Syd- LHR with a baby

[GCC]

We are booking wife on a flight from Syd - LHR in September to visit her family in the UK, with our yet to be born 5 month old baby. As its our first kid we have no idea what this will be like. She'll fly Y+ but be traveling solo. Seems along way so we're wondering whether she should fly straight through or take a 24hr stopover in Asia?
Any other tips or tricks from those who've flown with very little ones appreciated. (I'm thinking of joining her up to the qantas club so she at least has lounge access and can use J check in)
thanks

 

[hazel]

Congratulations on the imminent arrival - I would suggest not having the stopover, dealing with the getting on & off, juggling baggage, standing in queues would end up being more trouble than it was worth; particularly when travelling solo with a baby IMHO. cheers

 

[simongr]

Hmm - slightly different than my trip to the UK with an 8 month old (in J with wife and I) but some advice:

- Get the lounge access. As much as we all hate screaming babies in the lounge it will be a great respite from trying to find a free plastic seat to feed the baby etc. It will also help with luggage I think.

- She will be carrying a LOT of stuff (nappies, toys, food - solids will have just started) so she needs to be ready for that.

- Dress cute - we had the little guy in a Superman suit and everyone thought it was so cute that I think they ignored some foibles

- Watch out for the stroller as checked luggage trap. I was told that the stroller counted towards our allowance as it was not a collapsible stroller (like the mclaren say)

- If she has time then I would say take the stopover as she will be exhausted.

- Reconsider QF PE. I would suggest having a look at trying to get some cheap J fares rather than QF PE as for close to the same money you might be able to get a J seat on another carrier. It is worth considering.

 

[GCC]

Thanks for the suggestions, very valuable (albeit contradictory) advice.
There are cheap J fares on Malaysian for about the same $$, but from what I read I'm not sure that QF PE with lounge access (+points + SC) isn't just as good?

 

[archermae]

Hmm - slightly different than my trip to the UK with an 8 month old (in J with wife and I) but some advice:

- Get the lounge access. As much as we all hate screaming babies in the lounge it will be a great respite from trying to find a free plastic seat to feed the baby etc. It will also help with luggage I think.

- She will be carrying a LOT of stuff (nappies, toys, food - solids will have just started) so she needs to be ready for that.

- Dress cute - we had the little guy in a Superman suit and everyone thought it was so cute that I think they ignored some foibles

- Watch out for the stroller as checked luggage trap. I was told that the stroller counted towards our allowance as it was not a collapsible stroller (like the mclaren say)

- If she has time then I would say take the stopover as she will be exhausted.

- Reconsider QF PE. I would suggest having a look at trying to get some cheap J fares rather than QF PE as for close to the same money you might be able to get a J seat on another carrier. It is worth considering.

.. fabulous ideas! Thanks for sharing

 

[davidj-bell]

We are booking wife on a flight from Syd - LHR in September to visit her family in the UK, with our yet to be born 5 month old baby. As its our first kid we have no idea what this will be like. She'll fly Y+ but be traveling solo. Seems along way so we're wondering whether she should fly straight through or take a 24hr stopover in Asia?
Any other tips or tricks from those who've flown with very little ones appreciated. (I'm thinking of joining her up to the qantas club so she at least has lounge access and can use J check in)
thanks

Our daughter is almost 2, and we first travelled long haul with her when she was about 6 weeks old, and there have been lots of trips in between. Some tips:
1) get the lounge access, it'll make life a lot easier
2) don't bother breaking the trip up, it will just make it more painful
3) try to get a through flight to LHR (ie, not a connection in SIN/BKK/HKG) - if it's the same aircraft (at least for HKG/SIN) you can leave stuff on the aircraft
4) get to the airport in plenty of time so that stress is reduced
5) make sure you're well organised. Have a back pack with all the necessary stuff in it, including food/infant formulae if bottle fed
6) Be aware that if you take a stroller thorugh security, they'll want you to take the infant out, fold up the stroller, put it on the security belt, and they won't lift a finger to help you! If possible, use a sling instead otherwise you will need to rely on the kindness of your fellow passengers to get through security.

