Babies on a plane.
Discussion
No, not another movie! Much more scary - real life! 
We're taking our 7month old to Shanghai to introduce him to his grandparents. This is a 12-hour flight with BA, and I'm terrified! Can anyone offer any tips or advice to help this go as smoothly as possible! The flight is booked, so no smart "Don't go!" responses please!
We're taking our 7month old to Shanghai to introduce him to his grandparents. This is a 12-hour flight with BA, and I'm terrified! Can anyone offer any tips or advice to help this go as smoothly as possible! The flight is booked, so no smart "Don't go!" responses please!tobeee said:
No, not another movie! Much more scary - real life! We're taking our 7month old to Shanghai to introduce him to his grandparents. This is a 12-hour flight with BA, and I'm terrified! Can anyone offer any tips or advice to help this go as smoothly as possible! The flight is booked, so no smart "Don't go!" responses please!
Fortunately, he's young enough to sleep through most of it! May need some pharmaceutical help in this regard though. He may cry until you're up to cruising altitude as it helps equalise ear pressure (I believe?). We're taking our 7month old to Shanghai to introduce him to his grandparents. This is a 12-hour flight with BA, and I'm terrified! Can anyone offer any tips or advice to help this go as smoothly as possible! The flight is booked, so no smart "Don't go!" responses please!It's just one of those things you have to deal with. It can be uncomfortable and embarrasing to have a child that's screaming its head off - but what are you going to do at 36,000 ft - get off?
I always abhorred getting on a flight with babies/young children - then we had one of our own to take care of - your perspective changes dramatically after that
Oddly, this came up in conversation in the office a couple of days ago. One of the chaps said the best thing to help the baby’s ears during takeoff is to time a feeding for when you’re taking off as the suckling will help... hence why, sometimes, you get on a plane with a screaming kid, then all goes quiet during takeoff because they’ve been crying for food but mum has been holding back for takeoff.
As these guys have already said, try and keep the little 'un hungry and then a feed once you are taking off, pop him in the crib (BA ones are a bit rubbish mind you) and hopefully he'll sleep through the night.
It gets MUCH worse when they are 18 months old and are crawling, but you can't reason with them. We did a day flight to Florida - worst decision ever - but it was free on miles, so not much choice. Hilariously we were in business as well, so lots of evil stares.
On the way back it was a night flight and the guy next to us asked to be moved, which meant we had a spare sully flight bed for him on the way back - total heaven.
No matter how awkward you just have to get on with it and develop a thick skin.
It gets MUCH worse when they are 18 months old and are crawling, but you can't reason with them. We did a day flight to Florida - worst decision ever - but it was free on miles, so not much choice. Hilariously we were in business as well, so lots of evil stares.
On the way back it was a night flight and the guy next to us asked to be moved, which meant we had a spare sully flight bed for him on the way back - total heaven.
No matter how awkward you just have to get on with it and develop a thick skin.
Don said:
There's nothing you can do about travelling with youngsters. Its a long flight and at some point you will become tha pariahs of the journey when your littl'un creates.
Develop a thick skin.
Even we non-parents actually do understand. We hate you just the same - but we do understand.
More hate than understanding from this particular non-parent. I have to sit there getting wound up and stressed out by a screaming brat and i am not even allowed to get up and go have a ciggie to take the edge off. Develop a thick skin.
Even we non-parents actually do understand. We hate you just the same - but we do understand.
Comibined with the 'every man is a pedo' thing I hope it won't be long before kids and families go in one part of the plane and everyone else can have a peaceful flight and not worry about accidently looking at the child in the next seat.
Grumble, moan...
We used to fly back and forth to Singapore regularly when HH Jnrs #1 and #2 were 10 months and 2yo. Sleep depravation pre-flight typically ensured a lengthy sleep followed the obligatory take-off time bottles. Juice in teeted bottles were always at hand and we ensured we had things to amuse (I swear by crayons and paper!).
I always made a point of speaking to those around us pre-takeoff (this was normally in Business), explaining that the kids were normally great flyers, that I would do everything I could to ensure no disturbance, and to thank them for their patience, if indeed it was needed, in advance. Clearly if you can arrange a flight which fits with the normal sleep pattern than that would help!
You'll soon which of your fellow passengers have kids by their reaction during boarding!
Last of all, don't stress - that only makes things far worse and children will inevitably pick up on that....
PS. I can thoroughly reccommend SIA when travelling to Asia with kids - air crew were typically brilliant with kids...
