Advice on flying with a baby

[Hayls]

Hi, I'm going to stay with my parents next week with dd (14 weeks. I'm going on my own as dh has to work and need some advice! I know she can't sit in her car seat on the plane so how should I take her? I was going to take her pushchair but is there much point when I need to check it in as soon as I get there? I'll only have a small bag and her changing bag so do you think I could manage her in a sling? And can she sit in her sling during the flight (an hour long)

My mum has a car seat and a pushchair and is going to pick me up at the airport but I'm worried about the waiting around before boarding and where to put her if she falls asleep before boarding- would they let me take the pushchair on board?

Sorry it's a bit garbled but she's shouting on me!

[miranda2]

They'll let you take the pushchair to the plane steps, then they'll put it in the hold and get it out to give to you at the steps when you get out (wait til last to get out - they'll probably board you first). So she can stay in the chair in the hanging about bit, but will have to come out, asleep or not, when you actually board. Don't know about the sling, but you have to hold the baby on your knee so I imagine it should be OK. Some planes will take some car seats, but it depends on the type and you then have to book a seat for the baby rather than them flying free.

[sykes]

Yes depending on size (don't allow doubles) you should be able to take pushchair on board. I've travelled a lot with babies (on my own and it's fine) - how long is the flight?

[sykes]

Sorry - confused issue - obviously it has to be dismantled to put in overhead locker (did this recently to and from Italy) or put in the hold at steps of plane.

[LipstickMum]

Hi Hayles, I travelled to Germany when my dd was 3 weeks, with my partner. I remember carrying her on the plane (she just slept) and her lying on our laps (those were the days!). They (lufthansa) didn't offer us any kind of lap belt for her or anything. I think it really depends on who you fly with. If you are going to be on your own, I recommend taking the sling, it will at least give you a 'hands free' option. Don't worry too much about it, I've found most people to be really helpful hth

[AlanP]

When we took our 5 week old DS1 my dw also ensured that he was feeding during climbing and descent to ensure that the pressure was equalised in his ears.

[LipstickMum]

...good point Alan, although my dp reckons that at that age (5 weeks) there isn't as much/much fluid in the ear for popping to happen... I took his word for it as he's a medic! At 14 weeks, I think it will be different. I would also carry a sachet of baby calpol, if you use it, they're very handy when travelling.

[fuzzywuzzy]

We took dd on a 9 hour flight last year, we booked a baby bassinet in advance, they tend to differ from plane to plane, with BA you get a baby bouncer type seat with Emirates (who we flew with) they gave us a proper cot fixed to the wall in front of us, it was a relief to put dd in the bassinet as I was flagging and also it gave us room to eat. As everyone has said puschairs are taken away from you right at the plane till then your baby can sit in it, which will leave you free. Have a nice holiday

[AlanP]

FW, we were provided with a sling (made out of the seatbelt webbing) whch clipped to the adult seatbelt. Can't remember who we flew with but was a charter airline.

[LIZS]

Probably not worth taking your car seat and pushchair if there will be one at the other end. We travelled with dd at 10 weeks and she went in Baby Bjorn much of the time at airport. There was a spare seat on the plane so we were able to leave her in her RockaTot car seat but at other times she has sat strapped in with the Infant Belt on our laps. For short flights where you are not going to eat it is not a problem. You could probably use the sling on board apart from take off and landing if that is more comfortable.

have a nice trip,

[toddlerbob]

Airline will probably give you a little baby seatbelt which attaches to yours. They will make you take dd out of her sling. I found that ds didn't bother to wake up when I did this, but I was lucky.

I would use a sling at the airport then if she falls asleep you can keep her asleep for as long as possible including the getting on the plane and doing all the safety checks which takes forever. Put the seatbelt on at the last minute.

Some airports can provide pushchairs for use in the terminal, which could save your back. You give them back at the entrance to the plane. The airport's website may say or phone and ask.

I would take the sling even if you don't think you are going to use it. They weigh virtually nothing and you may really appreciate it.