Long distance flight with baby, no bassinet

[M1507]

Has anyone flown long distance with a baby without a bassinet. We were looking at going to Dubai over the holidays but the dates we can go due to school holidays there is no bassinet available for the baby so emirates have said she would need to sit on my lap full flight, she is 6 months old. Obviously I think it’s not possible for us to do it but just wondered if anyone else had been in this position and it was actually ok.

It’s not ideal but certainly doable. Just choose your timings wisely and switch between you when you eat or go to the toilet. At that age it’s one of the easiest times to fly in my opinion.

Meant to say it’s only 6.5/7 hours so not really long distance and depending on times you won’t need to sleep as adults.

Yes we have done it flying Melbourne without a bassinet. There are two of us and we just take turn holding the baby. We also have a 3yo at the time. The bassinet isn’t all it crack up to be because you need to take the baby out if there is turbulence. Just keep reminding yourself it’s just 8 or so hours of your life and ofc you will survive it. There has to parents and babies in much worse situation. It’s not ideal but a positive attitude will help your get through it!

And remember to order one special between the two of you so you don’t get meals at the same time. Like one vegetarian and one normal through the trolley.

Thanks for all the advice. I considered it but thought people would think it was cruel to do this with a young baby and no where for her to have a proper sleep. We have a sleepyhead so maybe could take this on with us and lie across our laps? Looking online I don’t imagine she would use the bassinet a great deal or she could do, you can never tell I guess till in the situation how your baby will be but it could go to waste anyway and need to hold her regardless

It won't be cruel. Most babies love sleeping on their parents. Mine always had her best naps in my arms, though of course I don't know what your baby prefers. Just don't think that it is cruel because it really isn't.

I would think taking a sling would work for nap time and out on lap for the rest of the time. Both of my kids preferred sleeping on me at 6 months!

Yeh she loves being held the most which is why I think the bassinet might end up a complete waste anyway lol she sleeps better on me but just thought to not have anywhere for her to sit for a while might not be great. Just was worried if other people would think it was a bit selfish of us taking her without the best circumstances but you have put my mind at rest. Thank you

We’ve done this to Mexico and Cuba so longer than Dubai. It was fine, harder with a 10 month old as she wanted to crawl around the whole time. Cuba was with a 6 month old who couldn’t crawl and she slept a lot, we just propped a pillow under her head to save our arm going numb. When we flew to Dubai with a 1 year old we booked her a seat and took her car seat with us and she slept in that. I think the regular fare was £400 and for her to have a seat it was £200 so for us it was a no brainer. We’ve done this on other flights when it’s been cost effective and although the air stewardesses are generally confused at first on seeing the car seat it’s allowed and always been fine. Would highly recommend that option if finances allow.

I took my dn travelling with me a lot when she was 2 weeks - 2 years old. During that time I only had a bassinet three times. Dubai, via Emirates, was really comfortable.

If you’re just concerned about her I wouldn’t be. Our babies favourite place was always in our arms.

We flew to India a week ago on a night flight with a baby (7 months) that likes to stretch out and no bassinet. It was hard work at the time but fine. PP had great advice about getting your meals delivered separately so one of you can hold the baby. It will be well worth it for your holiday.

we've done this loads of times. She often slept in a sling on us and loved it. The bassinet seat was useful because it comes with more legroom and we'd put her down there to play (on a clean playmat) etc.. but you have to get them out for turbulence from the bassinet (and mine's never been one for sleeping in it - she always much prefers sleeping on us). I've flown back 3+ hours on my own with the baby in a sling, and actually managed to have a 2 course dinner with a glass of wine ;) Enjoy!

I've just done a 14hr flight with a 6mo - we'd booked a bassinet but she didn't fit in it! It wasn't the greatest 14 hours of my life but certainly fine.

I flew Emirates to Dubai with DD when she was 4 months old and to be honest she just about fit into the bassinet. Also had to lift her twice due to turbulence. They can’t go in while seatbelt signs are on so baby is on your knee for take off and landing which is 30 mins plus each time.

So although it was useful it wouldn’t have made a massive difference if we didn’t have it.

I just got home from a one month holiday with DS (5 months when I left and 6 months when I returned). I went solo. One 15.5 hour flight, 2 four hour flights, 2 six and a half hour flights and one final ten and a half hour flight all without the bassinet. It's certainly doable. Baby will sleep most of it most likely, lulled by the white noise. If you have two people to hand the baby back and forth between, even better.

Of course it's doable, people do longer flights with up to 2 year olds on their knees.

I've just come back from Florida with 5 month old DD, we did pay for her a seat but the turbulence was bad on the way back so she was sat on my knee for over half of the flight. It was nighttime and she slept stomach to stomach with me.

Do you have a sling? I think that would be your best bet.