I always made a point of speaking to those around us pre-takeoff (this was normally in Business), explaining that the kids were normally great flyers, that I would do everything I could to ensure no disturbance, and to thank them for their patience, if indeed it was needed, in advance. Clearly if you can arrange a flight which fits with the normal sleep pattern than that would help!
You'll soon which of your fellow passengers have kids by their reaction during boarding!
Last of all, don't stress - that only makes things far worse and children will inevitably pick up on that....
PS. I can thoroughly reccommend SIA when travelling to Asia with kids - air crew were typically brilliant with kids...
Lots of good advice.
Ultimately, do the best you can and try to be relaxed with it.
Lots of entertainment for the kids, juices, snacks, walks around the aircraft all help.
We've always travelled with our kids, from 9 months of age. the eldest is now 11 and the younger is nearly 6. It's completely second nature to them now and they are great passengers.
as said before, a thick skin may well be helpful.
Oh, I forgot to say, I hope you sit next to Hedders.
Ultimately, do the best you can and try to be relaxed with it.
Lots of entertainment for the kids, juices, snacks, walks around the aircraft all help.
We've always travelled with our kids, from 9 months of age. the eldest is now 11 and the younger is nearly 6. It's completely second nature to them now and they are great passengers.
as said before, a thick skin may well be helpful.
Oh, I forgot to say, I hope you sit next to Hedders.
I like the sleep deprivation advice, but it can go wrong.
We had a night flight back from Florida, and assumed as our daughter (then 3!) had been awake all day she would sleep (thus allowing me to sleep before the drive home) on the plane. Ha! did she b
ks. Not naughty, just a constant fidget... When we got in the car she even wanted her DVD screen on and lasted for an hour of Dora. We worked out that she had been awake for 20 hours before falling asleep.
At 7 months though, at least they have not got their own ideas yet.
We had a night flight back from Florida, and assumed as our daughter (then 3!) had been awake all day she would sleep (thus allowing me to sleep before the drive home) on the plane. Ha! did she b
ks. Not naughty, just a constant fidget... When we got in the car she even wanted her DVD screen on and lasted for an hour of Dora. We worked out that she had been awake for 20 hours before falling asleep.At 7 months though, at least they have not got their own ideas yet.
Did a 12 hour flight when out daughter was 8 months and she slept through pretty much all of it. Was a LOT less of a mission than doing it when she was 2.
As mentioned give him a bottle during takeoff, and be prepared for a bit of sick on landing, have a blanket or similar covering him ready.
At that age they arent aware enough to get too stressed, it's later on when the problems really start and they are scared, confused, want to walk around etc, aint flying fun.
As mentioned give him a bottle during takeoff, and be prepared for a bit of sick on landing, have a blanket or similar covering him ready.
At that age they arent aware enough to get too stressed, it's later on when the problems really start and they are scared, confused, want to walk around etc, aint flying fun.
Edited by Tokoloshe on Friday 22 January 16:45
After travelling for business for many years I experienced quite a few flights with disruptive babies/very young children. When we had ours we decided not to take them on an flights until they were around 5 years old. Any relatives that were abroad came to visit us, so that side of things never was a problem. I don't agree with imposing what is basically my issues on others in an enclosed space. I can't see why a lot of other parents don't do the same.
Silver993tt said:
After travelling for business for many years I experienced quite a few flights with disruptive babies/very young children. When we had ours we decided not to take them on an flights until they were around 5 years old. Any relatives that were abroad came to visit us, so that side of things never was a problem. I don't agree with imposing what is basically my issues on others in an enclosed space. I can't see why a lot of other parents don't do the same.
Our viewpoint exactly - frankly I don't need the hassle either!!Having said that, we're off to the Canaries in a week! But day time flights...
Silver993tt said:
After travelling for business for many years I experienced quite a few flights with disruptive babies/very young children. When we had ours we decided not to take them on an flights until they were around 5 years old. Any relatives that were abroad came to visit us, so that side of things never was a problem. I don't agree with imposing what is basically my issues on others in an enclosed space. I can't see why a lot of other parents don't do the same.
Sounds great in principle but the alternative of staying in the UK waiting for the odd week of good weather and the resulting stampede for the coast by all and sundry doesnt add up to a great holiday in my mind.Personally if I have to travel by public transport then I accept that I will have to deal with the public of all ages.
Most phones have a flight mode, most phones are music players too, download some tunes, perhaps a movie, to your phone, plug in your headphones and relax.
Disruptive babies
, makes you sound like a very compassionate human being...Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff