travelling with infant

Sanju Travelling with an infant on a long flight is very difficult. As parents we need lots of patience to ignore our sleep and rest and just handle the baby for those 30 hours. I have travelled once when my DD was 12 months and will do again in a week when my DS will be 12 months and DD 4yrs. Luckily the last time I went , my DD was a charm throughout the flight. Our flight from US was late in evening so she slept through the long journey. Like wise while coming back it was early in the morning so we started midnight and she lost her sleep but luckily slept full in flight. Since your baby will be less than a year they will give a bassinet if available. You can definitely put her in it and take few time off. You and your husband need to take turns in taking care of her. Check with your doctor for any medication you can give if she is very fussy.

I carried one full un opened box of powder formula and few premixed ones. They let every thing in my carry on. I had enough diapers and wipes too. I bought room temperature water bottles after I checked in the security. You also get warm water if requested in flight. In flight gives you various options on gerber food too. I kept Tylenol with me for emergency but never had to use it. Since your baby will be young you have to ask the doctor. Don't bother on what co passenger thinks. Handling a baby is tough and no one will understand unless they are in our shoes.

When you go to your Inlaws hire a help. You will have enough to handle the baby so you may not have time to take care of in laws needs.

All the said , I know you will have enough reasons to go against your doctors orders of 12/15 months but if possible do travel when your kid is 12 months old. My DD got sick on and off in india even though we used filtered water and used precaution. It was like I was constantly worrying about her than enjoying. chances are your baby will do just fine but you need to be prepared for everything. Check to see if they have good ped around area you visit.

All said I have friends who have travelled when baby was 3 months old and had initial hiccups and later were good. So just go with the flow. You seem to be already overwhelmed with lot of stuff so travel should be the last thing you want to do now. IMO

 

It is actually easier with an infant compared with a 1-3 year old that has to move around and get bored. If you are used to using a baby sling that can be more convenient than a stroller. Take turns with your dh during the flights and the baby will also sleep in the bassinet. Buy ready mixed formula for the flights and then bottled water when there. There is quite a risk that the baby will catch a stomach bug. Use hand sanitizer and wash your hands regurarly. Baby wipes at least for the flight and also for the stay if possible.

 

It can be hard to clean the bottles in flight. If possible take so many bottles you need for the whole trip and then clean/boil them when at your parents/inlaws place. I assume all major airlines offer bassinets etc to babies but good to check before hand.

Babies at that age like to move around if they are used to it. Start now by carrying the baby with you (or in a stroller) to the park, mall etc.

 

I took my 2 month old last year to three cities with a short train journey too. Felt that was the best time as babies sleep a lot.

Six months may still be good time . Handling 1 or 1.5 year old baby is difficult because they would like to move.

Planes have changing tables , I suggest buy disposables changing sheets from babiesrus which you can spread on the changing table before you put the baby .

Take lot of formula , diapers in diaper bag and also some spare in carry on luggage.

try to have minimum hand luggage but everything for baby.

if you run out of formula or diapers, ask the air hostess , they would get you formula. They even have bottles I you forgot one. You can ask for warm water from them to mix formula. Do you use nursery water only, then you need to plan to take it , usually baby food related stuff is allowed on flight.

My baby is breast fed but I also used to give her pre mixed formula , so I carried those. I wanted some thing warm in the flight and I did not have spate bottles, so they gave me a bottle and formula milk , nicely mixed.

I am not sure how diaper free will work. Take diaper rash dream , it may help if you have an issue.

ask for a bassinet seat , it is good size crib and you place the baby in it when asleep. Book it ahead of time . I saw they get booked fast , some inconsiderate people take that seats for leg rooms even if they don't have babies.

You may not get your stroller back during transits and you may have to carry baby and all other stuff , so choose carefully what you want to carry, take the airport vehicles if you see them to go from gate to gate.

i don't see separate baby changing rooms in US airports but you do have them in inidan , Dubai airports . There you can ho in alone and use water to wash up baby if you feel to do so.

take all baby medication. Don't stress .

 

You can also buy disposable bottle liners - one example: Disposable Baby Bottle Liners | Colic Reducing Baby Bottle

Some prefer to have a stroller, my daughter (who travelled a lot with her baby) again said that a baby sling (Baby sling - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) and a backpack is much more practical. A personal preference.

Not being diaper free should not be an issue. Have high quality diapers with you, apply cream if needed. You can also keep the baby for short periods without diaper in your lap. In many places there are baby rooms and you can also wash in normal sink if needed. Good quality baby wipes are also good to carry with you.