With a baby on board an international flight while moving abroad is a real adventure. From emotional goodbyes to diaper explosions at 30,000 feet, here’s how we made it through.
The day is here… It’s moving day… and I still don’t feel like going. Leaving behind my family, the comfort of everything I know, and the people I’ve grown to rely on as a first-time mom feels almost impossible. My heart feels so heavy. One thought keeps running through my mind: I finally understand why so many people dream about moving abroad but never actually do it. Right now, I’m feeling every single reason why people don’t do this.
Baby on board: Our Travel Itinerary
- 9 PM: Night flight, 11 hours from Amsterdam to Guangzhou
- 8-hour layover in Guangzhou
- Another night flight, 11 hours to Auckland
- 4-5 hour layover in Auckland
- 1-hour flight to Napier
AGHHH!
To cope with the enormity of this journey, I decided to take it step by step—no overthinking allowed. Just focus on the next thing. Thankfully, there’s Patrick, whose enthusiasm is, at this stage, the only reason we’re still going! 😊
First steps
Step one: breastfeed Elsa and get out of bed. This is easy. This I can do. As I nurse her, I feel that familiar tug of protectiveness. The overwhelming need to keep her safe is so fierce it’s almost grounding. But then my mind whispers: Will I really be able to do this?
Next steps: COFFEE, a shower, and, most importantly, avoiding too much eye contact with my mom. (She’s going through her own “mission impossible” right now, and I can’t say I blame her.) By the time we’re sorting through our bags and organizing hand luggage for the millionth time, I feel a little more in control.
Off to the Airport
We ended up heading to the airport with:
- 4 checked bags (23kg each)
- 2 carry-on bags
- A stroller, carry cot, car seat, travel bed, and baby carrier
Yes, it took two cars to get us all there. At the airport, we were met by lots of family and one of my best friends, who came to see us off. Saying goodbye was emotional—tears, hugs, the works—but somehow, it also felt like a necessary ritual, one final push before taking the plunge.
With Elsa in the carrier, snuggled against me, we made our way through security. She fell asleep, and the next step was finding our gate. Since we had a bit of time, I managed to scarf down a slice of pizza because, well, priorities.
Just before boarding, we decided on a strategic final diaper change so Elsa could go straight to sleep after breastfeeding during takeoff. Perfect plan, right?
baby on board: The Best-Laid “Elsa-Plans”…
As with most of my “Elsa-plans,” I forgot to inform her properly. Because no sooner had we reached cruising altitude than she delivered one of her notorious diaper explosions. Naturally. So, we dug into her first set of spare clothes while Patrick braved the impossibly tiny changing table in the airplane bathroom. (Pro tip: Take your time, and have everything ready before you go in.) See travelling tips.
Meanwhile, the flight crew set up Elsa’s bassinet. We dressed her in a 3.5 TOG sleeping bag since night flights are always a little chilly. I didn’t have high hopes—she doesn’t always handle new environments well—but somehow, miraculously, she went to sleep soundly.
I couldn’t quite believe it and checked on her every five minutes. We took turns watching her, and while I didn’t sleep myself, I managed to rest a little. Before I knew it, we had landed in China.
Click here for PART 2
