I remember some months ago, in a Facebook group, this new mum asked for advice on traveling with a 6-month-old baby on an intercontinental flight: Our experience. Of course, there were a lot of comments, including the Don´t do it! I specifically remember one comment from this lady who claimed to be a flight attendant and had been on hundreds of flights in which newborns were crying and suffering, making the mum all stressed about stressing out the rest of the plane and it all turned into a drama and trauma for everyone involved.
I wrote the woman and said: ´It highly depends on your baby, and how you take things, because yes.. your plane rides full of sleep, reading books and watching X amount of movies are over (for now) but in our own experience it was far from a drama.´ And yes, me too, I am so, so nervous about annoying my fellow passengers, but as of now, they have all been extremely nice, cute and helpful. And the one pissed face you´ll see, perhaps, well.. their problem after all.
So, after 2 short haul round-trip flights to the Netherlands and Slovakia, and a flight to Brazil, from Brazil to Mexico and from Mexico back to Spain, I think we have some experience on what it´s like to travel by plane with a baby.
So, here I made a little guide for traveling with a 6-month-old baby on an intercontinental flight: Our experience, where I´ll walk you through everything you need to know about flying long-distance with a 4/5/6-month-old baby, from packing essentials to in-flight strategies.
1. Planning and Preparation
Research and Book Wisely
Flight Times: Opt for flights that align with your baby’s sleep schedule to maximize the chances of them sleeping through a portion of the journey. The only thing to take into account though, is that you might miss X hours of sleep during your travel, and the chance of you catching up is pretty low when your baby is wide awake again during the day after, but still… for everyone´s best, I recommend this.
Seats: Consider booking a bassinet seat for extra comfort. Many airlines offer these for infants, but they can be limited, so book early. We didn´t know we could book them, we were lucky to have one on our Madrid-Sao Paulo flight and Inoa (who??? see here) slept in it for some hours. These bassinets are for babies up to 11kg though, so at one point you won´t be able to use them anymore.
Layovers: If possible, choose flights with longer layovers to give your baby time to stretch and move around and also to avoid having to run with all of your family members across migration and diaper changes and pumping, and.. and… Also, we found that some airports have little playgrounds which were a great way for us to disconnect a bit as well and for Inoa to play and watch other kids for a bit.
2. Packing Essentials
Baby Gear
Diapers and Wipes: Pack enough for the duration of the flight plus extra in case of delays. Also, make sure that you and your partner are on one line about who has them in their carry-on luggage (and not end up with a pooped baby, all diapers in the checked-in luggage and the airport calling for boarding for an 11-hour flight 😉 Luckily there was a pharmacy at Lisbon Airport that quite literally saved ours, and everyone’s lives)
Clothing: Bring several changes of clothes for your baby and a spare shirt for yourself.
Blankets: Use blankets for warmth and familiarity. They can also double as nursing covers and as a pillow for your arm on the armrest because you will start feeling that position after 8 hours.
Feeding Supplies: If breastfeeding, bring what you need to comfortably do so. If bottle-feeding, pack enough formula and bottles. Don’t forget to bring a bottle warmer if needed. You can usually ask for warm water within the airplane. We also learned that the 100 ml liquid limit doesn´t count for traveling with infants from European airports, so you can bring bottles with more than 100 ml.
Entertainment and Comfort
Toys: Pack a few small, lightweight toys to keep your baby entertained, I highly recommend one that can be attached to something and thus cannot fall or be thrown on the ground, because those things are hard to pick up when in between chairs and with a baby on your lap.
Pacifiers: These can help soothe your baby and ease ear pressure during takeoff and landing.
Carrier/Sling: A baby carrier can be invaluable for keeping your hands free and your baby close.
3. At the Airport
Arriving and Checking In
Early Arrival: Arrive at the airport early to allow plenty of time for check-in and security. Most airports have a special line through security and migration for families, but still.
Priority Boarding: Take advantage of family boarding to get settled without the rush.
Navigating Security
Security Check: Be prepared to carry your baby through the metal detector. Liquids for your baby (like formula) are generally allowed but may need to be screened separately.
4. In-Flight Strategies
Takeoff and Landing
Feeding: Nurse or bottle-feed your baby during takeoff and landing to help with ear pressure.
Comfort: Keep your baby close and use a pacifier if they seem uncomfortable.
During the Flight
Sleep: Try to follow your baby’s usual sleep routine. Use a blanket and dim the lights to create a sleep-friendly environment.
Movement: Walk the aisles with your baby when it’s safe to do so. This can help keep them calm and entertained.
Changing Diapers: Make sure you know how to use the airplane’s changing table and pack a small, easily accessible diaper kit.
5. Some extra tips, because you might need it 🙂
Stay Calm and Flexible
Patience: Things might not go exactly as planned, and that’s okay. Stay calm and patient.
Help from Crew: Don’t hesitate to ask flight attendants for assistance. With a brief exception from a Wizz Air flight, they have all been very lovely and useful. Especially traveling by myself, their help has been amazing!
Conclusion
So, what do you think? Would you be ready to go traveling with a 6-month-old baby on an intercontinental flight: Our experience? With careful planning and these helpful tips, you can make the journey as smooth as possible. Remember, flexibility and a positive attitude are key. Happy travels!
