Babies and overseas holidays
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Category: General Chat
Forum Name: General Chat
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URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=29129
Printed Date: 12 April 2026 at 7:45am
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Topic: Babies and overseas holidays
Posted By: Treen
Subject: Babies and overseas holidays
Date Posted: 02 October 2009 at 10:12pm
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Hi girls,
DH and I were planning on going on a 2 week holiday next year to somewhere like the States or Japan. But those plans were before we got PG and now I'm not sure what to do. The nature of DH's job means that he works non-stop for 2 years then has 6 months off so he really deserves this holiday. My EDD is 19 April 2010 and DH's contract should finish up in July. DH has asked me to start planning our trip but I'm not sure that's possible. How old would you recommend a child be before you can take them overseas? In terms of long haul flights and actually being able to enjoy yourself without being too sleep deprived or limited by feeds etc?  ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Replies:
Posted By: flakesitchyfeet
Date Posted: 03 October 2009 at 8:27am
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I think it's entirely possible...but maybe somewhere closer, like Western or Southern Aussie, or the Islands? It might be less stressful for you that way. -------------  http://lilypie.com"> |
Posted By: FionaO
Date Posted: 03 October 2009 at 9:14am
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I would think it would be fine.
In my humble opinion I would make sure bubs is at least 3 - 4 months old, just because the first 3 months are the hardest and they are the most unsettled and its just easier being at home. we went on holiday when DS was 2 months old and I just hated it, it was hot, he was more unsettled and I just wanted to go home But that is just us. We went on holiday a long overseas trip at 8 months, I won't pretend the flights were easy but he settled really easily and we had a fantastic trip. ------------- 
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Posted By: Treen
Date Posted: 03 October 2009 at 9:21am
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Thanks girls. I'll leave it as late as I possibly can and perhaps do Japan rather than the States as at least that's just a nine hour flight. I'm also thinking of taking my sister as a nanny. That might make things a little more easy.
I don't suppose anyone's ever heard of a natural remedy for blocked ears for babies on planes? I'm guessing that's why they cry so much. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: MrsH23
Date Posted: 03 October 2009 at 9:23am
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I've heard lots of Mummies around here say to feed during takeoff and landing to help with the ears. ------------- Lisa mummy to Ryan http://www.alterna-tickers.com"> 
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Posted By: Treen
Date Posted: 03 October 2009 at 9:24am
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Thanks MrsH23. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: lemongirl
Date Posted: 03 October 2009 at 11:35am
| I would also add that in Japan in particular you are likely to get lots of (mostly) positive attention from people with a western baby . Watch out for when you go as july/august tends to be rainy season. |
Posted By: lilfatty
Date Posted: 03 October 2009 at 12:47pm
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Yep I fed Elias on take off and landing (he was probably more suckling than feeding though) otherwise if they take a dummy that would also work.
I would personally wait until after at least 12 weeks .. they start off sleeping nearly 20 hours a day .. then dont sleep at all  my kids both "came right" around about three months and were in a much easier routine.------------- Mummy to Issy (3) and Elias (18 months) I did it .. 41 kgs gone! From flab to fab in under a year  http://www.femininefitness.co.nz/category/blog - LFs weight blog
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Posted By: tishy
Date Posted: 03 October 2009 at 12:47pm
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San Fran is an option, because I know Air NZ fly out of Auckland at 7pm(ish). We flew to Ireland with 11 month twins last Xmas and they were asleep in their bassinets before dinner and slept straight through to after breakfast.
For takeoffs and landings we used the dummy and/or a sippy cup. For the flight leaving Auckland we fed them their night time bottle and popped them into their bassinets once the seatbelt light went off. |
Posted By: lilfatty
Date Posted: 03 October 2009 at 12:47pm
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Yep I fed Elias on take off and landing (he was probably more suckling than feeding though) otherwise if they take a dummy that would also work.
I would personally wait until after at least 12 weeks .. they start off sleeping nearly 20 hours a day .. then dont sleep at all my kids both "came right" around about three months and were in a much easier routine.------------- Mummy to Issy (3) and Elias (18 months) I did it .. 41 kgs gone! From flab to fab in under a year http://www.femininefitness.co.nz/category/blog - LFs weight blog
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Posted By: FionaO
Date Posted: 03 October 2009 at 12:57pm
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We had no issues with ears on the long distance flights cos you go up and down slowly, its the short internal flights were it can be bad, on flights to uk didn't need to feed on take off or landing at all.
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Posted By: gypsynita
Date Posted: 09 October 2009 at 2:16pm
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IMO if you're going to fly 9 hours, it doesn't make much difference to fly 12! We just got back from Canada and found that DS was heaps better on the overnight flights, even though they were twice as long (of course, having the bassinet helps too!). Fed on take-off and landing, or got him to suck his thumb, and had no problems. Crying wasn't so much of a problem as the fact that during the day flights he just couldn't sit still! If you're going to wait until bubs is up and about, be prepared for some bruises...
Flights aside, he adjusted really well to all the travelling and the time zones, we only had one or two nights of him being unsettled, and I think that was more because he picked up a staph infection somewhere along the way that was bugging him. Plus, having a baby with you people tend to be really friendly and helpful - we got to jump queues alot (especially at the airport), and had no probs sticking to his routine or feeding him. ------------- Anita Mum to Cian (Aug 08), Josh (Jun 10) http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Treen
Date Posted: 09 October 2009 at 2:45pm
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I like the sound of queue jumping, Anita!