 

[Katie]

• I'd use a baby bjorn carrier or sling with a 5month old, perhaps one of the backpack carriers. We used a backpack carrier with our 18 month old, and checked the stroller, the carrier was invaluable, especially for keeping her contained during the 30m++ we stood waiting to get through security at BNE international. I've never dealt with a stroller in the airports, always checked it. I'd consider not even taking a stroller & borrowing one (if possible) from friends/family in the UK. One less item of luggage to deal with on her own in LHR with bub in a sling/baby bjorn on her front.

• I'd also go for the straight through option - if your wife has rellies in the UK, then they should be able to help if bub takes a few days to settle in to the time zone.

• If bub is using a dummy, bring spares. If it gets dropped on the plane floor while getting on board, may not be able to clean it as much as you'd like until the plane's up in the air.

• If with QF, you will likely get a food package for bub (a bag of jar food). At 5 months, bub might not be eating baby food yet, if not, I"d stash the food and keep it in case.

• Your wife will likely not need or be able to read, so don't bother with books in hand luggage.

• Pack a change of clothes for mum as well as multiple for bub. LIttle Miss 18mths had a poo explosion during turbulence while sitting on my lap BNE-SIN, and I wore my fetching yoga pants for the rest of the trip to LHR. I was SO glad I'd slipped them in my bag & wasn't in poo jeans for the next 16hrs or so.

• I've noticed a lot of parents using the bassinette will prop up a muslin/wrap over the bassinette to cover up and stop bub seeing all the distractions during sleep time.

 

[GCC]

Thanks again for all these great ideas. Love the superman suit trick!
We're still looking at Malaysian J for about 4k instead of QF / BA Y+.
Does mean a 10 hr stop but on the + side is 2 daytime flights and we wont need to fork our for the QP m'ship.

 

[11sjw]

Anything under 6 months is probably ok as they won't mind an FA watching them whilst you use the facilities.

Other tips

1. +1 on the Baby Bjorn carrier. Will keep both your hands free. Forget taking a stroller and pick up a cheap one when you get to the UK or have your family get one in advance.

2. Perhaps use a roll on type bag as carry on. Load it full of baby related stuff (you get an outside pocket at best )

3. Jumpsuits and lots of them. This will mean your child has something to wear if your checked in luggage happen to get lost (btw a change for yourself as well)

4. If your using formula get the divided containers that allow the formula to be pre measured. That way it's just open and poor into the bottle, messing around with scoops etc isn't much fun in an ac.

5. Carry out a Phenergan trial prior to departure (it makes some kids hyper). It can be there as a last resort. We found giving it to ours once we'd cleared customs was good timing as she hyped up for an hour or so (like a sugar rush) and then came down and slept well. We'd had previous trips where she couldn't sleep.

 

[jamesatfish]

Watching this thread with interest as my wife & I are taking our 6 month old daughter on her first overseas trip (starting with SYD-LHR) in June. Thanks to all for the useful advice.

So far we've bought a super-light, super-cheap stroller to take with us, as our normal stroller is fantastic around town but quite heavy and too expensive to have damaged in checked luggage.

We also bought a baby bjorn carrier - haven't taken our daughter on an aircraft yet but just around the house or when going out and about it's a brilliant device, giving you two hands free whilst keeping bub tucked in and snuggly warm.

We're not looking forward to travelling with checked luggage again (my wife and I have been flying with carry-on only for the last few years) so we're not stopping over in SIN, as collecting & re-checking all that luggage for a brief stopover doesn't sound appealing at all.

I did book separate flights SYD-SIN and SIN-LHR (BA16 then QF9) mainly to make me feel a bit more comfortable if our daughter creates too much fuss on one of the flights - at least I won't have to deal with the guilt of annoying the same set of passengers for the other sector.

We're planning on doing some small flights in the months prior just to get her used to flying and help us perfect the travel item list.

