Taking a 4 month old to Australia - am I mad?

[blob2be]

DS will be 4 months when we fly to Australia in March, with a stopover in Singapore. DH is also coming and my parents too, so won't be short on help - but should I just accept that it's going to be a complete nightmare? He's a good baby generally, not a big cryer, but thinking of taking some dummies along to soothe the way anyway. Also, with the dehydration factor, should I be giving him extra water on the plane? He is fully breastfed and still will be when we go. Oh, and one more thing - should I abandon my eco-conscience and just use disposables the whole time? We'll be gone for 6 weeks and won't always have access to a washing machine.

Some friends travelled over from Oz when their dd was 4 months and said it was fine. They kept to her routine as much as possible and she slept fine in the bassinet. Have to say though, by the time they went back two months later, she was too big to fit in the bassinet and they had a pretty hard time. They have just flown over again with dd now 4 and ds 3 - am due to see them this weekend so will ask for any tips but am sure you'll get some first hand experience advice from MNers.

Definately go for disposables - for your sake and all those travelling with you!!

I flew to Australia this summer with a 4 month old ds. We stayed overnight in Singapore in both directions which really helped. I think the whole trip in one go may have been tough. BUT that said, Singapore airport is excellent for a stopover - pool, lots of good food places, even places to get a massage, so you should be able to gather strength for the onward leg.

Thanks for the advice - was your friend's baby big for her age Mamaloco? DS is a fairly long and hefty baby. Have been to Singapore airport before and it is lovely - we're stopping in Singapore for 3 nights on the way but flying straight back with 5 hour wait at airport - a massage is in order I think!

blob2be, they have a transit hotel at Singapore, just in case you need for the wait on the way back?

It was a god send for us when we emigtrated to Oz in June 06, but we did have a 14 hour wait!

Reading your post with interest blob2be because I will be travelling to oz with my 4 month old also (she is 10 weeks now).

Advice I have from other friends is that it is easier if they are fully breastfed as don't have to wait for bottles to be heated etc. And feed little and often.

We are thinking of getting a travel crib for airports/visits while in Oz. Like the Samsonite pop up crib in the Mumsnet product reviews (sorry don't know how to do tricky links!). Our dd is quite small though.

Not much advice to offer I'm afraid but please post when you return to let me know how it went!

Will do Mellin, hopefully it will be a hassle-free (ish) trip! Can I ask why you're going? (Visiting family for us). Who are you flying with? We are going Singapore Airlines, everyone seems to recommend them as the best. We'll def get some kind of travel cot for waiting around in airports etc. Also thinking of buying very cheap, light pushchair (I believe there's a Tesco Value model for £18!). Aviatrix, we will have access to a washing machine for a few weeks as we're staying with DH's family, so will take a few cloth nappies I think. Sandcastles, we'll be waiting in Singapore airport for 5 hours on return leg. Think we'll have to just fill up on coffee to keep us going through that time, as 5 hours doesn't quite justify a hotel, but then again is a bit long to be sitting around! I did this trip as a non-parent last year and I have to say was a thousand times easier just in the planning stages! But also very excited about taking DS on his first trip and to meet his Aussie family!

Oh and thanks for the breastfeeding advice -he's fully BF now and will be then so hopefully that will work out OK. I'll just have to prepare myself for very little sleep between al lthe feeds! We'll be there a couple of months so may have to wean him while we're out there - but that's a whole different thread!

Oh, OK, we had 14hrs, wqould deff recommend!

I think we paid less than 20gbp for the transit hotel, so not expensive.

Blob2be, you will be fine! I've done it three times and done it on my own once with dd (she was 11 weeks). I'm just about to do it in Feb with a newborn and dd, who will be two and a half - on my own (...mmm, this will be the ultimate challenge).

Singapore Airlines are brilliant, and are so helpful. The stopover makes all the difference too. You can get really cheap accommodation deal direct through the airlines (eg. stay at the Ritz for £40pp per night, inc. transfers).

I did find the bassinet rather small, and dd was a bit on the unsettled side during the daytime legs.

I know this is horrible, but I would perhaps take Medised on the flight with you, just in case, if you feel comfortable using this. However, I would try it out before flying. I've haven't used it on a flight before, but there was an occasion where I wish I'd had some.

Good luck! Enjoy the sunshine.

Blob2be - we are visiting family. Both dh and I are Aussies and all the rellies live in Oz. DD and I are going for 2 months.

We are flying BA but only because we need to stop-off in Hong Kong on the way back, would prefer Singapore Airlines or Emirates who we have flown with before (but not with a bub) and are really good.

Oh and I have had medised recommended too! Just in case of a meltdown. I am going to visit my doctor before travelling and see if he recommends anything else (as a last resort of course!)

Have just read your original post again and we are flying in March also! And dd will be 4 months. spooky.

I'll look out for another little baby on the flight! I'm going on the 15th. We're going to Tassie and are coming back on 26th April. So if you see a frazzled couple with a screaming baby, it might very well be us!