Traveling with a baby - tips & advice

Gigi · Post by **Gigi** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 10:39 am

Hi!

This spring I will be traveling with my 6,5 month old baby to my home-country. As this is a first, I would like to get some tips and advice from people with experience in traveling with such a small baby. We'll have to take a domestic flight of about 50min to Helsinki and then the international flight of about 3h.

I am looking for tips concerning feeding the baby, diaper changes, entertainment, what clothes to wear, what to take with on the plane, the easiest way to transport the baby, ... just everything you can think of.

Thanks!

GIGI

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RA · Post by RA » Wed Feb 25, 2009 11:46 am

Here's a thread for you from a while back but had some good tips. viewtopic.php?f=19&t=18090

Amandine.K · Post by **Amandine.K** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 11:54 am

Hi Gigi,

Aaron is 6 months old and has taen the plane 10 times already.

For the feeding, I try to do so that he has his solid food before boarding, it makes it easier. If you breastfeed then you can do so in the plane without problem. It's quite good to make them suck (a "tutti" or the breast) during take off and landing to avoid painful ears. You are allowed to take baby jars and formula with you for the baby. If he has medication to take, you can also take them on board but keep the prescription with you in case they ask for it.

As for what to wear it depends. Last time it was cold in the plane and I had to wrap him in a blanket. When we return the temperature was just fine. What I usually do is to take the sleping bag we got in the Kela package. It's warm and cosy. If you happen to have a free seat next to you, you can lie him down there so that he can sleep peacefully.

As for toys I take him a few small toys to keep him busy. At that age there's no need to take a lot, just 2 or 3 rattles and he'll be fine. Aaron tends to fall asleep in the plane, hopefully your son will be the same.

Diaper change. Change him before you board the plane. As in the plane it's so small, very drafty and quite cold. Not very nice. Obviously if you have to change him they have a changing table at the rear of the plane but nothing big. For the transport if you have the basic car seat (like Maxi Cosy) you might be abe to take it with you. I had ours for the trip Helsinki-Munich-Paris and it was really good to have. On the way back they took it away when we were in the plane as the seat didn't meet the airline requirements somehow. But it's good to check. You can also keep your pram up to the gate. Do insist on that as sometimes they don't want the hassle. They will then give it to you at the gate upon your arrival (also during your transition time in Helsinki).

What airline are you flying with? If Blue1 or SAS take big bags for your car seat and/or pram. They have to be packed in a bag for the flight and these two companies charge 5€ per bag...

Gigi · Post by **Gigi** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 2:34 pm

Thanks RA for the link.

@Amandine: Waw your Aaron has been traveling a lot already. I will be traveling alone, that is why I am a bit scared of the whole adventure. The breastfeeding part isn't a problem and I will try to keep him awake before the flight, like mentioned in the other threat.

I suppose they still have blankets on the plane, so if needed I can ask a blanket from the airhostess. I don't think the flight will be full, as they very seldom are to BXL, especially because I am leaving on a THU during the day.

We're flying Brussels airline and I won't take a pram or car seat with, I was planning to travel with my kantoliina or baby björn, as I have to carry my own luggage and then I have my 2 hands free AND or son really loves hanging against his mom

I know you use also washable diapers, did you use them also during your travels? How did that work? (oh and btw... let me know when you are planning to sell your M-size fuzzies, I am still interested...)

But thanks for the tips and more tips are still welcome!

Amandine.K · Post by **Amandine.K** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 9:59 pm

I used regular Pampers for the flights, don't want to have a leaking nappy during the flight! But I pack my washable with me, take the bag to store and wash them.

The tip to pack some extra clothes is good. I do it to. I usually take in my changing bag baby food jar, a sleepsuit and a bodysuit. So that if we get stranded in our connecting airport I can at least make him comfortable. Or for example last time I flew with him by myself he got a stomach flu just before entering the plane and vomitted all his feed. So it was good I had the extra change of clothes.

(As for the M nappies I won't be selling them for a while as they wear the M size for quite a long time. I still use the tightest fitting on Aaron right now.)

