We have a long flight to the UK in a couple of weeks. Baby is formula fed and has a good sleeping routine. Do I just let him sleep when he wants to on the plane? We don't use a dummy but I might take one for the plane incase he cries.
How do you make the formula up and clean bottles?

Hi Heather - I used to bring 3 empty/clean bottles with me and that would more or less last me until I got to Europe, if I needed another feed, after a couple of times of bringing detergent and the brush with me on the airplane, I resorted to giving it to one of the stewardess and asking her to rinse it with very hot water - they even brought it completely clean a couple of times.

Good luck!

thanks- did you buy bottled water once through security and then make up feed and heat as needed? or did you bring the water ready in the bottles?

Hi Heather,

I used to bring clean empty bottles and ask the air hostess to fill one with warm water for me when it was time for a feed - they have hot water coming out of a coffee machine type thing, no microwave (at least the times I flew) so no point asking them to heat cold water for you that you buy in a bottle as I don't think they have the facilities to. If you know you will need to feed your baby between checking in and getting on the plane though I would suggest pre-filling a bottle with warm water already and keeping it in a bottle warmer though you will probably need to take a sip of it when you go through the security checks to prove it isn't a bomb!

Good luck, it sounds daunting I know but keep him happy and full and it should fly by.. you know about giving him something to suck during take off and landing, right? It helps their ears - just water will do if it's not time for a feed and you don't want to disrupt his routine

Also some people might advise immediately switching to the new routine (in the new time zone) when getting on the plane but to be honest flying with a baby is stressful enough as it is so just stick to what he knows and deal with the jetlag when you need to..

Good luck!

Sue x

Hi Heather,

I asked the stewardess to give me bottled water room temperature - She can probably heat it on the coffee machine they have. On my first couple of flights I did bring the water but then I realized they have plenty of bottled water on board. And yes, have him suck on a pacifier or bottle during take-off and landing - last thing you want is an ear ache! Another good idea is a saline nasal spray - spray on each nostril, the baby won't like it, but it will help unclog anything before take off. Good luck!