Securing an infant in flight (in J)

[simongr]

Hi all

Well the planning for the big trip in October to show off babygr to all and sundry in the UK is progressing. He has both of his passports now, seats are booked and we have a plan for the three weeks pretty much.

We are now turning our minds to the flight itself. We are lucky enough to be flying in J and are hoping to get bassinet seats. What we are wondering is how to secure the little feller whilst not in the bassinet.

My recollections of QF J would be that we could put down a mat on the floor in front of our seats so he could play a little but he would then not be secured in case of turbulence (and I am not sure it is even permitted).

Any thoughts on the best way to travel with the little feller? I am guessing the likely outcome will be that he sits on our laps for most of the flight...

Cheers

S

 

[Princess Fiona]

Long time since I had to do this as my youngest is 4. Qantas still has old fashioned bassinette box as far as I am aware. They will not allow you to lie the infant on the floor. If you can I would try to get at least one sector on BA CW. They have basinettes that are like car seats and babies love them as they can see you, feed sleep and play.
Enjoy your trip and good luck!

 

[Homer]

I concur with Princess Fiona's comments. It's been a couple of years for us too but I don't think QF has changed - they won't let the little guy (or anyone else for that matter) sit or lay on the floor. So to use an expression I've heard a few times on AA - he will be a "lap child".

 

[QF WP]

simongr, I'm not familiar with the bassinet seats in the new Skybed J (didn't have children when last flew QF J Intl) so have only flown Dom J. I would have a concern about leaving my baby on the floor unsupported by restraints. QF crew would have similar concerns and voice them if they saw you doing that.

When I have flown with mini-LW#1, we have utilised the folllowing:
1. Playing in the bassinet - both whilst strapped in and not
2. Walking up the aisle, visiting galleys and crew areas (plus other pax on the way), taking turns
3. Crew will often offer to take baby (accept gleefully)

Admittedly, I don't know what it's like to look after 2 kids yet, but soon will :shock: (Mrs LW is 34.5 weeks).

We have the same trip planned in July 2011 for Mrs LW's 40th birthday (with mini-LW#1 and impending #2 - so they'll be 4 and almost 2 on the trip), I will be interested in your trip notes.

 

[simongr]

I was wondering if there was any way to "chain him down" but couldn't think of one.

Thankfully there is only one babygr so we will be tag teaming for the whole flight I suspect...

It's just a shame the first flight is the night flight but the longest segment...

I am not sure I will have time/energy for the trip report...

 

[QF WP]

You might be able to take your own restraints that may allow more movement within the bassinet, but don't know how QF see that .

Oh, I'd be happy to catch up with you one day and get a precis (not expecting that you'd be able to do a TR) :shock:

 

[Princess Fiona]

Shrek and I have 4 little darlings and have done the long trip back to blighty many times over the past 12 years.
Take a Baby Bjorn/ carrier thingy as they frequently never give you back your stroller at the gate or in transit.
Again, if you can I would definitely recommend switching at least one sector/flight to BA as their bassinette chair is better than anything else I have seen or used.

Hope this helps

 

[QF WP]

Shrek and I have 4 little darlings and have done the long trip back to blighty many times over the past 12 years.

simongr, hark the words of great experience from Princess Fiona

Take a Baby Bjorn/ carrier thingy as they frequently never give you back your stroller at the gate or in transit.

Agreed, best thing every invented :!: and worth every cent paid

Again, if you can I would definitely recommend switching at least one sector/flight to BA as their bassinette chair is better than anything else I have seen or used. Hope this helps

Will keep this in mind for my trip, hope my AA points are sufficient.

 

[simongr]

Sadly this is an award flight so no options to change. I do have one BA segment LHR-SIN on the way home. Which is a late night flight so not sure how babygr will cope with that...

I have the joy of going straight from the flight home to the office for a three hour meeting as well...

 

[QF WP]

Aaaagghhh:!: on both fronts. Why was the meeting booked so close to your return to Aussie soil - surely not your choice

 

[dede]

I don't have much knowledge about infants but I don't think you'll have much luck securing one in flight. Madonna secured hers in Malawi, you might be best to try there.

 

[winfred]

I am planning a RTW for my wife's 40th in Nov/Dec 2012. My 2 kids will be 7 & 3.5 so it will be fun.

I have been going to HKG with my older son since he was 6 months twice a year flying either CX or QF and it was a nightmare for the first 2 years regardless of whether it is F, J or Y. They simply do not cater for infants.

I read in Virgin Atlantic website that they have car-seat like chairs and I would try to convince Mrs to fly them (she doesn't like the idea of transitting in SYD with an uncontrollable 5yo and a 10 mths old).

 

[russianrob]

DeDe you're hilarious.

But why the concerns re night flights with a kid? My son has slept brilliantly on his long haul Europe/Asia flights in the cot when he was small enough, and across 2 seats now he's a toddler. And no, I don't use Phenergan!

 

[Chook legs]

I agree with the night flight being easier. we flew last year to UK with emirates. A 10 month old and a three year old. They both slept pretty good on the first leg with a 9pm departure from Sydney. the three year old could curl up on the seat even though it had fixed arm rests and the baby was in a basinet........ he was just fitting length ways.
I also agree about the BA basinet arrangment being the best. They give you a choice of a full basinet or the car seat style. this works so much better when the baby is awake as they can sit up, look around and not be on your lap for endless hours. we had this from Boston to London when the eldest was 10 months. Tried to change our flights from london to Sydney to BA instead of qantas just for this reason with no luck.

Good luck with the flights. It can be hard work at times but still worth it!

 

[simongr]

babygr currently goes to sleep around 9PM so a 9:30PM departure will mean waking him up to board and then trying to get him to sleep again which wont me that much fun.

 

[Chook legs]

Actually in the long run I think the kids adjust easier to a long haul flight then the parents. that includes jetlag as well