Long-haul flight with 6 month old

[Jender]

We are off on a flight (Qantas) to Europe with baby and were keen on any tips, particularly in regards to what to take on the plane and any issues with baggage. We have booked the bassinette, will take the baby carrier (Baby Bjorn) as well as an umbrella stroller.....

[sueb31]

Hi, it sounds like you are well on your way with your plans! Most of teh advice from the travelling with toddlers thread will apply.

I haven't used a Qantas bassinette, but it is worth taking your own wrap to lay baby on and maybe one with some clothes pegs for in case light is getting in tehir eyes (don't know if this woudl work out with Qantas ones). I also took my son's sleeping bag.

Don't forget your Panadol, teething jelly (you never know) whoich will need to be in a clear Ziplock bag for security.

At that age I woudl take my own supply of solids for the baby as they may have only just started, the airlines' supply of baby food is unreliable and best to regard as an added bonis if it occurs.

Take twice as many nappies as you think you will need and definitely spare clothes for you and bub. I like having a small drawstring bag with wipes, 2 nappies and a change mat in so I don't have to lug the whole nappy bag to the toilets.

Don't bother with many toys, just take 1 or 2 familiar things.

Try to book overnight flights and if you ahve a stopover of any length, try to get a hotel room for a break, even if its only 6 hours between flights (if you can get one in the airport).

Lastly, have a great flight, 6 months is a great age to travel with!!

Sue

PS There are differing opinions on the use of Phenergan, which currently is not recommended for children under 2 due to increased risk of SIDS. An alternative is Polaramine or Valergan, these are antihistamines used to sedate children for jet lag (their proper use is for allergic reactions). At 6 months I would personally be hesitant and would ask a doctor.

[Jender]

Thanks Sue!

Particuarky the idea about an extra cover to make sure light is blocked out and the drawstring bag - my nappy bag is pretty big at this point

I asked the Dr about antihistimenes and he recommended to only use a little panadol (which would also act as a sedative) rather than anything else and only if breastfeeding fails!

[Chickadee]

Jender, you've got great advice already. I'll just add that you need to be very specific about your umbrella stroller when you check in with Qantas. First time I flew with them I took it to the departure gate with DD then handed it over to them when we boarded. I thought that it would be put into an accessible compartment and pulled out for me to use at our Sydney stopover. No - it was checked through to LA where we had to pick it up with the rest of our bags. So I had to carry DD through sydney airport and LA before I got the stroller :banghead:

If you're using the stroller at the security checks you will need to take bub out, collapse it and put it through the xray scanner. Or at least that's what I had to do. When I tried using a hippy chick carrier it also has to go through the xray. So be prepared to remove bub from either the baby bjorn or the stroller at the security check.

With the lastest security checks they may also want to give both you and bub a pat down.

We trialed phenergan (3 year old) prior to flying, and it did nothing. DD had flown overseas previously at 10-11 months without it and was fine.