Travelling on a plane - 10 hr flight

Carrie - posted on 09/23/2012

I'm a former flight attendant and now a mummy and I get asked questions like these all the time. So much so I set up a blog www.flyingwithababy.com. here's a few tips from that and please check my blog for many more:- also re baby paracetamol you can get calpol sachets in pre measured sachets and you are allowed medicine on board if accompanied by Drs letter, no matter what the size.



1) Families with young children generally get to board first. Make the most of that time as it really helps take the pressure off finding space for your luggage etc. This year (2012)some American airlines including United Airlines, US Airways and American Airlines have changed their policies. United Airlines is the most controversial change, which means that families board with everyone else..



2) Most, but not all airlines will allow you to bring your stroller/pushchair/pram to the gate or the doors of the plane. As a general rule don't expect your buggy to be stored inside the cabin but instead in the hold with the rest of the luggage. However, it is always worth asking the crew if they do have room in the cabin, (if your stroller is compact and collapsible). If they do allow it and have space, you are very lucky. There are no actual designated pram compartments in the cabin to store them. Cupboards which store aircraft equipment and/or premium cabins passengers' jackets are usually used. If the flight is full, it is highly unlikely that your pram will be brought inside.



3) If your stroller is in the aircraft hold, then you will generally collect it at the baggage belt, where you collect your suitcases. Some airports/airlines will bring it to the aircraft door on arrival once all other passengers have disembarked but this is rare. It really depends on each airlines and /or airports policy. A baby sling/carrier is highly useful in this case. Some airports/airlines do provide a pram for you to use if you check in your stoller. Please see my post to see which ones.



4) Babies often cry during take-off and landing because of the change of pressure which hurts their ears. Crying does actually help relieve this, but it's not exactly soothing for you and your fellow passengers. Feeding your baby can help relieve this pressure this or sucking on a dummy or pacifier. If you are thinking of weaning them off of a dummy around the time of your flight, I would recommend waiting 'til you have have returned. Makes it easier for both of you. :-)



5) Flight Attendants will not allow your baby or child to sleep on the floor. Even if you have the bulkhead seat and the bassinet is too small, they won't allow it for safety reasons. (Those being the overhead oxygen mask will not stretch that far, and in the unlikely event of a rapid decompression, the time of useful consciousness is minimal, and that combined with the other effects, will mean it would be difficult to get your baby close to the oxygen supply. )



6) If you need milk warmed up, ask before you need it. Not all airlines will do this for you, it depends on their policy, so definitely ask before you travel or check my links to each airlines baby/infant/child policy. Cabin crew are happy to help you, but unfortunately could be very busy with the main meal service. Furthermore, they could over heat it, so you'll need time to let it cool.



7) If you fly with Gulf Air they provide a specially trained sky nanny for free, to help you with boarding, disembarking or to give you a break whilst you have a snooze or read a book. Wow!





1. Request a bassinet/skycot seat. These can booked by either calling your travel agent or airline and sometimes online. I prefer to call the airline direct, as it's one less person to go through and therefore limits mistakes. Remember it is only a request, and airlines or staff will do their best to accommodate you, but there is a limited availability of these seats. They are highly sort after by other passengers because they are on the bulk head, meaning there is no seat in front of them which will recline and further restrict your space. Airlines such as British Airways will let you choose your seat if you travel with an infant at the time of booking whatever class you are in, whereas with Qantas you do need to phone ahead.

2. The best bassinet seats are the middle seats. ( if just the 3 of you.)Usually DEFG seats. The reason being that D and G seats on a 4 across seat plan, means that they are aisle seats. Therefore, you and your partner only have to jump across each other if you want to stretch your legs, pace the aisle with a toddler etc. The ABC/ HJK means that either you will have to climb over someone or they will have to climb over you. Either way a bit of a nuisance. This applies to large aircraft like the Boeing 777, Airbus A380, A340, A330, Boeing 747 etc. But varies with each airline and their configuration. I highly recommend looking at www.seatguru.com when booking your flight, as you can look at each seat and the benefits on your particular aircraft just by putting in the route or flight number into the search function.

3. Just a point to note, as bassinet seats are on bulkheads, the armrest does not lift up and you must keep the area on the ground completely clear during taxi, take-off and landing. The magazine racks are not as generous as the ones behind the regular seats. But to have your arms free when baby is sleeping is a bonus. Various airlines have restrictions on the weight/age of a baby that can use the bassinet.

