[bubba13]

DH & I are flying Brisbane to Cairns tomorrow with 9 month old DS, it will be his first time on a plane.

What is your top travel tips for travelling with a 9 month old?

We will be getting a taxi from the airport to the hotel and then our hotel is within walking distance to everything we need so are not taking the carseat. I have checked that in qld babies are not required to be in a carseat while in a taxi. Has anybody just sat baby on their laps or do you all still take your carseat for that trip? Not sure if i should take it or not???

Thanks for your help..

[lsolaBella]

I would be trying to organise a taxi with car seat or private car with car seat. I would NOT be getting into a car with bubs just on my lap.

[Ianthe]

I would take the carseat. I wouldn't feel comfortable with the baby on my lap.

I wouldn't worry about travelling with a 9mo. I flew to the States with a 9mo by myself and it was pretty simple.

[NinjaMum]

Like a PP, I wouldn't be comfortable riding in a taxi with bub sitting on my lap either - there's too many crazy drivers out there! Rather than use the additional luggage allowance for the car seat, I usually use public transport or hire a car+seat and use my additional luggage allowance for the pram/stroller. Bub gets carried in an ergo carrier whilst at the airport and boarding onto the plane.

As for the flight, I found that if I had something for bub to eat/drink on take off and landing it served two-fold: kept him amused, and also helped his ears adjust to the change in pressure. I tend to use a sippy cup with water in it (or a bottle of milk if that's what your bub drinks) and a little box of sultanas or some crackers (half for the ascent, the other half for the descent).

We also asked if the plane had a bassinet when we did the flight booking, so we could have a bit of time where he could either nap (he didn't!) or we could put him in there so we had free hands to eat something ourselves.

This post has been edited by NinjaMum: 16/03/2012, 11:39 AM

[MrsNorthman]

I would hardly worry about a flight for, what, an hour? Take a change of clothes for baby and a change of top (at least) for you in case he decides to mess you up.

I would just book a cab that has a carseat though at the airport you may be lucky that there will be one there if you don't want to take yours.

[Choufleur]

I hope your trip went well. I went to Melbourne a couple of weeks ago with my 9mo and she crawled all over me the whole plane trip, drove me nuts.

When we got to the other end there was a mess up with the car and we had no car seat (my fault), so DH just carried her. It was the only thing we could do.

The only thing I've learned is next time I'm making sure I take someone else, all that stuff is too heavy to carry!

[HurryUpAlready]

A friend recently suggested that when taking a taxi with no car seat, put the baby in a carrier strapped to you, then put your seat belt on (between you and bub, not around bub).

We'll be travelling to Europe next month and though we'll hire a car with a car seat, there will be a couple if taxi trips required. I can't think if any other way to do it.

[rosiebird]

Just book a taxi with a carseat prior to leaving

[bikingbubs]

the plane trip will be fine! plenty to keep kids entertained
i would be taking a car seat or renting one - but thats a non negotiable for me...we even trawled one through asia for 3 weeks.

[WinterIsComing]

I will be travelling alone with DS on a 10 hour flight...gulp...next month. Then an overnight stop over and then another 4 hour flight! Already hyperventilating. But I have to do it, DS has a great grandmother living overseas and I want him to meet her while she is still here.
My strategy is buying a Maclaren to take with me, bringing my Ergo, banana and a sippy cup....And a toy or two! Possibly a couple of baby books....


And a prayer...