NZ to UK with 6w/o

[MrsLOllypop]

We're off to introduce DS to UK family next week and keen for any tips on flying with a 6 week old. Flying with Singapore Airlines and we have bassinet confirmed for the second leg of the trip but DS will be on my lap from Auckland to Singapore.

I've heard the Singapore Airlines are LOVELY so any crying/bored whining won't be frowned upon, the staff are so helpful they might even whisk little one away for a tour and bring him back asleep

I'm flying with a 7mo at the end of this month, short-haul (2 hours) but still panicking! I shall be watching this thread for ANY helpful tips

thousands and millions of threads on this and tips too

www.mumsnet.com/travel/surviving-the-journey

I flew to Sydney with an 8w/o DS and came back when he was 10 w/o. My tips would be to buy disposable change mats so you don't stress about the state of the toilets on the plane and in the airport. I bought them from a chemist. Although I tried to BF on take off- due to an aborted departure at that stage my DS ended up sucking my finger and this seemed to help, although he had no signs of any ear pain.
At such a young age their cry is still so soft and therefore isn't as disturbing to others as you would worry about. In fact the white noise seemed to block it out and also helped him sleep (which was a miracle because he wasn't a great sleeper at that stage).
Take a few sleep suits for them to wear and change into in case of any accidents and take a change for you too.
My DS was still be swaddled and so I continued doing this in his bassinet on the plane.
Take a sling or baby carrier if you have a stop over any longer than an hour- your arms will need the break.
Don't expect to watch any movies or read that book- I ended up watching my DS as I was worried I wouldn't hear him cry over the engine noise.
Jet lag wise, I just immediately converted him to the local time zone as soon as I got on the flight- it took 24hrs but he got there pretty quickly (we spent the 1st day in Sydney outside under the shade of a tree- daylight I think is meant to help).
I coped with jet lag the same way I had been coping for the 8 weeks prior- very sleep deprived and being on a plane didn't seem to alter it or make it any worse.
I was able to take our buggy up to the gate and this was great and we got it straight back when we landed.
Heathrow can be variable, DS started crying after 5 minutes of queuing and they pushed us to the front and we were straight through again.
General public are lovely, bit fearful of sitting next to you but full of admiration that you are being brave taking them on a plane.
I have just booked a tip back to Sydney when DS is 9 months old, and I feel that trip would be worse as he will be more active and ? Mobile.
But my last tip is its only 24-36 hours and you can get through it!!
Have a safe flight and enjoy the time with family