4. Always ask the ground staff/crew when checking in/boarding, if the flight is completely full. A half empty flight is a huge bonus as then you can ask the crew if you could have row of seats and spread out. Then you can make a bed for baby on the seats and take turns over watching them, whilst your or your partner has a sleep. If the flight is empty and you haven't booked a seat for your baby and you have an airline approved car seat, then you always use that.

5. If a bassinet seat is available and your child doesn't meet the requirements for weight/age, I still recommend asking for it, as it is still a useful place to store items you need for the flight. Qantas have bassinets available on international flights for up to 2 years old, but most airlines have restrictions anywhere from 6 months to a year.



Most airlines will have some baby milk, baby jars and nappies/diapers on board, but as you can never guarantee what is available, it is best to pack your own. Current guidelines in airline safety and liquids mean that you are likely to be asked to test at least some of the bottles/jars, so pack one extra. Remember to also allow for flight delays or unexpected stopovers...

You are allowed to take milk and food on board, if it is for your babies use and it can be over 100ml. This includes; sterilised water, breast/powdered/ cartoned milk of all kinds, and baby food of all consistencies and packaging. Boots, at UK airports allow you to pre-order,so if you want to avoid testing at the airport, you can arrange to pick up once you've passed through security.



1. Food/drink and supplies for your journey and some extra for testing at airport and unforeseen delays. All the rest can go in your checked in baggage or bought at your destination. Aptamil is currently not available in South Africa or Australia.



2. Change of clothes for your baby, you and partner. An absolute must, especially on those long haul flights to Oz!



3. Something familiar for your baby, whether a favourite toy or blanket or both.



4. Some new toys. Please see my best baby toys post on the details. But wrap these up in a few layers of different coloured paper. Perfect for tiny, inquisitive little hands, and helps keep boredom at bay.



5. Calpol and Ibuprofen sachets. Perfect for travel and in handy 5ml sizes. Available from most supermarkets and chemists. Other essential medicines, larger than 100ml can be brought on board but need a doctors letter and prior approval from the airline. This does include inhalers.

(In the USA -Tylenol and Motrin, but I don't think they provide these in handy dosage size sachets yet. Please let me know if/when they do.)



6. A baby carrier or sling. Perfect for walking around the airport, and even better for when you arrive at your destination and it's a long walk to baggage reclaim.



7. Dummy/Pacifier - if your baby uses one this can help in relieving the pressure in their ears. If not, a feed from bottle or breast will have the same effect.



8. Smart phone downloaded with their favourite TV show or music/nursery rhymes. Most airlines have a TV channel specifically for children, but it won't show age appropriate shows the entire duration of your flight.



9. A baby sleeping bag. These are great as they help keep your baby used to the familiar and also more comfortable when in the bassinet, skycot, or even your lap.



10. An extra wrap or thin blanket and a couple of safety pins. This is handy if you are at a bassinet seat and the overhead monitor is projecting too much light on your sleeping baby, or if your baby is sleeping and the cabin lights are turned on for a meal service. If the bassinet seat is unavailable, you can then make a 'den' by using the seat in front of you and your seat, to secure the blanket over the top of the seat, again giving you some respite from the bright cabin lights.





Checked-in Baggage

I've found since the arrival of Miss A, my suitcase is no longer my own and taken up by all her essentials. However, the arrival of baby means that you do have extra allowances which can be put in the aircraft hold. Check my airline list on 'What are the best seats on a plane and info on baby bassinets' , to find out your individual airline requirement. These are the basics.



You can take usually take 2 extra items:-



1. A collapsible pram/stroller/buggy.



2. A car seat



(3. And on some airlines a collapsible cot as well. Qantas is one of these, if it is an international flight.)

Carrie - posted on 09/23/2012

It's a lot easier than you think. I'm a former flight attendant and now a mummy and I get asked questions like these all the time. So much so I set up a blog www.flyingwithababy.com. Here are a few tips from that and please check my blog for many more:-



1) Families with young children generally get to board first. Make the most of that time as it really helps take the pressure off finding space for your luggage etc. This year (2012)some American airlines including United Airlines, US Airways and American Airlines have changed their policies. United Airlines is the most controversial change, which means that families board with everyone else..



