Flying With Baby

At that age, personally I would go for the bassinette.


Also:

Feed on take off and landing if baby is awake

Bring a sling as it is more comfortable for both parent and baby to hold baby and wrap seatbelt around baby in the sling.

a blanket that baby knows and maybe slept with the 2 days before flight (so it smells like home) to put in the bassinette.

2 x change of clothes for baby

2 or 3 extra muslin cloths too (extra to what you would normally use in that time frame)

supermaket plastic bags for wrapping nappy

extra shirt for parents

car seat for safe travelling at the other end

ask air attendant to feed you first, then your partner (or vice versa) so you can trade eating and baby care.


Have a great trip, it isn't so bad at that age.

Hi Depresso - I've just flown from Guangzhou to Europe 2 weeks ago so can give you some low down on security if you're flying from there.


I had 2 bottles of water and 2 of formula and they never made me even take them out of my bag. Also had formula powder in one of those avent holders, not interested. Had baby snacks (you won't have them for a 3 month old) and also they never looked at them. Nappy rash cream, calpol and baby neurofen sachets etc the same. They didn't look, let alone want them in a sperate plastic bag (I didn't have one so guess that's a good thing!)


They do make you take baby out of the stroller and put it through the scanner after passports, and this time they wanted me to walk through seperate from baby and therefore tried to take her from me but she was having none of it so they just ran the hand scanner over both of us - I've not had them try and take her from me before, they usually let me walk through with her. (I'm usually travelling alone so no husband to pass her to!!)


Anyway, re everything else - yes, something to sick on during take off and landing - boob, bottle, dummy all work well. Basinet is a good thing but be aware that baby might not like it and may want to sleep on you (Travelling alone I find that's the only way I get any sleep anyway as at least then I know if she wakes up).


Everyone else will give you more advice - like the sling is a great help, do have extra clothes and make sure you have more than enough nappies - they're pretty easy to travel with at that age so take advantage of it!! and good luck.


PM me if you want to know anything else about GZ airport.

1. tell your travel agent and the airline that you are travelling with a 3 months old.


2. request a seat with a bassinette -what this means is that you get the front row seat with the wall in front of you, and a shelf folds down and they put an airline provided basket on there for the baby to sleep.


3. As far as I know only Virgin Upper Class actually lets you take the stroller ON the plane, but most let you take it to the gate and then they take it from you and check it in at the gate, and when you land it is sometimes at the gate for you at that end (every so often it isn't).


Hope that helps more.

If the travel agent isn't being helpful I'd ring Air China direct - I usually do that - customer service here isn't so great once the TA has your cash!!


Then book the basinet with Air China and get faxed confirmation - pref in English and Chinese in case of problem at check in.


Also, I've not flown Air China but have done some regional Chinese airlines and they never have infant lap belts. All children under 2 need to be on a parents lap during take off, landing and turbulence - obviously it's safer if they're strapped in!! To get around this I've used a sling or mei tai carrier so that baby is still attached to me, and then I put my own seat belt between us so that it won't crush baby. Air China may be better but I doubt it, I just flew Lufthansa and they don't supply lap belts so I can't see air china doing so!


Guangzhou airport are fine about you taking the stroller all the way to the door of the plane and then they take it and put it in the hold and it's usually given back to you at the door of the plane at the other end. You don't need it on board, it's just another thing to get in the way and have to store etc. Use the sling or carrier from there on.


They do seem to take ages in GZ airport to return your stroller when you get back here though!!!


None of the regional chinese airlines supply nappies so I wouldn't count on Air China doing so either!


All of that said, I know you don't need a baby meal but one of the best I've been provided with was on an international China Southern flight - and they are always very helpful because they adore babies so much.


HTH's

To add to all the above very good advise:

1.Tell your TA/Airline to ensure that you get the bulkhead seat ( so that the cabin crew give you a baby bassinet after take off)

2. Also inform that that you need the daipers provided by that airline & inform them about the size...eg small, medium or large.

3. Take an extra set of clothing for youself too. My baby threw up all over me as she was a bit ill...luckily I had an extra set of clothes.

4. A plastic bag for the soiled daipers & rubbish is extremely important for you. Tell a crew to get them to you immediately as you board the plane or carry your own.

Have a great trip.