Anyone any tips for flying long distance with a 5 and a half month old baby.

He breast feeds but is never a settled feeder - very distractable and only goes on when hungry. He doesn't feed and snooze and certainly doesn't comfort feed.

At night he sleeps great but does get noisy and crying when very tired. He needs to be cuddled to sleep standing up which is fine but difficult on a plane.

He is semi-weaned taking baby rice and purées but not fully weaned.

Any tips?

Anyone any tips for flying long distance with a 5 and a half month old baby.

He breast feeds but is never a settled feeder - very distractable and only goes on when hungry. He doesn't feed and snooze and certainly doesn't comfort feed.

At night he sleeps great but does get noisy and crying when very tired. He needs to be cuddled to sleep standing up which is fine but difficult on a plane.

He is semi-weaned taking baby rice and purées but not fully weaned.

Any tips?

Try breastfeeding or give him a pacifier during take-off and landing; it will help with the pressure on his ears. That's what our pediatrician recommended.

When I flew I brought a nursing cover up even though I don't normally use one. Less distractions for the little one and a bit more privacy for you.

I also bought a whole bag of inexpensive toys that my son had never seen before. He was a few months older than your son but I think the principle might work the same. I hid the toys in a backpack and brought them out one by one during the flight as a distraction any time he started to get fussy. I would recommend buying an extra seat for the baby if you can. If nothing else, it'll give you some extra space. I've flown without one and it's no picnic, but it is do-able.

I just traveled with my son over the holidays, and he was the same age! Lol

Tip one: check as much as possible. It is very difficult to carry a bunch of toys and distractables for the baby, and your purse, and another carry-on. If at all possible, only carry on one bag.

Two: make sure you bring something for him to munch on, or suck on. Their little ears will get sooo clogged, and because it's such a new feeling, it can be very frustrating, and lead to a very unpleasant plane ride. (also: if you are traveling to a very different climate, make sure on your way back to have an aspirator for him, as he will probably be stuffy and unable to breathe)

Three: if you plan to breast feed, buy 2 seats. That way, if he wants to nurse, you and he are comfy, as well as your neighbour! :-)

I was cabin crew and my only advice is like the post above, take something for them to suck on, anything. As the plane rises the pressure really gets to their poor little ears and that's why they pretty much always cry. Making them swallow, gets rid of this problem.

Also if you need anything just ask the crew they will be very helpful.

Have a good holiday

Swaddle the baby if he becomes very unruly and you are at your wits end. My children would cry and I would swaddle and they seem like the hate it, but would calm down in minutes.

I would forget this and someone would remind me and even after months of not swaddling, at 3 if a tantrum was out of hand, swaddling would always put the kybash on the crying.

All other advice is top notch. Take plenty of diapers and wipes and changes of clothes. Delays are inevitable when you need them the least.

Good luck

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