Train Drama

I am currently writing this on the flight out to Geneva, Archie's first flight!

He has been a little gem... Not one crying fit or baby tantrum. Well... Yet. There is still 1 hour left on the flight.

The hardest part has been the other aspects of travelling.

The major drama of the morning has been the train journey. I was travelling via train to the airport. Anyway, my poor husband was helping me on the train with all my bags, baby and pram when the train started moving... He wasn't meant to be on it! It wasn't going to stop for another 40 minutes either, and he get another train back then...

I felt so guilty!

But on the bright my husband got to be part of Archie's first train ride.

It has been such a long day for a flight that is only an hour and a half. But I have learnt a lot about travelling with a baby.

Firstly I would avoid trains when you need your husband to help you board... Or travel very light so you don't need assistance getting on! :) They don't expect you to book a seat for a baby but if you can purchase the extra seat the extra space is very useful!

If you can avoid taking a pram I would. Getting around the airport was difficult! You have to use the lifts instead of the stairs and it is a constant battle for space! Not to mention Easyjet were not very helpful... There was only stairs to the boarding gate (so we had to fold up the pram and take it all down stairs). No one was around up assist us. They didn't seem to be aware we had a pram to put in the hold as we boarded and no one told us where to collect it after departing from the plane. Apparently you need to collect it from Special Luggage?! I never knew that...

It was also more time consuming getting through security with a pram. Longer queues that moved slower.

So if you can get away with travelling with just a baby carrier then I would.

Always change your baby before boarding the flight.

Definitely feed them a bottle during take off. Archie was absolutely fine on take off because of this (the change in air pressure didn't effect him at all).

Make sure you have everything you need out of your bag before the plans sets off. Including milk in a bottle ready to go.

Take more milk and bottles than you think you will need in your cabin luggage in case of emergencies.

And lastly always travel with someone. Luckily I was travelling with family but I wouldn't have been able to cope on my own (for my first travelling experience with a baby).

Have Baby, Will Travel

So I fly off to France tomorrow and I am petrified. This is my first time travelling with and packing for a baby.

I am so worried I am going to forget something. There is so much to remember! I have the worst Mummy Brain at the moment, I hate using that term as I always thought it was a cop out before I was a Mum. But it is true, it is definitely a "thing"... I think it comes from being so consumed with caring for a baby that nothing else can enter your mind.

I am always thinking: Is he hungry? When is his next feed due? Does he need changing? Are his bottles/clothes/dummies/bibs clean? Is he breathing okay in his sleep?

So many concerns and questions whizzing through my mind, all about my baby, that I don't have room to function normally. I keep putting things in the wrong places, like the cat food in the bin instead of the cat bowl (my cat doesn't like me at the moment).

I had planned to do so much more research about flying with a baby before we set off but I haven't got time. I have packed almost a full bag but still have a full list of things to pack, essentials like passports! I pray I don't forget those! But I am having nightmares about forgetting them!

In terms of flying with a 2 month old I am just going to have to wing it (yes, bad flying pun intended). Luckily I have a family member flying with me, which is easing my nerves but only a little.

I still have so much to iron, pack, prepare... It is a little overwhelming! Not to mention that my son has been particularly fussy lately meaning that everything is taking twice as long.

I started packing this week, I would have started sooner but my son is at a funny age between 0-3 month and 3-6 month clothes. Some things fit him, some don't... and he is growing so quickly I didn't have a clue what would fit him this week! So I have had to put off packing until I know what he fits into!

On another note, my husband bought Archie this adorable personalised bodysuit for his first holiday...

Also, while I am away I will try to put up some blog posts but if I don't I will be back next week and resume blogging.
In the meantime don't forget to enter the Bitzas handmade hippo giveaway (winner will be announced next week):
http://becomingmamalucy.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/giveaway-one-handsome-handmade-hippo_5.html
https://www.facebook.com/mamalucyuk

International baby of mystery: Flying with a baby!

I am embarking on a journey destined to be fraught with disaster. I am taking my baby on his first flight in a couple of weeks! We are off to join family in the French Alps which is sure to be enjoyable but the idea of travelling with a baby for the first time is daunting!

Even more so because my husband can't come, so I am going sans partner! Am I mad?! I do have other family members travelling with me but not having my partner in crime with me is going to be hard. You can't really hand over your baby to family members as easily as you can with your husband.

All this has meant I am planning the holiday, especially the journey part, with military precision.

Here is how I have prepared for babies first flight;

Firstly, if you are a UK resident, like me, taking your baby on their first international adventure they will need their own passport. This comes with its own set of issues but the biggest one is the passport photo! Trying to get a baby to stay still for a passport photo takes dedication, patience and lots of arms. Here is a link to the company I used to print pictures I took myself, called PhotoLizard, they also have a very useful tutorial on taking a suitable photo for your babies passport, which you can find here.

Pack everything! I feel like I am going to being taking my entire house with me, just in my carry on bag alone. My bag will include:

• Comforters (dummies, blanket, favourite teddy), whatever my little one needs to feel comforted. Dummies are especially good for the air pressure at take off and landing.
• Entertainment: baby book and teddy/toys
• Practical essentials: nappies, wipes, nappy cream, bottles, bibs and muslin squares etc.
• Formula: as I formula feed I am going to need to take formula for the journey. I am taking ready made formula as it is so convenient. Note: the usual restrictions (of 100ml max) on liquids don't apply to formula and breast milk but you need to give it security staff to screen separately. For more information always check with the airport you are flying from. 
• Change of clothes: I am taking 2 sets of spare clothes for my baby and 1 spare top for me (because of baby messes, need I say more).
• Baby carrier: I have the NCT Close Baby Caboo and it folds down nicely to fit into a bag and it will be useful for holding my baby close in the airport and during the flight. 
• Pram and car seat system: most airlines let you take 2 pieces of extra "luggage" for a baby. I am taking the car seat and pram base (which the car seat goes into) so my baby has all the travel essentials while in France.

A great formula tip is that you can order formula with the Boots in the airport and pick it up on the way through. If you go onto the Boots website and look at their click and collect section it is all on there. For most airports you need to leave 5 days between ordering and collecting. This means you don't have to worry about finding the right formula in the country you are going to.

Air pressure on take off and landing can upset babies so breastfeeding or bottle feeding during these times can help alleviate the pressure in your babies ears! I am also taking a dummy for this purpose.

I would advise getting an aisle seat because it is highly likely you will need to use the toilets to change your baby during your flight. Also try and get a seat close to the front/near the toilet as when stewardess come down the aisle with the trolleys you can get blocked in. If your baby has a bad nappy eruption (you know what I mean) and your are blocked in (unable to get to toilets) it can create problems.

I am sure there will be something I have forgotten... Wish me bonne chance (good luck)!