can I take baby food on a flight as hand luggage? and other questions when flying with a baby

Ahead of our first flight with our baby boy, I had so many questions and reservations. This was our first trip abroad since the baby boy arrived nearly 10 and a half months ago. I was so nervous about our trip, I had no idea how the baby boy would cope with the flight, how I would fit everything in the suitcase, would I forget something vitally important, would we be able to do the things we usually enjoyed?

We had a wonderful holiday and didn't feel like we had to give up doing all of the things we used to enjoy. If anything, we did more and actually relaxed a little more too - due to the baby boy's bedtime. However, I did start writing this in our Airbnb in Copenhagen but like most things these days, I never had a chance to finish it.

1. First things first, if you are taking baby food in your hand luggage make sure that you separate out any pouches/jars. You'll need those that are over 100g and those under 100g, grouped separately. You can still take bigger amounts but you'll save time if they're not in a bag with smaller jars/pouches. (Learn from my mistake!!) When I checked online, it said that I could take enough for the journey. I actually took three meals worth and got through fine but they were Aldi pouches so I wouldn't have been heartbroken if I'd had to leave one behind.
2. Ask airline staff for extras. Our flight out was an evening flight so I fed the baby boy on take-off and he snoozed and fed in my arms for the entire flight. It wasn't until the flight home that the staff offered me pillows and blankets. Lesson learned, next time I will ask for these straight away. Worst case scenario, they don't have them but if they do, bonus!
3. A baby carrier is a must. On our way out we were able to keep our buggy until the gate but even then, it was invaluable being able to put the baby into the carrier to get on the aeroplane. And on our return journey, we had to check in the buggy with our suitcases, making the carrier even more of an essential.
4. If your little one if old enough, bring snacks and toys and anything else you can think of to entertain them. I think a flight is the one time you need to throw caution to the wind and use whatever tactics possible to make it as stress free for everyone involved. A shout out to SAS airlines who we flew with - they provided a lovely little picture book and soft toy for the baby boy to play with (and take home after) - such a nice touch.
5. Finally, don't stress out if your little one does cry or get upset or doesn't sleep. Our plan on the way out was for the baby boy to feed as we took off, sleep for the flight and then transfer to his buggy and he'd sleep again on the journey to our apartment. In reality, he slept for about half an hour and was awake for the rest of the time! But it was fine. We went with it and tried not to sweat it too much!

Anyone else got any tips for flying with little ones? We're flying with our little boy later in the year and this time I don't think he'll be quite so immobile which I think might be a little more of a challenge - any tips for that gratefully received!!

babymoon: Manchester

With 13 weeks to go until our baby's due date, the husband and I headed off for a mini babymoon at the weekend. We decided to have a final frivolous night away before the mayhem hits! As well as taking advantage of the long weekend.

We had a few criteria: it needed to be fairly close to home, fairly cheap and somewhere we knew we would enjoy. We hit upon Manchester. I hadn't been to Manchester until about 18 months and immediately loved it.

I did some research on hotels and their amenities and their prices. With only a few days until we wanted to go, nowhere was a bargain as such. But we did find that a hotel I'd been wanting to stay at for a while was almost the same price as some of the more bargain chains. So we booked four star hotel, The Midland.

Opened in September 1903, The Midland was built by the Midland Railway to serve Manchester Central railway station, its northern terminus for its rail services to London St. Pancras.

The hotel boasts The Spa at The Midland which offers treatments, a steam room, relaxation area, pool and much more. We made use of the pool on Monday morning before we checked out - I particularly liked the rainfall showers in the changing rooms!

We spent our 24 hours mainly chilling out and eating. I feel like a very bad blogger as I took nearly no photos the whole time we were away! Only the one above of the hotel and this one of my virgin cocktail on Sunday night in The Botanist.

What can I say? We were clearly too busy enjoying ourselves! But I am slightly annoyed that I didn't get a photo of my Sunday night outfit as I made quite an effort to dress up - even doning a black body con dress! Oh well.

After cocktails (served alongside honey and mustard sausages!!), we had a long and rather decadent dinner at Jamie's Italian before retiring.

On Monday we spent the morning at The Spa before hitting town for a spot of shopping before our babymoon was over and we were on our way home.

top tips: travelling when pregnant

Our recent trip to Rome last weekend was planned before I found out I was pregnant, so once it transpired that I would be about 5 months in, our plans had to change a little. Here are my top tips for travelling when pregnant:

1. Check with your airline on their policy for flying pregnant ladies. Most will be fine with you travelling until you’re beyond 30 weeks but many will want a letter from your midwife or a “Fit to Fly” form filled in. For me, Ryanair wanted one for those over 28 weeks.
2. Let your insurance company know. It may incur a charge but this is better than something happening and then finding out that you’re not covered.
3. If you’re travelling in Europe, make sure your EHIC card is in date and that you pack it!
4. When you’re on the plane, make sure to wear a pair of compression socks and get up and walk about as much as possible – at least once an hour. For a short haul trip in Europe, this could easily be covered with a trip to the loo at the beginning and nearer the end of your flight.
5. Pack your medical notes. Preferably in your hand luggage. Just in case.
6. Wear loose, comfortable clothing for travelling. And for the whole of your trip – you don’t want to feel constrained.
7. Make sure to pack sensible shoes for walking. This is particularly important if you’re off on a city break, as I was.
8. Pack a pillow. I have been exhausted nearly all of my pregnancy. So a 6am flight was pretty tiring. I took a pillow with me for the flight and managed to get an hours sleep in on the way. It was also nice to have a pillow I knew with me on the trip for bedtime too.
9. Pack snacks. I find that my energy levels dip quickly now that I’m pregnant so I need a lot of snacks. At the beginning I also needed regular snacks to quell any nausea.
10. Pack light. Believe me, you’ll be thankful when you don’t have to lug a heavy suitcase through the airport.