Anyone had experience in flying with Ryanair?

[tigwig]

We fly tomorrow with our 5mth and 5yr old children. I know for a fact the baby is going to be hell! Fortunately its a short flight to Malaga and we have booked priority boarding. What I want to know is as you can sit where you like, where do you think would be the best place with a screaming baby? If the flight is full anyway it will make no difference but if it isnt I was thinking of going straight to the back as maybe everyone else will sit towards the front? What do others think? I am just conscious of other passengers glaring at us the entire time!
Also baby will need a formula feed, will it be best to get boiling water from the crew and let it cool down or will they be able to heat it up for me?

[Mosaic]

Having seen this a couple of times, I think what cabin crew will do on boarding you first is seat you where they want you. From what I have seen this tends to be at the front of the plane. If anyone wants to glare at you, glare straight back - it's none of their business. Re the formula feed, why do a 'belt and braces' approach - have one lot ready made up to microwave, and another lot in powder form ready to mix?

[Mosaic]

That should read 'why not do...'
Soz

[ummmm]

Ryanair are broccoli....

They will probably charge you for the water.

[jno]

jno jnr went to Tenerife at 5 weeks and was no trouble - they actually took him in his carrycot and put him between the pilot and co-pilot. Give baby something to suck on (water, dummy or whatever) during takeoff and landing as this reduces the effect of change of air pressure in the ears, one of the things that makes them cry. And Phenergan has been known to help on short flights.

I'm not sure you actually need the priority boarding as they usually board passengers with babies first anyway.

[JustChillin]

And charge you to go to the loo.

[KARL]

Unfortunately, Ryanair justly have a rather poor reputation when it comes to service but I would say that while the crew are very variable (some very pleasant, others sullen) they are in my opinion likely to be helpful to families with small children. They are likely to want you to sit in the very front row and you are better able to see to the baby and get out of your seat there. Don't expect too much from the staff and do nothing that suggests pushiness on your part, you will then perhaps be pleasantly surprised as to the level of assistance you get. Pressure changes on take-off and landing are your biggest challenge and if the baby and child are persuaded/induced to swallow frequently during these times then ear ache is far less likely to occur. Put concerns about irritating other passengers out of your mind because otherwise you yourself will simply be stressed and children are remarkably quick to pick that up and it usually makes them tense and irritable. I have travelled a lot and it has always seemed to me that the best behaved babies and children were travelling with relaxed adults - a bit of the chicken and the egg no doubt but if the chicken is calm then the chick is more likely to be relaxed.

[237SJ]

Easiest place with a baby is a bulk head seat so on a one class airline like Ryanair, that will be at the front. If you wanted to sit where you like you could although you wouldn`t able to sit at an overwing exit with a baby.
The crew will be able to heat water for you to mix with the formula

[tigwig]

Thank you for the answers. I think the best thing may be to actually ask the crew where to sit.
redhelen I am sorry you feel like that but this is only a 2hr ish flight not a 10hr flight although I must say my parents are treating us all to a Christmas away in the Caribbean this year so god only knows what that will be like! You can't let your life stop though after children so holidays still continue as normal.

[tamborine]

Seats in middle front near Stewards kitchen is usually reserved for babes. Don't worry about moody passengers; tell 'em to go private if they want peace.

If you're comfortable babe will be too.

[spudqueen]

Do they do those ready made up formulas for the formula you buy? They are more expensive, but maybe the easiest way of feeding your baby. Check whether there is a chemists (usually Boots) airside (that's after security) at the airport you're flying from and give them a ring to see what they sell.

[garner]

A good old standby for your baby is to have a couple of new baby toys your baby has not seen or touched before this will help if your baby starts to get upset and will help to distract him/her.Hope you have a good hol and all goes well.g.

[KARL]

I think it entirely unrealistic to expect people with babies and children to abstain from travelling - it is not unduly selfish to do so. However, some parents have next to no control over their children and they cause unacceptable disruption on flights. Our younger was less than three months old on his first flights (longer than the one you are proposing) and never cried the whole way. He was fed frequently during flights. His brother was not a lot older when he started flying. The trick is to have plenty food to offer and have lots of distractions (toys, colouring books, games, the lot) and pay as much attention to them as is necessary - but not fuss or regiment. For children old enough, explain in advance what to expect and go over it a few times, then give advance warning when each new thing is about to come. Children enjoy understanding processes and generally they like "systems" that they are familiar with. The seat belt rule is particularly important.

[ojread2]

I bet the baby sleeps all the way there
Will baby drink formula at room temp? Personally, if it were me there is no way I would allow a bottle of anything destined for my baby's mouth out of my sight. Take a bottle of ready boiled water and a measure of powder ready to mix and do it when baby needs a feed
Even as someone with children and who works with children I would prefer not to sit with a crying baby for 2 hours, but it happens. Make sure you have enough water for baby to drink as you take off too - or try to ensure the feed coincides with take off. Or if you use a dummy make sure you have at least 2 - the ear popping is likely to cause more discomfort than anything else you may encounter whilst away

[tigwig]

Thanks again guys. We are used to travelling with a baby but this time our son is a little horror not like his big sister was! Anyway if you read my above post you will now see I have far more bigger things to worry about ha ha! Glad I can laugh about it now, almost.

[sherrardk]

Sorry to hear about your woes and hope youu have a lovely time when you do actually get there! When we went to Eurodisney (kind of on the spur of the moment) we needed 2 x first child passports and 1 x child passport done in a week - cost nearly as much as the holiday.

With regards to flying with children - if the other passengers don't like it, tough. You have just as much right to be on the plane as everyone else. I am sure that your children will behave and will be a credit to you. We had considered flying in the summer but the only reason we didn't was because of the amount of luggage, buggies, etc we need (5 children under 10) - not the feelings of the other passengers.

[jno]

so your avatar is a photo then, sherrardk? You should charter your own plane!

[sherrardk]

Hi jno - I was really pleased when I found it - summed me up exactly!

[Fish the Mod]

once youre up in the air the baby will sleep all the way......If it dosent let me know and I will refund your fare

[boxtops]

Did you get the passport sorted, tigwig?