Dolphin : Deepest codolences to you and your family.. take care ok?
Taka Fair : I should be able to join you guys with Arwen, I will confirm by Wednesday afternoon.
I arrived on 6th March and I peifu those mummies who had confinement in this heat! Unbelievable! Poor Arwen is so tired these two days. Lamb and CYang, just let you guys know how my flight went so you might have an idea.
Since last week, I had repeatedly tell Arwen she will be taking a plane and the procedures and all. Past accounts had made me believe informing her what is to happen always seems to help her to cope even though she may not fully understand. I show her pictures of Singapore, the airport and my family .
Nevertheless I was really super stress despite already packing and anticipating the possible problems ahead. On the morning before the flight, I bathe and feed her as usual but i guess my high anxiety state really affected her, she puke all her milk out! She never once puke milk so much before and I was super heartpain to see mlik coming out of her nose and mouth! But she was fine , smiling but refusing more milk. I so very nearly cancel the flight but I know it is due to high stress level.
I pack lightly, taking only the utmost essential as I know SIA provide diapers, wet tissue, a cloth bib and hot water. I also pack 2 of her favorite toys and 1 small blanket. I check in my wallet , packed in the rest of the luggage. Only have our passport, my ATM, 1 credit card and small change in my jean's pocket. I do not want to have to worried about my money while carrying Arwen.
I read on some forum, some airport allow parents to bring in water , that is, if you prefilled the bottle with cold water . I tried but Pudong airport does not allow that so in the end, I had to empty all the bottle and my hot flask also. Check in is simple, the airport staff are very helpful and I get to go via the Express Lane.
Once in transit, I fill my hotflask again with the water dispenser there and immediately made a bottle. Anticipating that Arwen might be uncomfortable with the air pressure, I immediately made a feed using only hot water, cos I know by the time we board and take off, the temp will be just nice. I also bought a bottle of Evian in the transit cos I do not want to use the water on the plane, so weird taste lah.
I thought I need to use sling while boarding but in the end, I just push the stroller to boarding gate and carry her into the aircraft. My Ergo sling prove to be a burden as anyway Arwen wore an infant seat belt as I carry her, Ergo was too bulky and my other cloth sling also useless.
Once take off, I give her the bottle to suck but she was sleeping very soundly so I give her the pacificer instead. I think she did feel uncomfortable with the air pressure cos she whine quite a bit, I tickle her chin to make her keep sucking the pacificer.
The bassinet is pretty good, at eye level so I can watch her all the time. She was soothed by the airplane engine noise and slept all the way! I had to wake her up to feed! I manage to have my meals and even nap a bit!
Changing her was ok, I pack the diapers and all in a small pouch seperately. So when I need to change her, I just carry her and the pouch to the toilet. The toilet is small but workable, I manage to pee also! LOL!
Some tips
1) If really want to latch and BF, better ask for window seat, I was in the alsie seat and even tho SIA got one of the most spacious economy seat, I felt cramp in, and hard to position Arwen cos her head and legs exceed the width of the seat liao! Also even with nursing cover, very very troublesome as really cramp and not even 3 mins, the seat belt sign turn on and I had to unlatch and put away my cover and put the seat belt on her, lucky she was very sleepy so she did not fuss. I gave up and gave her FM instead.
If got window seat, at least got more space and more privacy.
2) If want to sling, better get those pupsik/ bilboa etc kind, carriers really too bulky and troublesome. Prepare for times when you have to carry babies in your lap for awhile incase of turbulence.
3) Get a cap , a sweater with hood or a nice rimmed hat cos the lights will disturb babies eyes making them waking up easily.
When I landed in SG, honestly... I was pretty exhausted mentally more than anything. My SS drops so much! I hardly feel engorged and when I latch, Arwen only suck 5 mins and cry for more liao.
SO! Be calm and positive or SS might drop leh.
Arwen adapt pretty well but too many visitors last 2 days and poor girl was so tired and sleep throughout both nights! The heat also makes her grouchy and she don't drink very well, only finish 100mls per time!
I hope today , letting her rest at home the whole day would be better. Maybe see how, later if she is in happy mood, may take her for her haircut .KEKE