Travelling with my Daughter

[Oliv104]

I have a one year old daughter and because of the pandemic, we have been stuck in our house for months. So, we were planning out a trip. Now, I have a concern. My daughter is just 1 and I don't know how to travel with her on a flight. I researched some hammocks online but then found this article twoinmind.org/baby-hammock-for-plane/ which advised not to buy a hammock. Also, I read this thread www.mumsnet.com/Talk/general_advice_tips/2056280-Night-flight-toddler-on-lap-tips-to-help-her-sleep-please which had some good suggestions. But is there any better way? Or is there any hammock or special seat I can opt for?

I'm cabin crew and most of the special sets and leg rests that are sold are not actually permitted on board as they haven't been safety tested for the airline. More often than not babies sleep on a night flight anyway. You can buy a seat and get a baby cot for use during the flight. Not that anyone is travelling any time soon!

Either book the bassinet seats or take a car seat. If you take a car seat it has to be CAA or FAA approved. It should have a sticker that says ‘Certified For Use in Aircraft’. You normally have to book a separate seat, but it’s best to check first whether the airline will allow you to use one. Not all airlines do – even if the seat is CAA/FAA approved.

Your daughter is already one?
Forget hammocks and bassinets, she is already too big and won’t be comfortable!
Splash out on the extra seat if you want for comfort. Bring lots of jumpers/scarves onto the plane as padding and blankets. She will probably curl up half on you, half on her seat.
You can buy a product that is a big inflatable cushion that fills the foot gap and turns seating area into a kind of kid sized bed. I wouldn’t bother as u will miss having handy storage for all the toys, snacks, etc.

Practice with a train journey! How does it feel sitting on the train seats, managing snacks, possessions etc.

Either book a seat and take an airline certified car seat or book a bassinet seat (cheaper). I travelled a lot long haul with mine and it's fine

How long is the long haul flight you are thinking of? At 1, I would just have her sleep on you and bring a sling. If you have the option of buying a 'comfort seat' (the seat next to you that she can't actually sit in for take off/landing but where you can put her if you need to do things like eat your meal). If you are travelling with someone else, it's much easier as you can tag team to eat and use the toilet. I travelled alone with my then 8 month old and it was fine. He was in my lap or sitting in the seat next to me the whole time, in the sling so I could use the toilet, he slept on me.

I've flown with numerous 1 year olds and they always just sat on my lap (couldn't splash out on an extra seat). I didn't bother with a bassinet or anything and they aren't allowed i don't think on any flight.
Are you bottle feeding? This may make a difference but just make sure to bring something for them to suck on. I breastfed and just latched them on for the start and end and sat with them for the rest. Good luck. In my experience babies are much easier on a flight than toddlers!

Thanks for your kind response. I am planning to travel to Dubai (from London) with my husband and daughter. So, I think I have to book a seat for my daughter. Now, I am searching for the inflatable cushion that will help her sleep in comfort. Again Thanks a lot