Travelling with 2 kids - ahhhhhh

[mumsareok]

Hello,

This is my first time to Bub Hub and I'm already impressed with all the great advice/help out there. I'm hoping someone can help me. In May my husband and I are flying to Dublin (his home) with our 2 and a half year old and 10 mth old. We are flying Singapore Airlines as I've heard they are quite good with kids and we are stopping over in Singapore for just one night. My concern isn't so much my 2 year old but my baby. I've booked a bassinet but unsure whether he'll fit in one. If he doesn't, how do you get a baby to sleep on your lap? Also, what do you do with bringing bottles on board. Noah is formula fed and by thing he probably won't be on many bottles but do you make them up first or get the hosties to do it? Can anyone suggest a good small travel bottle sterilisor (can't spell!)? As you can see I'm quite anxious.

Thanks,
J:)

[sueb31]

Just on the bassinette issue: Singapore Airlines bassinettes are for up to 14kg and 77cm long. When we travelled my 9 month old had about 5 cm length to go before being too big but I think still would have fitted in.

As you would know, bassinette is good for baby sleeping, the downside is that you have to take them out if there is turbulence (ie every time the seat belt sign comes on) - even when they are asleep. We hated that aspect. With a 10 month old I woudl still get one I think. They can always take it away if he is too big (and they will too in my experience!).

I had the same dilemma about where bubs would sleep if not the bassinette. Basically on you is the only option. Just ask for lots of pillows to pad the arm rests and make sure you go to the bathroom first!!

We had a 6-10 hour break in Singapore each time and I would recommend the transit hotel rooms - they are clean and basic, have a bath and shower and will provide a cot. Great to recharge between flights if you have the time.

I know there are new restrictions about fluids on board and haven't travelled with formula yet so don't know about that one.

I did find it handy to get my bub used to room temp baby food straight out of teh jar before going! I know it may sound gross, but I figured it cools down anyway so is room temp by the time they finish. This made life much easier for feeding them when it suited.

We requested an infant meal on Singapore and they gave us a choice of Heinz baby foods, 2 jars per leg. I still took my own in case, you can never be too sure. On the way back it was European baby food - broccoli cream!! (in a jar). Not bub's favourite I must say. They brought it out on a silver tray, looked so funny, jars of food on a little tray. They only had silver teaspoons so take your own spoons definitely.

Sorry. end of blurb. Let us know if you ahve more q's!

Sue

PS Singapore let us keep the stroller until time to get on plane and they had it ready for us when we got off the plane, thsi was a greta help. We packed it in a stroller bag and could fit a few wraps in there too!

[Merlion]

I have travelled a bit since Jess was born twice to Singapore (once when my granny was diagnosed with terminal cancer when Jess was 4 months old and when granny passed when Jess was 9 months old) and once to NZ. Well I haven't been on a plane since the restrictions of carrying water on the plane. What you can do is call Singapore airlines direct. They will be able to assist you regarding water.

What we did was since there was no restrictions when we travelled and Jess was drinking room temp milk was boiled the water and filled 5 sterilised bottles with the right amount of water and put in her baby bag which could accomodate 4 bottles in the insulated department and one was out of insulation. Then we bought two formula dispensars (like this one http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l109/ajcable/formula%20dispenser/feeding-7.jpg) and filled each section with the right amount of formula per feed and when needed just poured the formula into the water and shake and feed. If she wants it warmer the stewardess will provide you with some hot water so thats not problem.

If you having a stop over in S'pore I fully recommend the transit hotels too. We carried our normal microwave steriliser in our hand luggage. My MCHN said to me hot water and soap and a good air dry is okay too but i prefered to sterilise her bottles.

[mumsareok]

Thanks ladies - greatly appreciated. I'm desperately hoping my DS will still fit in the bassinette but take on board your point about the turbulence. You know I hadn't even thought about solids and bringing our own jars makes perfect sense (good job I posted that message!). Also very handy to know Singapore Airlines let you take a stroller on board. The flight to London is going to be 12 hours and that will be the hardest but I'm sure we'll make it. Do you know anything about this magical stuff I've heard people give their toddlers when travelling. Its called Fenurgen? Don't know how to spell it.

[ozzysmum]

there's phenergan and vallergen and both are notorious for making babies sleep - however you will end up with a groggy and possibly very very clingy child. also, if you're going to use it try it out beforehand a couple of times because in about 10% of kids it has the total opposite effect and you'll end up with a clingy but massively hyperactive child trapped in an plane :devil6:

i took ozzy on my own and only had one bassinet seat over 4 legs of the trip and he was fine. it was very tiring but they do tend to sleep rather well on planes. as someone has already said, make sure you go to the bathroom before you settle them if they're going to be on your lap. also, ask the hosties if you and your partner can eat at different times - that way one of you can be watching and/or feeding the kids while the other one eats and vice versa... otherwise you're likely to spend a lot of the trip sitting in bolognase sauce or salad dressing or something :rolleyes:
also, check the rules about taking baby food on planes closer to the time (even in sealed jars) the rules change depending on the level of percieved threat, believe it or not! all legs of your flight will have enough food for your young one (the older one will get a toddler meal) and you can always ask for more - they have loads of it stashed back there :yes: have a great trip!

[Pink73]

If you have a look in this weeks big W cat you will see a throw away micro sterliser and thay are only $5.00 and its good for 20 goes.
I am going in the UK in Aug with a 2 year old and a 3 month old and my biggest worry is the bottles and if thay have S26Gold in the UK.

I have also been told to do a test run on the phenergan as said before in some kids it sends them hypo.

[sueb31]

Yes I think i heard there have been concerns re increased risk of SIDS when using Phenergan so as far as I know it is not approved for under 2's (I guess maybe excess seadtion interferes with their breathing?). There other similar ones like Polaramine or Vallergan that are approved but I am not sure of the age (ie over 6 or 12 months I think).

Sue

[BW Mom]

definitely get the bassinette. even if your lo ends up sleeping onn you or there is turbulence at times it is worth it to have it for a place to put bubs down and play. i have travelled with my kids at various ages from 3 mo up to 3 yrs old and the best time is when they are able to even sit and play in the basinette. we had small toys and books for our lo

if you do think of giving any meds to get them to sleep try them at home 1st as they have different effects on different kids - what makes one kid sleepy makes another kid hyper (not what you want while flying)

also - take a baby carrier / sling. if your lo ends up in your lap it is a big difference having them strapped on to you / attached as your arms are then free to hold a drink, book or just stand up easily. when dh had to hold dd1 when she was 11 mo old on a flight (no bassinette!!) this saved his arms and back as it kept her close (even though she had not been in the pouch since 5 mo old) and they were both able to sleep without him fearing he woudl drop her in his sleep etc.

BTW - singapore ARE fabulous with kids - as are Qantas - never will we travelk with United again as they are the opposite completely!!

[mumsareok]

Thanks for all your words of wisdom. Haven't managed to get onto this computer for ages. Tickets all paid for this week so there is no turning back now. In relation to the Phenergen - I was only thinking about it for my 2 and a half year old - wouldn't dream of giving something to a baby.

I missed that catalogue on Big W with the throw away bottle steriliser. Does anyone know the brand name of it?