WWYD flying with baby?

ondjima

Hi ladies, it has been a long time since I have posted with limited internet and whatever else has been going on. We will be returning to America from Namibia next year for a short visit with family. We will be traveling with a 3 month old.  I started looking into tickets today there are two options (1) A 19 hour flight at $1400, or (2) Two shorter flights with a layover in Europe for $ 1600.

What would you do? Try to get all the flying over as quickly as possible and save the money, or take the shorter flights and have a layover? What is your experience with flying with an infant?

TotZiens

At 3 months, I'd do the 19 hour flight without a connection.  At that point, all baby needs is you and whatever you bring in her diaper bag.  If the baby was older and was mobile, I would change my answer because it is hard to keep the kid contained for that long.

Try your darndest to get the bassinet thingy that hooks onto bulkhead so you can get some sleep otherwise you're going to be awake for 24 hours straight and a basketcase.

Good luck! 

ondjima

TotZiens:

At 3 months, I'd do the 19 hour flight without a connection.  At that point, all baby needs is you and whatever you bring in her diaper bag.  If the baby was older and was mobile, I would change my answer because it is hard to keep the kid contained for that long.

Try your darndest to get the bassinet thingy that hooks onto bulkhead so you can get some sleep otherwise you're going to be awake for 24 hours straight and a basketcase.

Good luck! 

Do you need a front row seat for the bassinet to work? It seemed like at those seats were taken. Thanks for the advice, he will be 6 month on the return flight

hamilton.ja

ondjima:

TotZiens:

At 3 months, I'd do the 19 hour flight without a connection.  At that point, all baby needs is you and whatever you bring in her diaper bag.  If the baby was older and was mobile, I would change my answer because it is hard to keep the kid contained for that long.

Try your darndest to get the bassinet thingy that hooks onto bulkhead so you can get some sleep otherwise you're going to be awake for 24 hours straight and a basketcase.

Good luck! 

Do you need a front row seat for the bassinet to work? It seemed like at those seats were taken. Thanks for the advice, he will be 6 month on the return flight

 

You need to call up for most airlines and request the bulkhead seats/bassinet option. I'd do the same as TotZiens and take the 19 hour no connection flight if you think YOU can handle it. I don't honestly know which I'd prefer for myself, but a 3 month old wouldn't be a concern to me at that point. Just bring lots of diapers and changes of clothes. 

ondjima

We do prefer the longer flight, but for some reason I thought the baby would need a layover? I will call this week.

titicole

I just want to say congrats on the BABY!!!  YAY!!!

ashleysyn2

I'd definitely do the 19 hour flight and get it all over and done with.  Layovers are a nightmare as it is, it's even more hectic when you have a newborn with you.  GL!

ondjima

titicole:

I just want to say congrats on the BABY!!!  YAY!!!

Thanks!

ebartzen

Wow! Did you get a direct flight to the States from Namibia? Is there a pitstop along the way?

Congrats on the baby!

FayeD

Straight flight, definitely.

Emily523

Straight flight for sure.  Get it over with.  The biggest hassle with flying with a baby is having to change planes and move all of my crap around.  It'd be less stressful to do that once.  

stever

19 hours. Layovers suck.