2) Most, but not all airlines will allow you to bring your stroller/pushchair/pram to the gate or the doors of the plane. As a general rule don't expect your buggy to be stored inside the cabin but instead in the hold with the rest of the luggage. However, it is always worth asking the crew if they do have room in the cabin, (if your stroller is compact and collapsible). If they do allow it and have space, you are very lucky. There are no actual designated pram compartments in the cabin to store them. Cupboards which store aircraft equipment and/or premium cabins passengers' jackets are usually used. If the flight is full, it is highly unlikely that your pram will be brought inside.



3) If your stroller is in the aircraft hold, then you will generally collect it at the baggage belt, where you collect your suitcases. Some airports/airlines will bring it to the aircraft door on arrival once all other passengers have disembarked but this is rare. It really depends on each airlines and /or airports policy. A baby sling/carrier is highly useful in this case. Some airports/airlines do provide a pram for you to use if you check in your stoller. Please see my post to see which ones.



4) Babies often cry during take-off and landing because of the change of pressure which hurts their ears. Crying does actually help relieve this, but it's not exactly soothing for you and your fellow passengers. Feeding your baby can help relieve this pressure this or sucking on a dummy or pacifier. If you are thinking of weaning them off of a dummy around the time of your flight, I would recommend waiting 'til you have have returned. Makes it easier for both of you. :-)



5) Flight Attendants will not allow your baby or child to sleep on the floor. Even if you have the bulkhead seat and the bassinet is too small, they won't allow it for safety reasons. (Those being the overhead oxygen mask will not stretch that far, and in the unlikely event of a rapid decompression, the time of useful consciousness is minimal, and that combined with the other effects, will mean it would be difficult to get your baby close to the oxygen supply. )



6) If you need milk warmed up, ask before you need it. Not all airlines will do this for you, it depends on their policy, so definitely ask before you travel or check my links to each airlines baby/infant/child policy. Cabin crew are happy to help you, but unfortunately could be very busy with the main meal service. Furthermore, they could over heat it, so you'll need time to let it cool.



7) If you fly with Gulf Air they provide a specially trained sky nanny for free, to help you with boarding, disembarking or to give you a break whilst you have a snooze or read a book. Wow!





1. Request a bassinet/skycot seat. These can booked by either calling your travel agent or airline and sometimes online. I prefer to call the airline direct, as it's one less person to go through and therefore limits mistakes. Remember it is only a request, and airlines or staff will do their best to accommodate you, but there is a limited availability of these seats. They are highly sort after by other passengers because they are on the bulk head, meaning there is no seat in front of them which will recline and further restrict your space. Airlines such as British Airways will let you choose your seat if you travel with an infant at the time of booking whatever class you are in, whereas with Qantas you do need to phone ahead.

2. The best bassinet seats are the middle seats. ( if just the 3 of you.)Usually DEFG seats. The reason being that D and G seats on a 4 across seat plan, means that they are aisle seats. Therefore, you and your partner only have to jump across each other if you want to stretch your legs, pace the aisle with a toddler etc. The ABC/ HJK means that either you will have to climb over someone or they will have to climb over you. Either way a bit of a nuisance. This applies to large aircraft like the Boeing 777, Airbus A380, A340, A330, Boeing 747 etc. But varies with each airline and their configuration. I highly recommend looking at www.seatguru.com when booking your flight, as you can look at each seat and the benefits on your particular aircraft just by putting in the route or flight number into the search function.

3. Just a point to note, as bassinet seats are on bulkheads, the armrest does not lift up and you must keep the area on the ground completely clear during taxi, take-off and landing. The magazine racks are not as generous as the ones behind the regular seats. But to have your arms free when baby is sleeping is a bonus. Various airlines have restrictions on the weight/age of a baby that can use the bassinet.

4. Always ask the ground staff/crew when checking in/boarding, if the flight is completely full. A half empty flight is a huge bonus as then you can ask the crew if you could have row of seats and spread out. Then you can make a bed for baby on the seats and take turns over watching them, whilst your or your partner has a sleep. If the flight is empty and you haven't booked a seat for your baby and you have an airline approved car seat, then you always use that.

