Since our oldest was 11 weeks he has been on 18 flights. Majority of those were international long haul flights.
My youngest who is now 5 months old has been on 5 domestic flights and goes on his first international flight in October.
I thought I would share my TOP 5 TIPS that I have learnt on the way.
1. YOYO Pram
It doesn’t matter what age the child is this pram has been the best thing. They are on the more expensive side but you can buy cheaper options and if you live in a main city like we do in Perth. We actually found someone who we hired the pram off for the first few trips to Europe. Then for our baby shower for our second we asked for contributions for the pram rather than small gifts.
PROS:
1. On our first long haul flight with QATAR we LITERALLY put our son (11 weeks) in the pram from the car (had to take him out through customs) and pushed him ONTO the plane up to our bassinet seat and had him infant of us until take-off. Yes, it fit through the isles of the plane. (Only in Larger planes)
2. Once you get the hang of it its so easy to grab and fold with one hand (which you need when going through customs with kids).
3. You have a place to secure your child in when you are checking in and they can’t run away.
4. Even if they don’t want to be in the pram it works as a great way of carrying all our bags and jackets.
5. We have fit both out boys one on top of the other.
6. It’s as big as a carry on bag when folded so small!
Cons:
1. Can be expensive
2. Needs to be folded away when going through customs
3. We had a flight with Jetstar from Perth to Bali and had to check it in as luggage. (I think this was more to do with the air hostess who wasn’t all that friendly. Normally if you just show them how small it goes they are amazed and you can take it with you)
4. Can be heavy if you are carrying on your shoulder.
2. NURSING PILLOW (for babies that can’t sit yet)
We took ours on the first few flights until our boys can sit on their own. Ours is one that is ‘U’ shaped and sits around the tummy.
PROS:
1. You can lie Bub on it while they sleep. This allows you to have free arms and prevent getting a sore back, holding them all the time.
2. It fits perfectly in the one seat.
3. Allows for Bub to have a flat surface to sleep. Especially if the flight is bumpy and you are always taking them out the bassinet.
CONS:
1. Can be big and bulky to carry. (We just hook it over the YOYO Pram)
2. Another thing to have to carry.
3. Sometimes makes it hard to get to anything on the floor or in front of you
4. Fits onto of a pram during transit
3. SMALL SEAT BAG
The amount of times we have had a spew or needed something urgently was during take-off or landing. This was very inconvenient because being in the bassinet seat we couldn’t have any bags by our feet so we were stuck.
PROS:
1. Have all essentials next to you if you get stuck with the seatbelt sign on.
2. Take-off and landing we have had a few massive spews, needed extra entertainment, panadol, our oldest started teething during landing at QATAR list goes on and always seems to happen when we can’t access our bags at the top.
3. Essentials like – Pain relief, Teething needs, small toys, WET WIPES, snacks, small toys, something for ear pressure lollypop or smarties, Nappies, WET WIPES, Pain relief for you, spare dummies. Just depends on the age of your child and what you consider necessities at the time.
CONS:
1. I didn’t hide it well enough once on my side and was told (By a grumpy stewardess to put it at the top) only happened once.
2. Takes up a little room in your already crowded seat
4. TIE YOUR TOYS UP
We learnt very quickly that although toys were great for distractions….. it got very old very quick … when we had to pick up a car or teddy for the 1,000th time. We use small carabiners and the plastic ropes that are coiled and can be pulled out and then bounce back in.
PROS:
1. Keeps all the toys together.
2. We could hang it off the tray so the boys could play with whatever toy. Also hook it to the pram during transit.
3. Not having to pick up toys off the ground all the time
Cons:
1. Can only pick toys that allow for a carabiner to fit through.
2. Another thing to carry.
5. LABEL YOUR KIDS FAVOURITE TEDDY!!!
Our eldest sons favourite teddy is called ‘Daryl Dog’ who has since retired and we can no longer by another one. So as you could imagine this would be a complete disaster if he was lost. Especially with a long flight ahead of us.
We bought a cats collar and got a dog tag engraved with out mobile number for Australia and then added our email address for international flights.
Hope these tips were helpful and stay tuned for more tips and reviews.
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