Traveling while pregnant or with baby
Tips for Traveling with a baby
- The first rule when flying: good planning ahead of time saves you a lot of trouble.
- Children under two are eligible for the infant fare. This is usually 10% of normal adult fare, because the child sits on your lap and doesn't have his or her own chair. Strictly speaking, babies are not permitted hand luggage but you are allowed to have a small bag, for example filled with extra diapers and clothing.
- Bassinets are provided for babies under 6 months of age. Since there are only a few on each aircraft, make sure to book one ahead of time. The bassinets are fastened to the wall or bulkhead and are installed shortly after take-off. For safety-reasons, a kind of "open" cover has to be fastened over the crib when your baby is inside. During landing and turbulence, you have to take your baby out of the bassinet.
- Be prepared. Depending on the length of the flight, take at least one change of clothes for you and your baby, together with wipes, a bib, extra food and some toys. Include some old favourites toys for security and new ones for interest. Don't forget your child's special teddy, doll or blanket!
- When checking in, ask if the plane is full. If this is not the case, ask if it's possible to block a chair right next to your own chairs: this way you'll have a little bit more space. Most airlines will do this for you to make your flight more comfortable!
- Airlines do carry spares on board, so if you've left something behind, don't panic! There's usually a good supply of disposable nappies, baby bottles and baby food on board, especially on intercontinental flights.
- First thing to remember when you are on board: you're not alone. If you have any concerns at all during the flight, don't hesitate to ask the crew. That's what they are there for.
- During take-off and landing, you're requested to hold your baby on your lap, with a special child-seatbelt attached to yours. When you're travelling with a tiny baby, you might prefer having your baby in a front-pack in stead of the standard child-seatbelt. If the purser doesn't agree, suggest to sign a statement, saying you take full responsibility for not using the standard seatbelt.
- There's plenty of hot water on board to sterilise dummies or rinse bottles. The crew can also heat a bottle for you if requested to do so.
- Air conditioning on flights can be very dehydrating. Make sure that small babies and toddlers drink a lot. When you're breastfeeding, make sure you drink heaps of liquid yourself as well. Avoid drinking alcohol, since this is even more dehydrating.
- If you're feeding you small baby regularly, it's probably best to keep one watch on the same time zone for the whole flight to avoid confusion.
- It's also common for your baby to want food as soon as you are eating yourself, quite "stuck" with the plate in front of you. Sometimes it's possible for the crew to keep your meal hot so that you can feed your baby first. Talk to them to find out what is most suitable. If you're travelling with your partner or another adult, ask for separate meal-times. This way, there's always an adult available without a full, warm plate on his little tray-table.
- Because of the changes in aircraft pressurisation, particular during take-off and landing, your baby may experience some discomfort around the ears: bottle or breast feeding or sucking will help relieve this tension. Don't worry about your baby refusing to suck and crying instead: although it's discomforting to listen to, it's also an excellent way to relief the pressure.
- There are (tiny) pull-down change tables in some of the toilets on board. You'll will find a special symbol on the toilet-door.
- If you are considering sedation during the flight, talk with your health professional first: it's a contentious issue and needs thorough discussion. If you have decided to use sedation, try it on your child a few days before flying. You wouldn't be the first mum to discover that the medication has the opposite effect and makes your child hyper-active...
- And remember, although it looks like a big step: travelling with a small baby isn't as hard as it might seem (actually, is much easier that with a toddler;-). So, sit back and relax!
- If you are between 40 and 15 days before your due date you need:
- 2 copies of a letter from your doctor giving you "the ok" to fly
- to sign a statement from the airline company, saying you take full responsiblity
- If you are within 14 days of your due date you need both of the above and must be accompanied by a doctor.
- A baby between 14 days and 1-month needs both of the above. You must also bring a letter from your doctor (written within 72-hours before departure) giving you "the ok" to fly.
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**IMPORTANT: If any of you have some experience that you would like to share regarding this matter or has some tips or latest information about changes in rules and regulations, please don't hesitate to contact us.