 

[simongr]

One thing we found was that baby panadol helped with the ear pain. On the four flights we missed the window to give the panadol in advance of descent and the little guy didnt enjoy it as much. When we hit the sweet spot for timing he wasnt in pain at all.

 

[Katie]

5. Carry out a Phenergan trial prior to departure (it makes some kids hyper). It can be there as a last resort. We found giving it to ours once we'd cleared customs was good timing as she hyped up for an hour or so (like a sugar rush) and then came down and slept well. We'd had previous trips where she couldn't sleep.

I tried to get our GP to recommend phenergan when we travelled to Europe with our 18mth old. He would not, and said, as chemists will, that phenergan is intended for children over 2 years. A chemist will not dispense phenergan to a child younger than two (and DOB is required on the label). There are ways around that, should anyone wish to have phenergan for younger kids.
Just be aware that this kind of medication is intended for older children, and seek advice from your doctor about using this medication with a 5 month old.

 

[medhead]

I cannot see why you'd need phenergan at all. Come on people! what is wrong with you. I've managed to do heaps of travelling all be it low level flying. But my kids were perfect for 10+ hours in a car multiple times.

You just need to understand your child, hard when they aren't born yet (congratulations btw). But at five months their needs are going to be basic.

Be prepared to entertain them when they want that.

Be prepared to feed them, that would be my big one. I watch some stupid parents try to fly SIN to FRA and they only feed the child once! This is like 12 hours! a baby needs to be feed at least 2 or 3 times in 12 hours.

For our non driving travel (flying) we always tried to maintain their routine. So if that meant they were due to feed as we boarded the aircraft and they were "asking" for food we feed them. Second daughter we also feed on take off every time. She must have had ear problems.

Formula rather than multi compartment containers, we got multiple small tupperware containers. Also multiple bottles 4 to 6+, so that washing is not needed. sure it's expensive but saves major hassle.

 

[Sethor]

One thing we found was that baby panadol helped with the ear pain. On the four flights we missed the window to give the panadol in advance of descent and the little guy didnt enjoy it as much. When we hit the sweet spot for timing he wasnt in pain at all.

During take off & landing give your child a lolly/gum/sweet/bottle or anything to promote swallowing (dummy's don't work) which will equalize the air pressure in their ears. If they have a cold/flu the Eustachian tube (tube between inner ear to back of throat) can be blocked with mucus which can make it difficult to equalize air pressure so a Vick's lolly or a kid safe cold/flu medicine with a decongestant will help.

 

[davidj-bell]

During take off & landing give your child a lolly/gum/sweet/bottle or anything to promote swallowing (dummy's don't work) which will equalize the air pressure in their ears. If they have a cold/flu the Eustachian tube (tube between inner ear to back of throat) can be blocked with mucus which can make it difficult to equalize air pressure so a Vick's lolly or a kid safe cold/flu medicine with a decongestant will help.

Having a bottle handy for take off also is useful when you're trapped in the seat taxiing and they want to get up and run around. Also, as they get a bit older, get the window seats, I've used that many times to provide cheap distractions until the seat belt sign goes off (they find it fascinating, esepcially when the aircraft takes off).

 

[11sjw]

I cannot see why you'd need phenergan at all. Come on people! what is wrong with you. I've managed to do heaps of travelling all be it low level flying. But my kids were perfect for 10+ hours in a car multiple times.

You just need to understand your child, hard when they aren't born yet (congratulations btw). But at five months their needs are going to be basic.

Be prepared to entertain them when they want that.

Be prepared to feed them, that would be my big one. I watch some stupid parents try to fly SIN to FRA and they only feed the child once! This is like 12 hours! a baby needs to be feed at least 2 or 3 times in 12 hours.

For our non driving travel (flying) we always tried to maintain their routine. So if that meant they were due to feed as we boarded the aircraft and they were "asking" for food we feed them. Second daughter we also feed on take off every time. She must have had ear problems.

