Any tips for 1st flight abroad with a 5month yr old??

Does anyone have any traveling tips or advice for a long haul flight with a baby?? My husband and I are traveling to the UK in February from NZ and we are petrified our baby will cry all the way....we don't want to be that couple with the screaming baby!! But more so we want to make it less stressful as we can for our baby.... unsure

We just flew to Hawaii and back with our 7mth old DD and 2 yr old DS. The flight was about 9 1/2 hours in each direction. I found that DD pretty much kept to her usual routine of feeds and naps on the flights. While she was awake she was happy looking around at the different people and I had a couple of books to read to her and a couple of her favourite toys to chew on smile

I made sure I had baby panadol, bonjela and rusks with me as she was teething too, but didn't really need them. There are limits on the liquids you can take on board but I just kept all the baby food in the sealed jars and they said that was fine as it was baby food.

We also took small umbrella strollers with us and were able to take them right up to the gate which was very handy (check with your airline though, some will make you check them in). Also request a bassinette for on board. We flew Hawaiian Airlines and they didn't have bassinettes on board, but because we had requested one we automatically got the baulk head seats which have alot more leg room.

I was panicking before we left cause although I had travelled heaps before I had kids it was a whole new ball game travelling with them, but none of my fears eventuated.

As hard as it is, just relax and enjoy it!!!

I have to add too that the 7mth old was alot easier to travel with than the 2 year old!!!! grin

Make shore is has bobby or a bottle on take off and landing so her ears get use to the pressure i did that with my son when we flew he was 7 months

try to take a night flight.
we generally when travelling overseas will try to fly at night so the girls will sleep through (or at least attempt to).

We took the girls to the US from Melbourne when they 8 months old and didn't really have that many issues. We were very fortunate to get the basinets so that can help (it does get rather uncomfortable holding a baby in your arms for an extended period of time).

Most cabin crew are also generally supportive and will try to help you. We've had a fantastic response and help from both Qantas and Jetstar.

Beyond that just try to keep them entertained when they are awake! We used iPads, iPhones, toys, books. But I think in general babies will mostly travel very well as the vibration and the noise of the engines is actually quite soothing. If someone offers to give you a hand and if bubs is ok with strangers take them up on it! We had a lot of people (either passengers or staff) offer to help us out when we've travelled.

Also take baby lotion/moisturiser - the air-conditioning dries bubs out more than it does adults smile

Also check to see if the airline you are booked provides baby food. Qantas does so that may save you have to bring your own. But customs is generally pretty good and will make allowances for baby food/formula etc...

Also changing nappies in an airplane isn't much fun! The toilets are bad enough but add to that a nappy bag, squirming baby etc... that's one downside to travelling with bubs!

Good luck!

And I have to agree travelling with smaller kids is a lot easier than travelling with toddlers. I spent most of our last flight to Bali chasing the girls around the plane >.<

We travelled from NZ to the UK with our 5 month old two months ago. It was a lot better than I thought. We were so worried she would cry and we would get abused by people. Bubs travelled so well (much better than ourselves). Make sure you request a basinette seat- a lot of babies won't sleep in them because they are narrow and lean but they are great for storage and you get extra leg room. The other downside is that whenever turbulents hit you have to take bubs out of the basinette even if they are sleeping. We found it a lot easier to just let bubs sleep on our laps. We found the first flight to be the hardest then bubs adapted really well for all the other flights.
If you have a routine just keep it going. Our DD was being fed 4 hourly so we kept this up, when we got to London which was 12 hours behind she was able to switch over easily. Also make sure you put bubs down for a sleep when you get there. We were staying with family but explained they could cuddle her the next day once she was rested.
It also makes a huge difference if you arrive at your destination at night time on longhaul flights as it will be darker in the plane for bubs to sleep. Bubs can then have a long sleep when you get there and wake up to the start of a day.
You can take whatever liquids you like onto the plane. NZ customs are great just tell them you have baby stuff and you won't need to get it out. Heathrow is different they will make you taste formula. Keep babyfood sealed when going through their customs. If you order a baby meal for the plane it is jars of watties. We found it easiest to take the sachets of babyfood that you can squeeze out.
If your baby uses a dummy they are fantastic for flying. We would either feed or give the bubs the dummy on take off and landing. Take a few of bubs favourite toys and they will be fine.
Hope this helps. It's not as bad as you think. A friend said to me before we left "if bubs cries she cries it's not like you are pinching her." You will find people very supportive. They hardly notice any crying when they are busy watching movies.
Also when you get back home don't let bubs have too much sleep during the daytime the day you get back (if you get back at night the following day) otherwise they won't sleep at night!

grin Wonderful!!! Some great & valuable feedback there ladies.

I know websites give you an idea of what to expect but I appreciate hearing first hand experiences more since you've all bin through it.

Lucky we have a night flight and when its bubz normal sleep time - phew! unsure

I love the idea of letting family come see bubz after shes had a rest once there.

I didn't even think about taking moisturiser for bubs..great suggestion an is on me list!!

Thank you sooooo much ladies! It's actually helped to ease my mind smile
Brilliant!

a couple of other things I forgot to mention yesterday - you will generally find that most airlines will give parents with bubs an aisle seat (it makes life so much easier!) unless it happens to be a domestic US flight >.< (that was a whole series of horror trips I won't go into!).

Also don't worry about what anyone else thinks. I think a lot of people when they travel experience anxiety about what other parents think. There was a very good blog post that I read before we travelled to the US with the twins - which basically said don't worry about it. Because don't forget if you end up feeling anxious than bubs will end up feeling anxious as well! Just be smart about it - if bubs is making a fuss walk them around or go into the galley and try to settle them down. Generally most passengers are understanding from my experience smile