Tips for flying with babies...

[Bill]

So, we're planning a 2 hour flight with the twins (4 months) and a 2 3/4 year old. Anyone got any handy hints or tips.

And as far as bottles go AFAIK we can takemilk for the sprogs but will have to taste it at security. As the milk only lasts 2hours from mixing, presumably we're allowed baby bottles with water??

[CraigW]

give them something to drink through bottle as you take off and as you land, helps them pop their ears and stops them screaming like the world is ending.

Lots of toys, distractions, gate check the buggy, above all dont panic, its only 2 hours of your life and even if little un screams the whole way, you'll never see the other passengers again. enjoy.

[Bill]

CraigW said:

even if little un screams the whole way, you'll never see the other passengers again. enjoy.

This is precisely the spirit we've booked it in

[CraigW]

oh and for the 3 year old, a portable dvd player is the best invention in the world for flights!

[Soovy]

For the sake of everyone else on the plane, drug them.

[Bill]

Already thought of that, or I've got a Smartphone that'll be loaded with Peppa Pig.

ETA I meant Craig, but anti-histamines are apparently very effective...

Edited by Bill on Friday 13th August 13:48

[Bill]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I fully expect it to be absolutely awful but it's too good an opportunity to pass up. I'm also fairly confident we can manage them ok as it's an evening flight and they're pretty good at going to sleep.

OTOH because the plane only has 4 air masks over the centre 3 seats we can't all sit together so I'll be spreading the sprog-related joy about

[grumbledoak]

You can buy pre-made formula in Boots once past security, so you can just take empty bottles. The younger ones will probably sleep just fine in the little cots, but you'll need to stop the older one from getting bored.

[Bill]

grumbledoak said:

You can buy pre-made formula in Boots once past security, so you can just take empty bottles.

Brilliant. It's easyjet though so there aren't cots

[Puggit]

The biggest problem with babies is the pressure change on the ears. Give them something to eat while climbing and descending so they swallow naturally to counter this. Goes for the 3 year old too (but much easier with them).

Apart from DVD player and Calpol - a toddler-type magazine for the 3 year old as they can't watch the DVD during taxi/takeoff/climb/descending/taxi...

[Bill]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Good thing we're not off to Ibiza then

[Jackleman]

May I recommend a cloth and some Chloroform for the rugrats

[Soovy]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

[RichB]

Bill said:

CraigW said:

even if little un screams the whole way, you'll never see the other passengers again. enjoy.

This is precisely the spirit we've booked it in

You've booked it? I read this assuming it was something you couldn't get out of doing!

[Zod]

Don't let the baby drink more than one bottle of milk before the descent. If you do, it will expand in the stomach and cause continuous screaming until the cabin pressure is equalised on the ground. Made that mistake once. Never again!

The only really bad age for flying is from when the child can first walk until he can sit and concentrate on a film for an hour or more. That's about 18 months of Hell or, if you have three kids, nearly five years of it.

[Puggit]

Zod said:

The only really bad age for flying is from when the child can first walk until he can sit and concentrate on a film for an hour or more. That's about 18 months of Hell or, if you have three kids, nearly five years of it.

+1 !!!!

[oilydan]

CraigW said:

oh and for the 3 year old, a portable dvd player is the best invention in the world for flights!

This, this and this again.

Just did 3.5 hous with a 2.5 and a 4 yr old from Corfu. Peppa Pig. Sorted.

Of course, when the family finally come home from the UK they will be on an Emirates flight with hours of Disney to enjoy!!

[Simon Brooks]

send them ahead with the grandparents and catch the next flight, kinda joking !!! try and disrupt thier sleeping pattern by a couple of hours so that their down time fits on with the airborne time, def yes to the idea of feeding during takeoff and landing, the change in pressure plays havoc with their ears

enjoy

[RosscoPCole]

For the little one a dummy on take off and landing deals with the ear-popping. Also if the flight is not busy and your little darlings are not screaming the cabin crew normally love them. Our little one copied the hand actions when the safety talk was given and the stewardess doing the talk got the giggles. We were sat at the back of the plane and she sat with them playing games and getting free food and drink (non-alcoholic). We could see what was happening before any paedo comments are made! Was a brilliant flight. Also using an iPhone with her favourite tv programmes has helped. She has her own headphones which were great as the fitted her.

[Zod]

RosscoPCole said:

For the little one a dummy on take off and landing deals with the ear-popping. Also if the flight is not busy and your little darlings are not screaming the cabin crew normally love them. Our little one copied the hand actions when the safety talk was given and the stewardess doing the talk got the giggles. We were sat at the back of the plane and she sat with them playing games and getting free food and drink (non-alcoholic). We could see what was happening before any paedo comments are made! Was a brilliant flight. Also using an iPhone with her favourite tv programmes has helped. She has her own headphones which were great as the fitted her.

are you really that concerned about PAEDOS lurking everywhere?