Airoplane travel hacks we found useful

I have one baby, she is easy, placid and very happy to roll with a change in circumstances. I am aware of this and aware many parents have a very different experience. If it helps I am almost certain that should I have a second child it will be a total shitbag just to make up for Heidi being so even tempered. 

So the plane/travel hacks that worked for us:

1. Packing cubes - bloody brilliant made everything grab and go.

2. Organise toys, new ones that haven’t been seen before but also the old favourites. Also organise foods and snacks, calpols and medicines, all the stuff that will need to go through security in a separate bag. It is a massive ball ache if you have to rummage through all your luggage to find that one pouch that you know is in there somewhere. It’s an even bigger ball ache if you don’t realise and they have to rip your bag open. 

3. Use whatever it is that soothes them normally, personally breastfeeding was a life saver for me as if she got grumpy I stuck a tit in her mouth. Baby might feed more than usual due to ears popping and planes are really drying so they may feed for thirst, also comfort given it’s a completely different environment. If baby will take a dummy then crack on! 

4. Take a change of clothes, I got covered in yoghurt several thousand feet in the air as did Heidi because she was quicker to squeeze the pouch than I was to stop her. Personally I wouldn’t bother with pouches again, she preferred to eat whatever it is that Dan and I were eating and pouches were just extra faff.

5. Tippy cups or whatever you want for babies over 6 months old, again the planes are drying so hydrate the little person or they will suck you dry instead. 

6. Book the bassinet, if nothing else you can chuck your crap in it. I mean your bags not your baby. 

7. Dress appropriately, you might be going to a hot country but the plane is chilly at times! Heidi wore a vest and a baby grow.

8. ROLL WITH IT, and balls to anyone else. Most people understand you need to get from A to B and most are understanding that babies or children are exactly that and they then get on with their big bang theory plane marathon. If anyone does throw a look bollocks to them, you won’t see them again anyway. So keep calm, power through, it’s temporary. Short term pain for long term gain!