Traveling With a Baby 3

In the previous article of this series "Travelling witha baby 2"

This article will discuss the departure i.e. the part of your aerial journey that involves checking in at the terminal, waiting for boarding and boarding.

Before, we start I wanted to add a comment regarding "packing" that was previously discussed.

*It may sound un necessary but unless you have no limit as to what your ride to the airport can carry, make sure it all fits so you wont have surprises the last minute. From personal experience on our first ever flight with my son, it can be seriously annoying and create a lot of last minute stress if your luggage does not fit in the taxi. Mind you we all want the best for our loved ones and have the tendency to over pack, just in case… 

Back to today’s topic:

2.         Departure your time in the airport

Always arrive early to get a better seat selection. If bub is less then 24 months old and is travelling as an infant you don’t automatically get allocated a bub’s seat. However that does not mean you can’t get one especially if the flight is not full. If you will be the first to ask for a spare seat next to your own there is a god chance you will get it if you’re early enough.

In case you are travelling together with more then one paying passenger, it is better to split the group for check-in. This is a strategy we tested on our last trip to WA. The person checking you in at the airline counter is more likely to allocate you a row of 3 seats so bubs can sit between you if its just the two of you. If for example you check-in as 3 adults and a baby the service representative that wants you to be happy will assume you want to sit together and allocate you the same row of 3 seats. This time you did not get a seat for bub which will be sitting on your lap. Mind you that the other adult paid for a ticket and will get a seat one-way or the other if they check-in separately (even in business if the airline over booked. It’s not your fault and they will find where to accommodate you. Believe me I have been there).

You should also remember your check in process will be a beat longer. After all you have more luggage items then a passenger travelling solo. Also if you don’t want to carry bubs on your arms all the way to the boarding gate, ask if you can check the pram in at the gate. This way you will have it with you at the airport until you board the plane and get it back at the gate as soon as you disembark at your destination airport. Alternatively some airports have prams you can use. You will be surprised what you can get in an airport if you just ask for it.

In most cases if you checked in early and all went well you will have some time to pass before you will board the plane. In my view the best location to spend this time is in the most engaging, colourful and vibrant part of the airport. The airport shopping precinct is a good choice and the food court in my view is the best. Don’t make the mistake of spending hours in the boarding gate. You will have plenty of opportunity to use your entertaining skills later on during the flight. After all you want a better chance of bub falling asleep while in the air and not at the terminal so don’t rest just yet. On the ground you have more activity options therefore entertaining bub is so much easier. An airport junk food meal is always an opportunity for family quality time with plenty of photo opts. Let me tell you a picture of bubs chewing on a burger all his face smudged with sauce is a must have for every family album and why not at the airport where you have the time and the place.

OK you enjoyed a meal. Now the final task ahead of you at the airport is boarding. Remember that when travelling with infants you are considered a passenger with special needs. That means that if you play it smart you can jump the queue and be among the first to comfortably sit in the plane. Simply make yourself known to the ground crew at the boarding gate and ask if they have special boarding arrangements for families with infants. Normally they will say yes and call you for boarding before the other passengers. If you are travelling with no partner other than bub ask for assistance with your carryon luggage.

In the spirit of full disclosure I will say that among others I sell nappy bags by Gittabags designers for a living. In my opinion as a traveller a large well designed and organised backpack nappy bag goes a long way on flights. Handbags, bags that hang across your body or on your shoulder make life very difficult when you need to hold bub and walk the aisle simultaneously. Every bag option other than a backpack means you will bump into the passengers with the aisle sits. Also when you organise yourself in your seat make sure your nappy bag is handy and not in the overhead compartment so all your essentials are easily accessible.

Gal Ziv

Gittabags Designer Nappy Bags Australia

Traveling With a Baby Part 2

In the previous article of this series “Travelling with a baby 1” we discussed booking issues.

This article will discuss the next stages i.e. packing, at the airport and the time on the flight which is definitely the most challenging.

1.         Let’s start with packing for the journey.

Find out with your airline what and how much you can carry with you on the flight and plan accordingly. Many airlines allow you to take on board a pram or child car seat without extra charges included in your infant ticket. Ask the airline if the pram and baby car seat are included. Always consider hiring a car seat for bubs at your destination. It’s very convenient and not so expansive compared to other payments you make for your trip. Just remember to make sure there is a baby seat waiting for you at your destination in case you left your seat behind.

Do not pack consumables like spare wipes and nappies, or heaps of baby food unless you are certain they cannot be found in your destination. Save your limited luggage allowance for non-consumable things you use daily. These are the things you will need.

You want to have spare cloths for bubs. Feeding essentials and bath essentials. Make sure you have some of it in your carry on luggage so its accessible. Of course don’t forget all the entertainment you can get for the flight (books, toys and snacks, snacks, snacks.)

Try to take little things that will make bubs feel at home. For example bubs’s bath toys. They will make a huge difference when using unfamiliar facilities. We even take the bath itself. Last year we bought a folding bath that we use at home to save water. It’s a brilliant design and proves priceless. We take it inside the suitcase on every trip. He loves it makes him feel at home.

Comforting objects you use at home to calm bubs down on crisis moments are good to have handy. In my sons case his “comfort wrap” any old used baby wrap does it. But it can be anything. Always fallow the golden rule “you know bubs better than anyone”. Pack accordingly.

An important rule of thumb when it comes to packing for flights is “if it is something you cannot replace or do without, take it on the plain in your carry luggage”. Sometimes cargo items do not arrive with you at your destination. It doesn’t happen often. However it does happen and you should be prepared. Recently coming back from the Perth Baby expo our luggage did not arrive with us (including the pram). Good thing we were on the way back home. We did get everything delivered home the next day. Imagine the challenge if you have just landed at for instance your holiday destination. It is late at night the shops are closed and you don’t have the essentials. So my suggestion is to have the basics with you on board in case the unexpected does occur.  

  

Gal Ziv

Gittabags Designer Nappy Bags Australia

Travelling with a baby Flights to Road trips Booking a Flight

Flights to Road trips

In this day and age we all fly often. And sometimes we have to take our little loved ones along.  Many find the prospect of a baby on a journey intimidating. What will happen to the routine we developed? Will bub be stressed? Will I be stressed?

Fear not parents! If you plan and prepare before you head out, family travel will be fun, invigorating and memorable. Look at it as family time. It is a great chance to bond, experience new things together and enjoy heaps of quality time.

Let’s start with booking flights and go through the process step by step highlighting important points and tips.

Booking a flight

When booking, try to get a night flight. It’s so much easier when bub has the natural tendency to sleep. From experience it generally works. In any case it will increase the chances of you enjoying some peace and quite, unless of course bubs is nocturnal. If that is the case do the opposite and book a day flight. In any case the logic is don’t resist the elements. If it is feasible go with nature not against it.

Book a seat with plenty of floor space. A first row is the best. Plenty of floor space means bubs don’t have to be on you all the time. Plus your range of entertainment options will increase dramatically once you “own” some floor space. The isles between the rows are not a good alternative because they tend to be busy with traffic (The service trollies are the worst).

Many airlines fly infants up to the age of 24 months free. You can use it to save a few dollars if you know you are going to fly somewhere in the future after bubs will be older than 24 months. Simply purchase the family ticket in advance, before the freebee age is over. Many airlines and travel agents will issue open tickets for up to a year. So, you don’t even have to commit to a certain date.

Gal Ziv

Gittabags Designer Nappy Bags Australia

Travelling with a baby

*Travelling with a baby* 

As our family business takes us on the road often we have gathered some hands on experience in travelling with our toddler son. The little man had his first road trip (Adelaide to Sydney return) when he was less than 2 months old. Since then he had flown domestic and international numerous times. He had been on several road trips from Adelaide to all east cost capitals. Spent the night in all types of accommodation from tents to 5 star hotels. And he absolutely loves it.

So, I thought why not share our experiences with the hope someone will find it interesting and useful.

I started writing with the intention of publishing several short articles each one dealing with a particular aspect of family travel.

The first article “Flying with a baby part 1” will be published 1/9/2011. It deals with the preliminary stages of planning your trip and booking your flights. A curtail part of the overall success of the trip. 

Gal Ziv

Gittabags Designer Nappy Bags Australia