Additional tips for flights when traveling with a baby, New Zealand 2018, Chapter 2.5

I thought that before continuing with the journey to New Zealand, I would add some tips that I forgot to mention in my last post that are important to consider when flying with a baby.

Making take-off and landing easier

I wanted to still go a bit deeper into the preconceptions that there are about how babies handle flying. I covered the misconception about the effect of the air pressure to the baby’s ears in the last post (https://www.jasutravels.com/single-post/2018/05/03/New-Zealand-with-a-toddler-2018-Chapter-2-Transition-to-Auckland) so check that out first.

In addition to that, I wanted to let you know how we had Edvin calm during take-off and landing - Anu was breast feeding Edvin. When the plane started speeding up, Anu started feeding him and same with landing. This was for most flights. There was a flight or two in the latter part of the trip when Edvin was not eating during take-off and landing and those went well too (after a few flights learning to fly first), but especially during the first two flights from Helsinki to Auckland this seemed to work well in relaxing Edvin and also helping him with the pressure (if he even experienced any) as when eating he is swallowing all the time and that helps with the pressure, I guess. This is an easy tip.

Finding the right carry-on stroller

One important aspect to consider about traveling with a baby, especially the flying part, is a good stroller that you can take into the plane as a carry-on item.

We had understood from a couple of friends of ours that it might be an option to consider to find a stroller that you can take with you into the plane as a carry-on item. This seemed like a good idea to us so we did a little research. We found out that the best option for us would be the Babyzen Yoyo stroller (https://www.babyzen.com/en/yoyo-plus). Here are some other options as well: https://jetlagandmayhem.com/travel-stroller-hand-luggage/ Google more info about options.

Having a stroller that folds into a carry-on item is super comfortable especially at airports when you don’t need to carry your baby around with you (in your lap or in backpack for example) but you can push her/him around. There are many situations you need to stand in queues or otherwise stand or walk around. Also, if you have long layovers it’s very convenient to use the stroller as a bed where your baby can sleep. These kind of strollers (at least the Babyzen Yoyo that we have experience with) are very good anywhere you travel because they are strong enough to use as normal everyday strollers as well. So, foldable, carry-on trollers are extremely recommendable.

Remember to check with your airline that you can take them with you to the airplane size-wise. Most airlines accept them for their small size, but make sure. Oh, and the best part is that they can usually be brought into the airplane as an extra carry-on item (as the baby’s item) so they won’t reduce the amount of your personal carry-on items.

About baby food

Remember to pack enough baby food for the flights and the important part is that it has to be packaged, so not fresh as fresh, unpackaged food can’t be usually taken into flights, or to your destination. We wouldn’t have been able to bring any unpackaged food into New Zealand but since all Edvin’s food that we had with us was packaged we could bring them.

Taking a baby seat with you

We didn’t take Edvin’s baby car seat with us. We were considering this as the plan was to rent a car in New Zealand, so that it would have been easy to use in the rental car as well. We had already so many items with us plus that we thought that we would find a baby seat in New Zealand, buy or rent. We relied on our luck in finding one when we would arrive so we wouldn’t have so many items to worry about.

Having your own baby seat is a good option if you want to make sure your baby has a suitable seat for a rental car if for example your baby does not sleep well in different seats etc. And if your baby sleeps well in her/his own seat, that might also be an option to take into the airplane, but in that case you need to book a separate seat for your baby. It is possible though.

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