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 11:41 pm

We have 3 flights ahead of us for our trip to Australia on friday, our son is six months old and it will be his first time flying.
To say that we are not looking forward to it is an understatement!

oompah18 · Post by **oompah18** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 11:47 pm

I flew with that airline once, there was only 3 of us on the flight!
Also don´t forget to take plastic bags (used ones from bread packets are the right size) to allow for wet clothes etc. My first born always exploded in his nappy during both takeoff & landing on every flight we took, it even went through the clothes & I was stinky too

If you have to use the toilet on the plane, I have found that hostesses love to carry the baby, gives me a break too! I just got some M Fuzzis too, from huuto, but my little one, 6kg now, even fits into the smallest fitting on ds3´s petite size Fuzzis too. Fuzzis are the best for travelling with as they are easy to wash & dry fast but I do agree with Amandine, use plastic on the flight without a guilty conscience!
Good luck.
I am just waiting for the right moment this year to travel to UK with my 4 little ones, while hubby stays here. It´s going to be a bit hair-raising I think!

Gigi · Post by **Gigi** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 11:12 am

Thanks for the tips, it is a bit scary, that first flight. But I suppose we'll survive, as it isn't that long and we have only one transfer!

But I have noticed that all things are a bit scary in the beginning when you have a new baby. First time to town, first time to the shop,... But up until now everything has worked out fine and I hope the flying will do too, because it won't be his last flight

Amandine.K wrote: (As for the M nappies I won't be selling them for a while as they wear the M size for quite a long time. I still use the tightest fitting on Aaron right now.)

I thought so... but though to just ask. But Aaron must be slim boy, because with our Niilo I can't fit the tightest fitting anymore... But we have a rather round boy

He likes mommy's milk!

Gr. GIGI

Amandine.K · Post by **Amandine.K** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 12:27 pm

He's about 8kg for 70cm I'd say. Compared to my friend's baby he is quite slim actually. No chubby belly for him (he keeps all the fat in his big cheeks

)

Gigi · Post by **Gigi** » Mon Jun 15, 2009 9:30 am

Cory wrote: The ears are what you should be concerned about. Make sure he sucks while taking off and landing. If your doctor says it's OK, give him a squirt of Otrivin to keep the airways open. I don't remember how old my kid was when we the doctor said it was OK to use the nose spray. I do know, though, that Otrivin works wonders at reducing plugged ears, especially on the descent into the destination.

We are leaving soon and I have re-read your comments and advice already a couple of time. I have started giving this morning "nasolin" nosedrops to clear his nose, I asked neuvola if it was okay and they couldn't see a problem in it. I am still breastfeeding so I will try to breastfeed during take-off and landing or give a water bottle or tutti...

BUT my new worry is that if his ears get blocked (which will probably results in awful crying) how can I get them un-blocked... Remember we are talking about a 6 month old baby who can't blow his nose yet.

Gigi

Amandine.K wrote:He's about 8kg for 70cm I'd say. Compared to my friend's baby he is quite slim actually. No chubby belly for him (he keeps all the fat in his big cheeks )

A small comparison... Our son is now 71 cm but weighs 9,3kg We have indeed different size babies!

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Mon Jun 15, 2009 1:56 pm

Where are you going again? If it's only a 2 or 3 hour flight, don't stress too much, it will be much easier than you think.
Our 6 month old flew two 9 hour flights and a 1.5 hour flight (plus waiting time) in one day and we survived.
It actually went so much more smoothly than we anticipated, so if you are only flying within Europe it won't be that hard at all.
Just remember to be prepared for difficult nappy changes and the like!

Gigi · Post by **Gigi** » Mon Jun 15, 2009 2:06 pm

Pete wrote:Where are you going again? If it's only a 2 or 3 hour flight, don't stress too much, it will be much easier than you think.

Just remember to be prepared for difficult nappy changes and the like!

The 1st time is always the worst, isn't it...

And I have been practicing changing diapers whilst he is sitting on my lap...

bavarian-girl · Post by **bavarian-girl** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 8:27 pm

We had been flying with ours 5 times now (2,5 hrs flight time). Usually things go quite well.

You should try to get enough sleep the days before. It will be a long day.
Be prepared to not be able to eat and drink what is served (with a baby on your lap - everything can be easy, but who knows?). It is good to take a bottle you can close (buy after the security control) and a snack for you.
And take a T-shirt for you to change (you never know ...)

A good thing is a baby sling / baby carrier.

I had a similar question 2 years ago. Here are the answers:
viewtopic.php?f=19&t=22683

And here are also some suggestions:
viewtopic.php?f=19&t=18090

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