Planning to travel O/S with baby. Any tips?

[JuliaL]

Hi everyone,
I am 4 months pg with my first baby due in May. Very exciting! For a long time we have also wanted to travel to Finland for a white Xmas and to visit my husband's sister and family. We are thinking therefore of having a 2 month holiday in Europe next Xmas, travelling largely by train and staying for a week in a couple of places, but shorter stays in other places including Russia and perhaps even Lapland. It goes without saying it will be VERY cold and I am aware about the risks to the baby etc which is why we are still just thinking about it - but I'm also aware that I am going to have to start planning soon if we want to make this a reality - preferably before the baby comes and I am overwhelmed with new parenthood!
Reactions from friends have been mixed and I'd really like to hear from people who have done something as ambitious as this and their tips for staying sane on the road (and in the air) with an 8 month old baby. (tips on what to take and how to consolidate all the 'stuff' it seems you need for a baby would be especially appreciated).
Many thanks!
Julia

[MariaO]

Hi Julia,

I travelled to England and Ireland with an 8 month old and returned two months later with a 10 month old (obviously).I made the return journey without husband who had to return to gainful employment earlier.

I think that at this age it is relatively easy, as they are not yet walking (usually) and therefore will not want to crawl all over the plane. I would try and have as direct a flight as possible and fly by night so that baba will sleep as much as possible.

I found the flight to Europe, when my husband was with me, much tougher as Aoife was extremely anxious and basically wanted to breastfeed for hours (and I mean hours) on end. Some people may not agree with this but on my return flight I gave her some Dozal (a teething remedy much like Phenergan I believe). She slept for a huge portion of both legs and when she was awake she was a dream. One person came up to me in Singapore and said they had never encountered such a good humoured baby on a long haul - I did not tell them that it was because I doped her....

anyway, a familiar toy or flap book, a new one or two, a deck of cards is a good, light easy play thing. Use everything that comes to hand as a toy and good luck. I can't remember what I brought in terms of food or snacks. On the first journey all snacking was courtesy of me.

I will be making the journey again when my little one is two or just after and I am anticipating that will be tougher so we will wait and see.

oh, book your flights as far in advance as possible and harangue for a bassinett seat reservation. Mid week flights are apparently more likely to provide you with extra space and bulk head seats.

good luck and congratulations on your pregnancy by the way. I hope you are enjoying it.

[Africamum]

Julia,

Dont think about it just do it, and dont let other people tell you horror story's and disuade you. Travelling with a small child is fine, we do it on a regular basis. I agree with Maria O, get the bassinet if possible, it makes life a lot easier. I havent doped Ryan on a flight but I would be prepared to if necessary.
Always pick the customs and immigration line with the girl, and hold the baby up for all to see it can help fast track your way through lines.

You tend to carry a lot of "stuff" we always take the pram and occasionally take a car seat with us -
There are a couple of good books that I have found useful - Have toddler will travel by Sarah Tucker has many helpful tips also check out the website babygoes2 which has holiday destinations and travel tips.

Goodluck with the rest of your pregnancy

[mythreelittlemonkeys]

do the airlines let you take prams - we were under the impression not...unless we wanted to pay big bucks for it...we flying Qantas with a 6 month old next month! so excited...we have applied for a bulk head seat...so I hope we will get...

[Sassi]

Hi JuliaL,

Good for you, what a great opportunity. We are planning on going to Hawaii with an 8 week old baby next year, so I'm watching replies to your thread with interest.

I have travelled extensively through scandinavia including lapland in winter... remember temps can be around -20 to -30 degrees c in those regions, you may want to save that for another trip. Also, I'm not sure how much you have travelled before but from my experience (without children), moving every 2 or 3 days is exhausting, you may find going to less places and spending more time more enjoyable. Just a consideration.

People say that as far as flying, it is great while they don't want to crawl all over the plane. Hope you have a great time planning your trip!!

Sarah

[ozzysmum]

we've just got back from several long haul flights and have been flying with ozzy since he was 7 weeks old - trust me it's easier when they are younger and less in need of major entertainment! he was fine, though, and i was on my own the whole time (someone's got to stay home and earn the pennies )

you can take your pram, though not actually onto the plane - most airports will let you take it right up to the gate and if not they'll have borrowable ones for you. we chose not to take the travel cot, working on the theory that he could sleep in the pram if need be, or with me the rest of the time. you'd be suprised what you can hire very cheaply, too. babies also get baggage allowance, including their own hand luggage - the airlines don't like you to know it, but it's true for most of them

just go and have fun, don't stress about people's horror stories - we did 4 long haul flights in 3 weeks and only one of them was ghastly (every seat on the plane taken and of 250 economy class seats, 94 had babies on laps - it was carnage!! ozzy was a dream and slept or fed the whole 11 hours ) have a great trip and good luck with it all.