Just taking your baby out of the house for the first time can be daunting and challenging enough. How much more to be said for the time you take your little one through security and passport control of an airport and on their first 14 hour flight and consequent 8 hour flight?
It was definitely quite nail biting as I prepared his meal bag and diaper bag, making sure I knew how many bags I was allowed according to baggage policy of that airline. Having one bag with all the compartments I needed made my life so easy. Every time I had to pass through security (at least 4 times) I had to hope and pray they would not be stopping my baby bag to search the formula or his flask full of water...and thankfully they did not!
Travelling with an infant brings a whole new meaning to travelling light for yourself. It's really all about your baby...gone are my days where I can travel with all my lock stock and barrel of things that I really could do without ( as I have realised), and now just making do with bare necessities of items for me!
A necessity for any mum that makes travelling much more convenient is a baby harness. I found that it made it less cumbersome with having my hands freed up, and also exciting for him looking out at others and to see where he is going, as well as making it easy going through security and boarding the plane. It's a definite must have.
We were very fortunate with our little one as he was so well behaved that you would not have known there was even a baby on board. He slept most of the flight,and even though a bassinet was provided, that he almost fit the length of, he much more preferred taking turns sleeping on my husband's and my chest. Nursing him on take off, descent and landing really helps with air pressure that babies would normally have discomfort with, and also takes their mind off the loud engine sounds.
You have to make sure that you have everything covered for those long hours or 14 hours would seem much longer... from extra baby wipes, diapers, spare clothes, burp cloths and their favourite distraction toy (sometimes their bib!!) to having enough formula, bottles, bowl and cereal. We certainly can say that our flight was comfortable barring the fact that I could not watch as many movies as I wanted:)
On board changing facility for babies was actually as comfortable as could be, and a fair amount of space provided especially when you have a wriggler at hand!:)
Thankfully most babies usually sleep at this age and travelling with them is not as cumbersome as I might have expected.
Well, at the end of the journey,there was nothing more comforting than seeing most of your family members waiting at the arrival lounge to welcome you, and the new family member.
