Advice on longhaul flight/cruise with 7 month old

[EmmaLouise1982]

Hi all,

I am wondering if anyone can give me any advice or do's and dont's on travelling with a baby.

We are going on a cruise in January and the part that's terrifying me most is the 8 hour flights there and back! He will be 7 months at the time and he isn't the most 'laid back' baby as it is, eek! The flight is through the day, so sleeping through it is pretty much out.

He has his own seat so I have been advised to take blankets and a pillow/cushion to make him comfy but I have no clue what else to pack for the plane. I'm not allowed to take liquids thorough, so what will I do about bottles? Will they provide cooled boiled water onboard or will I have to use bottled water? Or will I be able to buy pre-made cartons once we are through security?

Once we are onboard, they are providing jar food for him so I will need to take formula. How much formula would a 7 month old baby go through in 2 weeks do you think? Also, do I still need to sterilise? I have found conflicting onfo about this online!

Do you recommedn I take any special finger foods like rusk, rice cakes? Or do you think I will be able to make do with jar food and whats available onboard?

What medicines/essentials etc. are recomended to take? I know people used to recommend medised for a baby on a flight but I understand this is banned in under 2's now? Do you think I will be able to purchase nappies onboard or will I have to take 2 weeks worth with me? They provide a highchair and crib and I have bought a lightweight buggy, parasol, insect net and buggy fan.. any other essential equipment I may have missed?

As you can probably tell I am a first time mum and this is the first time I've travelled with a baby, scared! Any help would be much appreciated!

hi. i have travelled long haul with a 1 yr old with virgin. what airline are you with? my son was in a bassinet (cot that pulls down from the wall) and we were in the front row of seats. Is it one of these that you have? or do you have your own seat? in which case you probably need to take your car seat on the plane - ring airline direct and be persistent to get the right info. re: drinks - i took formula powder on already measured out in the segmented containers. i don't think you can take the water in the feeding bottles through customs so you will need to buy mineral water when you get through - get the brand with the lowest salt content. you can also buy steralised pre-wrapped disposable bottles in boots and tescos - these are good idea if worried about keeping your own bottles steralised. i took medicine on board with me - nurofen is good. you are right about mediced - it's changed in last year. i took 2 boxes of formula to south africa with me but ran out just before end of hol - but my son was a year and v hungry baby. ask cruise company about selling nappies on board. if hot you may want to consider the babeashade which is a black net that covers whole of buggy and blocks out suns rays. take your own medicine with you. i used bottled mineral water for 2 weeks with my son whilst on holiday but you are on a cruise so may not need to. ring up the cruise company with a list of questions. food on plane - take your own snacks as well - the worst that can happen is that they are confiscated - but the airports are pretty good with young families - we have found them v understanding. you sound v organised and have thought of everything so relax and look forward to the holiday, no doubt there will be other families on the cruise who you can ask advice of, and there will always be other babies on the flight and the staff are normally v helpful. good luck