I just arrived in Sweden yesterday having made the trek from Canada with my 14-week old dd to visit her grandparents. I just thought I'd share some of my experiences as from time to time people ask questions about travelling with their los. First off, I must be blessed with an angelic baby girl as she amazed me from the get-go with her adaptability and how easy-going she seems to be.
I had bought a BabyBjörn in which she was put after we said goodbye to daddy and the stroller and went through customs in Toronto. Within a half-hour, she fell asleep in the Björn, which totally floored me as she always only slept in her crib (a la BW). At first I had planned to make sure I feed her during take-off, but after asking the flight attendants, they said from their experience the take-offs don't bother los, but that rather the landings do. So I just let her sit in my lap and she did fabulously during take-off - not a peep. I had requested to sit in the 'bassinet row' and after we reached cruising altitude they put it up. Linnea laid in there playing happily during my meal and then after I fed her and wrapped her up in the swaddle, she slept soundly for several hours in the cot, until I woke her up when I first noticed that we were starting to descend. The lady next to me adviced that when she travelled with her lo she noticed that once they start to cry during the landing it's often too late, so better start the feed early. I fed her during the descent and again, she did just fine and did not seem to be bothered by the changes in altitude. During the stop-over in Frankfurt and the flight to Sweden I had her in the Björn the whole time and she slept for three hours straight, which meant I had to wake her up in order to feed her again when landing in Sweden. Who knows if the landing would even have bothered her; she might have slept right through it, though I wasn't willing to take the chance!
I had made sure to bring cans of Ready-to-Serve formula, which made it really easy during feedings. The flight attendants put the open can on ice so I didn't have to waste any. People are extremely helpful when you travel with a lo. I was offered to go ahead any line ups and was put in Business class on the flight from Frankfurt. I had really dreaded the flight, imagining the evil glances I would be getting from people when they see there is going to be a baby sitting next to them on the plane, but noticed none. Instead people were all smiles and many offered help when they noticed my hands were full.
For carry-on I had just her diaper bag - who knew it could hold that much!!! Change of clothes, blankets for swaddling, cans of formula, bottles, favourite toys, and the usual contents of course.
As for staying on EASY, I let it fall to the wayside a bit during the flight and let her decide when to eat and sleep (except for the feeds during landing). The first night in Sweden I did bath, bottle at 6:30 pm as usual and she was fast asleep in her crib (my old crib!) by 7pm. I had planned on doing the df but fell asleep myself! She woke at midnight to eat and then again at 5 and then slept in until 9!!!
I actually feel very rested and not at all jet-lagged. I don't imagine there being any problems at all getting her back on a routine.
On another note - I've had her unswaddled for two naps since arriving here with quite succesful results - maybe the change in scenere, total exhaustion, or just coincidence and I might speak too soon, but I'd be tickled pink if we could drop the swaddle - she's just sooo cute sleeping with her arms above her head!