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Uk to Australia with a 6 mth old - any tips?

4 replies

MrsMcGeever · 20/01/2010 10:48

I'm flying to Australia to visit my Dad and brother, with my son who will be 6 months old then. I'm dreading the flight - has anyone flown long haul with their little ones? Any helpful tips to make the trip easier? Thanks!

OP posts:
eggontoast · 20/01/2010 14:38

Pay for leg room so baby can play at your feet. Make sure you pre book seats NOT NEAR A TOILET ! or people will be waking you up. Lots of picture books, picture cards, dummy/boob for comfort when babe gets stressed, nice foods to distract him if he gets a bit narky.

Do shifts with the other two - make sure only one has him for an hour, then another, then another - don't all entertain him at the same time so you all get breaks.

I went to Cuba with a 14 month old - it was hard work but we managed to entertain him so that he didn't cry at all. Others were not so lucky....

GOOD LUCK and I don't envy you at all.

thighsmadeofcheddar · 20/01/2010 14:41

Pre-book the bassinet seat.
Go with Singapore Airlines - they are the best.
Ask for extra assistance at the airport (if your DP is not travelling with you)

mumtoem · 20/01/2010 15:15

I have just returned from Australia with my 20 month old DD. I also took her there at 4 months.

In addition to the good advice you have already been given, take some favourite toys and also have a stash of new toys / books to keep your DS occupied.

Each time our flight left the UK at about 9.30pm. DD fell asleep shortly after take-off and had her usual long night-time sleep for most of the first part of the journey (first time to Singapore, this time to Hong Kong). She was awake for more of the second flight, but I found this way round easier to deal with. Get as much sleep as you can when your DS sleeps.

Don't try to adjust your DS's sleeping pattern on the flight to fit the new time zone - just go with the flow and accept you will have a few middle of the night parties when you arrive in Oz. I find it easier to get over jet-lag there by getting out in the sunshine (I am really suffering with jet-lag at the moment because it is too cold and dark here).

To help your DS cope with the change in air pressure (ear ache) make sure he is feeding during take-off and landing or sucking on a dummy. If he does start to cry due to his ears hurting, don't worry, crying also helps to equalise the ears.

Finally, whatever happens, remember that the flight is only 24 hours of your life, you won't know the other passengers and you will never meet them again. So don't worry too much about your DS crying at times.

makemineaginandtonic · 25/01/2010 19:18

Can also recommend Singapore Airlines. Be aware if you have a large baby that the bassinets are quite small length ways. Also, they greatly reduce your own leg room and on one flight I couldn't get my seat TV up out of the arm so had no entertainment!! Baby slept though!! Take your own blankets too. If baby is eating finger food take lots of snacks, this can use up LOADS of time! Worst news is that at the first sign of turbulence they make you get the baby out!!! I didn't realise this rule and was FURIOUS the first time I flew to Australia with our first baby! I said I'd only take her out if the captain would take her when she was crying and wouldn't go back to sleep. I was not popular.

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