Travelling with an infant - to Aus :)
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Category: Have A Baby?
Forum Name: First baby? Second or more?
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URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3568
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Topic: Travelling with an infant - to Aus :)
Posted By: jax
Subject: Travelling with an infant - to Aus :)
Date Posted: 24 August 2006 at 11:26am
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So... it looks like we might be taking a bit of a holiday closer to the end of the year, to visit a couple of my brothers in law and their families, who live in Sydney. My question is, what would those of you who have travelled by air with an infant, suggest we do? I mean, tips, hints, etc... what to pack, ANYTHING really LOL Just off the top of my head though:
* What did you do about feeding bubs while 'in transit' with formula and bottles etc? * Did you take a capsule or carseat with you, or rent one over there ? * What about portacots ? Did you take one with you or rent one ? * How was bubs on the plane, and could you heat bottles etc ? Did they sleep at all ? * Adjusting to time differences - how did bubs go with that ? Sorry if this post is a bit rambly, I'm sure I'll get things a bit more together once we sort out our dates and know if we're actually going to go or not ! Edited to add: Erin will be about four and a half months by the time our holiday comes around, we want to go at the end of November. ------------- Jacquie - Mama to Erin, 13.07.06 - Chief Cat Chaser & Marmite Sammie Eater 
Love many, trust few, harm none. ~Anon~ |
Replies:
Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 24 August 2006 at 11:34am
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We took Andrew to Brisbane at 3 months. *What did you do about feeding bubs while 'in transit' with formula and bottles etc? Took the formula onboard and the bottles - filled with filtered water already as well, got the airline staff to heat it for us. Ring the airline you are going with about a seat for Erin as you don't actually pay for a seat you get one if the plane isn't fully booked. We flew Freedom and they were really helpful. When we flew back to Palmy they cut us in front of the customs line so we could get out fast as Andrew was crying - so try that one. They will x ray everything you take on board including the car seat so don't put her in it until you board the plane or even on the plane. And remember to take heaps of photos. ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: jax
Date Posted: 24 August 2006 at 11:42am
Thanks for all of that, I will be printing this out or at least writing some of it down for reference !!  ------------- Jacquie - Mama to Erin, 13.07.06 - Chief Cat Chaser & Marmite Sammie Eater
Love many, trust few, harm none. ~Anon~ |
Posted By: toniellis
Date Posted: 24 August 2006 at 11:46am
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Do you need a passport for babies?
I know you used to have kids on your own personal passport but I heard they changed it? ------------- Mum to Alex (11), Blaire (10) & Erika (8) and Damien (6) Successful HWB VBA2Cs! Soon to be surrogate |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 24 August 2006 at 12:02pm
yep u need to get erin her own passport 
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Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 24 August 2006 at 12:12pm
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Yeah andrew has his own, valid for 5 years. i got my first passport at 5 day old!!!!! Also as she is formula fed find out if it is sold in Oz then you only need to take over with you enough for the plane trip and until you get to a supermarket, also same with nappies. They have Huggies really cheap over there. We even stocked up a bit as they we selling the bulk bags for $16 so we were really lucky. ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: my2angels
Date Posted: 24 August 2006 at 1:01pm
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We just took bottles of boiled water and sachets and one of those little containers that hold formula on the plane and put the tin of formula in the luggage. Just make sure you take more formula onboard than you think need because anything could happen. The stewards are really good about heating up the bottles but they do it in hot water so sometimes you need to remind them to check it or it will get to hot, I just asked them to heat the water before I mixed the formula cos that way if you need to cool it down a bit you can add some of the boiled cooled water from another bottle if that make sense. Kobe only slept on take of and landing for some reason so we took heaps of books etc... to keep him busy on the plane.
