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Original poster

Please could I have your tips on taking a tiny infant long haul?

12 replies

Elastigrrrl · 01/08/2014 04:05

We are flying to the US next week with our seven week old. Other than 'don't do it' and 'breastfeed him during takeoff and landing', could you please share your advice on how to make the travel reasonably comfortable/safe for him?

Thank you!

OP posts:
SavoyCabbage · 01/08/2014 04:46

It will be totally fine. You will be able to move around and it's not that bad at all.

I took a sling as I was by myself and on a longer flight and I did find it useful as I could relax and I knew where she was.

I usually don't like the bulkhead but it's probably best to get a sky cot for such a small baby. If you can pick your seats before hand then try and get in away from the toilets otherwise you tend to up have a queue next to you. The disadvantage on the bulkhead is the armrests don't move so it's inconvenient for an older baby as you are crammed into one seat.

I always take a change of clothes for myself as well as the baby.

Eastpoint · 01/08/2014 04:59

I did this when my dd2 was 9 weeks, if anything they are easier than when they are older as they sleep so much & don't try to run around. As there are 2 of you you'll even be able to go to the loo & eat if you take turns.

Original poster
Elastigrrrl · 01/08/2014 05:17

Thanks so much for the reassurance. Great thinking re the changes of clothes and loo proximity.
Woo-hoo, loo and food breaks! Grin

OP posts:
GoldfishCrackers · 01/08/2014 05:34

Enjoy it! This will be the easiest long-haul flight you'll take for the next 5 years. Your DS will be happy to have you and your boobs, and lots of cuddles.
The sky cot's a good idea.
Bring a change for yourself - there's not much room for manoeuvre and chances are you'll get covered in something. (Leaky poo for me.)

Chipandspuds · 01/08/2014 06:19

If you're breastfeeding it'll be super easy! DS was formula fed and it was a bit of a faff packing all the bottles and taking ready made cartons of milk on a plane.

I'd recommend taking a sling, on most flights they let you check on the buggy/pram when they check your flight boarding passes and passports, but if people are queuing slowly and taking a while to find their seats it helps to carry the baby in a sling and you've got free hands!

I overpacked nappies 1 nappy per 2 hours on the flight as they don't take up any space, 2 packs of baby wipes, nappy sacks and two spare vests and two spare babygrows and one spare set of clothes for myself.

You should get a seat with space for a Moses basket in front where the shelf folds down from the wall. Even if your baby doesn't sleep in there you will have plenty of leg space!

Take some extra drinks and snacks for yourself to stave off boredom and you'll be fine.

Whenever we've taken DS in flights there are always plenty of baby's and it's never as bad as you imagine!

13loki · 01/08/2014 06:40

One of you should order a special meal- they come out at different times, so you can eat while the other is in charge of baby, then swap.

beccajoh · 01/08/2014 07:08

Take a sling. You can usually take your buggy to the gate but sometimes you don't get it back until baggage reclaim at the other end. I usually hate slings but it's the one time I've found them useful.

juneau · 01/08/2014 10:08

I agree - its much easier than you think it will be. I took DS1 on a US-UK flight when he was 4 months old and it was easy (aside from my anxiety anyway!).

  • Take several changes of clothes and more nappies than you think you'll need. Some babies get upset tummies and wind. You can also get delays.
  • Take a couple of clean tops for you.
  • Contact the airline by phone and book your sky cot and bulkhead seat.
  • Take a couple of baby blankets for the sky cot.
  • Take a sling so you can be hands free.
  • And take a book - you should be able to get your baby to sleep and then enjoy a few hours of peace and quiet! Enjoy it Grin
VegasIsBest · 01/08/2014 10:13

Sorry to ask the obvious - have you got an ESTA for your baby?

TheGonnagle · 01/08/2014 20:18

Here are my top tips.
Before putting baby into the sky cot to sleep, place a folded blanket widthways across the sky cot with the ends sticking out (rather like a very wide ribbon in a battery compartment). When the seatbelt light goes on you have to take baby back out of the cot. Having the blanket to lift a sleeping child with makes it a lot easier and means they are less likely to wake.
See if you can get a bassinet on the bulkhead backing on to a galley rather than the toilets. The toilet door banging all night used to partially wake our dd, by our second flight we realised that the galley would be better- it was!
Remember that aeroplanes are noisy. Although your child screaming sounds impossibly loud to you, by two rows away it's practically inaudible.
Make sure one of you orders a special meal so you can eat as a tag team. Lots of nappies and a spare change for baby, you and other adults travelling (remembers dd vomiting all over my father, who had no spare top).
Have a wonderful time!

Original poster
Elastigrrrl · 03/08/2014 19:33

Ladies, these are terrific tips. I feel much more confident! Thank you.

(DS and I are both dual nationals so don't need ESTA but thanks!)

Sorry for the delayed thanks, we were away at a wedding all weekend. Had a long drive and indeed looking forward to being able to BF easily on a plane...

OP posts:
specialsubject · 03/08/2014 19:49

couple of really obvious ones - but I've known #1 done...

  • remember you are now packing THREE passports.
  • to check that the baby has travel insurance?
  • take an empty 1.5 litre water bottle through security. Fill it at a tap before boarding. Hey presto, enough water for the flight!
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