some travel tips please

[Hunni2]

1. Is it better to fly on a direct 23 hour flight with a 8mth old, or have a stop over halfway??

2. Any suggestions for a bed in a small room for 6 weeks. Has anyone tried the Phil & Teds T2 travel cot? My baby is very fussy and is not a great sleeper so don't know if I want to spend that much of he won't sleep in it... also they say its for occasional use and we will be away 6 weeks. He is not rolling or cawling yet, so at the moment would be fine on the floor, but who knows in 6 weeks time. Any reason why he still couldn't be on the floor on a blanket/sheepskin even when he is more mobile?

3. Any suggestions on a good nappy bag or otherwise to take on the plane.

4. Would you take a umbrella stroller or Easy Fold pram??

Thanks!!

[sueb31]

Hi, here is my opinion!:
1. I prefer to have a break of 8-12 hours between flights so that everyone can sleep on teh ground if they don't on teh plane. It is a great recharger and also it makes the first flight easier and less daunting if you think you only have 8-10 hours flight to deal with before a break rather than the whole 23. We usually fly through Singapore where you can get a hotel room in the airport (you don't have to cross customs or get your bags back).

2. We have a T2 travel cot and have found it very good. It does take a little while to get used to putting it up and down so practise before you travel (nothing worse than trying to put it up with a sleepy baby!). Once you are used to it its OK but the first few times take time.
In my opinion the air mattress is more comfy than a standard portacot. Another option for your age range is a Kinderkot but they don't last as long, ie no use once they can unzip it (12-18 months). We are still using our T2 at 19 months.

I suggest you go and look at T2 in a baby shop as they are not that much smaller than a traditional portacot, they are narrower and (I think) a bit longer. Their main advantage is that they are only 2.5 kg vs the traditional 10kg for a portacot. And smaller to transport too.

I would be concerned about leaving a baby on the floor at the age of 8 mths, they may well start rolling or get stood on!

3. My favourite nappy bag is a plain black, lightweight backpack, ours is a Goldbug one. You don't need anything fancy IMO, just something that is not too big or heavy. A backpack is a great idea.

4. Sorry, don't know what an Easy Fold is. We took a Maclaren Vogue and we love it. It weighs about 6kg and is sturdy and durable, it has gone on many trips and survived. (Its an umbrella)

If you woudl like any more specific advice, you could mention where you are flying and what airline.
HTH

Sue
Sue

[Hunni2]

Hi Sue,

Thanks for your reply. We are going to Switzerland for 3 weeks then London for 3 weeks. Have been looking at Singapore Airlines I hear they are good with kids and connecting flights.

Judging by a recent trip away locally my little fellow will be difficult to get to sleep anywhere! He even had his own bed, and was still very unsettled. So, DH reckons just get there as soon as we can - but I like your advice, even if DS doesn't sleep, we can stay in the hotel and be a bit rested to be able to deal with him!

I checked out the T2 - looks good.

I'll have a look at the Mclaren stroller, the Easy Fold is called Quicksmart Easy fold - a snazzy little fold up pram - very light. I'd give you the web link but dunno if your allowed to do that on the forum??

Many thanks
Shari

[annb]

Ive jsut done a long haul to the UK on my own with a 2.5yr old and a 6mth old..my tip would be go straight through, its hell but I hate all the hassling around of the airport and feel its best to get it over with !
My big tip would be dont take too much hand luggage, dont bother with a nappy bag, just put them in your hand luggage loose and maybe take some of those disposable change mats or even just a change mat on its own, limit what you have to carry!!!
The QUick smart stroller is nice and compact but the handles are not very long so it feels quite uncomfortable to push over a distance esp if you are tall or your hubby is tall, I would get a normal pushchair that folds up and lays back then you can use it when you are out and about on your travels...the Quicksmart is not very spacious for a kid. On saying that I didnt take a stroller on the plane at all I had my 6mth old in my Ergo, much easier for getting on and off and thru security as each security check you would have to take them out the pram and put the pram thru the xray machine
Good luck on the flighT!!!!

[Hunni2]

Thanks for your advice Annb. Which airline did you travel with?

I have been told there is no direct flights because they have to stop and refuel. The stop is only a up to 3 hours, did you have this stop?

[annb]

hunni - i flew with emirates into manchester....we had a supposedly 1hr 20mins layover on the way across but we were early so ended up being 2 and half hours which was a nuiscane...on the way back we had 3hours but the plane was on the tarmac for an extra 40mins due to loading cargo
yes all planes stop and most times you will have a change of planes so you do need to take your hand luggage off and transfer to another gate of course usually the other end of the terminal to where you land!!!
in dubai airport on the way back i paid $20 to go into the Mahabra lounge which i can recommend to anyone going via Dubai as its such a busy airport, the lounge is very quiet, plenty of seating, has a buffet, drinks, computers with internet and toilets ...well worth the money if you have a couple of hours stopover as they also have a buggy to take you to the gate

[dragonflyblu]

i just flew with my 7 month old 2 weeks ago bymyself. it was an awful flight, not for bubs but for me. clea loved it, she talked to everyone, hardly cried, was entertained and slept heaps (she doesnt usually sleep) i didnt book the ticket, so no option of stopovers. but my advice would be to go straight through, dont stay overnight anywhere it is enough to get on and off for refuel.

take a light fold up bag, like a shopping bag with a zipper, or a small bag on wheels, and use diposable everything! nappies, bibs, spoon, changemat etc etc. aything you can find disposable. dont take many nappies. i had too many and dumped some during stopover. i took a blanket, toys and a whole heap of 'just-in-case' stuff. i wish i didnt. in retrospect i would have taken 2 change of outfits for baby, no blanket, one toy. instead of a comfort blanket you can use your own cardigan or jumper. i basically had too much stuff. a bag that felt light at sydney felt like a dead weight at london, and london (inside secure area) dont have trolleys!!!! and i thought i didnt have much.

i bought cheap jumpsuits and when clea was really dirty i changed her a threw it out. it cost $5 and i didnt want to carry dirty clothes.

i used a moby-wrap instead oif a pram. best thing ever! she could sleep, i could sit and even though i was really tired she was safe, and i was hands free... so i could carry my heavy bag.

[Africamum]

DS is nearly 15 months and we have done many international flights.

Personally I prefer to travel straight though if possible - perferable at night. If you can afford business class then do it - not only are the hosties nicer but you get more space.

I take as little as possible on the plane - plan 1 or two outfits more than you think but I agree with an earlier poster, make sure that are cheap and easy to change.

At 8 months we never had any real problems on the plane, a couple of toys is plenty. As they get older I really recommend a portable DVD player to occupy their minds.

As we co-sleep we dont travel with a cot. To me, my own car seat is far more important! and I take that everywhere.

Depending on where we are going will depend on pram selection. We have a Quinny Zapp and mountain buggy. to choose from I think the right pram for the right location is important, it can make or break a holiday.

I tend to fly Emirates and I only have praise for them.

As for a nappy bag - just use a backpack! no need for anything special.

I would not carry a pram on the plane, you have to take the child out to go through security ect! I use a baby bjorn and then I have my hands free which is also useful.