Any Suggestions for Traveling Overseas with Infant? (TIME CHANGE - EEK!)

Hi,
I have a daughter who is almost 9 months, and we've traveled quite a lot with her (something like 14 flights). I traveled alone with my daughter to Europe this summer (she was ~ 4 mos), and it went fine.
It's easier when they are littler and don't need to move around as much. But at any rate, bring lots of toys, and don't show her the toys for a few days before you leave, so they are more interesting to her when they "show up" on the plane. bring books and things she can occupy herself with during the flight. Try to get a baby cot from the airline that she can take a nap in on the plane. that really helps, but the most important thing is to have things to occupy her with. also be prepared to do a lot of walking back and forth on the plane.
in terms of the time change, babies are pretty amazing at adjusting. going to Europe is easier than coming back. my daughter had no jet lag whatsoever going there, but coming back, she fell asleep (for the night) at 3, 4 pm for four days in a row.
Just don't stress and make the best of the situation, if you are stressed your baby will get agitated as well, but if you just focus on creating distracting her and playing with her, you will both be OK.

The good thing is that you'll be there for 2 weeks so she'll have time to enjoy herself after several days of adjusting. I have found that under 1 year the time change really is not that bad. As long as you really work hard letting her nap like crazy before the flight and sleep throughout the flight you should be in good shape.

Once you get there, do not nap! You or her. Try and keep her up until it is her naptime in London. So if her naptime at home is 1:00pm at home, have her nap at 1:00 pm London time.

BE prepared to feed her in the middle of the night. My kids used to wake around midnight looking for a snack because that was the time (6:00) that we would eat dinner.

Nurse of give a bottle during take off & landing (if she is awake that is). Be prepared to walk the aisles to get her into a comfy sleep zone. Bring a small stroller to check at the gate. Use the airline staff. they are really wonderful about travellers with young children. And do not overpack with toys and knick knacks you think she may need. You will find you just won't need them. If you can, get her her own seat and bring her carseat. It is a familiar place and she will be mre likely to sleep their than in your lap. Plus you'll sleep better too. And prepare for the nasty looks people will ineviatbly give if she starts to cry. Some fellow passengers can be really quite insensitve - I was brought to tears once! But again, ask the attendents for help. They usually do! Have fun!

It has always been hardest on me and my husband than on he kids. Enjoy!

Excellent advice already given.

I've traveled with my son since he was about the age of your baby for overseas trips all the time.

I'd add one thing: Request a bassinet on the plane if your baby fits the requirements. This way she will sleep better in the plane, and since that will place you in bulkhead, she will have a little bit of room to play at your feet. I found that I didn't need a separate seat thanks to this until my son outgrew the bassinet.

Also, over-pack on diapers, formula, etc. (and I'd still take several new toys, but you don't need 300 of them). If there is a delay, you'll be very happy you did.

My philosophy during flights with my son has always been that his well-being and the fellow passengers' is paramount, so I do things I'd never do outside a plane, in particular do anything I need to to keep him quiet, and cut his tears as short as possible: walking up and down the aisle, bouncing him, giving him food completely on demand (both formula and treats he likes, etc.).

The flight will be more tiring for you than without the baby, but it's so much fun to have him with you!

Have fun!

K.

I agree; great things already have been said. I would also say to pack lots of her clothes into your carryon--somehow babies seem to need changes more often on planes (things spilling on them, messy diaper changes...) and you'll need the clothes for the 2 weeks anyway.I agree that this is more impt than toys--my kids often amused themselves for at least an hour with the various gadgets at the seats (music dials preferable to turning on/off lights/summoning attendants of course!).
In terms of takeoff/landing, make sure she's nursing/drinking--in other words, sucking, during; it'll help her ears.
I agree also on the keeping up until her nap time. And at night, keep her up the first night as late as you can ie 10 pm or later, and wake her up in the am; the next night you can bring her bedtime to 9 pm, until it's eventually her schedule at home.
Good luck and enjoy--you're right, the better prepared you are, the smoother it will be.

We traveled to London when our son was 2 yrs old. I kept him up for most of the day and when he did nap I only let it be for 1/2 hour - so by the time the where in the air he was too tired to be cranky. We took the last flt out around 9:30/10:00 PM - he slept almost the entire trip. Bring a travel blanket and let your daughter sleep with it before to get use to it. He was fine when we arrived in London but he was out of sort on the return flt as you fly in the morning.I brought quiet toys & books for our trip. We have been traveling with our son since he was 6 months old and have never given him anything to get sleepy - I have seen so many parents do that - Enjoy your time in London - there is a great toy store downtown -