Traveling (internationally) with an infant

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I am Inshallah traveling next month to Pakistan,from NY to Lahore.
First time,traveling alone with the baby and I need any tips or suggestions from those who have done it before.The baby will be exactly 6 months old by that time,Inshallah.

A few queries right now in my mind are regarding to bottle feedings.
I understand I wont be allowed to carry water to make her formula through the check point.I was thinking of buying maybe bottled water once we are through the security. It is suggested that bottled water not be used to mix formula…now what can I do about it…??
any suggestions or alternates…??

Since she only takes the Dr.Brown’s bottles ,so using the bottles with drop in liners is out of question.I am planning on carrying enough sterilized bottles on board so I dont have to worry about cleaning them in the plane…right…??

Another thing ,is about the stroller…we have a travel system…and I am thinking of taking its stroller with me…I was looking at umbrella strollers but she seems too young for those…
now I know they check in the strollers etc right at the gate/or before entering the aircraft…but when do we get them back…??..Do we get them when we are getting off or do we get them at the baggage claim area…?
Do I actually need a baby carrier (like a Bjorn or something…)..??
I do not have one and I will get one only of it something really recommended…

I will be packing up a few outfits,undershirts/onesies,diapers,wipes,bottles and formula,bibs/washcloths,a few small toys,whatever solids she might be eating at that time,infant tylenol and diaper rash ointment,a cotton blanket,her teethers which she loves…what else should be there…??

I will so appreciate any suggestions and replies .It will make me realax and actually get excited about my trip home after more than 3 years.

:slight_smile:

Thanks..!!!

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Re: Traveling (internationally) with an infant

Bottled water not be used for formula, really! I did not know that

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Re: Traveling (internationally) with an infant

Chips my baby has been drinking formula made with bottled water since 5 months. She seems to be doing okay. Its so much convenient. I don't even have to boil the water.

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Re: Traveling (internationally) with an infant

You can take pre-mixed formula but you must show the bottles at security and they may make you taste the milk. My sister put it in one of those cold bags with icepacks since the airlines will not let you store the milk in their refrigerator.

As for the stroller, in theory when you check it at the gate you are supposed to get it back at the gate -but there are no guarantees. Last time I travelled with my sister and niece we got the stroller back at baggage claims. Umbrella strollers are the best option when travelling since they are not as bulky as the travel systems and depending on where you are trying to navigate the stroller in Pakistan, the bulkier ones are not practical because of narrow passages and unpaved sidewalks.

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Re: Traveling (internationally) with an infant

not to mention small cars with smaller trunks where she cant even fit the stroller when commuting.

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Re: Traveling (internationally) with an infant

Neither did I…But I guess it should be ok in the US…
it is because of the sodium and flouride levels I guess,but most brands marketed here do fall within the recommended values for formula mixing..
A friend’s son’s pediatrician told her to boil bottled water too…not sure if that is necessary…
I was told to avoid it in Pakistan and use boiled and then cooled filtered water from the tap…

Are umbrella strollers ok for a 6 mo old…??
I am not sure..I feel she might be small for it…
Maybe I should just put the baby in one of the strollers and check..:hmmm:

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Re: Traveling (internationally) with an infant

you can always pad the baby from all sides to provide enough support.

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Re: Traveling (internationally) with an infant

A very valid and timely post since I will be traveling too with my then 6-month old in January, inshallah, and I would like more answers to all the questions posted above.

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Re: Traveling (internationally) with an infant

Carry your formula can and at least one premade bottle. Water is availble on the flight. You can request them to warm it.

Yes carry enough bottles as it will be inconvenient to carry dish soap on the flight.

You can carry a stroller. Get a small one that can be folded into compact size. I travelled with a 6 month old once and trust me you need one. The compact ones fit easily in cars back home as well. In US, you can take the stroller up to the plane and get it back as you leave the plane at the door. Also in Europe. But in India, they had me pick up the stroller along with teh luggage :mad: which was horrible because I had to hold the baby, the diaper bag, my purse and a backpack, and had a 4 year old who was dead tired! So don’t carry more than the diaper bag. Try to fit your wallet/tickets etc all in the diaper bag just in case.

In your diaper bag, keep Tylenol, diapers etc…as you have mentioned. Baby wipes are awesome. Have enough.

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Re: Traveling (internationally) with an infant

Chips I had a sturdy umbrella stroller. Worked just fine.

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Re: Traveling (internationally) with an infant

I recently travelled with my son who was 7 months at the time.

-I had no problems taking his formula and thermos on the plane, they allow only liquids that you need for your baby, they were really cool about it
-I carried a thermos full of hot boiling water and then i bought bottled water and mixed the two to get the right temperature so i wouldnt have to ask them to boil the water but could instead just ask for a water bottle
-I also carried formula cans just in case even though i carried a lot of formula with me
-I didn't want to buy an umbrella stroller for him so i bought a smaller stroller that can almost fully recline for when he sleeps. They are about $150-$200
-if you are travelling alone i would suggest that you get a baby carrier, it makes life alot easier when you are trying to find your passport and handle your luggage.

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Re: Traveling (internationally) with an infant

oh yes and i got the stroller as soon as i left the plane, they bring it up to you

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Re: Traveling (internationally) with an infant

Please let the airline know that you are traveling with an infant. They will let you board earlier and preferbly give you a choice and an extra seat for your convinience.

