I need some advise please .. baby is teething and we might be flying home soon for a couple of weeks, I have a few questions :
How to manage the baby’s food for inflight and airport duration ? I am considering carrying the jarred food?
would ear plugs work on baby during landing and take off? dont want him ears popping mad. anyone knows where in the UK i can get those ear plugs for baby?
thinking of buying the child safety harness to ensure baby remains close to me while i focus on immigration and passport control
might be flying via Emirates airlines, what baby services do they have?as in baby changing,providing boiled water for baby’s feeds etc
any other tips to keep the travel safe and baby healthy?
Re: Travelling with a nine month old in a long haul flight
Baby food and milk are not subject to the liquid restrictions when travelling, so you can take enough with you for the flight. You might be asked to taste it when going through security (am still traumatised from being made to taste my expressed milk stash on my last trip )
You can also buy extra ready made formula cartons and food in Boots when you clear security. If you’re buying a large quantity then you can call ahead and reserve it.
Best way to stop a babies ears from popping is to make them drink milk during take off and landing.
Why do you need a child harness for a baby that - presumably - isn’t walking? Buy one if it makes you feel more at ease but it’s easier to have your baby in a sling or a stroller. A lightweight stroller is probably your best option, you can carry baby in it right up until you board the plane and they can sleep in it when you’re waiting around in the airport.
Not sure about the baby facilities on Emirates, I have only flown with them prior to having a baby and never paid any attention to what they offered young babies
Rather than worrying about boiled water for making up feeds, why not use the ready made up cartons even if it’s only for the flight. Makes things so much easier for everyone. Get baby used to them a few days beforehand though in case he notices the change.
I know it might go without saying but dressing your baby in loose lightweight layers is most comfortable. Last year I saw young babies dressed in really uncomfortable looking frilly dresses, three piece suits and equally formal attire when I travelled to pakistan. If you must, then change them into their fancy outfit once you’ve landed. You’ll have plenty of time to do it when you’re waiting at baggage claim.
Oh and always take more nappies and wet wipes than you think you’ll need!
Re: Travelling with a nine month old in a long haul flight
Oh my god Brit , did they actually make you taste it .. I am genuinely surprised .
Anyhow, excellent tips .. yes I am considering using the packed packets for inflight use but just concerned on whether they would have facilities to warm up the milk? what about food ? my baby eats three times a day and he is not on jarred food , so i dunno if carrying food from home will make any sense .. its all so daunting ..
Also i have a travel system , its not as huge as the others but is large enough .. you reckon they will allow me to take it in upto the flight? if they take it from there , I wont mind , but at least letting me take it to the flight is good enough , baby is heavy for me , will be hard to carry him all the way ..
He does walk now , and crawls like he is in some kind of a marathon , and he is extremely naughty , I cant think of being able to manage the passport control + keeping an eye on him + keeping an eye on my samaan ! I will go mad for sure ..
Re: Travelling with a nine month old in a long haul flight
Travel system will be with your checked luggage. The only strollers you are allowed to gate check are umbrella strollers, I believe, but call the airline to confirm. I would suggest picking up a cheap one since it will only be for short-term usage. As for Emirates, they’re excellent with babies and kids! I wouldn’t worry- I’m sure they will provide whatever you need in terms of hot water, etc. I believe they also offer a baby meal ie jarred food but I would take my own.
Re: Travelling with a nine month old in a long haul flight
hmmm Thanks SGC , certainly very helpful tips … What about baby entertainment .. any tips on how to keep a nine month old baby calm during the flight and at the airport?
Re: Travelling with a nine month old in a long haul flight
You can buy some new toys to keep him entertained in the flight. Try to introduce something new on a regular basis. Pack one or two spare outfits in case, for you and the baby.
Crying helps to clear their ears but you may prefer to feed him as swallowing has the same calming effects.
Re: Travelling with a nine month old in a long haul flight
I think I have seem emirates own strollers being provided at airports, you can ask for one at check in and keep it till the flight and return it once you claim baggage. Do check.
You can always carry snacks for baby like bananas, cheese.
Travelling with a nine month old in a long haul flight
Cb they do have strollers, some of my cousins travelled with babies.
ive seen their pics. They were mini push chair type or watever they call it i dnt know but apparently served the stroller purpose.
Re: Travelling with a nine month old in a long haul flight
just keep hi, strapped in his buggy… i’m also travelling with a 1 year old. I am taking ready made formula, change of clothes for myself and him in case he vomits or poops on me…his snacks and food…hopefully he will be knocked out asleep as it;s a night flight inshallah..ive booked the bassinet seats, more leg room and a cot for baby to sleep in..take calpol and ibuprofen sachets in case baby needs it, other than that water is always provided, extra socks and warm clothing as plane can be cold and a comfy blanket as the plane ones are not cosy..
Re: Travelling with a nine month old in a long haul flight
Emirates is wonderful with kids.. I had a great experience. I was allowed to go back to their food service area and use hot water to wash his bottles etc and had no issue. Just make sure you dont bother them right before the meal service.. it gets pretty hectic for them and they may not be as polite as otherwise.
stroller.. they provide the McClaren light weight stroller at Dubai Airport.. we used that, just wiped it with sanitizing wipes and we were good to go. They dont provide stroller service at any other airport though. Buy a light weight cheap stroller if you want to keep an eye on the baby.
are you going to be alone?
Its now allowed to ask the motehr to taste the milk in the US.. so I was never asked for it but they did take me aside and tested all the bottles of water and milk with some strips.. strip didn’t touch anything though otherwise I would have thrown it out
my son was on formula so I took the pre measured formula packets and it was super easy.. and you want him to suck on something during take off or landing!
Re: Travelling with a nine month old in a long haul flight
^ I have used it but it is very hot water, not just mild warm so I had to add in about 6 oz of regular bottled water in 1-2 oz of hot water that they use for tea and coffee to make it comfortable for my son. (I took two thermos of hot water with me and I think I filled up once in the plane kitchen area) They also gave me couple of sealed bottles for my use there. I really liked traveling with Emirates even though I had heard some bad reviews about them.. not in our case!