I've been looking at the Air NZ website and I'm really liking the idea of flying Premium Economy. But then I worry about all the poor people who pay extra for a decent seat and then wind up having to put up with a crying baby.
Has anyone ever flown Premium Economy or Business Class with a baby or seen other babies in these classes? ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Paws
Date Posted: 09 October 2009 at 5:10pm
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I booked a lot of people into Premium Economy with the bubs...I don't think I booked people into Business class though...can't remember to be honest. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Nikki
Date Posted: 09 October 2009 at 8:41pm
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From someone who has really bad ears (I've burst an eardrum on a flight from chch!) the long haul are definitely not as bad, and its the landing that you really need to be feeding them cos thats when its worse.
I would wait til at least 3 months too if possible - but honestly the younger they are the easier it is .... once they're moving it is a pain being stuck on a plane. and would fly overnight if poss too so bubs will sleeps the whole way. ------------- DS (5yrs) and DD (3yrs) |
Posted By: scribe
Date Posted: 09 October 2009 at 10:07pm
| I agree with Nikki that the younger they are the easier it is. We've only flown to Australia, but comparing the two trips, she was much much easier flying and travelling with at 3 months than she was at 13 months. At three months, she'd go to sleep anywhere (take a frontpack with a hood, in case you need her to sleep when you're out sightseeing) and the plane trip was a breeze - I planned the flight to coincide with her sleep time (for a long haul flight an overnight flight would probably be best), and after feeding on take off she went off to sleep... where as, on our last holiday to Australia, the flights were a nightmare as she wanted to be on the move all the time and got overtired but wouldn't sleep. |
Posted By: Hayzie
Date Posted: 09 October 2009 at 11:22pm
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I flew business to Dubai with Logan when he was 5 weeks old. TBH - I wouldn't bother. The bassinette is great with a young baby. Would rather pay extra for a night flight. Amazing the differencethat makes. Generally babies are pretty well behaved on long flights (not just mine - I have noticed others too) I am sure the white noise settles them.
You may want to see what your baby is like. Logan is cruisy but if your bay really likes routine and is easily disturbed an overseas holiday may not be that relaxing. We have had several great holidays though. Had to - living in Armenia!!  ------------- 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: ShellyBR
Date Posted: 10 October 2009 at 3:01pm
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Treen I have done long haul with ds 3 times and by far the easiest was when he was 10weeks slept the whole way. I wouldn't worry about crying babies on planes most of them just sleep with the motion. A front pack or sling is invaluable and just feed on take off and landing or we found the dummy worked really well. you need to book your basinette when you book your ticket even if bubs isn't here yet. We had to do that with ds and the just booked him as baby whatever and then when he was born we had to just let them know his name. The biggest drama we had was getting his passport as it is nearly impossable to get a 2 week old to look at the camera and all the other stupid rules they have. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Treen
Date Posted: 10 October 2009 at 4:07pm
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Hey thanks heaps for all the wonderful advice, girls. I'm really glad to find out that most babies settle on long haul flights. And I will definitely get a front pack.
DH has now suggested we go through Europe again (yikes). Now I've just gotta find a light and ultra small push chair. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: lizzle
Date Posted: 10 October 2009 at 4:27pm
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if you do decide to go to japan, i used a website
www.tokyowithkids.co.nz not sure if it is still going but they had a great site, in particular which stations had elevators. Also, you can get a railpass which will save you heaps of money. AND don't bother with disneyland (if you were that way inclined) - it's great , but not with a baby. if you do go to japan, yell out. I lived there for several years and could give some advice about places to go with kids - our son lived there until he was a year old. |
Posted By: gypsynita
Date Posted: 12 October 2009 at 3:35pm
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re the stroller, we got a quicksmart stroller from the warehouse for $99 and it was absolutely worth it's weight in gold!! folded down super easy (and with hardly and practice) and so small you can actually take it as carry-on if you wanted to. was really quick for getting on and off public transport - i seriously can't recommend it enough! check them out http://www.quicksmartbaby.com/easy-fold-stroller/ - here ------------- Anita Mum to Cian (Aug 08), Josh (Jun 10) http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: maysie
Date Posted: 12 October 2009 at 5:04pm
We've just come back from the UK and Japan with Lily (she was 13 mths) and the long haul flights were fine. I just fed on takeoff and as they began descent and she usually fell asleep straight away. The night flights were best. TBH, there isn't really much need to go premium economy because you get the bulkhead seats (bassinet) so you have the extra legroom and noone leaning back into you :) We never had to line up in any airports and we took our Milano stroller right up to the gates and they were waiting as we got off the plane. Tokyo (not sure about the rest of Japan) is an amazing place for parents as far as facilities go. I was very impressed!! I reckon it would be easier travelling on a plane with a baby who isn't 'moving' as they can happily lay in the bassinet playing. Lily was always wanting to be up and about and I couldn't really sleep when she did in case she woke up and climbed out of the bed I would totally recommend AirNZ and their new planes too. They have hanging bassinets which are higher than the old ones and are much more comfy for baby and easier for parents to move around. Plus we found AirNZ more accommodating with giving us a whole row to ourselves  ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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