I’ve got a confession to make: I used to cringe when I spotted a baby on-board my flight, dreading the prospect of them screaming throughout the journey.
But I found myself on the opposite side of the battlefield when my daughter was born and we needed to fly from Melbourne to see our relatives in Perth and KL. On top of that I had to fly alone and boy, did my level of empathy for parents change. I spent the week prior to each trip filled with anxiety, thinking of how I needed to keep Arianna occupied throughout the flight to ensure she was happy, and therefore quiet!
Having now come out of these trips relatively unscathed, I thought I’d pull together a list of things I have learnt so far:
Pack like a pro
Bring a diaper for every two hours you’re on the plane, and then add another three or four. I know it sounds like overkill, but you’ll use them at your destination anyway. Have a couple of extra outfits for bub handy, and a lightweight top and bottom for yourself in case unwanted things come shooting out of your adorable child from either end.
Use a baby carrier
I prefer using a baby carrier because I can carry any extra baggage and have our documents ready at the immigration counter. It’s also a lot easier at the security checkpoints and you won’t have to worry about juggling your baby with one hand while you haul your carry-on into the overhead compartment with the other.
Try for a blocked seat before a bassinet
Infants under two years of age are generally required to sit on their parents’ laps. So get to the airport early and ask if it’s possible to block off the seat next to you. Airlines are usually happy to accommodate this if the flight isn’t full. Even if bub ends up in your arms for most of the flight, you can use the extra seat to place all the items you need at arms’ length.
If you’re flying with an airline like AirAsia, you can pay a little extra to try to get a full row to yourself. Do this before going for the bassinet, as your chances of securing a spare bulkhead seat (where bassinets are fastened) are slim.
If you do get a bassinet though, hoorah for bonus space! Arianna was too long to fit lying down, so I ended up using it to store my bag, and then later as a mini playpen.
Aisle have that seat, thanks!
Chances are you’ll have to get up more than once to walk bub around or to change their diaper. You’ll also need to get your carry-on from the overhead compartment once the flight’s departed. So wherever possible, aim for an aisle seat. That way there’s minimal disruption to the passengers seated next to you, and also allows a clear path to the loo if a poo-splosion occurs!
Board last
I know airlines always invite parents with children to board first, but that just means being stuck in your seat for longer. I spent as much time out of the aircraft as I could, letting Arianna stretch out on the floor at the boarding lounge. I always made sure to do a nappy change just before I went in too; the airport change rooms are user-friendlier than the tiny cabin toilets!
(Almost) anything can be a toy
The mistake I made on my first flight was to fill my carry on with too many toys from home. Not only were they heavy, I barely used any of them! Sure, bring a few but also make use of things you can get on the flight.
On the last four trips, Arianna managed to keep herself entertained with a plastic water cup, mineral water bottle, the in-flight safety card, the headrest, and the seat belt.
Don’t be afraid to get help
If you need to go to the loo, require help stowing away/retrieving your carry-on or anything else, just ask the flight attendants. I haven’t encountered anyone who hasn’t been unwilling to assist, but even if their attitude is less than positive, ask anyway.
The first time I flew I was too embarrassed to ask, but by the fourth flight I had gotten over it. I may or may not have taken my time to return to my seat whilst a flight attendant watched over my child (in my defense Arianna was fast asleep). You might also get lucky and have a fellow passenger who adores babies, in which case, a free babysitter.
Manage your expectations
I approached each flight with the mantra, “Treat this like labour. It might hurt a lot, but there’s an end in sight.” The pessimist in me didn’t expect to get any rest, nor enjoy my in-flight meals. I was also mentally prepared to spend the entire journey walking up and down the aisles soothing my unsettled daughter. So when I did manage to get a bit of sleep and wolf down my nasi lemak, I felt like high-fiving myself and doing a happy dance.
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Sharon Chai left the world of high heels, lipstick and fancy pants this year to fumble through life as a new mum to Arianna. Between diaper changing and off-key singing for her daughter’s entertainment, she writes about her Thermomix kitchen escapades on Thermomixin.com.
