“What
is that?” said the oversize baggage handler at Adelaide Airport pointing at our
supa dupa orange carrier with the word ‘Pram’ emblazoned across the top. “A
pram? I can’t touch that,” he said. I asked why not. “I’m not a baggage
handler,” he replied. Was he perhaps a baggage whisperer, I wondered? I hoofed
the baggage onto the conveyor belt myself while he glared at me.
Less than an hour into our first trip with baby Myles and things were looking decidedly shaky. First the Adelaide Independent taxi which I booked online specifically requesting a baby capsule turned up without one. I made an urgent call to the taxi company and was told that Adelaide did not have a single cab equipped with a baby capsule. “If you’re baby is under three months you can carry him in your arms,” said the dispatcher. And when he or she turns three months? No one seemed to know. (I’ve since spoken to Uber, but they do not seem to offer either baby capsules or child seats in their vehicles).
Less than an hour into our first trip with baby Myles and things were looking decidedly shaky. First the Adelaide Independent taxi which I booked online specifically requesting a baby capsule turned up without one. I made an urgent call to the taxi company and was told that Adelaide did not have a single cab equipped with a baby capsule. “If you’re baby is under three months you can carry him in your arms,” said the dispatcher. And when he or she turns three months? No one seemed to know. (I’ve since spoken to Uber, but they do not seem to offer either baby capsules or child seats in their vehicles).
Once
through the normal security screening we sought sanctuary in the Qantas Club lounge,
which proved to be remarkably baby-friendly, with good changing facilities and
decent coffee for mum and dad. The Qantas flight was equally hassle-free (no,
I’m not being sponsored by the Australian carrier), although Myles managed to
throw up on the return leg from Sydney four days later.
The secret of air travel with a baby, we discovered, is to carry several
changes of clothes – for the baby and oneself – but keep the carry-on luggage luggage
to a minimum. Once in the air, the next challenge is changing your baby’s nappy
in the airline toilet – something which requires the dexterity of an
escapologist.
Once in Sydney our biggest obstacle was finding a taxi with a baby capsule and enough space for our oversize luggage. This proved far simpler than we’d expected and our welcome at the Swissotel Sydney was equally delightful – although we’d requested a bassinet the hotel supplied bottles, wipes, a sterilizer, blankets, toys and even a baby bath. Myles had his best sleep in three months at the Swissotel and we are eternally grateful to the staff for their kindness and attention to detail; I later discovered that the hotel will actually decorate your child’s room according to his or her favourite superhero, something which I’d rather not contemplate at this stage.
This whistle-stop trip to Sydney was a dress rehearsal for a month-long journey around the United Kingdom. I’m already a little nervous. How will Myles behave on such a long flight? Will we be able to carry enough formula? Can we take him in a normal London black cab? “You’ll be fine,” a mother of three young boys assured me. “This is the best age to travel with children. They are just sleeping and feeding most of the time. The trouble starts when they get a little more mobile.”
I can’t wait to show my new son off to his 84-year-old granny, his 23-year-old brother and other English relatives. He’ll also visit that holy of holies, Upton Park (home of West Ham football club). And what about the perennial taxi problem? I think we’ve nailed that one too. We’ve hired a car – Europcar offer capsules and baby seats with most of their vehicles for a very modest fee. Yes, another free plug. Perhaps Europcar would like to sponsor this blog? Afterall, I’m going to be a very good customer for the next few years.
Once in Sydney our biggest obstacle was finding a taxi with a baby capsule and enough space for our oversize luggage. This proved far simpler than we’d expected and our welcome at the Swissotel Sydney was equally delightful – although we’d requested a bassinet the hotel supplied bottles, wipes, a sterilizer, blankets, toys and even a baby bath. Myles had his best sleep in three months at the Swissotel and we are eternally grateful to the staff for their kindness and attention to detail; I later discovered that the hotel will actually decorate your child’s room according to his or her favourite superhero, something which I’d rather not contemplate at this stage.
This whistle-stop trip to Sydney was a dress rehearsal for a month-long journey around the United Kingdom. I’m already a little nervous. How will Myles behave on such a long flight? Will we be able to carry enough formula? Can we take him in a normal London black cab? “You’ll be fine,” a mother of three young boys assured me. “This is the best age to travel with children. They are just sleeping and feeding most of the time. The trouble starts when they get a little more mobile.”
I can’t wait to show my new son off to his 84-year-old granny, his 23-year-old brother and other English relatives. He’ll also visit that holy of holies, Upton Park (home of West Ham football club). And what about the perennial taxi problem? I think we’ve nailed that one too. We’ve hired a car – Europcar offer capsules and baby seats with most of their vehicles for a very modest fee. Yes, another free plug. Perhaps Europcar would like to sponsor this blog? Afterall, I’m going to be a very good customer for the next few years.
