Advice for going abroad with a 7 month old?

[Rose138]

Hello,

We have a family holiday booked for June-myself, my husband, my mum and dad, their foster daughter. Our son will be 7 months when we go. Accommodation is our villa. We are yet to book our flights.

I really do want to go but just feel so anxious about how my son will be. I really don't want him upset by waiting at the airport and being on the plane. Is 7 months too young? (London gatwick to turkey).

I'm also worried about hand luggage- will I be allowed to take his bottles? Pureed food?
Changing his nappy in the tiny plane toilets?!?

I know I may just need reassurance here as my mind does tend to go over the top. My mum and husband have the opinion that it will be much easier as he isn't walking-it's when they want to get up which is difficult. I do understand this but still I'm anxious!

Any advice/experiences would be so appreciated. Thank you!

My kid made it from Australia to the UK, including a few stopovers en route, and home again around six months. Totally fine. Babies travel jolly well.

Baby stuff doesn't come under the same airport/airline restrictions. Milk and food is good to go through security. Aeroplanes have changing tables in the loos.

Your Mother and husband are right - 7 months is great for travel. 18 months, when they're running wild and shouting, is a different story.

Plus a change of scenery is great for kids

We took DD away at 10 weeks and I was nervous.

Agree with above; no issues taking milk through (we took ready to feed little bottles for the plane).

You can take the pushchair straight up to the plane and it'll be one of the first items out the carousel.

We found waiting till pretty much everyone had left the plane before we got out helpful.

We popped DDinto a sleepsuit for flying to keep her cosy and she pretty much slept the whole time of the flights.

It might be worthwhile to try feeding or a dummy during take off to help with any ear popping.

Any questions please just ask

DS has been on numerous trips and yes, it's easier before they start walking and running away.
A villa with all your family is ideal for a holiday with a baby. Changing in plane toilets is totally doable. Yes, you can take his food and milk in hand luggage, no problems.
If you're renting a car, check that they can guarantee a suitable seat and won't just promise one if available, otherwise take your own.
We usually take the buggy, in most airports you can both take it to the gate and would also get it back at the door, which makes walking through the airport more convenient.

Thank you all so much! You've given such helpful and reassuring advice, thank you.

My husband works 6-7 day weeks year round so he's really looking forward to the holiday and definitely deserves it so I really didn't want to let my fears/anxiety stop us from going.

So again, thank you! Xxx

You will be totally fine! It is way easier the less mobile they are. At nearly 10 months dd has been to New York (twice), Florida, Zurich and California on Sunday so it can't be that bad.
People
Are generally very understanding of babies on planes. There will be crying at some point but that is just what babies do. Try and relax, take some toys and have fun! I would recommend taking a car seat just in case there are any issues with availability.

You will be the fine! The best advice someone gave me is to remain calm and accepting of the situation: Babies are tricky on flights, they will cry, kick the chair ahead, but really no one cares and just try to concentrate on getting to your destination without showing baby you're stressed. Kids can pick up on things like that :)
We travelled with our then 9 month old, and 2 weeks previously she had learned to crawl. That made it tricky because she didn't want to sit still, but hopefully 7 months should still be a great age.
Just a few warnings: We have travelled with the puree food pouches in hand luggage before and SOME security places made us open one up to "taste" it. That really ticked me off. Seemed to happen on the bigger ones though (the 10+ month ones). Also, some airports don't bring your buggy back to you until Baggage, which could be a long walk away. So definitely bring a sling/baby carrier, which is also great for walking up and down the airplane aisle if you're trying to get baby asleep. Then baby can sleep on you in the sling when you're in your seat and you have hands free :)

Thank you!

I'll definitely take lots of toys and I love the baby sling idea- thank you! Xxx

We took DS abroad loads before he was one. Take more bottles than you would usually get through in the time as he def sucked more to help with ear popping (babies' ears are more delicate so they are more susceptible to the change in pressure even if you can't feel it), but yes, super easy to travel with (we even got upgraded coming back from Florida)

Great, thank you!

Wow I bet you were really pleased with that! Xxx

It's fine, we started flights from weeks old.its just the first flight what it's that worry people.

At 7months he can eat any food. So just take some pre made milk cartons for during travel, and milk powder in suitcase. Then there you can just offer baby a bit of any food you have, no need for purée. Fruits like banana can be bought on arrival of you want something to take in bag on days out incase, but tbh he will be drinking milk lots still as main nutriton.

On tip is don't over packer take everything just in case. Turkey will sell most things if really needed. Personally I never take many toys for a baby, just comforter if they have, and maybe a book. They find things like Pringle boxes and wooden spoons much more entertaining.

This is very true- he has a few favourite toys but is very interested in all around him- the sudocream lid being his favourite at the moment!

Thank you. Xxx

hello! I took DS on 4 trips abroad in his first year so pretty much got it down to a -T ( was till seriously anxious before each flight!!)

At airport- hold out feeding him milk/food for as long as poss till you are on plane if poss. Change nappy before and after flight unless its "obvious" & needs doing on flight.
As you take off, with DS on your lap, then give him a bottle. Will calm him and help with ear popping and fingers crossed- help him then fall asleep. I so spent most flights with DS asleep on my nap for between 1-2 hours (the aircraft noise is perfect white noise for most babies) , while DP/relatives we travelled with- passed me magazines and drinks (a stiff vodka & tonic always helped chill me out!).

I had a variety of blankets with me and carefully arranged around him so he was all cosy but not too hot and also just propped up/half draped over me and around his face so he got some shade/darkness and slept better. When he eventually woke, it was just a juggling job for end of flight- pass him around between you all, give him toys, walk up aisles and soon it'll be over!!

Once you are in sunshine with so many people around to help- you will love it, its worth it.

7 months is a fine time to go.

You will be just into weaning then - but since you are self-catering, that will be fine.

Some airports make you taste 50% of the milk/food in your carry-on so make sure you take plenty. It's a fairly short flight, so open ones would be OK anyway.

Also make sure you have plenty of changes of clothes in your carry-on for your DS, and also one for yourselves - just in case of poo/puke accidents.

As a pp said, try to get him drinking during take-off and landing, to prevent sore ears.

Enjoy!

Yes, all good advice here and definitely try to feed during take off and landing.

We took our 7.5 month old abroad and had an amazing time. Added bonus that you have other family going with you so a bit of extra help. We went out for lunch every day so we could still enjoy meals out without disrupting bedtime and that worked really well for us. Spent a lot of time just ambling with the buggy too. If your little one is starting to try to move it might be worth taking a thick blanket to put down at the airport so they can crawl about a bit if there are long waits as the floors seemed very hard and slippy to me (although maybe that's just me!).

Try to relax and just take each day as it comes and enjoy your time together.

7 months is easier than walking - at which point you will spend the whole flight walking up and down the aisle and getting in everyone's way.
It will be fine and really not as bad as you think, you have plenty of help to carry things and it's not a long flight.