We brought nappies and formula over there and didnt take our carseat as we had a rental car and they provided a carseat for something like an extra $10. If you are staying in a hotel/motel they are able to arrange pushchair hire and also portacot hire and some even have both they supply free of charge. Pushchairs etc are added into your luggage weigh allowance so if you dont have to take them over then you will have more room for shopping! Dont forget to pack a baby monitor if you use one and some of her own blankets so the smells are still the same. Kobe was fine with the time difference, in fact he went to bed early but slept till the same time, I think the heat helps with the sleeping. |
Posted By: kasbee
Date Posted: 24 August 2006 at 1:26pm
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Well Jax i'm glad you asked that question because we are going to OZ in Feb next year and although Ryan and Katelyn will be older then Erin i still wonder how we are goin to do it. We don't have to take anything but the pushchair because the family has all the other stuff we need over there. I'm abit unsure about the flight not sure how they will cope with it, hopefully it will be all good. ------------- Kelly, mother to 4 wonderful children. http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: AnnC
Date Posted: 24 August 2006 at 1:30pm
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I am travelling too on a plane when baby will be about 4 1/2 months but it will be to the uk. I took both my other kids on the trip to Uk when they were little - Josh being almost 2 and Brooke being 13 months. I would say with Brooke even though I had my mum with me was the hardest as she had just started walking was a social wee thing (not to mention all the elderly folks who kept calling her over cause they thought she was adorable) still on a bottle and didn't want to sleep when I did. but we made it and on the way back was easier. Make sure you ask for a bulk head seat as there is more room and a bassinette. I found Qantas was excellent with children. (i have flown air nz, singapore and british airways and by far qANTAS was the best)
Yes children need their own passport we can not book our tickets till baby is born cause they have to be registered 'human' and have its own passport. be cool going on a trip though and don't let the flying part put you off as its a means to get there and home again its hte in between that you will love. ------------- Ann 
Also Mum to Josh (15) and Brooke (10) |
Posted By: Tastic
Date Posted: 24 August 2006 at 2:44pm
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we went to brisbane when bailey was about 5 1/2 months old, we flew yetsrat and werent allowed to take bailey on the plane in his carseat! they gave us a seatbelt that connected to ours, as for bottles try and avoid giving her one just before you get on but give it to her as you take off and then on landing, this helps to 'pop' the ears as they cant do it by them selfs (a dummy does the same thing) with Baileys bottles I just took a couple of sachets and warm bottles in one of the bottle warmers. ohh another tip change them before you get on the plane!! the toilets on the plane are really small and you can hardly move yourself let alone having to change a baby aswell!!!
Sorry about the novel LOL but hope it helps Trish We took our carseat with us and just hired a portacot (as they are usally very heavy) an infant only gets to take 2 items on the plane or a max of 10kg I think... we took carseat and stroller. Bailey was good, he fell asleep on the plane but woke on landing! It took him a couple of days to adjust to the time difference, you just have to be flexible and adjust with her! |
Posted By: jax
Date Posted: 24 August 2006 at 5:16pm
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Again, awesome tips / ideas / suggestions ladies... this is great !!
Trish - when you say bottle warmer, do you mean one of those especially designed bags that is insulated for keeping bottles warm? ------------- Jacquie - Mama to Erin, 13.07.06 - Chief Cat Chaser & Marmite Sammie Eater
Love many, trust few, harm none. ~Anon~ |
Posted By: james
Date Posted: 24 August 2006 at 6:00pm
how much is a baby passport ------------- <a href="http://lilypie.com"><img src="http://b4.lilypie.com/nLJ5p13.png" alt="Lilypie 4th Birthday Ticker" border="0" /></a> |
Posted By: nikkitheknitter
Date Posted: 24 August 2006 at 10:02pm
| Same as a normal passport...??? I think. |
Posted By: Tastic
Date Posted: 24 August 2006 at 10:18pm
Yep thats them... they were awesome for our trip!! I also mixed up two bottles prior to getting in the plane.... saves you spilling the water etc Ohh and since you have a child under 2 you get to get on the plane first and like someone said you get to skip the cue
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jax wrote:Posted By: Tastic
Date Posted: 24 August 2006 at 10:20pm
http://www.dia.govt.nz/diawebsite.nsf/wpg_URL/Services-Passports-Index?Opendocument - See Prices here: |
Posted By: lizzle
Date Posted: 25 August 2006 at 7:34am
| One other thing I always do when flying - ask for the bassinet. It is on the bulkhead seats and fits bubs up to 8kg. Now, when we went to Thailand we did that, knowing full-well Jake would be too heavy - however, they put us opn the plane, and then told us he was too big - but we still had the bullkhead seats which are a LOT more roomier - Jake crawled up and down the way while Lew and I blocked off each part. Wor od warning though - on overnight flights, the arm rests in this area don't lift up. so you have to build it up with pillows. Short flights like to Aus, it's wonderful as bubs will either stay awake or can sleep in your arms and it isn't so bad. |
Posted By: james
Date Posted: 25 August 2006 at 7:38am
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thanks trish ------------- <a href="http://lilypie.com"><img src="http://b4.lilypie.com/nLJ5p13.png" alt="Lilypie 4th Birthday Ticker" border="0" /></a> |
Posted By: my2angels
Date Posted: 25 August 2006 at 8:09am
| Depending on who you fly with you can prebook the front seats where the bassinets are, freedom charge $5 each seat but airnz didnt charge us anything |
Posted By: daikini
Date Posted: 25 August 2006 at 9:23am
We are thinking about taking a holiday in Australia next year, so we've been looking at some of this stuff too... Nat's HOD and husband run the local Holiday Shoppe and she told us that, yes we cannot get Xavier's ticket until he's born etc. but that we can still get the tickets for us and the other kids and just get Xav's later on... that way we get the cheaper flights by booking further in advance. ------------- Becca, mum of 2 girls & 3 boys |
Posted By: Tastic
Date Posted: 25 August 2006 at 9:35am
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it depends on the flights... I went with Jetstar to brisbane with Bailey and they didnt have the bassinette as it was only a 'short flight'
Check when you make your booking.... ohh and another thing depending on who you go with... ring the company aswell (if you book over the net that is) and get them to reserve your seats. We did and that how we found out there were no bassinettes |
Posted By: Paws
Date Posted: 25 August 2006 at 10:16am
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As others have said try to get the bassinet seat booked and with Air New Zealand the infant allowance is now the same as te adult allowance so you can take 20kg worth for her. Just bear in mind that will include bag stroller etc.... ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 25 August 2006 at 10:40am
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Hmmmm, have flown with Maya about 2 dozen times, so I guess I'm pretty good at it, although we are taking the twins and Maya to Sydney in Jan and I am terrified!
