The countdown to my first longhaul flight with a baby
Time seems to be moving at slightly alarming speed – after having ages to plan our trip to the US, a few viruses and some busy work days, I suddenly have less than a fortnight. Eek!
So, I’ve started drawing up an increasingly long ‘to sort out’ list for our trip, and thankfully also ticked a few things off.
First down, visas. Or waiving the visas. Minnie has applied and been approved for an Esta, although I suppose if she was planning to overthrow the government, she wouldn’t be able to tell me anyway.
Helpfully, the US Goverment site – don’t get snared by the ‘official’ ones which may charge an extra fee on top of the set $14 – knew that my husband had an active Esta, which is more than he did! I shall be giving my visa an airing before it expires along with my current passport.
Next, surviving the plane. As Delta keep the dimensions of their bassinets to themselves and as there doesn’t seem to be a standard size for airlines, I’ve emailed them to ask.
Hopefully I’ll get an answer and after breaking out a tape measure, I can find out if Minnie will fit. This is, of course, if we actually get one, which doesn’t seem to be guaranteed based on somewhat contradictory advice about whether we can request it or just have to hope the airline assigns us one. So I’ve asked Delta to clarify that too.
A travel cot is sorted, my mother-in-law has an inflatable bath bath (which is apparently a pain to blow up so I shall be giving it a stern onceover before I decide whether to pack it) and I’ve got a portable highchair from Totseat – review here.
I’ve also picked up a couple of extra wipe-clean bibs, which will hopefully reduce the need for millions of changes of clothes or industrial quantities of Vanish after Minnie gets stuck into carrots/squash/papapa/anything orange and edible that stains.
And she’s currently testing the Ella’s Kitchen and Plum Baby [EDIT: no longer available] ranges, as the pouches are significantly more portable than jars. Reviews of those to come too.
I’m also asking all and sundry for their tips on jetlagged babies, plus trying to work out whether it’s worth packing nappies after all after unthinkingly picking up two megapacks (and then realising she’ll probably grow out of them before too long).
Apart from that, there’s just the car seat conundrum to contemplate (partly depending on what we do about a car!). And how to pack enough clothes for temperatures hovering around zero.
And honestly, I can’t wait! USA, here we come…
Image courtesy of Depositphotos
