comfy and healthy during the 12 hour flight.

It is going to pretty grim up there so any advice on equipment, medication and preparation for the flight itself would be greatly appreciated from any well-travelled mamas and papas.

We are especially worried about the pressure the flight will put on his ears and keeping him safe as possible from infection.

We are first time parents hence uber anxious about the trip ahead!

Thanks!

Hi Hackdad,

Like Japan very much, would go back there in a heartbeat.

Which airline are you using?. Can give you a bit more information if its the BA5 departure from Heathrow to Narita. That flight to Narita left on time (all the pax immediately sat down once boarded!) and got into this airport slightly early the next morning; its nearly a 12 hour flight. The food served on this route was primarily Japanese so you may want to take some foodstuffs for you all to eat as well. Narita's about 45/50 miles outside of Tokyo. I felt a bit tired soon after arrival due to jetlag but the next day felt fine. We went out for a walk soon after arriving at the hotel.

Does your son have his own seat, do you have bulkhead seats?. Would take full advantage of early boarding (BA usually ask families with children under 5 to board first) and change his nappy too prior to boarding.

Ensure you have a change of clothes for yourselves and he in the event that he vomits. You can take enough milk and foodstuffs for the duration of the flight. You may want to feed him on take off as that could help with his ears. IIRC the descent into Narita was quite gentle. The air on BA5 seemed to be quite fresh and any Japanese people with colds actually wore a mask. The chances of catching anything on the aircraft is pretty small.

There is a change table in the toilets for baby to be changed on but the whole area is very small; you'll need to use some sort of change mat (Pampers still I think sell disposable change mats) on this table.

Narita immigration in terms of staff and process is pretty well prompt and ordered (USA take note!).

Are you being met at the other end?.

I am slightly different. I would only offer a dummy on take off and landing incase the movement makes your child sick.

Board last. Boarding first means sitting for ages while everyone else makes themselves comfy. You will have a long taxi out of LHR so if you board first you could be on the plane for over an hour before you are even in the air. We always go last.

You will get to take your buggy to the gate and it will be put in the hold but it is easier to use a sling.

Take more nappies and a change of clothes.

Order formula (if you use it) and collect airside. I have always had an issue getting through heathrow with food and drink for DS so I just get it airside now. You can order from Boots. At 6 months you will be weaning so you will need to consider food.

Request the bulkhead seats. Being 6 months old you should get one. The youngest babies get them first.

Don't know what you mean about medication. If your child is ill you shouldn't travel but sachets of calpol can once again be bought airside at boots as you are restricted as to what you can get through security.