The flight from the UK to New Zealand is longer than my labour was and sometimes, I would argue, more painful. It’s so long you could watch all of the Lord of the Rings films twice and still have time to kill before you land in Middle-earth. It’s worth it when you do, between ancient mountains and crystal beaches, or in my case because that’s where you live with your husband and baby. I’m an expat - without the sort of high-flying career that flies business class. I’ve flown across airlines and budgets, for holidays and because sometimes big life things happen and you have to jump on a plane.
Before baby, I framed flying long haul as a long rest; the world pausing as you fly across it with nothing to do but read, watch movies and eat peanuts. It’s different with a baby. However, it is survivable and if you’re a natural-born optimist or, like me, do a little preparation, it can even be a different kind of fun. Here’s how I and my long haul parent pals do it:
Dress for success
By success, we’re talking stress, sweat and spills. Moving a baby plus luggage around an airport is a workout in itself so it’s wise to opt for sportswear that’s designed to handle the burn. Lululemon has cult-like status when it comes to frequent flyers; I choose their buttery soft leggings and a zip-up (try the Scuba Funnel Neck with a zip pull that doubles as an emergency hair tie - genius!). Adventure brands like Patagonia and The North Face make durable, lightweight backpacks with plenty of pockets which are perfect for stashing and separating baby supplies. Look for one that is ‘weather-resistant’ aka will keep a leaky bottle separate from dry nappies. Dark colours are the parenting palette of choice because you will get stains - darks just hide them better.
Dress baby for success
An aeroplane change table resembles your seat tray table - small, square and easy to slip off. As you’ll need to work quickly choose clothes which are a doddle to undress - zippers over buttons for example. NZ parents swear by merino from brands like Babu and Nature Baby. Former paediatric nurse and owner of Little Mash babywear boutique, Ren, notes "Merino regulates baby's temperature, helping insulate when they're cold and is breathable when they're warm. Plus, spills happen when flying and it quickly wicks moisture away from delicate skin." I layer soft organic cottons, plus I always pack multiple changes (and multiple nappies) in my hand luggage.
BYO for baby
When flying to visit family in Thailand, mum of one, Camilla, discovered that not all airlines cater for infants as they aren’t booked on a full fare. If your baby has started solids check your airline’s policy and request a meal in advance, though it always pays to pack extra beloved snacks. No one wants to clean bolognese off a baby at 38,000 feet so pack the sort of things that aren’t super messy and go the distance without refrigeration - rice crackers, bananas, even plain pasta. As my husband (who is a doctor) reassures me, one day of eating a little beige isn’t going to derail their healthy habits.
Milk it through security
Rachel, who has flown several long hauls with her baby, notes that airport security often has liquid allowance exemptions for infants - meaning you can pump or take formula through in a volume larger than 100ml. Whilst you’re there, keep an eye out if your airport has an express security lane for parents travelling with a pram. Most airlines allow you to take your pushchair to the gate, so don’t rush to check yours in, they can make navigating the airport so much easier. When it comes to breastfeeding on the plane, doing so during take-off and landing can help baby's ears adjust to the pressure changes. Keeping baby hydrated means keeping mama hydrated too so I take two large refillable Nalgene water bottles onboard rather than rely on the airline's dinky cups.
Push-pull books and other multi-use toys
“I take a new (to them) toy onboard that I keep hidden until the flight,” Camilla says - the surprise stretching the fun a little further. Meanwhile, Rachel packs a lightweight scarf that can be used for peekaboo but also doubles as a familiar comfort for naps and, if you need it, to throw across while breastfeeding. A small shape sorter can go a long way as there are endless possibilities like napkins and sachets that baby can also push into the holes. The Ladybird Little World book series is my secret weapon, easy to slip into hand luggage and with lots of flaps to open, push and pull (unlike my baby’s favourite toy which blasts A, B, C, books are a little quieter too, which the passenger next door will thank you for).
Book a bassinet (like now)
Under 2 years of age, infants aren’t usually allocated a seat of their own - pinning my son to my lap for 12 hours straight is the kind of thing I have nightmares about. Call the airline, log on to seat selection, beg your travel agent, however you do it, try to secure a bassinet before check-in. Weight restrictions for bassinets range somewhere between 10 - 14 kgs, so if you have an older baby you may want to check your airline's restrictions before you book. If you have a more flexible budget, some airlines offer other sleep solutions. Air New Zealand’s ‘Skycouch’ converts a row of economy seats into a couch big enough for baby and parent to lay down safely together, which sounds a little dreamy.
Ring the call button
A flight attendant isn’t a nanny (unless you fly Gulf Air which has an actual ‘Sky Nanny’ on call during all long-haul flights), yet most attendants are happy to give a helping hand. As one ex-flight attendant confessed, “Honestly, a baby is not the most demanding passenger I’ve ever had by far”. Press the call button if you need help wrangling a change or to go to the toilet yourself (which is the answer to how do you pee when you’re flying alone with a baby?). Perhaps you just need a moment to go to the back of the plane and breathe, because despite the best-laid plans flying with a baby can be tough. As the adage goes, ‘this too shall pass’ and so too shall this flight. I remember this: in a matter of hours, you’ll be exactly where you want to be.