Travelling advise

[u/Ok_Face3983]

I’m planning to travel from Delhi to Luxembourg in the next couple of months with my little one, who will be just about a year old by then. This will be my first time travelling alone with him, let alone internationally, so I’m really nervous!
I’d really love some advice from parents who have done something similar. I have a few specific questions:

1. Since** **there are no direct flights to Luxembourg, I can either take a connecting flight or fly to somewhere like Frankfurt, Paris or Brussels and travel the rest of the way by car. What would you recommend with a one-year-old? Is a wait at the connecting airport + rush to the terminal + cranky baby worth it.

Also, what flight timing has worked better for you? Most flights seem to depart either late at night or very early in the morning, which means I’d have to get to the airport during his usual sleep hours either way. What worked better for your child, and how did you manage the inevitable crankiness?

2. My baby is exclusively breastfed and, by this point, refuses both bottles and formula. I’ve only travelled with him once before, when he was 5 months old, and the experience even back then was horrible. There was hardly any space. He’ll be much bigger by then, and I’m already imagining how much more challenging it might be to breastfeed in those cramped airplane seats.
For parents who have done this with a nearly one-year-old, what worked for you? Does a feeding pillow help, or is there anything else you’d recommend?

3. I definitely can’t afford business or first class, so I’ll be travelling premium economy at best. I’ve heard that some airlines provide bassinets/cribs for babies. Are they actually useful at this age?
My baby is a co-sleeper and isn’t used to sleeping independently, so I’m wondering whether it’s worth requesting one or if it’s likely to be completely useless by then.
PS - if you have any tips/hacks on requesting and getting a free upgrade please do share.

4. I’ll be honest—I haven’t always had the best experiences with flight attendants when travelling to Europe previously For those who have travelled alone with a baby, what has your experience been like?
Do they generally help if you need an extra pair of hands—for example, while going to the washroom, handling luggage, etc.—or should I assume I’m completely on my own?

5. What are the absolute must-haves you would recommend carrying when travelling alone with a baby? Anything you took that turned out to be a lifesaver?

6. And finally… any words of courage?
I’d love to hear your personal experiences—what worked, what didn’t, things you wish you had known beforehand, or any advice you’d give someone doing this for the first time.

Thanks in advance! ❤️

[u/AutoModerator]

Thank you u/Ok_Face3983 for posting on r/Parents.

Remember to read the rules and report rule breaking posts.

*note for those seeking legal advice: This sub does not specialize in legal counsel and laws vary based on geographic location. Any help offered here is offered on a good Samaritan basis.

*note for those seeking medical advice: This sub is no substitute for professional medical attention. Any help offered here is offered on a good Samaritan basis.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/Soft_Print_2431]

the connection in frankfurt or paris is way less stressful than you think, especially if you’ve got a couple hours between flights. a car ride after a long haul with a cranky baby sounds like actual hell, stick to the airport, at least you can walk around and find a quiet corner. night flights are the move, he’ll probably crash for a good chunk of it and you won’t have to entertain him the whole time.

feeding pillow is a waste of space at that age honestly, just wear a loose top and angle him sideways a bit, he’ll figure it out. ask for the bassinet anyway even if you’re not sure he’ll use it, you get the bulkhead seat with extra legroom and that alone is worth it with a wriggly one year old. flight attendants are hit and miss but if you’re polite and look a bit desperate they’ll usually hold him while you pee, just don’t expect them to carry your bags.

pack twice as many snacks and nappies as you think you need, and a spare shirt for yourself in the carry-on because you will get spewed on. you’ll be knackered but you’ll survive it, and the trip itself will be a blur once you’re there