Overseas trip - advice please!

My DH and I are heading to France next week with our 14 month old DD - VERY excited, but also nervous about the flying, the time difference and the rules around what we can/can't take on board with us. (We are flying via Melbourne to HK, staying a night there, then flying on to Paris.)

Will we be allowed to take (sealed) fruit squeeze packs, water bottles for formula, barrier cream, snacks etc? I've tried googling this stuff but get mixed answers.

Any other travel advice gratefully received! We've never taken her further than Auckland before.

It might depend who you fly with? Check with your airline.

We flew to Europe (via Singapore) in May, when DD was 15 months and I couldn't believe all the stuff they let us take on the plane. Lots and lots of hand luggage, some fruit and small bottle of water. I still had the little tub of sudocrem that I received in the bounty pack, so I put that in a clear zip lock bag with other small fluid bottles.
They seem to be very easygoing when you travel with a baby.
Also it's much easier flying out of NZ than into NZ. On the way back don't forget to chuck all your leftover fruit in the bin upon arrival.

Have a good flight and enjoy your holiday!

OOoh I am so JEALOUS!!! I love Paris!!!

Check with your airline though, they should be able to help. But you should be fine with sealed jars of baby food / squeeze packs etc. When we flew I took sachets of formula for on the plane and an unopened tin in our luggage. Sachets were so handy on the flight! Water is a tricky one, it sometimes depends on who you get on the day. Maybe fill a couple of bottles with 100ml and zip lock them, otherwise they can help on the plane.

 

Thanks everyone for the tips

We flew last year with DS who was 18months at the time and it was really tough...!
As far as taking things on board, we had two backpacks, one with baby stuff and one was pretty much food and toys to help entertain.
It does depend on who you get at customs, we had a tub of bum cream that got on most of the flights, but got taken off us as it was over the 100mls I think somewhere else. I took formula sachets which was great and the airline provided the water.
My advise to you would be to discuss what might happen on board before you go and try and come up with some sort of plan between you and DH. Things like if baby doesn't sleep, and what sort of expectations you have. My son is very active and because Dh works full time, he didnt really grasp before we left that he is active ALL day, not just when he sees him, therefore expectations for him to sit still in his seat were way over the top.
At that age it is difficult to explain to them that they have to sit with a seatbelt on when the light comes on etc    Some of the flights have very reasonable flight attendents who would let him play on the floor by our feet and others that were very anal about the "rules".
You can pretty much take packaged food anywhere, but just be sure to declare it so you don't get stung for any fines. You will find its only really Australia and NZ that will care.
We flew Malasian who had quite small bassinets so his feet were hanging over the end which I imagine was rather uncomfortable. They also didn't seem to care that he may have been over the "allowed" weight in the bassenet. Some airlines do have strickt rules for the bassinet usage so you should ask your agent about them.

Dont forget to pack a spare top for yourself incase you get chucked up on or something you are totally unexpecting..

Generally, the airlines are all quite helpful and will try and get you spare seats near you (if they are available) for you to use.

I say, expect the worst and hope for the best. You may be surprised how well your child actually handles the whole thing.

A few thoughts - we recently flew Air NZ to Japan and the bassinet weight limit was 11.8kg, and they checked with us (so obviously wanted to check she wasn't too big).
Take more nappies than you think you will need - you don't want to run out!
A magna doodle type toy was good for our 20 month old....
And don't forget a couple of books to read.
Also a small blanket - can be useful to drape over the bassinet to block out the light if your little one wants to go to sleep. I also had a peg with me on the way back because I had grabbed it to keep a packet of crackers closed, and it turned out to be quite useful - I used it at one stage to attach a blanket above the bassinet! I'm sure there would be other uses too!
When you are on the plane hold onto the warm wet towels they give you before meals (or ask for fresh ones)- they are useful when giving your child snacks, to clean up any messes.
We thought the flight would be really bad, but then it turned out to be not so bad, so perhaps if you think negatively, you will be surprised!