Anyways...if you want to take the carseat on the plane you have to pay for a seat for bubs (charged at the child rate). Otherwise bubs can cost anywhere from 10% of the adult fare to free depending on the airline and the deal. We always fly Qantas and here to Sydney Maya was free (until age 2) but when we flew to London we had to pay 10%. If you don't take the carseat you are given a special seatbelt that clips baby on to you and they have to stay in it while the seatbelt sign is on. Some crew will say they have to be upright facing forward but thats a lie - you can breast/bottlefeed during takeoff and landing to help bubs ears if you want to. Airlines vary in whether they will let you 'reserve' a bassinette - some have a policy that the basinettes go to the youngest babies on the flight and they won't confirm whether or not you can have one until you check in. Others will let you reserve it for a fee, and some do it for free so it pays to check. Also, the weight limits for the basinettes vary, and it pays to take your own sheets and blankets etc. as they're not always clean 
Most airlines allow for a baggage allowance for bubs and then in addition to the baggage allowance you are allowed one piece of 'equipment' -carseat, buggy,portacot etc. If you take more than one they include it in your weight allowance. And if you have a folding umbrella stroller you can take it right up to the plane (some checkin staff will say you can't but they're wrong) but the big prams and buggies have to be checked in so I found a front pack was good when Maya was smaller just to get to the gate and back (it can be a long walk). Oh and take a spare change of clothes for you as well - just in case bubs powerchucks on you, otherwise you will be sitting in gross clothes for a long time
Sorry about the novel - and I know I have repeated some of what other people have said, but tried to remember everything that helped me... -------------  Maya Grace (28/02/03)
 (02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 25 August 2006 at 10:41am
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Oh and we just got a carseat with the rental car, and Mum and Dad had a portacot so we didn't bother with one of those, but if you have a safety sleep bubs can sleep on a single bed no worries. ------------- Maya Grace (28/02/03)
(02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: AnnC
Date Posted: 25 August 2006 at 1:17pm
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Thanks Becca.1 I have been keepuing an eye on the specials to go to the uk (we are also going to Usa on way back so looking at that too) so I will delve deeper if there is a special too good to resist. Not going till april next year so a little more time - although son was working out how long it was till christmas and the went away and its only 8 months -= thats nearly a pregnancy worth and if it goes as quick as this pregnancy at times feels like it has it will be here before we know it.. ------------- Ann
Also Mum to Josh (15) and Brooke (10) |
Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 25 August 2006 at 6:56pm
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Remember on the long haul trips the are extra securities that you have to go through. I know to Oz there isn't anything extra, but being at the international airport it may take longer to check in and to go through customs etc. ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: Tastic
Date Posted: 27 August 2006 at 2:43am
Jax.... This is the childs seatbelt that we have mentioned...
It loops around bubba and then you put your seatbelt through the back. Any questions just pm me
Trish |
Posted By: jax
Date Posted: 05 September 2006 at 8:11pm
Ok so, we have officially booked our tickets and will be going on a holiday to Aussie - yahoo !! So I'm going to bump this up and open the subject a bit wider I guess... to ANY travel tips, suggestions etc that anyone may have with a four month-ish infant in tow.  ------------- Jacquie - Mama to Erin, 13.07.06 - Chief Cat Chaser & Marmite Sammie Eater
Love many, trust few, harm none. ~Anon~ |
Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 05 September 2006 at 8:20pm
------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 06 September 2006 at 12:33pm
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I second the nappy change thing - the change tables in airplane toilets are sooooo tiny! ------------- Maya Grace (28/02/03)
(02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: jax
Date Posted: 06 September 2006 at 3:22pm
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Since the weather will be relatively warmish, what should I pack clothes wise ? Any recommendations ? Anything I should buy that I might not already have - thinking rash suit or whatever ? ------------- Jacquie - Mama to Erin, 13.07.06 - Chief Cat Chaser & Marmite Sammie Eater
Love many, trust few, harm none. ~Anon~ |
Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 06 September 2006 at 4:27pm
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We took Andrew to Brisbane in July/August and he still slept in full length body suits at night. During the day in shorts and t shirts. If you are going to swim in public pools then you should look at something for her to swim in. the beach I wouldn't worry that much as allsorts of stuff is in there. Little swimmers is something you should look at she would need to be able to fit them, they start at around 7kgs I think. ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |