Help for travelling with baby and 5 year old

[Pribee]

Hi all

I'm travelling in July with my mum, (will-be) 4 month old and 5 year old, long haul from London to New Zealand. I have reserved 2 seats in the bassinet row (middle section) for myself and 5yr old but haven't been able to get the third seat for my mum as the airline holds that for someone who may need the second bassinet. For the time being, my mum is in an aisle seat right behind us. My plan was to just check in early on the day and hope that the 3rd seat is available and my mum can be switched, happy days. And if not, at least she's able to help hold the baby when I need to eat, use the loo etc.

My issue is that I've now learned that the bassinet row armrests don't lift up because they hold the TV and food tray. This will mean my 5yr old wouldn't be able to lie across me if he wanted to (which is what he's done in previous long-haul flights, usually with his dad in the other seat so he can stretch across). With no way to stretch out in front either, I'm really worried he won't be able to sleep and we're talking 2 x 12hr flights here. Is there anything I can take with me that airlines allow that he can stretch out his legs on in front? Alternatively, do I forego the bassinet row and get a row where the three of us can sit together, with baby in my lap (or mum's) and the armrests lift up so 5yr old can lie across?

A final £££ option, I buy an extra seat in a 4-seat row so my baby has space to sleep as well.

Any tips / advice is greatly appreciated.

At 4 months old, baby is possibily going to be too big for a bassinet anyway. Who are you flying with? Some airlines like BA have a seat that’s like a car seat which can old an older baby. Unfortunately, yes you are right if you are in the bassinet row, the arm resets will not lift so you are stuck in one position. There are inflatable leg rests however, most airlines now do not allow them. They also won’t allow children to lie on the floor either so you’ve a couple of choices. Give your current booking a go. You stay on the bassinet row with baby and have your mum and 5 year old together in a row where the arm rest can lift or you book a row together with no bassinet and make do. The other potential is to book you all in a row of 4 and hope the fourth seat ends up empty.

There is a lot of what ifs above. If funds allow, buying the baby a seat would give everyone space.