Flying (emigrating) with 13 week old - advice please?!

[katie789]

DH and I are moving to France soon, and will be flying with our dd (first child), who will be 13 weeks old.

It's a two hour flight (with BA), and I'm bf. Apparently we can check in the pram and car seat, then carry her through security in the baby bjorn.

Anyone flown with such a young baby before, and got any advice to make the whole experience easy(ier) for us all?

Thank you!

Hi - my DS1 flew at 7 weeks (very short flight to the Isle of Man), and screamed until the engines started up and then was fine! He was bf and if you can feed dd on the ascent and descent, it will help with any ear pain. Not all babies suffer though - you'll soon find out if yours does. Take a change of clothes for all three of you, in your carry on bag, in case she throws up - you can bet your life it won't just be on herself! Apart from that, your usual nappy changing stuff, with plenty of wipes - 2 hours will fly by (sorry, no pun intended) Good luck with the move

Hi katie
That's lovely that you're moving to France - whereabouts? I'm in Belgium, and so was flying backwards and forwards with ds between here and the UK from the about the age your dd will be.
To be honest, compared to what is in store for later months (if your dd is anything like my ds ) your flight should be pretty straightforward... My ds turned 2 in Feb, and each time we fly it becomes more difficult to keep him amused, but that's another story!

The Baby Bjorn is a fab idea, but have you considered taking the pram to the gate with you as well? Normally, as long as it's a fold down one, you can just collapse it at the gate/door of plane and the aircraft staff will see that it's put down below. On arrival it should be the first thing that comes off, and generally they will return it to you as soon as you step foot off the plane. If your plane is delayed for some reason, and you've already checked in the pram then it might be a bit of a nightmare if it's around nap time and you have to wait for ages. If you're with dh though it'll be much easier. I flew on my own with ds the first time, and we were delayed - luckily I had the pram or I would've been stuck. I also had the Baby Bjorn, which is invaluable esp if travelling on your own.

I would recommend breastfeeding on take-off and landing, as that can help with the pressure in their ears. DS has always drunk/eaten then, and we have never had a problem. I also took a dummy with us, even though ds didn't really use one - it always accompanied us on flights when he was little, and was an absolute godsend
Some little 'toys' would be good too, am trying to rack my brain to think what I used to take, but I must be showing my age as memory is deserting me

The most important thing to remember (IMO ) is not to worry about anyone else on the flight if your dd starts crying or getting upset, even if people give you evils! The more I've flown the less bothered I am, and the people that might give you 'looks' obviously don't realise how tricky it can be sometimes to settle a baby. I've had quite a few 'unhelpful' fellow passengers, but at the end of the day, they go their way and you go yours. Hopefully, you will not experience this, but just thought I'd warn you in case!

Any more questions then fire away

Forgot to say, take more nappies than you think you will need - I got caught short the first time we flew

We emigrated to the USA when DC4 was just a few months. She was the least of my concerns. She just fitted in among the chaos. It was actually really relaxing to just sit down and feed her - everything else took a back seat.

It's near the Swiss border - we're flying into Geneva - and our pram is a Silver Cross (Sleepover) - the chassis folds, but the BA helpline folk said I'll have to check it in, as it's only umberella-type pushchairs you can take to the plane. Is that what you meant mbm? It would be much easier if I could.

I did think about sending the pram in a crate and buying a cheap pushchair (may need to get one eventually anyway) but it doubles as a moses basket and she'll need to sleep in it for the first few days.

Yes, glad I won't be flying with dd on my own for the first time, although will undoubtedly be doing much to-and-froing alone in the future.

I'm feeling so nervous about the journey, and it being a horrible endurance for dd!

I took my Bugaboo when ds was under 6 months, and never had a problem taking it to the gate. The chassis folds, same as yours, but the pram bit didn't. I can't remember ever being told I couldn't take it, so maybe you could 'forget' that you were told you had to check it in, and see how far you get? They'll stop you at check in if you can't take it further.
FWIW I still take the Bugaboo if dh is travelling with us, but otherwise have a little Maclaren, and would definately recommend getting something similar for future flights as you can fold it down one handed.

Try not to worry about the journey, at 13 weeks she won't have a clue what's going on. Just imagine yourself sitting in a chair with her for a couple of hours somewhere other than a plane - it's perfectly do-able. I may have just been lucky but the best flights I ever did with ds were when he was teeny wee - it's so much easier when they're little!

How long are you going to be living in France for, or is it a permanent move? It's very exciting!

I would second the "get the pram as far as possible" comments.

Also, just stick the boob in from the moment of take off until landing if necessary.

If you have a routine, don't worry about it getting all screwed up over the flight, you can sort it out over the next week or so.

Good luck!