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Original poster

Flying to Australia with a 10 week old daughter!!

12 replies

emsyb · 01/12/2004 18:23

Has anyone got any tips for taking a small baby on a longhaul flight and coping with jet lag when we arrive? We are leaving next Friday. Any comments welcome.

OP posts:

myermay · 01/12/2004 18:35

Message withdrawn

Azure · 01/12/2004 19:16

You can never take too many nappies, milk (if needed) and changes of clothes for yourself and the baby. Have you requested a bulk-head seat and bassinet? If you can manage it, try to feed your baby during take-off and landing - it helps with pressure in the ears. Best of luck for your trip.

LipstickMum · 01/12/2004 19:25

Request a bulkhead seat and make sure you get it. Hopefully your baby will sleep most of the time.
We took my dd who was 10 months to NZ and didn't have any problems with her sleeping patterns, I think she was so exhausted, she slept through the night for 4 weeks!

cardigan · 01/12/2004 19:35

If bf try co-sleeping when you're there -helps you to catch up on sleep whilst bf your little one. A babysling is V.useful on planes - when you have to go to the loo your baby can be in the sling with you! - also when you have to board or get off. Hope you have a great time

crumpet · 01/12/2004 19:39

Emsyb, I took my 10 week old dd to Australia, and was dreading it, but it turned out to be a breeze. As I was doing it myself & recovering from a caesarian too I was really worried, but we luckily had some airmiles we used to help towards a business class seat. DD slept nearly all the way there and back in a bassinet - the vibrations of the plane really did the trick. Which airline are you going with? We went with Malaysia, and the on board staff were great. With 2 of you it will be a lot easier to manage the baggage etc. Just make sure you have plenty of changes of clothing (dd was a great leaker so we needed them).

Keep phoning in advance to check that you have a bulkhead and bassinet, and check in early - I think the airline policy is that a bassinet is not guaranteed, so if you check in late they may have gone.

On jet lag, dd still wasn't going through the night when we went, so it didn't make a huge difference for her or us to be awake. I have to say we were really lazy when we got there and saw and did very little - the change in climate (we went in winter too, so it was nice to see some sun) was enough for us, especially as we were catching up with family out there.

californiagirl · 02/12/2004 01:54

We had no problem with jetlag going to Australia (that is, the baby didn't -- DH and I were shattered). Coming back, it took a week for her to readjust. She was just under 6 months at the time.

bloss · 02/12/2004 02:42

Message withdrawn

SantaandtheReindeer · 02/12/2004 03:02

I agree with everyone else. It's never going to be easier to fly with a child than when they are so young, especially if you're breastfeeding.

Good luck.

DingWongMerrilyOnHigh · 02/12/2004 06:28

lots of good advice here
Just take lots of bottle water for you, get your bosoms out and feed on demand.

If you are using formula you will have to discard any opened cartons as the Australians won't let you bring it in

HTH

Catharine · 02/12/2004 07:57

I'll be doing our Xmas trip from Dubai - Singapore (3 days)- Brisbane (10 days)- Singapore (10days)- Dubai. That will mean 4 different time zones for our 6mths old daughter.

I was told to give her lots of sun and if she's tired, lots of short naps. Their routine should follow the time of the country you're in.

highlander · 02/12/2004 16:27

I agree with the co-sleeping until the jet lag is over. I've just done a Vancouver-Belfast round trip and co-sleeping was a lot easier for me in the those first few days.

If you're BF, make sure you're properly hydrated on the flight. I drank 500mls of water every hour.

Book, double check and check again that you've got a sky cot on the bulkhead seat!

jenkel · 04/12/2004 08:30

Just come back from Sydney with a 8 month old and a 2 1/2 year old. Request a bassinet, but be warned. Every time the seat belt light went on we had to take dd out, which was a real pain after trying so hard to get her asleep, and the stewards came round to make sure we took her out.

The flight was fine both ways, both dd's slept most of the way. Jet lag was another thing, dont have any advice for this, wish I did. The 2 1/2 year old was sleeping though after 1 week, it took 3 1/2 weeks for the 8 month old, we were away a month and have just got back. Fingers crossed we may have a good night in time for Christmas.

We flew with Singapore airlines and found the airline to be very helpful.

Had a great time, wish we were back there now,

Good luck

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