Flying with a baby…

The time has come to take Emily our four month old on her first proper adventure. We are off to Italy tomorrow to the Puglia region for two weeks of sunshine, exploring and hopefully a little relaxation too. This will be our first time flying with her and although I’m not feeling anxious about it, it definitely isn’t as easy as just packing a suitcase for two, jumping in the car and then relaxing on the aircraft with a G&T and Lonely Planet guide! (Hopefully there might be a little of this as we are going with Emily’s grandparents so I’m sure they are looking forward to some quality Emily time on the aircraft and beyond!) Anyway I’ve been doing quite a bit of research about flying with a baby in the build up to our trip and have found all sorts of useful info and tips, which I thought I would share…
Here’s my Baby travel checklist:
  • Pre order baby formula to Boots stores airside in UK airports and pick it up after security. It is possible to take baby milk and food through airport security, although you maybe asked to open and taste it. You can of course take baby food and liquids but having not gone through airport security with a baby before I’m unsure how strict they are so this would be an easier option. When ordering on the Boots website you can pre-pay and choose the collection date.
  • For steralising bottles, dummies etc, I’ve just discovered these genius Steriliser bags, wash up your bits and bobs, fill the bag with 60ml of water and pop it in the microwave. There are also the Milton solo travel steriliser that doesn’t require a microwave. Just add water and one quarter of a Milton sterilising tablet to complete the process.
  • For a long time I’ve been looking for a small, lightweight stroller to travel with. I came across the Mothercare XSS Stroller and then discovered that it was no longer available to purchase due to Mothercare closing down. The original price was £129, which I was fully prepared to pay but after scouring the Internet for weeks in search of it I eventually found one on eBay. I was so pleased to have got it for £50. This stroller is brilliant, it only weighs 3.9kg, comes with a carry bag and folds up so small that it can be put into an overhead locker on an aircraft!
  • Many airlines will allow passengers with infants to check-in a car seat, buggy, travel cot or push chair at no extra charge, this takes the strain off wondering how you will pack all these extras. We are flying with easyJet to Italy, they allow two baby items for free, anything extra can be purchased as hold luggage. Children over the age of two are allowed the same baggage allowance as adults. With an infant under two a small changing bag is allowed. We have chosen to take a car seat and out stroller, as I mentioned the stroller has its own bag but I’ve purchased a bag to protect the car seat in the hold.
  • Families are often given the opportunity to board the aircraft first, great for getting sorted out and settled in your seats. AND relax!  We have also paid for upfront seats with easyJet, which allows you to board first and also take on a handbag or rucksack as well as a wheelie case.  Perfect when travelling with children, who knew such a small person could need so many things!! Not to mention her wardrobe, I’m sure Emily has more clothes than me!
  • Instead of taking our bulky changing bag I bought a compact changing mat and organizer that’s small enough to carry in my own bag, a great little invention if you are limited on space.
  • I’ve packed toys, bottles and dummies in my hand baggage to keep Emily entertained in the air, having something to suck is a good idea for babies during descent to help them equalize the pressure in their ears.
Useful websites:
  • Travel Mamas – This is a fantastic website with so much on family travel.
  • Taylor Hearts Travel and The Travel Hack both have fantastic blogs on travelling with a baby in tow, I’ve found them so helpful when planning this trip, check them out!
The last trip Matt and I took was a ‘babymoon’ in Iceland when I was 6 months pregnant, it was an exciting adventure, northern lights spotting, glacier walking and hunting out incredible waterfalls, it was a great last trip before I got too pregnant to fly and a really different trip, plus our final trip away as a two. This trip is going to be completely different and I’m looking forward to making new memories with our mini adventurer in tow!

Planning a Babymoon & Flying During Pregnancy…

If you are pregnant and planning a babymoon the best time to go away is in the second trimester, hopefully by this point morning sickness will have settled down and your energy levels will have picked back up. It is so nice, if you get the chance to make the most of being a two before baby makes an appearance. I flew to Iceland with my husband for a mini break when I was 26 weeks pregnant. For me this was the perfect time as I wasn’t too big and after having felt so exhausted during the first trimester this had all gone away and I felt ‘normal’ with lots of energy!
Looking for ideas on where to head? The Telegraph has a great article: 10 idyllic and off-beat destinations for the perfect babymoon and BabyMoon Travel have lots of destination suggestions along with useful tips.
First things first check the airline you are flying with as they often have different regulations regarding pregnancy. With British Airways for example you can fly up to the end of 36th week if expecting one baby, if twins or more its the end of the 32nd week. They recommend carrying a letter from your doctor or midwife to say you are fit to fly and have an uncomplicated pregnancy. Head here for more information on this: BA – Flying when you’re pregnant. On the other hand with EasyJet as long as you have had no complications you can fly up to the end of week 35 for single pregnancies and week 32 if expecting twins or more: Flying with easyJet during pregnancy.
Having booked your flight make sure you check-in online and choose your seat, you can pay for some seats if you fancy a bit of extra legroom, but remember you can’t sit in emergency exit seats if you are pregnant. Pick an aisle seat to make it easier to get out to use the bathroom. This is always my choice and even though I work for an airline something I get worried about in advance, especially now being pregnant; I hate the thought of being stuck in a window seat and desperately needing to get out to go to the toilet about five times in a row! Having said that, when we flew to Iceland with EasyJet we paid extra for front bulkhead seats and I picked a middle and window seat as I knew there would be room for me to get past the person sat on the aisle. These seats are brilliant as you get to bring an extra piece of hand luggage as well as being entitled to speedy boarding. Well worth the money!

 

Here are a few tips to help plan your babymoon:
  •  If you can plan to travel during the second trimester.
  • Remember to pack your pregnancy notes and vitamins.
  • Check out local hospitals/doctors in the area you will be staying.
  • Make sure you are covered for anything pregnancy related on your travel insurance.
  • Do you need vaccinations?
  • There are a few foods you can’t eat during pregnancy so it might be worth bearing in mind depending on your destination.

 

Tips for flying:
  •  If like me you need to keep hunger at bay by eating little and often pack plenty of snacks for the journey!
  • It may sound obvious but get up and move around during the flight to keep your circulation going and to give your legs a good old stretch.
  • Ask for an aisle seat to make it easier to get out to use the bathroom and for leg stretching.
  • Stay hydrated; I always buy tons of water in the terminal because I’m obsessed with staying hydrated! Coconut water is a good one too.
  • Pack a nice hand cream and lip moisturiser like Vaseline or Carmex as flying can really dry your skin out.
  • Wear comfy clothes. Leggings and layers are my preferred choice of clothing right now. Comfort is the key, especially on a longhaul; I like to wear a couple of thin layers, as like most Mums to be I get hot very easily!

 

Any babymoon and pregnancy tips of your own?  Please add them in the comments below…