Flying with a baby. Any tips?

Ma77hew

We are flying with our 14 month old baby for the first time, last year we took a cruise from Southampton rather than fly.

Quite nervous to be honest. The flight is 3hrs 45mins.

What should we be expecting?
Should we be asking the airline for anything?
How do we keep her entertained in such a small space?
Are we allowed bottles on the plane, or milk powder? Probably one for the airline I guess.

The flight is 9am which is good as she quite often will have a nap around that time. But with the new surroundings, I'm not really holding my breath.

laurabllue

I found the thought of flying with a baby worse than the reality!

You're fine to take milk/water on board for a baby. They'll check it at security and may make you taste it. Take some snacks/lunch (depending on what your usual routine is) or you can pick up a sandwich at the airport to take on the plane.

Pack a couple of new little toys to keep her entertained (I've seen people suggest wrapping each one to make it more exciting). Our little one loved the inflight safety card!

Definitely plenty of nappies/wipes in case of delays and a change of clothes for her (something comfy and easy to get on-the changing tables are tiny!). Maybe a clean top for you too just in case!

You might find that the noise of the plane does send her to sleep for a bit, especially if it's nap time-it worked for us!

Also, if your flight isn't at peak time keep your eye out for any spare seats. On one of our flights there were two spare and the air hostess suggested to my husband that one of us could move there so we had a spare seat to lay the sleeping baby on!

Honestly, I'm sure you'll be fine. It's a pretty short flight so by the time she (hopefully) naps, then has a snack, maybe a walk up and down the aisle and a look at a couple of toys it'll be time for landing!

DTDfanBoy

Which airline are your flying with they all have different ways of allocating bassinet seats, many of them only assign them at check in so it may pay to get to the airport early.

Ma77hew

Thanks laurabllue, gives a little more confidence.

DTDfanboy, we are flying with Thomson. They haven't mentioned bassinet seats? Not entirely sure what they are.

We have reserved seats, we where only able to book a window and middle seat as they don't allow aisle seats to be booked if the window one isn't taken. They also didn't have any extra leg room seats left, apparently they were booked the same day they were released.

Currently half the plane is empty on the planner, it was only the extra leg room ones booked when we went on to reserve a few weeks ago, so hoping no one will be next to us.

sajjed

laurabllue gives good advice
we flew with our grandchildren of a similar age several times to the Canaries ,we took plenty of little toys in a bag to keep amused at different times. also ipad was pre recorded with cartoons that they enjoyed watching.paper and pencils to scribble.

DTDfanBoy

Ma77hew wrote: »

Thanks laurabllue, gives a little more confidence.

DTDfanboy, we are flying with Thomson. They haven't mentioned bassinet seats? Not entirely sure what they are.

We have reserved seats, we where only able to book a window and middle seat as they don't allow aisle seats to be booked if the window one isn't taken. They also didn't have any extra leg room seats left, apparently they were booked the same day they were released.

Currently half the plane is empty on the planner, it was only the extra leg room ones booked when we went on to reserve a few weeks ago, so hoping no one will be next to us.

They look like this



But I'm not sure if Thomson will have them available, they're normally found on scheduled airlines.

sajjed

we flew with Thomson, they did not have bassinets.

glentoran99

Ma77hew wrote: »

Thanks laurabllue, gives a little more confidence.

DTDfanboy, we are flying with Thomson. They haven't mentioned bassinet seats? Not entirely sure what they are.

We have reserved seats, we where only able to book a window and middle seat as they don't allow aisle seats to be booked if the window one isn't taken. They also didn't have any extra leg room seats left, apparently they were booked the same day they were released.

Currently half the plane is empty on the planner, it was only the extra leg room ones booked when we went on to reserve a few weeks ago, so hoping no one will be next to us.

You wouldnt have been allowed to sit there with a baby anyway so that was maybe why they showed as taken, you cant sit at the exit rows, or the ones in front or behind them

stephb34

Half the plane may not be empty they may be filled with people who haven't paid to pre book seats. Usually snacks and a drink sends them to sleep also the fact they are snuggly in your arms helps.

GwylimT

Babies and young children can't have the extra leg room seats which is likely why you weren't able to book them. We always take their car seats on their flight as its something they are used to sitting in and you don't spend the whole flight with your arm pressing them into their own seat or stopping them falling out of the stupidly shallow baskets they give you.

laurabllue

If the flight is only 3hrs 45 I wouldn't bother with the bassinet personally. I know you can reserve them on long haul but I'm not sure if they even offer them on short flights. I'm not sure how comfortable a 14 month old would be - looking at the picture I don't think my 11 month old would be happy sleeping in it, even for a short nap. Although the does tend to somehow manage to take up a whole king size bed when she sleeps in with us!