Questions about flying with infant

movilogo

First time parent here, so please bear with me

My daugher is 1.5 months now and we (myself + wife + child) are planning a holiday (somewhere in Europe) in 2 months time (so she will be 3-4 months at that time).

As I've never flown before with a child

1. I assume she will get her own airline seat - right?
2. What will be luggage allowance for baby?
3. Will the pram constitute as part of our luggage allowance or it will be excluded from allowance limit?
4. Shall we be allowed to carry 500 ml liquid milk in bottle? If not, what will be best way to feed the baby during the journey?
5. If I hire car abroad, do we have to carry infant seat or hire company will provide the seat?
6. What will be best way of carrying the baby in public transport (bus, underground etc.)? Pram/holding on hand/baby carrying strap (not sure what they are called)
7. Any other advise?

Thanx

live'n'learn

I think an baby can do without a seat up until the age of 2 and if you get them a seat of their own then you will pay much more!

We did get out baby milk onboard after we tried it in front of them but that was about 3 years ago so anything that needs hot water added can be done on the plane.

Probably best to go to the website of the company you are using as some have different baggage allowance for young children.

Double check via google to make sure any info i have given is correct:D

JoJoB

Unless you pay for an extra seat I think getting the infant rate means they sit on your lap (or it did when I last flew).
The pram was allowed to be wheeled right up to the gate then handed over to be put in the hold, wasn't charged extra, but maybe this is dependent on airline policy.
I would take a folding pram and a sling, that will cover you for public transport. I took a pram with car seat attachment instead of the usual pram seat because you are bound to need taxis occasionally.

skylight

movilogo wrote: »

First time parent here, so please bear with me

My daugher is 1.5 months now and we (myself + wife + child) are planning a holiday (somewhere in Europe) in 2 months time (so she will be 3-4 months at that time).

As I've never flown before with a child

1. I assume she will get her own airline seat - right? No. She will sit on a parents lap with an attachment around your seatbelt for her. You do not pay for this (some airlines charge a nominal infant fee)
2. What will be luggage allowance for baby? No, not if you have paid for a nominal infant fee - all baby stuff will have to be split over parents cases.
3. Will the pram constitute as part of our luggage allowance or it will be excluded from allowance limit? Not normally excluded; buggies etc are normally carried free of charge. Think twice about taking the pram/expensive buggy though. A cheap, lightweight pushchair that lies flat will be AOK and easier to manage for you and less likely to be damaged by the airline/handlers. Baby wont care as long as she can sleep when she wants to!
4. Shall we be allowed to carry 500 ml liquid milk in bottle? If not, what will be best way to feed the baby during the journey? Yes you can make up premade bottles or take the cartons of premade milk (less than 100ml per carton though). The made bottles you may have to taste-test in security.
5. If I hire car abroad, do we have to carry infant seat or hire company will provide the seat? Best to hire one. Saves you lugging it around and cannot get lost (BIL - airlines have lost 2 car seats between here and Ireland; wont take his own anymore!)
6. What will be best way of carrying the baby in public transport (bus, underground etc.)? Pram/holding on hand/baby carrying strap (not sure what they are called) Depends where you are going. Most European countries are far more baby friendly than the UK. But a sling/bodysling type thing would be a great idea to keep baby close to you and the lightweight buggy can be closed and held by the other parent. Make it as simple as possible for you = less stress.
7. Any other advise? Ensure you have clean dummies and a bottle ready for the decents if baby is still awake. The pressure change will hurt her ears otherwise, making it uncomfortable for her, Mum and Dad and the other passengers (although my priority is with baby!) Having a sleep then or a feed will take her mind off it all.

Thanx

Hope it helps a bit.

Bloomin_Freezing2

Regarding baby milk, when we flew we bought readt made cartons once through security. there's usually one or two chemists once you are in departure. you can buy plenty there.

dangers

Don't forget to get your baby a passport.

movilogo

I already got her passport

I didn't know that infants can be carried over parents' laps! That might save me few bucks

clearingout

I know of people who have carried a small baby on board in their car seat and used that to secure them in the airline seat. However, that requires that you buy baby a seat! It would, however, give you extra room to pass baby between you, deal with spills etc. etc. and of course, you then have your own baby car seat at the other side. Buggy's are carried free in my experience.

LEJC

We travelled with our son when he was very young...under 2 and they dont need a seat on the plane however you will probably find that there is a scale of prices if you travel with an infant on a package deal.At the time we travelled son was 18 months old and we were charged £115 for him when we flew to barbados with virgin..that price also included the accomodation.
we didnt geta specific luggage allowance and as such all his luggage was taken up in our allowance...this can get bulked out if you want to take your own nappies etc so watch how you pack...we took a small cheap foldaway push chair and that went on the plane as a seperate item but i cant remember if it was part of the luggage allowance or seperate...
As the child doesnt occupy a seat you are given a seatbelt extention which clips on to your belt for landing/takeoff...and depending how busy the plane is there may be a seat available that they can use during the flight...but if you work on the lines that you need to have them on your lap for the duration of the flight if you are given a seat to use it becomes a bonus!
Again you can take a car seat with you ..but this will definatlry be added as part of your luggage allowance...most car rental companies will hire you one but some will require rhat you prebook it before you leave the uk..it is cheaper to hire it whilst away IMO.
MY other advice would be get a good travel insurance policy ...and travel any medication eg calpol and a 50plus sunscreen in your suitcase we have been hit by the dreaded ear infection more than once on holiday and calling out a doctor can be expensive...

onlyroz

Baby doesn't need a seat. Some airlines will give you a seat next to the bulkhead, where they can secure a "bassinet" for baby to sleep in.

As for buggies - you'll be able to take it right up to the departure gate where it'll be taken off you. When you get the buggy back varies - sometimes it's given to you as soon as you get off the plane and other times it's put onto the luggage carousel.

Regarding milk, check the policy of the airline. Last year I was asked to open and taste all formula - I'd take on board some empty and sterile bottles, and then some cartons. If they ask you to open the cartons you'll have to do it with your fingers (no scissors allowed, remember) and then tip one into a bottle.

You can take a car seat with you or hire one. Often the car seats you hire are dreadful, and they *won't* give you *any* help fitting it into the car, so be prepared for a lot of stress finding one that is the right size, fits in the car, and without a complicated system of straps.

GobbledyGook

Depending on the airline they may allow you to check in the baby's car seat. Some allow car seat, pram and change bag per baby whereas others allow car seat OR pram.

With regards to the babies milk, depending on what airport you are travelling from it can be easier to ring the Boots (or equivilent) after the security checks and order in what you need. Then you have no worry about having to open the cartons.