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Original poster

Tips for flying alone with 9m old - lounge?

29 replies

aeb941 · 14/06/2023 01:42

I've just booked a flight for me and my baby to go visit family abroad, have been umming and ahhing about it for months but have felt so nervous about doing it by myself I kept delaying booking it.

I'm now panicking about travelling alone with her and hoping for some tips. Is it worth booking the airport lounge so she can crawl about before the flight? I've never used a lounge before so not sure if it's appropriate to let a baby roam about.

We're flying out of Birmingham and will be in the airport for her last nap and dinner time then her bedtime will be when we're in the air.

She's crawling already and very active, constantly on the move so not sure how she's going to do confined in a seat for 5hrs plus the time in the pram at the airport!

Any tips or advice would be very much appreciated

OP posts:
Bells3032 · 14/06/2023 10:06

Flew with a similarly aged baby last year (in business and economy). I did have access to the lounge but it took us a while to get through security so only really used it to change her and be on the way. It was also at the other end of the terminal to the flight so was a bit annoying. If a european flight and only gonna be there a half hour then i probably wouldn't bother. I also wouldn't let her crawl on the floor as i reckon they don't get cleaned much and lots of people rushing around and she may get hurt.

my tips.

  1. a travel buggy that you can put in an overhead locker is a must. make sure you buy one that is one handed fold. lots of people love the yoyo but you can't fold it down when holding the baby. We had the bugaboo butterfly which we love. its a little pricey but we use it all the time now as its much lighter, easier to maenover and easier to sling in and out the car.
  2. As PP said make sure all formula etc is packed together and easily reachable. you can take as much as you like in your handluggage. they take it away to weigh it, they don't open it or anything.
  3. don't knock the cheap places to eat. we found the best thing to do with our daughter was give her a bit of food. We took her to MCDs in Barcelona and they were so great with her and kept bringing her toys etc. A few chips (ask for unsalted obv) kept her entertained pretty much the entire journey.
  4. If not feeding keep moving. i found if i stayed still she got bored and fed up fast. if i moved there was so much to look at she didn't care
  5. Please don't feel self-councious 99% of people completely understand that babies are not perfect little angels, ignore the rude ones. And if you need it ask for help. most people in the world are really nice and happy to help out (i mean not with a dirty nappy but they can hold a bottle whilst you pour in the formula etc)
CatsOnTheChair · 14/06/2023 10:10

Dont bother with the lounge.
Birmingham has the most amazing kids areas. It's designed for bigger kids, but there are lights and sounds and all sorts of stuff to keep her occupied.

Personally, I'd take less toys, because mine always ignored them.
Board last.

Take a spare teeshirt for you, and more nappies than you think you could possibly use.

FlounderingFruitcake · 14/06/2023 10:20

Bells3032 · 14/06/2023 10:06

Flew with a similarly aged baby last year (in business and economy). I did have access to the lounge but it took us a while to get through security so only really used it to change her and be on the way. It was also at the other end of the terminal to the flight so was a bit annoying. If a european flight and only gonna be there a half hour then i probably wouldn't bother. I also wouldn't let her crawl on the floor as i reckon they don't get cleaned much and lots of people rushing around and she may get hurt.

my tips.

  1. a travel buggy that you can put in an overhead locker is a must. make sure you buy one that is one handed fold. lots of people love the yoyo but you can't fold it down when holding the baby. We had the bugaboo butterfly which we love. its a little pricey but we use it all the time now as its much lighter, easier to maenover and easier to sling in and out the car.
  2. As PP said make sure all formula etc is packed together and easily reachable. you can take as much as you like in your handluggage. they take it away to weigh it, they don't open it or anything.
  3. don't knock the cheap places to eat. we found the best thing to do with our daughter was give her a bit of food. We took her to MCDs in Barcelona and they were so great with her and kept bringing her toys etc. A few chips (ask for unsalted obv) kept her entertained pretty much the entire journey.
  4. If not feeding keep moving. i found if i stayed still she got bored and fed up fast. if i moved there was so much to look at she didn't care
  5. Please don't feel self-councious 99% of people completely understand that babies are not perfect little angels, ignore the rude ones. And if you need it ask for help. most people in the world are really nice and happy to help out (i mean not with a dirty nappy but they can hold a bottle whilst you pour in the formula etc)

Great advice! I just want to add you can fold a yoyo whilst holding the baby- you fold the handlebar down which needs 2 hands whilst baby is still comfortably in the pram, you then take them out and the last step is done one handed. Oh and also with a cabin pram if going economy then always board first to ensure you get it and whatever else you have in the overhead right above your seat, an extra 15 minutes on the plane is well worth having it all to hand.

tommyshelbysbunnit · 14/06/2023 10:37

TheApplianceofScience · 14/06/2023 02:31

@dammiejodger

Not really, just the thoughts of someone who pays for business class and equivalent and really doesn’t think the lounge is a crèche.

FACT

Don't be an arse

FACT

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