So You have just booked flights for a trip to the other side of the world. Or You are thinking of it. Or it is a 'short' flight but You are travelling with a little one (or ones) for the first time. Perhaps You are questioning your sanity. I did. This is how little Teddy and I survived the flight(s) from Brisbane to Scotland - Teddy was 9 months old - and back again, two months later.
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| Teddy and Daddy having a last minute hangout at the airport before our flight |
To begin with, I did everything in my power to ensure we had the best chance of a bassinet seat as possible - this meant booking our tickets and then calling the airlines (Qantas & British Airways) to double-check the bassinet seat had been arranged. Teddy was flying on an infant ticket, meaning he did not have his own seat, so getting my seat in a position where the airline provides a little bassinet in front of me was my number one concern. Three flights (8-hours to Singapore, 14 to London & then an hour to Aberdeen) with tiny, wriggly Teddy on my lap squeezed between two people was not my idea of fun. Of course, bassinets are only provided for the long-haul legs of the trip. The hour from London to Aberdeen was more than fine for him to sit on me.
Let me say at this point that Teddy was exceptionally well behaved both ways and was in good spirits for the entire time. He just didn't sleep a lot over the 30+ hours. At all. Maybe caught a total of 8-10 hours…some at the various airports - You know, to ensure he had energy for the flight! Also, he didn't enjoy sleeping in the bassinet…preferring instead to fall asleep nursing on my lap. Despite this, we both adored his little space in the bassinet as a play area and place for him to sit while I could eat.
In packing our carry-on bag I literally took everything he could possibly need in the 30 hours, bar the kitchen sink! I figured that I probably wouldn't use any of it (except for nappies, wipes & changes of clothes, I hardly used a thing) but the thought of being so far from anything for so long made me hate to leave anything to chance. I was silly and packed a shoulder bag for the trip to Scotland. Coming home to Brissie I bought a carry-on sized wheelie bag with a handle, it converted into a backpack (You can stow the straps into a pocket). This was invaluable in saving my back from the load on the way home and I will never travel without it again.
So what did I take?
- A change of clothes for every 10 hours of transit, plus a spare plus what he wore to the airport. At the time, poos were explosive & I didn't want to run out of clean clothes.
- A change of tights, t-shirt and underwear for me in case said poo exploded on me...
- 10 nappies, plus a new packet of wipes
- Enough food, pureed and finger food, to keep a small army fed. I didn't want to risk the airline not having a good brand (I'm fussy) - they do stock baby food though so make sure You ask to see their stash, the attendant told me it hardly ever gets used so they are happy to give it to You. I took commercial baby food but I do have a friend who took her own homemade purees on a similar trip. Also, be prepared to open and taste the food during security checks at airports (Heathrow is famous for this).
- Teddy is breastfed, but obviously bottles and formula if not
- His blankie, sleeping bag and blanket, plus 3 muslin wraps to line the bassinet and provide a shade cover if he slept while the lights were on
- Toys and books to keep him amused, a couple of favourites plus some I had popped away for a few weeks beforehand to bring out as 'new' toys
- Various medicines, including teething gel and panadol/nurofen for both Teddy and myself. We didn't need it in the end, but I didn't want a fever or grumpy teething baby so high in the air!
- I bought bottled water at each airport once we passed security.
- I took our baby carrier to lug Teddy around, opting to use the airport-provided strollers if required. Keep in mind You cannot keep a baby (even a sleeping one!) in the carrier during landing or take-off, You must have them in the infant restraint provided.
I packed all the liquids (including medicine and food) in clear, zip-lock bags for ease and security purposes. Try to keep it together if possible so there isn't a panic when You go through security during transit (this happened to us at Heathrow during our change to Aberdeen and it was a traumatic rush to get everything sorted and make our plane in time, we made it - just!).
I used ribbon to tie each full change of clothes (singlet, all-in-one, socks etc) with a nappy so I just had to grab a set on the way to the bathroom to change him. For wee changes, I found the bassinet useful for a change too.
Aside from the above, I believe I prepared myself well by going into the experience expecting to not sleep for the duration. Any sleep I got was a bonus and Teddy (aside from being awake) was very happy the whole time. The A380 (huge new plane) was the best as it had lots of space for people to move around at the back, however don't count on being able to use this space as I have heard stories from other people. Do ask for help from the attendants - I was exceptionally lucky to sit next to an amazing grandpa on our flight from London to Singapore. He really helped out with Teddy and I am forever grateful for his company - I was already quite tired and emotional about leaving my Aunt in Scotland.
If your Baby does cry and scream the whole time, don't worry - the other passengers all have headphones and You will never see them again anyway.
At the end of the day, flying is not all that fun any time; holidaying with your little ones at the other side is. So book that flight!
xo Audrey
Author Bio - Audrey - I am a mama to a fiery toddler, wife to a fly in fly out mine worker & currently working to complete a PhD in finance. We call South East Queensland home. I blog to record all the bits and pieces of our life, especially about motherhood & our baby son.
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