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Original poster

Top tips for flying with 5 month old DS all alone.

13 replies

Summerlover · 25/05/2013 16:51

Flying all by myself in jet airways with my 5 month old DS. Any tips please. I wil be on my own and the flight is for give and take 10-12 hours. Would they allow me to take my buggy?

OP posts:

OddFrog · 25/05/2013 20:02

I used a sling with my DD last month, it was convenient to have my hands free and meant she could sleep on me for most of the flight. I did have to completely unwrap it at security, but they held the baby while I tied it back on. I am sure you can take a light buggy right up to the gate too, but I didn't this time. When she was awake I had a couple of baby toys for her to hold, chew etc.

The passenger next to me was not up for holding baby, earphones and no eye contact at all, poor guy was definitely avoiding! On a long flight like yours there may be nearby passengers who will hold baby for a while?

Are you weaning at all? Maybe take some fruit slices to taste as an 'activity'. How about making up a clear plastic bottle half full with dried pasta or rice and glitter or shapes and beads, when you turn it slowly different things are exposed to catch baby's attention. (Top tightly on or glued!) Little buggy board books to chew read.

Calpol sachets just in case. Extra dummy or soother if you use them.

I'm sure you'll be just fine. They are at their most portable at this age even though it seems like a mammoth task.

Are you going somewhere nice?

Mahls · 25/05/2013 20:08

Breastfeed/dummy /bottle on take off and landing to help ears equalise pressure. They should provide a bassinet with a bulkhead seat so you can put baby in that if asleep (except in turbulence)....may need to request it. Buggy to gate should be fine at departure....have found it varies as to whether they return it at gate on arrival or have to wait for carousel (no experience of jet airways myself). Think sling v god idea

Original poster

Summerlover · 25/05/2013 20:36

I have a bjourn baby carrier wil be taking that. Very much like the idea of pasta and glitter. I am not yet weaning but with him not taking milk I think I might have to start weaning him. Fruit slices which slices can I give just to keep him occupied? How about carrot and cucumber? Also I am not quite sure about just going with the baby carrier because if i have to use the toilet how am I meant to do that on the airport? Do I need to put cotton in DS's ears during take off and landing? Scared and yes it seems like a mammoth task.

OP posts:

forevergreek · 26/05/2013 11:14

I always just wore baby sling and used toilet :)

However babybjorn isn't the best carrier as can hurt back. Any chance you can change for one which is supported on hips such as an ergo/ manduca/ beco Gemini?

No need to put anything in ears. Usually just feed to landing and takeoff.

Change nappy before you board

OddFrog · 26/05/2013 14:27

Carrot fine as long as it's cooked until soft enough to squish between your fingers. Cucumber is good but look out for chunks coming off. We like melon, pear, sweet potato. Try some water in a sippy cup too.

I use a woven wrap, but have a Bjorn too. No problem with toilet stops, just look out for baby's leg position when you are sitting.

It's amazing what you can entertain a 5 month old with, mine spent about 15 minutes squeezing a sealed ketchup packet in a cafe the other day. Happy days .

pmgkt · 26/05/2013 14:36

I was told I would get my buggy back when I got off the plane but couldn't. Def need a carrier to do the long walk to passport control and also so you have hands free for collecting luggage, you won't need it on the plane unless you need the loo and no one is able hold your little one.

butterfliesinmytummy · 26/05/2013 14:46

Remember you have to fold the buggy and put it through the scanning machine so don't load up the basket with stuff. No need to feed on take off or landing as babies ears don't pop before 2-3 years old. Take 2 small cases rather than one large (ever tried lifting 30kg case off a carousel with a baby strapped to your front?) and fold your buggy, put it on your luggage trolley, it's difficult pushing a buggy and a luggage trolley. Request a bassinet now, even if they can't book it they can request it in your file and you might be lucky. There is a limited number and its normally first come first served on check in or seat selection. You don't want 12 hours of flight holding ds...... Believe me.

I flew from Asia to London with dd1 who was 4 and dd2 at 3 months. I requested assistance at singapore and ground staff escorted me through all security, right to the front of every queue. They didn't do the same in the uk but you might want to check in case it's changed

pmgkt · 26/05/2013 14:54

I was told I found the staff at gatwick unhelpful. When I asked if one of them could help me lift the buggy and luggage off the carousel and they looked at me like the didn't know what I meant, and why on earth would I need any help

butterfliesinmytummy · 26/05/2013 16:03

I called Heathrow and asked if there would be anyone at baggage reclaim who could help me lift luggage on to a trolley (with a baby strapped to me and a very sleepy 3 y o to hold on to, let alone a huge backpack for hand luggage). I was told there were no staff there and I should ask a fellow passenger. Fortunately one kindly member of the great British public asked me "do you want a hand with that love?" and helped get my suitcase on the trolley....

Terrible service from a crap airport I'm afraid - makes me embarrassed to be British when I come home ... but that's another rant

pmgkt · 28/05/2013 09:03

Yes embarrassing, I flew into Munich and although a lovely couple on the plane helped me at luggage reclaim members of staff were offering to help and when the buggy didn't come up with suitcases someone from passport control went and found it for me. It had come up the odd shapes shute but could you imagine doing that here, no way

Original poster

Summerlover · 28/05/2013 23:10

How many bottles and formula should I be carrying? DS is 5 months suffers with silent reflux and has teething symptoms.

OP posts:

butterfliesinmytummy · 29/05/2013 02:29

How many hours will you be traveling door to door? Will you be traveling through the night at your point of origin? How many bottles would he have during that time? Add one or two to that number just in case. You will probably have to open and taste all your bottles at security....

gohound · 29/05/2013 02:43

Ask for help whenever you need it! Most people actually are willing to help with luggage, or watch bags, or whatever needs doing - they just need clear instructions.

Ask airline staff for help with watching ds when you need the loo, especially useful if he is asleep.

Take plenty of food, more nappies than you could ever need no matter what, and two changes of clothes for baby and one for yourself.

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