Long Haul with 3 month old??

[themaleworrier]

We're expecting our first on 16th December and many friends with babies say that the best time to fly is when babies are little. We are thinking of going to Cape Town in mid-March for a month and renting a house. Is this wildly optimistic? Are we deluding ourselves that we can fly with a 3 mo even in Premium Economy? Answers/advice/suggestions or abuse welcomed!

I think its easy to fly long haul with a young baby. I flew from London to Sydney when my DS was 3 months, by myself as DH met us later. He slept most of the flight so I actually got more sleep than usual (no running around catching up on house stuff whilst he was asleep!). I was breast feeding so it was all really easy. I used a baby bjorn and cruised through the transfers. I would recommend doing your homework about the airline you use. For example, Singapore and Emirates were fab with a little one, BA were so so when my son was 18 months. Ask for a bassinet and make sure that the airline can book this seat- not just request it. Some airlines will only request a bassinet which means that you could end up without a bassinet and having to hold your bub the whole flight.

Do you have friends and family at the other end to loan you all the baby stuff?? I don't think you are being wildly optimistic at all. I am australian and love spending great chunks of my mat leave in sunnier climes with family. Have a great time

The flight should be manageable, but if your baby is still giving you sleepless nights, you may not enjoy the holiday that much (my early holidays with baby are all a blur) - sorry to put a downer, just thought you should be aware, then decide.

fantastic time to fly with a little one, we went with our son when he was 6 months old to Florida, which turned into a 12 hours flight due to delays and it was great, we booked a bassinet too. Good idea to take a blanket for over and under your little one, or use your own jacket as it is not very padded.

can i hijack this thread to ask what people did about the different time zones and their LO's sleep?? DD is 16 weeks and we could be going to san Francisco next week (very excited) to see my brother. What do people do re sleeping times etc??