Formula rather than multi compartment containers, we got multiple small tupperware containers. Also multiple bottles 4 to 6+, so that washing is not needed. sure it's expensive but saves major hassle.

Admittedly I should've taken into account the OP's mentioning only 5 months old as Katie pointed out, meaning phenergan isn't appropriate. However please hold off on the judgements re its use. Each child is different and what works for you may not work for others. Hence we offer our experiences as suggestions.

You then mention car travel, completely different to flying so again please don't denigrate something that was intended in good faith but was a little misguided. As someone who has done a couple of around the worlds with a sub two year old I can tell you the phenergan made a huge difference the second time around.

The first time we were in J all the way and whilst the extra room was great our little one slept for a total of one hour from MEL-LAX and by the end of it she was at her wits end and couldn't function well enough to eat and therefore was a very up tight 15 month old. Attempt no.2 as a 23 month involved a dose 1.5hrs before departure and she slept for the first 6 hours and we were fine for the rest of it. In fact all of the 'long' flights we had (MEL-LAX, NYC-NRT & NRT-SYD) were made much easier for her as she slept for half of each.

 

[simongr]

I completely agree re phenergan - I am not a fan but each parent has to decide that for themselves. The concerns of/for other pax in that regard are irrelevant.

Be prepared to feed them, that would be my big one. I watch some stupid parents try to fly SIN to FRA and they only feed the child once! This is like 12 hours! a baby needs to be feed at least 2 or 3 times in 12 hours.

I agree completely - a fed baby is a happy sleeping baby. It is also a pooping baby though

For our non driving travel (flying) we always tried to maintain their routine. So if that meant they were due to feed as we boarded the aircraft and they were "asking" for food we feed them. Second daughter we also feed on take off every time. She must have had ear problems.

For a baby on a long haul flight this is impossible - noise changes, not the same sleeping arrangements, light/dark/light/dark changes, no play areas...

[paraphrase] lollies are good [/paraphrase]

This wont work for a baby as it would be a choking hazzard. Breastfeeding/bottle does help though...

 

[Batesy]

Thanks again for all these great ideas. Love the superman suit trick!
We're still looking at Malaysian J for about 4k instead of QF / BA Y+.
Does mean a 10 hr stop but on the + side is 2 daytime flights and we wont need to fork our for the QP m'ship.

Take the Malaysian option, they are just fine in J. Skybed is better than QF PE. Also the FA ratio to Pax means that they will be able to assist you with your billy lid far easier.
If you can avoid the 10 hour stop that would be better but if you do have to they may put you into the pan pacific airport hotel as part of the fare.

 

[GCC]

Thanks againto all who posted

If you can avoid the 10 hour stop that would be better but if you do have to they may put you into the pan pacific airport hotel as part of the fare.

Yes that's the flight they've got for that pricing. Good point about the FA's too, and hopefully they'll be more forgiving / nice than the crew in QF Y+. :shock:

 

[QF WP]

I've also read this thread with interest - both as a parent who has flown with mini#1 since 12 weeks (now 3), as well as a parent looking to take both #1 and #2 (now 4 months old) with us next year to LHR, France and the Continent.

Agree totally with Baby Bjorn or sling for carrying a 5 month old baby. Both are practical for carrying into/around airport, much less so for on-board (IMO).Our #2 is 4 months old, about 6.5 kgs, so perfect for either.

We prescribe to the "feeding the baby" on ascent and decent, to ensure less problems with ear pressure. Mrs LW starts to feed when taxiing onto runway and well into descent. At 5 mnths, depending on milk flow and baby's habits, feeding should take ~15 mins (again, our experience with both children thus far).

As for whether to fly through (either same plane or change) versus less than 24 hour stopover, I see benefits and detractions for each. As it's your first child, better to err on the cautious side as your wife will be travelling alone. Her ability to take the physical demands of a long haul set of flights, versus a rest in between needs to be considered. Perhaps use of an air-side hotel (like in SIN) might make more sense; rather than having to leave the airport precinct.