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Re: Traveling (internationally) with an infant

Niksik...so will you suggest I carry both pre-made formula and the powder form ..??
I once tried to give her the pre-made stuff ...but she didn't like it somehow...
My plan was to carry a diaper bag and a bag for myself...I'll try to see if I can fit everything just into one bag...
I definitely intend to carry a stroller...I just need to figure out if I need to buy another one or the stroller from the travel system will work....and when you mention that you got the stroller at the baggage claim in India,this is something I am hearing from those traveling to Pakistan too ,that you get it later on and you have to carry the baby till you get the baggage which God knows can be an hour or even more....

Maya...If you dont mind sharing,from where were you traveling and to where...??

NJgal....this is what the travel agent told me too...to reach the airport as early as possible...as they give the seats with the bassinet on first-come-first served basis...He said he has put a note with my reservation that I am with an infant...I will make sure of it a few days prior to teh departure date...

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Re: Traveling (internationally) with an infant

which airline is this? :)

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Re: Traveling (internationally) with an infant

PIA...why do you ask...??

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Re: Traveling (internationally) with an infant

my son travelled when he was 8 months old and it was emirates we were flying with. he was just so surprised with the tv and games and kept playing with their remote. no problems at all!
I think i worried more than i should have...
one thing, do call the airline and request a bassinet in advance. you might not be able to get it at the airport, if someone has already booked it. there are limited numbers of bassinets on each flight so make sure you call them and have it requested and they will give you a seat where bassinet can attach too... and that seat does have more leg room so its definately worth it!

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Re: Traveling (internationally) with an infant

if you already have a reservation/ booking number, or ticket... i would say then dont wait till getting to the airport. Give them a call now and they should be able to assign a bassinet and seat with bassinet over the phone. with a booking number you can just call the airline directly. your agent doesnt need to do that. he probbaly just put a note for request but that doesnt gauranttee the bassinet for you!

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Re: Traveling (internationally) with an infant

because I didnt know that PIA provide basinetts too..? how do you go about allocating it?

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Re: Traveling (internationally) with an infant

I used to travel woth my son a lot, except for 1 time when my hubby could come along, rest all by myself(yes travel bug + family visits) after couple of times I was able to stramline my travel better. First stop fretting about everything :slight_smile: are you taking a direct flight to pak, if yes then it will be both good and bad. Good vecause you will just get to your destination in one go and don`t have to lug your child around for hours at the airport. A lot has already been suggested above here are some of my sugegstions:

  1. call the airline yo are booked with and check on the seat with bassinat, these seats are roomier and you can rest your arms while your baby sleeps in the basinat. Don`t wait until you get to the airport.

  2. my son used to take dr. brown too, depending on how many times your child feeds, I got my son used to room temp milk as early as 4-5 months, so I used to take water with me and thankfully never had any issue. Most airlines and flight attendents are pleasent and helpful, so hopefully you wont have any problem. Dont introduce anythibg new to the child in the flight esp when they are young and being on the plane for the first time. I would try to feed the child whaterver you are planning to feed atleast 2 weeks ahead pf travel so that if there is any issue it can be addressed ahead of time. I used to take all the bottle that I would need for the time being, except for one incident when I miscalculated I never had to wash bottles. also keep extra plastic bags(large ziplocs) with you to put the bottles in once your child is finished with the bottle. I used to empty the left over formula and rinse with hot water (available in kitchen area at the back) and then keep them in a plastic bag.

Also my son was on pre mix formula until he was 3 months old, so I used to take few bottles with me, since they are sealed and properly closed just place then carefully in a ziploc with some extra paddin gon the sides(because they are glass bottles), premix is not recommended for longer journies(atleast by me) I was so happy that my son was off that by the time we took trans-continential trips. I never gave my son pre-mix and formula based milk the same time, usually they say stick to one, and they move over to the other, switching back anf forth is no good.

  1. for formula I kept a small container of the formula and this - http://www.toysrus.ca/product/index.jsp?productId=2686197 I used to have all three sections filled and refilled once empty. Again depends on how many time and how much your child needs. This formula dispenser is handy, and you don`t have to be desperatly measuring the formula when the baby is crying or hungry.

  2. the baby carriers are also really good, but whatever you are planning to use or feed the kids, use it a bit in advance so that it is not completely new other than the things that will be new and you have no control over keep things as normal as possible, I started using ther carrier when my son was 4 months and I started using it while i was travelling to west cost, it was not a pleasent thing because I was not used to using it.

  3. I think nowadays most airlines have problems with travel systems, I would check with the airline, I know ppl who didn`t have any issues, but somehow I got caught in difficult situations and had to do with unblemma stroller. I think 6 months old is ok for an umbrella strioller.

  4. keep your carryon baggae as light as possible, but yuo may have to keep couple of your pair of clothes in carryon incaseyour child throws up on you during the flight (happened to me, and I was stuck on paris airport, finally I was able to get out of the immigration and security and able to buy another pair of clothes at the airport)

ziplocs are moms best friends, keep few medium and few large size. instead of wheel on carry on I prefer backpack it leaves me hand free, and off course a diaper bag. for baby clothes at 6months age, I used to keep one good comfortable to chnage my son in when we get to the destination, other than that, I used to have a comfy overall when we board, and 2 extra change sets including undershirts (my son used to throw up a lot, and hence we got him dr. browns :))

anyways good luck, have safe and happy trip, give your child soother if she takes on while taking off and landing, it eases their ear pressure.