5. If a bassinet seat is available and your child doesn't meet the requirements for weight/age, I still recommend asking for it, as it is still a useful place to store items you need for the flight. Qantas have bassinets available on international flights for up to 2 years old, but most airlines have restrictions anywhere from 6 months to a year.



Most airlines will have some baby milk, baby jars and nappies/diapers on board, but as you can never guarantee what is available, it is best to pack your own. Current guidelines in airline safety and liquids mean that you are likely to be asked to test at least some of the bottles/jars, so pack one extra. Remember to also allow for flight delays or unexpected stopovers...

You are allowed to take milk and food on board, if it is for your babies use and it can be over 100ml. This includes; sterilised water, breast/powdered/ cartoned milk of all kinds, and baby food of all consistencies and packaging. Boots, at UK airports allow you to pre-order,so if you want to avoid testing at the airport, you can arrange to pick up once you've passed through security.



1. Food/drink and supplies for your journey and some extra for testing at airport and unforeseen delays. All the rest can go in your checked in baggage or bought at your destination. Aptamil is currently not available in South Africa or Australia.



2. Change of clothes for your baby, you and partner. An absolute must, especially on those long haul flights to Oz!



3. Something familiar for your baby, whether a favourite toy or blanket or both.



4. Some new toys. Please see my best baby toys post on the details. But wrap these up in a few layers of different coloured paper. Perfect for tiny, inquisitive little hands, and helps keep boredom at bay.



5. Calpol and Ibuprofen sachets. Perfect for travel and in handy 5ml sizes. Available from most supermarkets and chemists. Other essential medicines, larger than 100ml can be brought on board but need a doctors letter and prior approval from the airline. This does include inhalers.

(In the USA -Tylenol and Motrin, but I don't think they provide these in handy dosage size sachets yet. Please let me know if/when they do.)



6. A baby carrier or sling. Perfect for walking around the airport, and even better for when you arrive at your destination and it's a long walk to baggage reclaim.



7. Dummy/Pacifier - if your baby uses one this can help in relieving the pressure in their ears. If not, a feed from bottle or breast will have the same effect.



8. Smart phone downloaded with their favourite TV show or music/nursery rhymes. Most airlines have a TV channel specifically for children, but it won't show age appropriate shows the entire duration of your flight.



9. A baby sleeping bag. These are great as they help keep your baby used to the familiar and also more comfortable when in the bassinet, skycot, or even your lap.



10. An extra wrap or thin blanket and a couple of safety pins. This is handy if you are at a bassinet seat and the overhead monitor is projecting too much light on your sleeping baby, or if your baby is sleeping and the cabin lights are turned on for a meal service. If the bassinet seat is unavailable, you can then make a 'den' by using the seat in front of you and your seat, to secure the blanket over the top of the seat, again giving you some respite from the bright cabin lights.





Checked-in Baggage

I've found since the arrival of Miss A, my suitcase is no longer my own and taken up by all her essentials. However, the arrival of baby means that you do have extra allowances which can be put in the aircraft hold. Check my airline list on 'What are the best seats on a plane and info on baby bassinets' , to find out your individual airline requirement. These are the basics.



You can take usually take 2 extra items:-



1. A collapsible pram/stroller/buggy.



2. A car seat



(3. And on some airlines a collapsible cot as well. Qantas is one of these, if it is an international flight.)

Betty - posted on 07/03/2010

Hi Mums,

Just wanted to let you know that your suggestions has been so helpful. I've organised a baby bassinet with the airline and have found out they also do baby food. So I've organised that too.

Will be leaving on Tuesday. Will post to let you know when I get there .

THANK YOU

Mina - posted on 07/02/2010

thanks for posting this question as my husband and i were thinking of travelling soon and we are concerned as to how our little girl will deal with it

Betty - posted on 06/29/2010

Hi mums, with the suggestions with the baby paracetamol, the problem is I can't carry it on the plane as here in Australia is only available in liquid form so it's not allowed on the plane. Australiai has very tough laws on baby products hence there are not as much variety. I've asked about soluble paracetamol but the Dr said to not take it as if you mis measure then there could be problems.

