Flying with a baby (1yo)

Transportation, Travel and Trips
41
We all know about extra clothes for the kids, but I would recommend a spare top for you too. My then 10 month old vomited all over me on one long haul flight we did. I had to take off my top as it was too revolting to wear and I only had a tiny vest on underneath.

42
The only way to fly with small kids is business class with Singapore Air!!

We flew from NZ with 14mth old, 3 yr old and 4 1/2 yr old and me pregnant. The kids were able to lie down and watch tv and the meals were "kids" meals. The flight attendants were fabulous. They went out of their way to help us with every little thing.

I would strongly recommend a Safety First Quick Smart Stroller.

http://www.quicksmartbaby.com/easy-fold-stroller/

We were able to push it right up to the plane and it folds down and fits in the overhead locker. It is saves having to struggle with a baby, bags and other children.

Have already told hubby that when we leave to move back down under we will be flying business class. I don't care about the cost but with 4 kids I want/need space & comfort!!

43
I seem to always manage to get the salad sauce on my top - even before I had kids

44
Business Class with baby is 100 times better than down the back - except for your fellow passengers

SQ are an excellent airline.

Call them and ask to book the "Bassinet" position - ie. the cot up at the Bulkhead - I assume they have this, I don't know their seating configs exactly.

You'll have enough room to sleep - and make sure you tell them "I am flying Business Class, I want my buggy on board, the crew can put in a wardrobe".

Don't let them take your buggy off you like they do in Economy Class.

Aside: I know only of Dubai and Tokyo which provide free buggies for airside transit passengers.

45
transit hotel is really good and cheap too. You can book for blocks of 6 hours, etc. Only issue I have with them is that most rooms are windowless... if you go to the one in Terminal 1, they even have a swimming pool.

on Singapore airlines:

there is no need to order a special meal. The staff knows you have a baby and will ask you before serving meals if you want to eat b4 everyone else or to save your choice for later.

It also takes them only a few minutes to prepare the bottle for you at the right temperature. Of course, if they are very busy serving meals, you may have to wait a bit longer.

If your child is a light sleeper, bassinets can be a pain because everytime the seat belt light turns on, you have to remove them. Might as well hold them on your laps. However, the bassinets area provide a lot of leg room - your baby can use that area like a play area. This area is a bit colder and drafty then the rest of the plane so be prepared.

As for fying business class, I already mentioned above what it is like on SQ. Note that the aircraft SQ uses for Brisbane and Perth are the smaller airbuses so the seats are different.

46
Me again - partially out of self-interest, but also this massive map might help you decide where it's best to sit for such a long journey:

http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_U...leet/fleet.jsp

Enjoy choosing!

47
I recently invested in a Trunki and have found it great for travelling with little kids (they recommend it for kids aged 3-6 so perhaps your child is still a little young). The child can either pull it themselves or ride on it while you pull them along between gates. Also, it is the perfect place to pack all their stuff; toys, change of clothes etc and keeps your hand luggage free of all that.

I don't think you can get them in Switzerland. A friend picked mine up for me in London. Here is the website where you may be able to have one shipped to you: http://www.trunki.co.uk/products/ .

The website also has lots of practical tips for travelling with kids. From my own experience though, it is something to be endured. You can try and make it easier for yourself with all the tips on here, but ultimately cooping little kids up in a flying tin can for hours on end is hard work for everyone involved. Some kids will cope with it better than others. Alas, it is the life of the expat with kids.

48
Wow, and I was getting stressed about having to fly for 4 hours with 2 kids AND my mother! So I have to stop whining...

Great to read all these tips; I'm ordering me a trunki!

49
Several of you mentioned that you would use a car seat on the plane. What kind of car seats do you have?

We're flying to the US in May with our daughter who will be 13 months old by then. We still need to get a bigger car seat for her anyway, so we'd like to buy one that can be used on planes (and also with the rental car in the US) but are not sure which one would be the best... Does anybody have any tips/recommendations? Thanks a lot!