Marijke - posted on 06/29/2010

I traveled alone with my daughter for the second time when she was 6 months. We flew back from Alaska to Belgium after an almost 3 month stay. The next trip to Alaska is sceduled for when my LO is about 1 and i am very glad i don't have to it alone this time! All 3 connecting flights and layovers took about 24 hours i was exhausted by the end. We had a night flight too and my little girl slept on my lap for most of the flights( we had a bassinet but due to turbelence i was not allowed to put her in there), i made sure that she was hydrated and i gave her some nose dropps before each so it would keep her ears open.

The hardest thing for me was not the flight itself coz she was an angel, but once we were in Belgium she had to adjust to the 10 hour difference...

For about 12 days she took day for night and the other way around. She woke up about 6 times a night wanting to play and, to 5 hour naps during the day and only had poopy diapers during the night...its her whole world was upside down. You are very lucky that you don't have to do this alone, have a safe trip.

August - posted on 06/28/2010

I would give her Tylenol before the flight that way it helps her sleep. We travel out of state a lot so 5 hour trips are almost monthly. I give my son .3 of Tylenol before we leave and he sleeps great. Some people freak out because it's mainly for fevers but my pedi said doing it at times like that isn't a big deal. If that doesn't work I would bring one of her blankys too that way if she does wake up you can rock her and block out the other people. It works well with my son. Toys, bottle/sippy, and noise makers are a must. Good luck!

Jennifer Ann Saunders - posted on 06/28/2010

I traveled by myself when my son was 7 months old. I took my running stroller to I help lugging stuff through the airport. We had a quilt to play on the floor in the airports (I had a decent layover). Keeping him up and playing in the airport helped him sleep on the plane. I nursed during take off and/or used a pacifier, and never once had a problem and he cut his first two teeth that week. He slept most of the flights and was always asleep during the landing.

I took the boppy with me and just hung it on the stroller and used it to prop him up on when sitting. Then he had something to lay on. It was a huge help.

I also packed bottles in case nursing didn't work. They checked then out and tested them at security, but everyone was very patient and all TSA folks were very nice.

Dress her in EASY access clothes. We had a blowout diaper on one flight. That was a lot of fun... =) Remember things like a magazine or empty plastic cup from airline can be a nice fun toy that is new that you don't have to lug around.

Good luck. You'll do just fine!!!

Julia - posted on 06/27/2010

I travelled for the first time with Tegan when she was only 6 weeks old, only a short flight at 2 & half hours. I was lucky that she slept pretty much the whole way. The airline (Croatian Airways) were excellent. They gave me priority boarding as I was also on my own, I could take the pushchair right to the gate & I had a seat for Tegan so I could keep her in her carseat on the plane. I gave her a bottle as we took off then again as we landed so her ears could adjust but she never complained. We travelled a lot with in Europe & she was great!

We did our first transatlantic flight from London to Toronto when Tegan was 7 months old & she slept almost the whole way again. I think she was so used to travelling that it didn't phase her, even when we got delayed for 4 hours in Toronto & missed our connecting flight. Canadian Airways were great too, she had her own seat again, they warmed food for her and topped up her apple juice.

Just always make sure that you have more than enough food. I thought I had enough for the whole day of travelling but decided to stock up in Heathrow just in case & was so glad I did when we got delayed for 4 hours!

Keep baby in simple clothes like pajamas & a cardigan, it just makes it so much easier to change them & they're always comfortable when they sleep. Take simple toys, teddy bears etc, nothing too loud that plays songs or rattles that could annoy other passengers.

We're travelling back to the UK in July then on to Sweden in August then back to UK then on to who knows where in September! Tegan will have been to 8 different countries by the time she's a year old :)

Andrea - posted on 06/24/2010

Hi I have just flown from Australia to the UK (9/06/10), I stayed over in Hong Kong to break up the flights, but essentially I did a 9 1/2 hr flight and then a 13 hr flight!!! I was terrified also as I was traveling alone. One of the flights was an evening flight and my baby girl fell asleep while we were waiting to board and stayed asleep in my arms for pretty much 6hrs!! Couldn't eat or go to the bathroom so traveling with someone is a big bonus! (you can book a skycot to use, I think 11kg is the max weight allowed? I had one but never used it as she wouldnt go down on it).

I fully expected tears on take off and landing, but she was fine on both daytime and evening flights. Changing facilities are not great just a pulldown table with no cushioning and nothing to secure baby (virgin atlantic), so I took a pillow and blanket for her to lay on while I changed her nappy/clothes, but I had to sit her on the floor while I used the bathroom (yuk!).

Take a couple of her fav toys, or buy something new for her to explore, I also found 3 story books on the entertainment system e.g. where is spot etc etc so she had fun watching that. Take snacks and water for her to drink, you can get baby food on board, but on my flight it was ust a stage one food and they didnt offer to heat it either!!

You can also take the pram to the plane door, they will take it off you then and will give it back to you when you land, before you collect your baggage. I also took my Babybjorn carrier, handy to use on the plane and in the airport.

If you have any specific quesions, please ask and I will try to help. I hope all this helps?

Good luck, safe trip.

Andrea

Anjana - posted on 06/24/2010

Hi,
I took my li'l one on a looong flight when he was 5.5 months old. Enquire with your airlines for bassinet seats. This way, your hands can get some rest!
As for ear ache, I was advised by my doc to make him suck on something during take offs and landings. It can be a bottle of water, a favorite pacifier or if nothing works, even your finger! You can also get baby-safe earplugs...just ask around.
Also, do carry plenty of spare tops ( to change if baby throws up or spits up), favorite toys and books and lots of old cloth (to clean up any mess). Also, do stock up on diapers, in case the flight is delayed or any such emergency occurs.
Good luck!!!

Betty - posted on 06/23/2010

Thanks mums. Your suggestions has been very helpful. We're going to China to visit my grandparents as they want to see their Great Grand Daughter. I haven't seen them in 10 years.

They don't have sachet paracetamol here I don't think. I have bought a bottle with me in my luggage for just incase she gets ill while we're there (hopefully she'll be fine)

I'll have to go check the pharmacies and see. And yes, i have bought 2 new toys for her and will bring some old ones with me too.

I'm hoping it will be an empty flight but I doubt it.

Samantha - posted on 06/22/2010

ok here's what i did, i bought 2 new toys and took 2 old favourites. i wrapped the new ones which added to her excitement. (make sure you keep one end open so if asked to check by security they can just look in.
make a special 'onboard' changing bag as there isnt much room on the baby changer (mine was 2-3 loose scented nappy bags, wipes,2-3 nappies. kept in a small plastic bag.) obviously in my handluggage i had more nappies/wipes/extra vest tshirt and jogbottoms (in case nappy leaked) for delays/stopovers
also dont forget to take baby paracetemol (i use calpol as they make individual sachets of 5ml each) no bottle then so no problem with security.
and when checking in ask if flight is full, if it isnt then they sometimes block off an extra stool for the baby.
also take extra blanket to fold up and place under your elbow at the head end of the baby. it takes some of the weight off your arm and is much more comfy than arm rest digging into your arm.
in your check in baggage i always take a brand new never opened bottle of baby diluting juice, if baby takes ill sometimes just their favourite juice makes it easier for them to drink. so they dont get dehydrated.
if i remember anything else i will add it lol

Amanda - posted on 06/21/2010

I flew from sydney to London when my now 2 yr was 14 months old and I was 5 months pregnant with my now 9 month old daughter.
I was dreading it as like you he didnt have a seat so he had to sit on my knee. He is also very active and wouldn't sit still.
I'm lucky as he was a good sleeper and arranged flights round bedtimes so he slept most of the way there and back.
I made sure we had a drink to hand for take off and landing (luckily he was asleep before the plane had even taxied to the runway everytime) I also had a lollypop for him to suck as a special treat which I didnt need.
When he wasn't sleeping he enjoyed looking out of the window, reading books and I was tough going but walking up and down the ailses talking to people

Carrie - posted on 06/21/2010

I know that when I flew to Tokyo from Chicago, the airlines had special beds for the babies to sleep in in the aisle. I don't know if the flight you are going on has this, but I guess it's something to look into! :)

Jennifer - posted on 06/21/2010

were going to jamaica next month were in scotland i think its a 10 hr flight bonnie will be a week short of 10 mths, im also really worried were going with family though so more people to help entertain her, ive had a look to see what can help and i found when taking off and landing feed them cause the sucking will help with popping ears and take a couple of books and fav toys, hope this helps i'll keep checking to see if other people have anymore tips i can use also, where are yous going? x